Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired Ready Rubbed

My thoughts about this blend are similar to what I had to say about the flake version, with a couple of exceptions. While this is easier to pack because it's a ready rubbed tobacco, it seemed to me that the burley and dark fired Kentucky are slightly less stronger than it is in the flake version. It may be that the tobacco slightly changed because more of it is exposed to air in the processing of it. The difference is minor, but I did notice it.

Here's my original review of the flake version, which mostly mirrors my view of the ready rubbed:

It's a little closer to medium than strong in regard to strength and taste, and that observation depends on how used to strong tobaccos is the smoker. The main component is the earthy, woody, floral, spicy, fairly dry, herbal, mildly tart and tangy sour, nutty dark fired Kentucky. Earthy, nutty, woody burleys, and earthy, woody, tangy dark fruity, tart and tangy citrus sweet Virginias work are secondary stars. You will notice every aspect in virtually every puff. The natural sweetness of the varietals are enhanced by being steam pressed, and there's a mild vinegar and barbecue hit from the binder. The harmonious complexity of the flavor works to its advantage in terms of its effect on your taste buds. There may be some flakes that are more complex, but not by a whole lot, and this gives you plenty enough as it is. Won’t bite, and has a few rough edges. Burns clean, a little slow, and is tinned at the perfect moisture level with a medium nic-hit that gets a little stronger as you smoke along. The taste is very consistent from start to finish, and little moisture is left in the bowl. Requires some relights. I recommend a slow puffing cadence for best effect. Has a pleasant, lingering campfire after taste, and stronger room note. Not an all day smoke.

There are stronger tobaccos. This is not too strong to knock you off your feet, but certainly not weak.

-JimInks

A ready rubbed version of a highly regarded flake tobacco almost always tastes different. This one mirrors the flavor of ODF flake as close to identically as my ability to discern allows. When I fold and stuff the flake, it's a little cleaner of flavor and when I rub it out, it's a hair richer and it burns better. This smoked like ODF flake rubbed out.

Not much else to say about this one that I haven't said. A moderately strong and rich tobacco with deep earthy notes and a slight hint of sweetness. But not so strong as to overpower most smokers, and those who are used to dark flakes will consider this more medium. Speaking objectively, this is medium-to-strong, and nothing short of excellent. I've been smoking a ton of this since the flake came out and it consistently delivers. I have a newfound respect for Mac Barens as a result.

Old Dark Fired Flake was the first Mac Baren blend that fell in love with as it didn’t bite me like many Mac Baren blends have a habit of doing. So when I saw this in bulk ready rubbed I couldn’t pass it up and it didn’t let me down. The ready rubbed version offers the same wonderful flavors that the flake does. There are actually a few smaller flakes in the ready rubbed. The only downside to this is for those that exclusively fold and stuff their flakes will need to stick to the tins. The upside to the ready rubbed is the bulk price is very reasonable. Like the flake, I tend to enjoy this well dried. Considering there are tobaccos in ODFRR that are as much as forty years old, it’s no surprise that there is zero bite here, even when pushed. If you have ever been attracted to the flavor of ropes or twist tobaccos, but the high nicotine content has kept you from trying them, you may be in luck here as ODF and ODFRR offer similar flavor to some of the GH and SG blends, but with a lot less nicotine. That is not to say this is wimpy in the nic department, it isn’t, there is just less of it. Highly Recommended.

I have been through maybe four or five tins of the flake and bought a pound of the ready rubbed. I am more or less 12 oz into the pound. I love this stuff, and I think I might prefer the ready rubbed slightly just for the ease of preparation.

Like the flake, this is a good, full burley with some Virginia overtones. I did not detect any added toppings. It has a good consistent flavor and smokes very clean to the bottom of the bowl. The ready rubbed seems slightly more mellow than the flake, and that may be due to the exposure to air when it is rubbed out and stored. I am not enough of an expert on these things to know. I do know that this is very good.

