Mac Baren Mixture: Scottish Blend

As smoking habits change, pipe smoking declines in popularity and more and more 'traditional' tobaccos go out of production, the market has tended to swing towards heavily cased aromatics. My heart sinks regularly to see yet another old-fashioned savoury tobacco vanish from the shops. Well: Mixture Scottish Blend is an aromatic, but not in the worst and most violent sense. I bought a couple of small samples out of curiosity because I had heard many good reports of it. I was a bit skeptical at first because my taste doesn't usually run to aromatics; but I was immediately won over by its pleasant, mellow taste and agreeable room note. It's a well behaved and civilized Virgina, Burley, Cavendish mixture put together in such a way that the natural flavours of the tobacco are enhanced but not swamped by the added topping. (Despite the 'Scottish' name there's no Latakia.) It burns slowly and evenly all the way to the bottom of the bowl, and leaves behind only a clean white ash. One very strong point in its favour is its ready availability in a world where the range of pipe tobaccos on offer is so rapidly dwindling. The only thing I would say by way of warning is that Scottish Blend is a tobacco that must be taken very slowly or it'll bite you hard. This tendency is a common feature of MacBaren tobaccos and here, as elsewhere, a sensible pace is essential. Smoked sensibly, Scottish Blend is a classy tobacco that will certainly find a regular place in my rotation. Highly recommended.

Purely an English blend. It was very pleasant for me when it's lit up i can't put down my pipe. taste is got a light bourbon whiskey note. it can be smoked without any drinks at any time of the day.

I remember back when Walgreens sold this in the tins. It’s probably hard for the younger pipers to believe, but Walgreens used to sell quite a large variety of pipe tobacco and cigars. Mac Baren Scottish Mixture was the one tobacco I really learned to smoke a pipe with. It’s a real tasty tobacco blend that requires one to slow down and take it easy. Smoke this mixture faster than a sip and it will nip at your tongue. Mixture has a handsome aroma, and the taste is grassy sweet Virginia with the roundness of Burley. It seems I may taste a wee bit of liquor added. Could it be Teacher’s? This tobacco mixture satisfies with good medium nicotine level, a rich tobacco taste and flavor.

First take:

This blend is just excellent but I couldn't figure out why it's labeled as an aromatic. It's a very complex blend that is excellent from the first light to the end. I had to re-light this often because it made itself known as a slow burner. Slow and low. I tried the breathing method and still couldn't go slow enough. It's definitely one I plan on keeping in my rotation. It has a lot going on except for the "Aromatic" flavors that I'm used to in my aromatics. That's not a bad thing at all, just something I was searching for while going through the bowl.

Nutty, full but not overpowering, complex. Every draw had something a little bit different until I got it too hot. Too hot and the nuances get hidden. Aftertaste is a bit like unsweetened chocolate, but I didn't taste any chocolate at the time. I can't wait to get back to it.

2022-08-06 Update: I brought this same jar out of my cellar, so at this point, it's almost 3 years old. After going through a catalog of English blends, I can now tell why this blend is technically called an aromatic. There is something sweet in this blend. Maybe it's just regular, white sugar. But whatever has been added to this blend makes it an absolute pleasure to smoke. It has just the right amount of sweetness--just a hint. The rest of the tobaccos in this blend play off each other so well. Not one of them looking for center stage. This blend is mild and approachable enough to recommend to someone new to a pipe, but good and interesting enough for an old codger to enjoy. I will keep this blend on hand for as long as I own a pipe.

This one has a very complex flavor. It's subtle and mild, and I can't begin to identify all flavors. Sweet, creamy, spicy, musky, fruity, nutty, and citrusy are the first things that come to mind. Different aspects of the blend's character can vary from one puff to the next. It does this in a way that makes it interesting, not inconsistent, if that makes sense.

