Mac Baren Symphony

This is a very nice, chocolate and nut Burley, a touch of spice from the MacB Cavendish with a drop of honey sweetness from the Virginia in it.

These flavors ONLY came out when I tried this blend again in a pipe with a wide, deep bowl. I packed it loose and slightly more rubbed out than it comes from the tin (not too much though). That and gentle, slow sips produced great flavors. This is a fantastic blend!

My first tin of this I smoked in small-bowl pipes, probably packed too tight for the mix. To be honest, I really didn't like it much the first time, and it burned too hot. My first tin wasn't that tasty, until I got the hang of it like I mentioned above.

Edit/Update: Sept 15, 2016 I threw the remainder of that 2nd tin into a mason jar and basically forgot about it the last 6 years. WOW! Age did wonders to this tobacco. It's so mellow, creamy and smooth. I'm buying some more and cellaring it to have around later.

Smoking Mac Baren Symphony is a bit like coming upon a stray dog: treat it gently or you'll likely get bitten. This is actually the first 'baccy I tried during my recent foray from cigars into pipes, and I had to wonder (once I could no longer feel my tongue or taste anything at all) why anyone would subject themselves to this. One week and a few bowls later, I realized that you need to draw this one as if you're smoking a cigar: once every 45 seconds to a minute is plenty. Once you get the rhythm down, you're in for a complex, nutty treat. This one smells great, tastes great, and smokes great. The burn is even with no hot spots and, also like a good cigar, changes characteristics as you progress down into the bowl (which very much surprised me). It's not something I'll want everyday, but it will definitely go into my rotation.

The two stars are just my opinion-seems like a quality tobacco. But this one bit me worse than I have ever been bitten before. I have never tried a tobacco other than this one that I quite simply can not smoke, but the 7 ounce can, vintage early to mid 80s, now sits on a shelf in my garage, and there it will remain. I liked the slightly honeyed taste and the balance of Burley with Virginia to sweeten it up; that is, I would like it if I could smoke more than 3 puffs of it. To my tastes, it is a symphony which seems sweet at first, but becomes very harsh and dissonant.

Update 4-6-10: I got this into a mason jar about six weeks ago, but have not yet worked up the courage to try another bowl. One day, when I am feeling very brave, I will load up a small pipe, and, tube of Orajel at the ready, give it another whirl.

Update 8-26-12: Maybe the jar helped, but it's not biting so much now. Mainly burley, and my sample is from the 80s. 2 1/2 stars, then. Taste is not knocking me out, but not bad at all.

Update 12-6-12: I now think the entire problem is that what I first tried came from one of those 7 ounce cans, which I now suspect had some kind of additional humectants added that cause the bite problems. I recently tried this blend from a 3.5 ounce tin from the same time period, most likely early to mid 80s, and have smoked several bowls with no bite whatsoever! It's changed my whole opinion of Symphony, and though I still don't like it as much as aged MB roll cakes, I will be able to enjoy the four well-aged 3.5 ouncers I recently aquired. I'm bumping my rating up to three stars.

The stuff from the 7 ounce tin still sitting in a jar? I suppose it will just have to continue sitting there for a while...

This blend is a good VA Cavnedish a lite casing flavor. Definetly not chocolate unless they hae changed it since I last picked up a tin. A good nicotine level for Macbaren. SYMPHONY CAN Smoke hot must puff slow easy to lite and stays lit. Becomes a little flat about half way then reappears stronger at the end of the bowl. An all day smoke. Redd's Tip: Scottish Ribbon by Connoisseur is the same as Symphony but less the filler burley and Scottish Ribbon is a much better blend.

Let us ponder the word “symphony” as a point for conjecture. Naturally, a common imagery that builds with this particular term paints a holistic picture of individual movements that coalesce in unison to create a heightened production of perceivable splendor. Given that context, is it sheer coincidence that the Mac Baren Company opted to ascribe this very name to the subject tobacco blend of discussion? No, I suspect not, as there is a little more active here other than mere arbitrary chance.

Playing upon a deliberate framework of subliminal imaging, Mac Baren postures for thoughtful consideration their orchestrated creation, the presently featured Symphony. And on that premise, let us undertake a discourse for ascertaining two principal objectives. First, how true is the embodiment of the term’s meaning within the blend’s Burley-based rendering. And more importantly, just how melodious does this composition play out to be.

With the preparation of this consorted arrangement, Mac Baren enlists the flowing refrains from the select sections of complementing tobaccos to compose a non-aromatic offering of consonant benevolence. In particular, this well-versed rubbed specimen brings together the captivating sonata of choice Burley leaf, the registering accompaniment of syncopated Virginian tones, and the congealing basso continuo of underlying Danish-inspired Cavendish. Aiding this softly mellifluous timbre are the playful leaps of a delicate natured chocolate ornamentation.

As one surveys the formal architecture of this tobacco’s configuration, at an eye’s glance an eased legato is unveiled consisting of fragmental ready-rubbed pieces that encounter as thinly cultured and of homogenous construction. These pressed strands pervade within the visual stanza of its critical mass. Filling the balance of the bar is a minor scale of staccato slivers and a few measures of micro flecks of harmonized colorful tobacco. Characteristically this optimally dry blend plays forth a moving complexion of impressive mottling. Enfolded within are the pentatonic inflections that bridge a pigmented chorus of distressed tans, congenial cocoa, muddied browns, along with progressed striping which bears witness to the echoing vibrato of advanced aging and seasonable blackening.

