Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired Ready Rubbed

This would be a good introduction to the Dark Side for a relatively new piper, possibly some former Goth who has taken up the pipe a few months ago. Because it is like the GH dark shags, but not as powerful and not as rustic. New pipers just aren't ready to become entangled with Dark Birdseye, for example.

Because it's so easy to smoke with no rubbing out and being utterly biteless and smooth, rich and deep. And it's fuller tasting than the underlying strength (although powerful in N, it's not a knock out).

You can only dislike it for not being complex, there's only one note, it does not embody any of the meanings of the word "light."

This is a bold one. If I wasn't assured that there wasn't at least a whisper of latakia in this blend, I would be certain that there was. Comes a bit dry, which is perfect for smoking. Deep and earthy, sweet and smoky is all I can really say about this one. It's not complex. It's very straightforward. Not an all day blend, but also not overwhelming for those a bit more tolerant to nicotine.

The Burleys drive the show with a nutty and earthy taste that is mild. The Virginias give a cigarette like character to this fully rubbed mixture. The more you puff, the more boring, bitey and harsh it gets. It's monochromatic in a bad way, they could make quality cigarettes with this stuff.

Virginia lover

Summary: a rich blend of earthy Virginias and warm smoky Burleys melded by steaming, this tobacco delivers strong complex smoking flavor.

The first notes come from the Burleys, which with fire-curing have attained a rich and earthy flavor that eclipses the normal Burley nuttiness and melds it into a fiery harvest scent. A slight acerbic flavor from the fire-cured leaf gives way to a warm fusion of bready sweetness and a strong flavor reminiscent of leather, cut wood and charred meat, but this then expands into many layers of natural flavor. Moderately high nicotine makes this one a good late-night smoke.

With most Mac Baren blends, The Flake version are always completely different in taste and in flavor from the ready rubbed version,I personally find their RR versions much better than the flake ones (Va Flake/Va No.1, Mixture Flake/Mixture RR, Vanilla Flake/Vanilla RR, etc), however, with ODF, the 4OZ bag I bought in bulk looks smells and tastes 100% identical to the flake version, the only difference here is the reduced shipping cost if you buy this online plus the easy pipe packing with the RR broken flake.

I mix this with MB Va. No1 50/50, it increases slightly its sweetness and gives a little rough edge, for me this is the perfect blend.

A very tasty, almost sour/sweet smoke, easy to pack, easy to light and easy to smoke. It provides a very peculiar tanginess: smoky yet cool and fragrant. There isn't much excitement in this blend: it remains consistent throughout the bowl, but it is a very reliable smoke. A simple, stoved Virginia, with a piquant denouement.

Initial review:

Wow this is good. Rave reviews aside, I went in a bit uncertain based on the smell from the bag. Interesting smell to be sure, very much like a nice cigar humidor. I was unsure of how it would translate to the pipe, being a rather different aroma than we expect from English pipe tobaccos. Intriguing and unique. My 2 oz ready rubbed bag was rather dry, so I added a few drops of distilled water and put it in a container to rehydrate. Checked a few days later, moisture was perfect.

On initial light in a virgin cob, the Virginias dominate and surprised me with a sweetness I didn't anticipate. Mixed with a very natural and even woody / nutty element as the bowl progresses, you're left delightfully surprised at how well executed this is. Truly a natural tobacco taste persists throughout. Further into the bowl it gets stronger and even peppery as if perique were involved. The sweetness is ever present and balanced, even as the strength increases. As the bowl winds down, I strongly debated making time for another bowl. So many amazing flavors.

All in all, this is excellent all on its own, and would also make an excellent "booster" for other tobaccos you find too thin in body / depth but generally like. Coming from MacBaren who has disappointed me consistently with maple-flavored tongue-scalding steam masquerading as tobacco, this is nothing short of brand redeeming.

Room note is pretty potent, not quite cigar level but in that arena, best enjoyed for yourself or in the company of others that might enjoy the smell.

As our own Darth Vader stated, it would take a very devious person indeed to give this less than 4 stars and I fully agree... A horrible evil person, one more evil than the leader of the Dark Side, don't go to the Dark Side and give it one star because you only smoke a Pina Colada Black Cavendish... Anyhoo that being said and out of the way, HH ODF RR is so much easier to pack than the flake version and since I always rub out this flake it is a no brainer for me. I still like to keep some intact flakes on hand in case its windy out or if I want a VERY slow burn. The ready rubbed version also makes it very easy to blend with a ribbon Virginia to make a strong half & half which I love. The aroma and taste is the same as the flake but the flake does have some nuances and molasses type flavors that pop up now and then which the RR does not posses. 4 Stars and its really worth having both flake and RR on hand since this is just that tasty!!

Boo boo boo dee dee da dum - Bing

This is a fairly strong tobacco and while I like mild tobacco the best I have to give credit where it is due. The quality of tobacco and depth of flavor is top notch. I came back to it recently and was very impressed. I think this is hands-down the best tobacco I have ever smoked, however, because of its strength and lack of sweetness I don't keep it in stock.