Mac Baren Black Ambrosia
(2.25)
Ambrosia is just savoring the word elevates your expectations, because ambrosia was the food of the gods and goddesses in Greek mythology. In 1983 when our tobacco masters first tasted the new, mild cavendish that they had developed, ambrosia was the only proper word to use to describe the taste experience. They had been experimenting with a variety of raw tobaccos for a long time before they finally came up with the right blend. Virginia tobaccos from the third world were selected, each with its own unique qualities. Each one was an excellent tobacco in its own right, but only when they were blended together into a mild cavendish did the pipe smoker experience something out of the ordinary. A rounded taste composed of the finest taste nuances, the natural sweetness supported by a completely new Mac Baren taste. This cavendish was truly something extraordinary, and from its completion in 1983 right up to today it has been used in numerous new Mac Baren blends. The rounded, slightly sweetish cavendish is widely known as: Modern Mac Baren Cavendish.
As the name suggests, Black Ambrosia contains a very high proportion of Modern Mac Baren Cavendish, with only a little loose cut light Virginia added. This blend consists solely of Virginia tobaccos, which is rather rare as the majority of blends contain a little burley tobacco. But not Black Ambrosia, which is made of 100% Virginia tobacco and yet the taste is still exquisite. As the last person to add to the taste, the tobacco master has been no less genial. Of course, the precise composition of the tobacco is a secret, but here is a hint: to complete the Modern Mac Baren Cavendish, the tobacco master has carefully added a blend of different fruit oils, and topping the finished blend is a touch of [?}. Taste it for yourself and discover what an extraordinary taste experience it offers. With a little prudence, Black Ambrosia could almost be described as: food for the soul and the tobacco lover.
Details
Profile
Strength
Mild
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Medium
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.25 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 31 - 34 of 34 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 23, 2005 | Mild | Strong | Mild | Pleasant |
OK Here goes and some of you may not like it... I think this is kind of the uprgrade from Captain Black White for those that don't like the harsh chemical feel left on your gums by the drugstore classic ( like me ) Lesser in streaght and in sting but just as in offenssive and with less moisture wich is kind of nice. Also just as easy to find in any town ( just not at every drugstore ) so I guess it takes the place of CB white when ever possible. Not spectacular but if you read my review of CB white and add the positive aspects I think its one to keep on hand for those times you need something to take out on the town that won't offend non smokers. I wanted to add that this tobacco is sticky yet dry and barky and like to be packed well
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 25, 2003 | Mild | Medium | Mild | Pleasant |
According to another reviewer, MacBaren claims that Black Ambrosia is their sweetest blend, an assertion I would not dispute. While still not as sweet as some American aromatics, it is clearly designed to attract the sweet-toothed smoker.
The composition is supposedly burley and virginia, but it is really more like a black cavendish IMO. (Obviously, cavendish has to be made from some base tobacco...) The cut is a rather broad ribbon, again like a lot of black cavendishes. It resembles McB's Vanilla Cream in appearance and begs comparison with that blend. Whereas VC has a well-defined and easily identifiable flavor, Black Ambrosia is less subtle and yet undefinable in taste. The room aroma is wonderful, as is the smell in the tin. For such a heavily cased tobacco, it does burn fairly well. For a McB. blend it does not have a bad bite, though I bet that if you got it sufficiently riled up it may give a nip to the tongue.
My main criticism of this blend is the strength of tobacco flavor, or, to be more specific, the lack thereof. This is a very light-bodied tobacco. The casing sweetness is not intermingled with a natural virginia sweetness. This makes for a mild smoking experience that sometimes leaves me feeling less than satisfied. Other times it really hits the spot, or at least comes close.
This is clearly a blend that cannot be appreciated unless your are a confirmed devotee of aromatics. If you have a sweet tooth though, give it a whirl. It is fun to flirt with, if nothing else.
The composition is supposedly burley and virginia, but it is really more like a black cavendish IMO. (Obviously, cavendish has to be made from some base tobacco...) The cut is a rather broad ribbon, again like a lot of black cavendishes. It resembles McB's Vanilla Cream in appearance and begs comparison with that blend. Whereas VC has a well-defined and easily identifiable flavor, Black Ambrosia is less subtle and yet undefinable in taste. The room aroma is wonderful, as is the smell in the tin. For such a heavily cased tobacco, it does burn fairly well. For a McB. blend it does not have a bad bite, though I bet that if you got it sufficiently riled up it may give a nip to the tongue.
My main criticism of this blend is the strength of tobacco flavor, or, to be more specific, the lack thereof. This is a very light-bodied tobacco. The casing sweetness is not intermingled with a natural virginia sweetness. This makes for a mild smoking experience that sometimes leaves me feeling less than satisfied. Other times it really hits the spot, or at least comes close.
This is clearly a blend that cannot be appreciated unless your are a confirmed devotee of aromatics. If you have a sweet tooth though, give it a whirl. It is fun to flirt with, if nothing else.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 28, 2003 | Very Mild | Medium to Strong | Mild | Very Pleasant |
Out of the tin the aroma was very sweet with only a slight smell of tobacco. The ribbons are very sticky and I was dreading the anticipated bite from the first couple of bowls before getting the proper puff rate figured out.
After rubbing out slightly, I packed a half bent medium bowl and had to experiment slighlty to get the density right.
I was pleasantly suprised at the lack of moisture in the blend. I've had much more buildup from Penzance and FMOT. It does not require any relights and only two or three tampings to finish the bowl to a nice grey ash.
The flavor suprised me as well. I was expecting very little tobacco taste, but the Burley and Virginia come through after the first few puffs, and by the middle of the bowl, the casing while still present, is equalled in flavor by the tobacco's. The flavor is something like a sweet fruit cobbler with roasted grains and nuts thrown in.
Being one who favors english blends, I am shocked to say this will probably become my aromatic of choice when I'm in the mood for something sweet or when I'm around those who object strongly to a pipe in their midst.
As to the room note, in the words of my LSW, "That is Attackable!!! If you smoke that out-and-about, you could have women pawing all over you!". Hmmmm, Mabey one more reason to keep it on hand - or not.
After rubbing out slightly, I packed a half bent medium bowl and had to experiment slighlty to get the density right.
I was pleasantly suprised at the lack of moisture in the blend. I've had much more buildup from Penzance and FMOT. It does not require any relights and only two or three tampings to finish the bowl to a nice grey ash.
The flavor suprised me as well. I was expecting very little tobacco taste, but the Burley and Virginia come through after the first few puffs, and by the middle of the bowl, the casing while still present, is equalled in flavor by the tobacco's. The flavor is something like a sweet fruit cobbler with roasted grains and nuts thrown in.
Being one who favors english blends, I am shocked to say this will probably become my aromatic of choice when I'm in the mood for something sweet or when I'm around those who object strongly to a pipe in their midst.
As to the room note, in the words of my LSW, "That is Attackable!!! If you smoke that out-and-about, you could have women pawing all over you!". Hmmmm, Mabey one more reason to keep it on hand - or not.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 08, 2003 | Mild | Medium to Strong | Mild | Very Pleasant |
A lovley sweet and mild smoke. Dosn't demand too much and is a joy for those around you. Burns cool and with great complexity.
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