Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired

This is my stranded-on-an-island blend. I found this to be surprisingly tasteful and I really enjoy the after taste it leaves when the bowl is gone. I prefer this rubbed out and in a shorter wider bowl. The tin smell is unusual and dark and the flakes seem damper than most flakes right from the tin. After rubbing it out and waiting to pack it for 10-15 minutes, it loads easily. Lighting takes a couple (strong) attempts but stays lit fairly well with only a relight or two needed if the tamping or puffing isn't controlled and consistent. I have a 50/50 love/love-not with Mac Baren tobacco but this is one I go to more often than any of the other Mac Baren blends I have tried.

I can not say enough praise about this blend! This is in my top 5 all time favorite flake tobaccos. It has been a while since a blend has commanded my attention such as this one has. I am a sucker for a good burley Virginia flake and this one seems to hit everything just right. The flavor is wonderful leaning towards the burley but the Virginia is there and is very good. I have found that this blend smokes better for me on the dry side so I like to let it air a bit before smoking. I highly recommend this blend and my hat is off to Mac Barens for this one! I never thought Mac Baren would make one of my all time favorite blends!

Great smoke. Charring light is a little harsh but it soon smooths out and is very enjoyable. I use cube cut for this flake.

After a few friends telling me to try this one i jumped in with a order for 3, 100grm tins,i love this stuff, i would not of guessed this was a mc-Barens tobacco,i would of said it was a S/G blend its so smooth and tasty from start to finish,4++++ from me on this one.

MB hit a home run here...I llike my SG 1792, Irish Flake...now Old Dark Fired slides into the rotation...don't just buy one tin..buy a sleeve

Wow. They really made an excellent English style flake. I agree with everyone's notes on the tobaccos it resembles but I would point out that it really isn't a clone or direct replacement to any one of those. I love IF and many SG and GH&co flakes. This tobacco will not satisfy any craving for the lakeland flavor but is a straight forward tobacco in their class. Definitely a bit lighter than IF. But as an outstanding flake in it's own right and given Mac Baren's strenght of consistency, uniformity in cutting, value and accessability (though they seem to be a bit behind demand with this one) it's a real contender for our tobacco dollars. I'll be purchasing again.(on a side note, nice to have a biteless MacB!)

MacBaren has this one right! A fine flake of Virginias and Burleys hot pressed. If they can keep up with the demand and put this out in bulk, many smokers will be happy!

This is a very rich and flavorful smoke which I have enjoyed the last 2 weeks going through the 100g tin. It is a tad moist but drys very easily and makes for easy loading once rubbed out. From my first bowl of this tobacco I knew I was going to like it. It will not be for everyone though as it is very strong and I am sure has a high nic content.

This flake has found a spot in my cellar, know I just hope MacBaren does this right and has it readily available. So many of the great tobaccos of today are so difficult to acquire.

One thing I like to do when cracking a new tin of tobacco is to catch the tin note immediately as soon as the seal is broken. This aroma is heavenly to me; true tobacco smell. This blend of Va and Dark fired burley is a fine offering from MacBaren's. I feel that it is their strongest blend even though it only rates a three on the front of their tin. And I for one like STRONG I don't know how far their numbers go up but by looking at their tins I'd imagine up to about five. I would easily give Old Dark Fired a strong four on their ratings in strength. The Burley in this is a nice bold base for the VA to chirp up and sing a bit. A hint of sweetness abounds from the Virginias here. And I also like that fact that the taste stays with me for a while after putting the pipe down! I like that feature, alot. The flakes are really hard pressed and the three rows of flake are a tad difficult to separate. Now, if you don't mind bustin' up the flakes the go ahead and tear into the bars of flake. Otherwise, I found it necessary to CAREFULLY remove a bar of flakes and separate the stack with a knife or the flat of my pipe tool. That is not to say that they must be cut apart but gently separated. The price for this ELEGANT presentations and smoke is really really good in my opinion from my source which a can't mention here and very worth the outlay for 100 gram tin. The tin seems to hold a seal fairly well unless they are pressed/packed so tight that if air got in it couldn't mess things up but who knows. This blend is a treasure for late night smoking.

I was able to obtain a tin of this after the Chicago show. My first comment of this is the fact that I really appreciate a full 100 gram tin rather than the usual 50 grams. I enjoy MacBaren blends and especially the H H series. This is a robust tobacco with no detectable added flavouring. It is good hearty tobacco in the English (Lakeland ) style without the added essences.I like to take out two or three of the slices & let them dry out a little and in this way it takes to the light easily and stays lit through the bowl. I prefer a small bowl and enjoy it most in the evening after a meal. The cosest I have come to this is probably Irish Flake but I enjoy the lighter strength. The smoke overall is one of pure tobacco with a good strength. I have smoked all of the MacBaren 3 strength tobacco & feel this should probably be a four. I will definately be laying more of this in stock & be keeping it on hand.Well worth trying and good value for the money.

Update Nov 7/12 I have now smoked two tins of this marvellous blend & I find Ijust like it more & more. It is a dark, smooth blend with a smooth nicotine dose. I am hoping that McB will catch up with demand & pack in 1 pound boxes.