Mac Baren Halberg Red
(3.17)
Bright cross-cut Virginias, brown, earthy burleys, rich black cavendish, and a dose of broken flake are here combined into a hand-blended smoking mixture, before finally being topped with a flavorful aromatic to produce a balanced, complex blend that is utterly unique to Mac Baren's Halberg series.
Details
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild to Medium
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.17 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 10, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Mac Baren - Halberg Red.
As others have mentioned, the packaging is unique and superb! Once I have opened the sealed inner tinfoil pouch I see a blend that meets with the often ambiguous description 'Broken Flake'. I'm not too sure as to what description would best suit it? There's some massive leaf like pieces, some tiny flakes, some medium flakes, ribbons of all sizes and some shag: mixture maybe?
There isn't much of a scent emanating from the bag, there might be a very slight citrus touch but there's not really anything 'aromatic'.
The hydration's perfect, so on with the smoke:
This lights brilliantly, and for the initial few puffs I get a very buttery taste; creamy and satisfying. This butter note seems to calm down after quite a short while; it's still notable, yet it's not AS creamy; more of an extra taste as opposed to the being main one.
Once the burn has settled it becomes quite a relaxing smoke; the tobacco flavours work great together: the smoke has a very full burley nuttiness to it and the vanilla-esc quality of the Black Cavendish gives the smoke a delicious sweetness. The Virginia is more like the foundation for these two ingredients, it's present but nowhere near the front of house.
One of the few low points with this, for me, is the heat of it. This, sadly, is a bit of an antithesis to the relaxing flavour; for full enjoyment sip it gently! It also causes a fast burn, again, spoiling the relaxing qualities.
There are some wonderful features of Halberg Red: the packaging, the flavour, the nicotine, and the room note but for me the heat spoils the blend.
Somewhat recommended.
As others have mentioned, the packaging is unique and superb! Once I have opened the sealed inner tinfoil pouch I see a blend that meets with the often ambiguous description 'Broken Flake'. I'm not too sure as to what description would best suit it? There's some massive leaf like pieces, some tiny flakes, some medium flakes, ribbons of all sizes and some shag: mixture maybe?
There isn't much of a scent emanating from the bag, there might be a very slight citrus touch but there's not really anything 'aromatic'.
The hydration's perfect, so on with the smoke:
This lights brilliantly, and for the initial few puffs I get a very buttery taste; creamy and satisfying. This butter note seems to calm down after quite a short while; it's still notable, yet it's not AS creamy; more of an extra taste as opposed to the being main one.
Once the burn has settled it becomes quite a relaxing smoke; the tobacco flavours work great together: the smoke has a very full burley nuttiness to it and the vanilla-esc quality of the Black Cavendish gives the smoke a delicious sweetness. The Virginia is more like the foundation for these two ingredients, it's present but nowhere near the front of house.
One of the few low points with this, for me, is the heat of it. This, sadly, is a bit of an antithesis to the relaxing flavour; for full enjoyment sip it gently! It also causes a fast burn, again, spoiling the relaxing qualities.
There are some wonderful features of Halberg Red: the packaging, the flavour, the nicotine, and the room note but for me the heat spoils the blend.
Somewhat recommended.
Pipe Used:
Rattray's The Cave
PurchasedFrom:
The Danish Pipe Shop
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 04, 2017 | Mild | Medium to Strong | Mild | Very Pleasant |
I wanted to like MB Halberg Red, especially with the incredible smell in the pouch, but alas I ultimately don't like this very much. Not an aromatic hater either, I've become generally equal opportunity: a good blend has a place in my rotation whether sweet, smoky, or pure.
Presentation is a bit unique, and about as nice a packaging job as you're gonna find for a pipe tobacco. The thick cardboard box with pseudo-leather covering and magnetic snap-close lid imply something extremely special resides inside. I'm going to enjoy repurposing the box once this is all gone. Opening the sealed pouch inside the nice box, I was floored with how great this smells. Lots of wonderful scents, fruity citrus being the most noticeable to me. Moisture level was fairly damp. Mix of colors and cuts, with some of the baby flakes I've seen in a few other MacBaren mixes.
I've tried it at lots of moisture levels (drier is better), and it's similar all around: sweet, hot, bitey, and pretty heavily aromatic. It's an interesting aromatic, doesn't so much leave a sticky mess behind like a cheap aromatic but the effect overwhelms the tobacco. What I can taste of the leaf it's rather good. Flavor is generally tart cherry, to my palate.
If I mix this with something mild that doesn't impart much of it's own flavor, it's more enjoyable and less bitey. But the tart cherry thing still dominates.
I probably won't replace this once I've smoked it all, but will probably try the other Halberg aromatics just to see if this particular blend wasn't my speed. There's quality ingredients used here, if I find a topping profile more to my liking this line might be something good.
Presentation is a bit unique, and about as nice a packaging job as you're gonna find for a pipe tobacco. The thick cardboard box with pseudo-leather covering and magnetic snap-close lid imply something extremely special resides inside. I'm going to enjoy repurposing the box once this is all gone. Opening the sealed pouch inside the nice box, I was floored with how great this smells. Lots of wonderful scents, fruity citrus being the most noticeable to me. Moisture level was fairly damp. Mix of colors and cuts, with some of the baby flakes I've seen in a few other MacBaren mixes.
I've tried it at lots of moisture levels (drier is better), and it's similar all around: sweet, hot, bitey, and pretty heavily aromatic. It's an interesting aromatic, doesn't so much leave a sticky mess behind like a cheap aromatic but the effect overwhelms the tobacco. What I can taste of the leaf it's rather good. Flavor is generally tart cherry, to my palate.
If I mix this with something mild that doesn't impart much of it's own flavor, it's more enjoyable and less bitey. But the tart cherry thing still dominates.
I probably won't replace this once I've smoked it all, but will probably try the other Halberg aromatics just to see if this particular blend wasn't my speed. There's quality ingredients used here, if I find a topping profile more to my liking this line might be something good.
Pipe Used:
briars
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