I don't find this to be a particularly bitey blend, but if you're going a little fast it will get hot both in the bowl and on the tongue. I like the room note, the gf doesn't. Smoking it at the recommended slow pace means an occasional relight, but doing so can open up a new set of flavors and aromas.

I can see this as a blend that one could smoke all day. I haven't done that, but I think it's a great first-thing-in-the-morning blend.

It might help to think of this as a blend that rewards the lazy pipe smoker. The less effort you put into smoking it, the more you'll get from it. You can't say that about many things in life.

MB Mixture is an underrated tobacco that everyone should try at some point. Aromatic lovers and natural fans can both enjoy this one. The complexity is mindblowing, starting from the tin note which is so good I nearly ate it instead of puffing it. Needs some drying when you first smoke it, though. Otherwise burns clean, little moisture, leaves white ash behind, nothing else really. It tastes really good, as you can enjoy the sweet aroma and the natural flavours of the tobacco at the same time- and this is a great example that they can work really well together. It won't bite you even if you push it, however, it the taste will decrease; so try to puff it at a moderate pace. Now this one can be an all day smoke, and, as others have pointed it out too, you can smoke this for months and you will never tire of it. Highly recommended for the starters and experts as well.

I don't know what i could add about this tobacco that has not been said before. This is one of the tobaccos that i have a dedicated pipe for. And it is one of my go-to tobaccos in all walks of life. Its always satisfying, around the clock and in all seasons.

Pouch aroma is dominated by honey flavour.

Its a moot point trying to describe the actual taste of this blend as it changes over and over during the duration of the smoke. You will discover so many different tastes in it that it is really, really hard to even begin keeping track of them. And not only that, it also varies, often times *alot* from bowl to bowl. Which of course stems from the sheer mass of different tobacco used. Also this is not a heavy aromatic so tobacco taste is a plenty.

Burning properties are as excellent as can be, very smooth and slow. However you have to pack it right or it will not taste well and you might get tongue bite from it. If you *do* pack it right its an entire universe of different tastes and very forgiving on the tongue.

Room note is neutral pleasing, its more of a sweet, spicy slightly honey smell than an actual room note. And non smokers love it.

Do i recommend this blend? Hell yeah. I *do* recommend this blend to anyone. It is one of the oldest mixtures around, you can get it literally all over the planet, its affordable and one of the true need-to-know tobaccos. I especially recommend this as a beginners blend even tho you should already be able to correctly pack your pipe.

Pro tip: as with most Mac Baren blends the version that is sold in denmark is *alot* richer and deeper than the export versions.

I am one of those who smoke Mixture too fast. Thus, I get a strong peppery taste, which I really enjoy. Some may call this tongue bite, but perhaps I have the mouth of one of our Florida gators, because I just get an enjoyable experience out of it. I tell myself that I am going to slow down with this one and explore it as it should be enjoyed. We'll see what happens. In any case, this is one of my all time favorites. Having been a pipe smoker on and off since the 1960s, I do have a large collection of tobaccos, and this is certainly one of the best of them.

Mac Barens: Mixture Scottish We are a patient & contemplative lot... aren’t we? This is how I would suggest you enjoy this sublime tobacco. I’ve delighted in its mysteries since the 1960’s & enjoy it today. It is a mild & vintage blend from MB that offers a splendid mild aromatic & complex smoke! It arrives in a ready rubbed & ribbon cut; with aroma & smoke of woodsy, citrus, nutty & creamy smoke. The mixture presents as a proper quality tobacco, well aged & blended. It smokes as a mildly sweet & creamy quality leaf; the Nic-hit & strength are moderate. It requires few re-lights, has little moisture in the briar, & leaves a proper white ash. It has essences of honey & a liquor I can’t identify as a casing... maybe whisky. This is a superior tobacco that for me smokes like a well-rehearsed choral group... in Harmony & a pleasure to be able to experience! It comes at a reasonable price & has been around since the 1950’s. I easily can recommend it to you! Treat yourself!