I find myself smoking a bowl of this most mornings in a GBD Prehistoric prince that seems suited to this blend.

Some tobaccos are calm and sweet. Some are quiet companions that share the porch with you, never making demands on your attention. This is not one of them. ODF kicks the doors down, sets the sofa on fire and starts pounding out a bass line while standing on the kitchen table juggling flaming babies. This stuff is no joke.

I love this stuff. Rich, deep flavor that is hard to describe. A little bit of smokiness? Yep. Tiny bit of sweet? Sure. A faint ephemeral sour tang that disappears almost as soon as you notice it? That too. A punch in the face and a kiss on the cheek. If Carter Hall is a cheese sandwich and a glass of water, this would be a bloody porterhouse steak, salad with chunks of blue cheese, baked potato with extra sour cream and bacon and a glass of whiskey to chase it.

Not complex but delicious. I thought that lacking complexity it may get a bit boring, but not so. The flavor more than makes up for it. Highly recommended.

This tobacco was recommended by my local tobacconist. I decided to give it a try, buying it in Bulk, out of the jar, a couple of ounces. Sure. Glad I did. This tobacco is Amazing. I have never had anything like this blend before. I can't say it's an Aro or an English. Its something else. The texture is almost stick like, tiny little twiggs. Surprisingly it packs so great. Lights easy. Burn is beyond even and consistent. When I took my first puff, I was floored. First, it produces some big clouds of dense smoke. Second, It has a deep "Earthy" taste that is like nothing else I have ever smoked. So Satisfying. Flavor profile has an abundance of tastes - Earth is the only word I can use to describe it, for I can not pin point one real particular flavor-taste.

On a cold winters day or night. This tobacco is the ultimate. Good outdoor smoke. decent amount of Vitamin N. In all honesty, this tobacco makes the top of my personal favorites list.

I expected something smokier in flavour, but instead was greeted with a light sweetness forward of the deeper earthiness of the dark. It feels like smoking two separate bowls in the same draw. The cooler I smoke it, the more clarity and attention on the sweetness; the hotter, the smoky dark pushes forward. One can really dial the two dominant flavours up and down by varying the smoking pattern. Very enjoyable blend! Be sure to vary your approach to this one and discover your own perfect draw.

I have tried the flake and ready rubbed (RR). The ready rubbed is much easier to manage for me. Smokes heavier and stronger taste because of the faster burn. The flake is great for a smaller pipe when you want a slow burn with a lot of flavor.

Dark Virginias give this a sweet smokey taste with depth. Satisfying and relaxing. The heavy chocolate and fig/date taste mix is excellent. This is one of my top 5 blends. It will only get better with age, which I can't imagine how that is possible but put my money on that happening.

If you have not tried it a 3.5oz flake tin is under $15 most etailers and the ready rubbed you can try 1oz and not be out much if you don't like it.

Mac Baren - HH Old Dark Fired Ready-Rubbed.

If you want a quick and simple nicotine fix here's the blend for you!

Damn! The name's not kidding, it has indeed been rubbed. To look at, it's one of the finest blends I've come across, the rubbings are exceedingly thin. As expected the colour's very dark, and the moisture's perfect.

The thin, impeccably hydrated, ribbons/rubbings take to lighting easily, and it didn't take me many puffs to form an opinion of what part of the market this fills; for those who want a full tasting, nicotine strong, blend! The flavour from O.D.F.R.R. has quite a heavy fire-cured character, more of the Burley than Virginia, and a good dose of N. Despite the thinness of the pieces, it doesn't burn too hot, unless strained; a little fast maybe, but heat isn't really a problem. I don't get any tongue-bite from it, either.

I'm not too keen on the room-note, and as I mentioned, it has a lot of nicotine. Too much for me, but that's subjective, so I'll tick how I'd expect most folks to find it: medium to strong?

Even though I'm going with the majority for nicotine, I won't join in with the crowd by highly recommending it. I used to like the flake version, but the flavour and nicotine are a bit too much, now.

Somewhat recommended.