Mac Baren Halberg Green

Mac Baren - Halberg Green.

The appearance of the blend is easily the most charismatic I've encountered so far: I can see nearly every size, cut, and colour that's imaginable!

The berries are strong in the un-lit note, just like the forthcoming smoke.

As well as the unique packaging being a treat for the eye, it's also spacious; this lets the blend breathe, giving it just the right amount of moisture.

Of the three Halberg's, I've only had the Red up until now; I wasn't impressed, it burned far too hot, I wonder how this will smoke?

When I put fire to my first bowl it took the flame well, it only needed a short blip with the lighter. And then I sat back, to try and decipher the taste: it's strongly flavoured, but not too gluey nor false; the fruit's seem 'real', instead of resembling a bag of sweets.

At the beginning I wondered how this would burn. Well, after ten minutes I had to switch to a cob as I was worried the bowls finish on my Erik Nording was going to blister and bubble due to the heat; I think that answered my question!

In the cob, it's a much better smoke.

The nicotine quantity is just a little more than I like: medium, whereas I like my N more on the mild side; that's not an issue though, I just don't inhale any smoke!

Although the topping has been added in a large quantity, it doesn't ruin the tobacco flavours; these can still be enjoyed, with the fruit 'enhancing' the taste, rather than smothering it.

After switching to a cob, it transpired that this is a good smoke; I wish I'd have tried the H' Red in a cob!

2 stars an a briar, four in a cob: 3 stars over all.

Wow. Looks expensive in that classy box. IS expensive at $6 per ounce (I'm hoping they come out with by the ounce in the future cause this stuff is wonderful. I mean it even SMELLS expensive. Fruit! But... really lovely tobacco aroma and taste. Can't say much more, this is one of the nicest tobaccos ever! Great texture to it. Room note is awesome.

What a tasty aromatic. It has enough topping to enjoy it as an aromatic, but still retains enough tobacco flavoring to please the palate. I did struggle between 3 and 4 stars for one reason. It can be a little bitey in the beginning. However, after that it gets sooo good, especially at the end of the bowl.

This stuff tastes similar to Blue Note. Smokers who favor aromatic mixtures with little natural tobacco flavor will like it. I can detect flavors of mixed fruit, rum, and a bit of vanilla. It can bite if smoked too vigorously but it behaves if properly sipped. It leaves a dry, light gray residue. It's ok but it isn't likely to find a place in my regular rotation.

The tin smell is extremely sweet and chocolatey. The smoke is very sweet too.

If you like your tobacco sweet this is the one for you.

From three different continents Mac Baren has gathered the best bright Virginias and ripe Burleys to press into cakes, before then cutting them and hand-blending the results with exclusive ribbon cut and slow-burning cross-cut Virginias. Finally, it's all carefully topped with a complex aromatic of berries and exotic fruits, to produce a fine balance with the natural tobacco flavors.