Mac Baren HH Mature Virginia
(3.24)
22 different tobaccos are included in this blend and of these 15 are Virginia tobaccos. Before blending the tobacco the Virginias has been stored for years to mature and develop the final aromas, just like when good wine is put aside for aging. Virginia types like bright yellow/golden leaf, mature red/mahogany leaf, dark Virginia and a black Virginia cavendish are blended and left to store so that each tobacco taste marry into a taste unity. To enhance and support the Virginias a touch of Oriental is added and finally the taste is rounded with just an easy hand of pressed burley.
Notes: Discontinued in 2014.
Details
| Brand | Mac Baren |
| Blended By | Per Jensen |
| Manufactured By | Mac Baren |
| Blend Type | Virginia Based |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Burley, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ready Rubbed |
| Packaging | 100 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.24 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 01, 2014 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Update 12 Dec 14
Well, not only do I still not understand this tobacco but it has taken a turn for the worse over the last week and a half or so. It smokes hot while, of course, becoming harsh and bland so, considering life is too short and there are too many good tobaccos out there, I stopped bothering with it and threw the tin in the garbage. HH Mature Virginia is not a success from Mac Baren.
This one has not been obvious at all to me, at first. The tin note can be confusing at best: strong, very sharp aroma of Kalamata olives combined with sweet vanilla. As you can suspect, very odd and not exactly appealing. I have not let that most unusual introduction stop me. The tobacco is fairly dark, ranging from medium to dark brown. It feels rather moist to the touch but it's not as less than 5 minutes of drying makes it ideal for packing. It takes a bit to light it up adequately, it burns slowly and can bite if you puff too frequently. The dominating flavours are definitively sweet and smoky, but either are not extremely pronounced and one does not dominate the other. In fact, it presents itself as not very elaborated in taste, but nevertheless...As where I was thinking it's an Ok tobacco, that I would finish the 2 tins I bought, but would not buy it again (well, buy more of what is left as it has been discontinued), I realize I am reaching more and more frequently for it, which is significant. The truth is, over the 2 week period I have been smoking it, I realize I do not quite understand the nature of this tobacco but do understand that I enjoy it more and more, and, really, that's all that matters. I am to the point, now, where i might decide to seek some more tins of HH mature virginia, even though it's a rather very unusual VA blend.
Well, not only do I still not understand this tobacco but it has taken a turn for the worse over the last week and a half or so. It smokes hot while, of course, becoming harsh and bland so, considering life is too short and there are too many good tobaccos out there, I stopped bothering with it and threw the tin in the garbage. HH Mature Virginia is not a success from Mac Baren.
This one has not been obvious at all to me, at first. The tin note can be confusing at best: strong, very sharp aroma of Kalamata olives combined with sweet vanilla. As you can suspect, very odd and not exactly appealing. I have not let that most unusual introduction stop me. The tobacco is fairly dark, ranging from medium to dark brown. It feels rather moist to the touch but it's not as less than 5 minutes of drying makes it ideal for packing. It takes a bit to light it up adequately, it burns slowly and can bite if you puff too frequently. The dominating flavours are definitively sweet and smoky, but either are not extremely pronounced and one does not dominate the other. In fact, it presents itself as not very elaborated in taste, but nevertheless...As where I was thinking it's an Ok tobacco, that I would finish the 2 tins I bought, but would not buy it again (well, buy more of what is left as it has been discontinued), I realize I am reaching more and more frequently for it, which is significant. The truth is, over the 2 week period I have been smoking it, I realize I do not quite understand the nature of this tobacco but do understand that I enjoy it more and more, and, really, that's all that matters. I am to the point, now, where i might decide to seek some more tins of HH mature virginia, even though it's a rather very unusual VA blend.
Pipe Used:
Rattray; Luciano; Stanwell; Falcon
Age When Smoked:
1 year 3 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2009 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Unnoticeable |
I had high expectations for this Virginian blend prior to receiving my tin. The tag line captured my attention, despite the notation of Burley's and Orientals in the mix. Visually the blend is impressive with multi-toned leaves. Tactilely the blend seemed sopping wet compared to the rest of MacBaren's line, so I'll dry it for my needs. I'm reluctant to make flippant analogies, but the tin aroma reminded me of a can of freshly opened black olives in brine. I've smoked close to ten bowls in large bowled pipes, and I'm not getting Mature Virginian. I notice the dry Burley component too much for my liking, and some Oriental spice. MV has more similarities to Presbyterian Mixture than Full Virginia Flake. I love the McClelland catsup tang, knowing the rewards upon ignition. I am been reluctant to add my review. The Chef, the Stud, Glorfi and BBJ sing its praise, yet, right know I can't. There is no doubt this is a very, very well made tobacco. I'm sure many will find enjoyment in this blend, but form me it wasn't Virginian enough.