Now let us consider Symphony’s expressive pouched fragrance. Intriguingly, for a standard Burley production, what rises with immediacy is the bright crescendos of fresh Virginian grass, placated with an offset of restful Burley sourness. Circulating amid the prime body of this essence, discovery reveals a peacefully sweetened and stacked woody character that is styled by the residual influences of poignant native spice. A modest earthy intermezzo breaks free and when combined with the movement of these recitative aromas, the consonance tips upon a sharp cigarette-like odorousness. Additionally, but less obvious, a concealed hint of chocolatey perfected sugar, and naturally occurring dry raisin fruitiness shine with conserved luster. And upon the final coda, a submissive flashing of tartness that is suggestive of failed vinegar brings the total olfactory experience to its proper closure.

Inasmuch as we have now successfully established plausible synergies touching upon this symphonic allegory based upon physical attributes alone. It is in my imaginative opinion however, that the ultimate litmus test for arriving at a decisive position on whether Symphony best exemplifies the essence of its given namesake, largely falls to the experienced taste profile. And seeing that I am the official conductor on podium, logically, the baton held within my hand affords me with an overmastering amount of direction.

To assert that the medium-tempered Symphony demonstrates a classical polyphonic orchestration of flavor would be precisely accurate. Chiefly, through masterful skills Mac Baren has contrived not only a thoughtfully balanced and suitably round taste registration overall, but indisputably, there is also a marveling of independent nuancing quite discernable respective into the major components themselves. What is more, the registerable profile transitions to different succinct moods or subtle variations throughout the progression of the bowl, another honored facet of a properly vested philharmonic piece. Deferring to these observations as noted, from the definitional vantagepoint, this characteristic conditioning in itself underscores a superior accomplishment towards true symphonic standards.

Performing as the charismatic virtuoso of this blend’s persona, the central movement of Symphony’s arrangement features the select contribution from the sections of Burley leaf. The central overture tends to be predominantly shadowed with a firm mood of mellow composure. In effect the fortissimo Dark varietal commands the ensuing score with the strongest presence. A rondo of earnest molasses sounds the forward key, moving furiously to the front edge of pressing flavor. But in short, the dank, charred, fermented wood of this punchy Dark celebrant makes known its authority. The rhythms played tend to favor a softly soured herbal discourse, fashionably seeded with the earthen headiness of an enriched Habana. Still, there is some ancillary prickly brilliance that is promoted by the affluence of possessing zest.

On behalf of this main note, overtones of toasty cocoa pecan evolve showing a degree of progressed sugariness much like a properly applied glazing. With the softening chorus from the White, the melding of taste is effectively injected with a stimulating reduction thereby containing the potential inharmoniousness of an overly emboldened or expressly sforzando Burley character. Yet, the primed savory Burley sourness does prevail more boldly as the bowl deepens.

In being consistent with the recipe’s designed effects there is a pleasing node of fermented spicy Red woodiness on the constant bass line support. This stream is further animated with supplementing accents of crisp piney floral, pepperiness, and a seated nuance of lofty caramelization, obviously resultant from the tobacco’s extended processing. Riding on the uppermost profile, a subtle arpeggio of seasonably parched, dormant grass garnishes the affair gracefully. This Bright feature is edged with a polishing bloom of subdued lemon/orange citrus that pulls from the soprano Virginian refrain. And finally acting as the controlling metronome of tempo, the smokey soiled influence of the sugary Cavendish supplies its guiding assistance in maintaining the fluidity of charming cohesive flavor.

As this accomplished tobacco expends, a soothing canopy of hearty plumes stoke the air with a foremost embracement of cultured, branded Burley-Virginian woodiness. Symphony’s characteristic fragrance is further personified with an elusive waft of sugary cocoa and the smoky circulars of faded sweet grass. Moreover, a decorative annotation of gingerly warm herbal spicing pierces this aromatic envelope of meshed toasty timber. Slowly as the gifts of the main aroma effectively dissipate a residual consignment of amiable original soured Burley lingers for a pass of extended pleasantry. Overall, the blend’s standing presence is politely instrumented with a refined tonality.

Comparatively speaking, in considering the acknowledged masterpiece of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony as a proper benchmark of performance, Symphony exhibits a similar pattern of consistency and smokeable artistry. The unwavering brilliance of smooth flowing modulations encountered from the onset of the bowl’s initial allegro through the advancement towards its exalted finale enable this medium nicotine tobacco with noteworthy, crafted smoothness. Still, the steadied rhythmic cadence of its ensuing burn promotes a smoking adventure that is earmarked by a well-tempered, slow adagio of comfort. Collectively these critical mechanical attributes facilitate the appreciable achievement of a piping session that models every minute of pure blissful indulgence.

In closing, my final reflection leaves me with the impression that Symphony’s customary appeal is indeed orchestral in feel and true to its intended form. Of itself, this savorous tobacco does make accommodations for all venues of pipes but confers a preference for the engagement of a majestic briar. And in retrospect to the inquisitive thoughts presented within the opening comments, naming this particular tobacco as Mac Baren has, seems most authentic if not elegantly becoming. Symphony truly a blended arrangement of meaningful distinction.

Objective Scoring: (based on flavor, standard genre attributes and mechanicals): 171/200 ? 2.9 WAVG.

Subjective Rating: (factored for likeability and cost): 3.1 Pipes.

That cacao...it is not an aromatic blend yet it has a very nice touch of cacao note. Ready rubbed, but I suggest to grind the broken flake virginias, it provided more complex taste for me. Plus, it burns hot due to virginias, I suppose. Burley inside is far away from being strong, I would rather say a "balancing" burley.

Decent smoke overall. Burley comes through on this one with the sweetness of the virginia in the background. For me, this is extremely similar to Carter Hall. Packs and smokes well. No tongue bite. Wife likes the room note. Nothing great...nothing horrible. My only thing - Why not buy Carter Hall for less money?