Mac Baren HH Highland Blend

I first came across this tobacco in the form of a complimentary half-pouch from smokingpipes.com. I am a particular lover of Mac Baren's other "HH" blends, but this was a new one on me. Upon breaking the seal, I could easily smell a deep, peaty smokiness. The label suggests there is Latakia present, but it must not be much. The smoke smell had nothing to do with Latakia, but more like a campfire with the burning of mossy peat. I assume this is a component of the scotch whiskey ingredient. I was immediately interested.

The presentation in the pouch is very pretty, with lemony yellows and medium browns, offset by dark and even black. It's a mixture of different cuts and broken flakes. Packing is easy, as it is fairly dry, and won't plug up the air flow.

Lighting and tamping was easy, and in fact, the faux light turned out to be the only light needed. It just kept burning without any fuss. Flavor is a magnificent matured Virginia with the ever present smokiness and peatiness. There is nothing "sweet" about the taste, but rather just a satisfying texture of richness to the smoke. The flavor doesn't evolve a lot down the bowl, but neither does it become nasty in the way that some others do. I could not detect any nicotine hit, which might be viewed as a negative by some, but I took it as another plus. I did not find myself becoming bored with this blend at all, at least not on the first pipe full. Time will tell as to its future viability, but I have high hopes. In the meantime, a definite four stars for a cool, dry smoke, an amazingly new experience and a stimulating companion for getting the thought processes going. Highly recommended.

Had this one after breakfast outside on a wet morning in May as the morning fog rolled in off the coast of Lake Michigan. The scotch added an interesting flare and unique bouquet at first but eventually it didn't play too heavily. The Burley was in the forefront at the beginning. The latakia kicked in later on and stayed around but didn't take over completely. Pretty well balanced, even the virginia surfaced for a moment or two in my latakia dedicated Stanwell Canadian. However, it did go a little bland here and there. A creamy blandness that wasn't bad, just nothing special and a little tough on the tongue for a minute. Some uniqueness from the scotch was appreciated, and the smokey scent of latakia was left on me for some time afterward. The burn was one of the easiest I've had, didn't even have to think twice about it. It smoked itself from top to bottom if not a little on the warm side. Overall, a decent smoke that provided a nice change in the rotation. Because of the moments of blandness, I'll have to have a few more bowls before I decide to make it a permanent. 2.9

A waste of good whiskey.

Plumcake with whiskey instead of rum as the casing. Like other Mac Barens, it bites like hell and is sour like an old dirty sock. Don't bother.

Update, 27 March 2012: I was given a free sample, and I forgot that I had tried it before. I must have blocked the unpleasant memories from my mind. It Is worse than I wrote above. Horrible!

Like previous reviewers I too am taken by this engaging blend sent along in a 0.71 Oz. sampler pouch by SmokingPipes.com out of Little River, SC. Thanks friends - will probably place a full order soon. Not a Latakia or English blend smoker I much prefer sweet, heavy aros, but this one sports a delicate, sophisticated taste I'd like to try in a couple of my prized pipes including a pair of Petersons. The hint of Scotch whiskey dressing superbly compliments the Latakia taste. Me thinks McBaron may have a "transformational" winner here. Happy Hunting!

Interesting "crossover" blend. I do not often smoke blends with Latakia, and to me the Latakia was in the forefront, everything else coming in second. This is a pleasant surprise though, a MacBaren blend that does not burn the tongue! Sent to me as a sample from Smokingpipes.com (thanks very much!)....I will keep it for an occasional smoke.