I still have half a tin left that I?ll continue to sample, and if I change my current thought, I?ll update my review. I need to consume at least 50 grams to give a fair opinion, so I'll press on.
I still have half a tin left that I?ll continue to sample, and if I change my current thought, I?ll update my review. I need to consume at least 50 grams to give a fair opinion, so I'll press on.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 01, 2014 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Opening the tin reveals a very wet tobacco with so many different smells and notes. Sweet and fruity, tangy and cheesy (literally).
Once ready, I took my meerschaum pipe filled it and lit it. The tobacco is certainly complex and has a pleasant taste to it (honey maybe, natural virginias, bitter notes, some pain d'épices spices), but burns on the hot side and has somewhat of a bite to it. I am not impressed. I will give this tobacco another try in a briar pipe dedicated to VA tobaccos to see if I get any difference.
I am really sad to give this tobacco one star as I had some high expectations of it. I will update in case in a briar pipe I get something different from it.
Once ready, I took my meerschaum pipe filled it and lit it. The tobacco is certainly complex and has a pleasant taste to it (honey maybe, natural virginias, bitter notes, some pain d'épices spices), but burns on the hot side and has somewhat of a bite to it. I am not impressed. I will give this tobacco another try in a briar pipe dedicated to VA tobaccos to see if I get any difference.
I am really sad to give this tobacco one star as I had some high expectations of it. I will update in case in a briar pipe I get something different from it.
Pipe Used:
Straight Billiard Meerschaum
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 09, 2014 | Mild | Extra Strong | Overwhelming | Overwhelming |
This is the blend that stopped me from smoking a pipe till now, and that was 2 years ago. The tin aroma smells like rotten fruit, and the taste of it made me taste nothing but that rotten taste for hours afterwards. I will never touch anything from Mac Baren again. Just too much bad experience from them.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 23, 2011 | Mild | Extra Strong | Overwhelming | Overwhelming |
With great trepidation I loaded Holy Hell Mature Virginia into my least favorite cheep Dr. Grabow.
Took one puff of the goopy mess and dumped it before I ruined my pipe.
I don't like aromatics but this one is way over the top.
Took one puff of the goopy mess and dumped it before I ruined my pipe.
I don't like aromatics but this one is way over the top.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 29, 2008 | Extremely Mild | Strong | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Tolerable |
I don't like Aromatics, not much more to add. If you want sublime virginia tobacco without all the extra flavoring, try Full Virginia Flake or the lighter Best Brown Flake. I tend not to review any tobacco's unless I truly enjoy them, but after reading the multiple 3 and 4 star reviews I felt the need to chime in, and all those high reviews convinced me to give this a shot and pick up a tin. Blackwoods, Hall o Wind, Cut Virginia Plug.....there are so many phenominal virginias out there that have more consentration and complexity. I guess thats what makes the world go around, my pallet is much different than others. This one did not do it for me at all, neither has any McBaren blend for that matter, after 5 bowls I gave the tin away. I would agree with 'the no tongue bite' note on the tin description though. Again, I only post when I enjoy a particular tobacco, but I got a totally different experience then most of the reviewers that I felt the need to express my view on this one, I am sure it will not deter anyone from giving this a try.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 11, 2015 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Unnoticeable |
Out of all of the tobacco I have purchased this one has to be the biggest mistake I have ever made. Extremely harsh, smells like a hoard of bananas rotting in a 120 degree car for a week, and tastes like I ate the bananas. Burns very hot and ashy. Tongue bite from hell. Ruined my pipe because of the horrible ghost it left behind. This is one of those blends that burned so hot that you could burn a hole through a pipe in no time flat. Don't know why they discontinued this blend but didn't hurt my feelings at all. I stopped smoking a pipe for 2 years because of this rancid trash.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 06, 2010 | Mild | Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
I really did not enjoy this blend. I like many Mac Baren's flake blends. I just could not get my mind around what this blend is suppose to be. I smoked almost the whole tin, trying to get some flavor change. It was just flat. It taste nothing like Virginia flake tobacco, and it has no aromatic flavor. Maybe if I had a pipe to dedicate to this blend, it may change my opinion. I just did not get it. I cannot recommend it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 10, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Very Mild | Tolerable to Strong |
I certainly did not enjoy this blend. I am generally a Virginia fan, but this blend had me desperately tapping out my pipe in hopes that there would be no ghost. The tobacco is quite moist on opening, that takes an excessive amount of drying to get it suitable for a pipe, and if you do manage to get it lit, it is sour in the extreme. The sour taste is so overwhelming that the tobacco is impossible to enjoy. I enjoyed Mac Baren's Navy, but I must say that I will avoid Mac Baren like the plague now.
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