Mac Baren 7 Seas Regular Blend

The cocoa tin note (more appropriately: pouch note! ) transfers quite nicely to the smoke of this good USA-style aromatic. It has a nice taste and aroma, especially when you let the smoke "retro-whirl" to the back of the nose.This blend is light and pleasantly sweet, nice all day long with a mug of coffee or a cappuccino. The irregularly cut ribbon tobacco burns very easily and produces nice, rich clouds of smoke. The burley (which I personally dislike) does not become prevalent during the first half of the smoke. After 2/3rds of the bowl though, a light chemical aroma comes forward, disturbing the conclusion of an otherwise enjoyable smoke. A defect: the wall of the empty bowl remains rather gooey, and extra care is needed to remove such sticky material. due to this defect, a dedicated pipe is needed. No tongue bite whatsoever throughout the smoke. I prefer this mixture to the 7 seas Royal.

7 Seas Regular Blend is not exactly a “regular” in the classic meaning of the word. Normally a “regular” is a popular and common mixture composed of Virginia, Burley and a small flavoring (or no flavoring). This is a strongly flavored popular blend you could also describe as a regular aromatic. A regular aromatic in the American tradition but in a classic Danish style. In the American tradition because this blend is a classic popular OTC blend, aromatic, mild and cheap, an all-day smoke for aromatic mixtures’ lovers. In the Danish style because Black Cavendish is pure Virginia Cavendish and in this blend the Virginia tobaccos are 80 percent (80%). So this mixture is really sweet but anyway it’s better than many OTC blends. Certainly it is sweeter than many aromatics and of course it is ideal for all those who love a sweet taste. For example in my taste it is too sweet but all in all I have to admit it is a good aromatic mixture: cheap and it doesn’t cloy. In my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 6 and two stars.

The initial scent within tin is vanilla and some chocolate. It lights easy, it leaves no tongue bite, it does not generate gurgles and not a hot bowl. I was able to taste some creamy flavor; and the Black Cavendish tasted great. The exhaled smoke scent has a little buttery or butterscotch savor. The retro nasal is very nice. No need to use tamper vigorously, let tamper weight do the trick. It burns well, from the beginning to the end without re-lit. Great aromatic and outstanding room note. The strength seems to be mild to medium.

Somewhat chocolate-ish. Not a lot of complexity.

The room note is pleasant but not very perceptible.

The taste is a little bland and not that enjoyable. I mean, I smoke it. I can smoke it every day, especially mixing with another Brazilian chocolate-flavored aromatic to make the taste more round.

But overall I'd say it's an "OK" tobacco. Not bad, not good, much less great... OK.

An everyday smoke when you don't have a lot of money on your pocket.

Not a bad blend, but easily bites the tongue if you aren't careful, especially directly out of the tin. Has a good flavor and I believe it would be close to Flying Dutchman. I would smoke it but wouldn't go out of my way for it, as there are much better blends out there available in bulk in my opinion. Room note was decent.. flavor decent.. didn't leave a stink but did goop the pipe a bit.

I don't really taste the difference between this and some higher quality bulk aros. In other words, the aro flavor isn't that remarkable.

However, there is the precision of the flavoring (not too much or too little), moisture (perfect), burning qualities (perfect for an aro) and tin art (really nice). The precise manufacturing and packaging are worth a star at least.

A good beginners tobacco which will also give him (or her) practice in opening and closing tins.

This particular tobacco is one of four I purchased from one of only two specialist tobacconists left in my end of Cornwall (Johnny's of Newquay). The reason for buying four is simply that being new to piping I'm still finding my feet as regards what tobacco suits me.

Straight from the pouch the baccy smells gorgeous, slightly burnt biscuit like with a hint of bonfire toffee. Not overly moist it packs and smokes very well indeed though with a few relights being needed but that is likely just me not quite having the technique quite perfect yet.

Certainly one to try and am so glad that I did. Shame it only come in 40g pouches though.

Pipe Used: Various 'basket' pipes + a rather nice Parker.

Age When Smoked: Fresh from the pouch.

Purchased From: Johnny's of Newquay (Cornwall, UK).

Similar Blends: Similar but not as strong as Peterson's Luxury Blend.....another one worth trying..

These blends were supposedly brought out to compete against Captain Black. While this blend is quite tasty, I do like Captain Black better.

The top note is not over the top (excuse the pun). It has a nice chocolate flavor, but I taste the burleys. I would give this 2.5 stars if I could.

As always, I did mix this with 5 Brothers.

Excellent tin note, great room note, balanced flavors of chocolate, fruits and vanilla. Captain Black white label on steroids. Very little bite. I'm a big fan of Mac Baren, and this one doesn't disappoint. A great all day aromatic.