Mac Baren Golden Blend

It's simple, it's good, burns easily with no bite and no attention required. You taste mainly nutty burley and a little bit of Virginia and chocolate topping. It's not heaven on earth, but I find myself reaching for it very often for an easy and satisfying smoke. Very recommended.

For Burley ‘s lovers. Folks, if you want to taste an excellent Burley, with just a hint of natural sweetness, try this one and you won’t be disappointed. This mixture consists of Burley and a little bit of Virginia. There is no casing and no top dressing (both extremely mild). We can consider it a top natural mixture (an unflavored blend of high quality). So, if you like tasting a natural Burley, this is certainly for you. Great Mac Baren. In my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 10 and four stars. N.B For the American pipe smokers the name of the blend is Golden Extra.

it's the most humble and elegant tobacco that i've ever smoked... it wants nothing, but gives you a LOT! a simple tobacco for simple smokers, that have touched me with it's simplicity... like a sage one said: "i think that some types of tobacco disapear because some types of smokers disappear..."

GB is a fine straight Burley monodimensional. The hue is attractive and the smell is subtle and natural, mild in strength, not too sweet but never sour, it does not bite the tongue and it becomes bitter only if you puff too fast. Starting from the second half it develops a mellow mix of flavours: woody, salty, chocolate, roasted chestnuts; everything is subtle and agreeable, It posses the elegance of the sobriety often associated to a fine Burley. A very versatile tobacco with an almost no existent room note, it may be useful to all: a diversion for fans of Virginias, Latakia, Aromatics, a good habit for lovers of pure Burley and an interesting ingredient for fans of blending. Three very solid stars recommendation for you and a tobacco added to the rotation for me.

Try to match with a Belgian beer by Trappist monks.

I am exploring the world of MacBaren tobaccos, and so far the Navy Mixture has been my favorite due to its good balance and sweet but natural taste.

Golden Blend seems similar in composition, except that it's more rubbed out than the Navy Mixture, and it has a slightly less sweet/honeyed smell.

This is a tobacco that packs easily and doesn't require particular care, that burns regularly, slowly and cool to the bottom of the bowl. Truly well behaved, a nice all-day low maintenance smoke. And, quite incredibly (considering MacBaren's reputation), it doesn't bite one single bit. Navy Mixture was much more bitey in comparison!

What I like about this blend is that it tastes natural, with some nice nutty and fragrant quality Burley and a decent measure of bright Virginia. The casing is very unobtrusive, probably just a touch of sugar/honey and some cocoa (at least that's the smell I get from the tin... and may I say a heresy if to me it smells a bit like Dunhill's Royal Yacht?): not artificial at all. On the other hand, it has a rather dry, woody, earthy taste. A bit like Edgeworth Sliced, but less woody and much more delicate. And, most importantly, though it isn't particularly sweet it doesn't get bitter either. It stays very consistent to the bottom of the bowl. Which of course also means little or no flavour development... and this is my main complaint. The other is that it's rather mild in taste (while the body is rather satisfactory), while on the other hand Navy Mixture was way richer and more complex.

Overall, a fine blend: not particularly exciting, but neither is has serious faults. Good to smoke once in a while, quite pleasant to those around you (my wife doesn't like aromatics, and confirmed that this blend has a very subtle and unoffensive room note) and it DOES taste of tobacco.

This, for me, is one of the most enjoyable burleys, it has a great mild nutty flavor for an all day long smoke, it has a slight chocolaty taste that comes from the burley and a light honey/toasty flavor which is typical to all Mac baren offerings, it is less nutty but less bland than Burley London Blend and has a distinctive chocolate flavor.

Golden Blend would be a perfect 4 star burley if it has a little bit more body.

I would rank Mac Baren Navy Flake as the best Burley ever made, golden blend and BLB comes just next in my list, with many other good burleys from other makers.

This is my first review. I've been smoking for 10 years (since college). After the preliminary 2 month course in 'house blend' aromatics of the cavendish variety, I moved onto tinned English blends. Never did the "drugstore tour" in my early days. Sad to say I was never exposed to good 'ol Burley.

I picked Golden Extra up at a local tobacconist and find the subtlety of Burley a welcome change of pace from full-bodied stuff like Fox Bankers.

I smoke it in a capacious apple sandblast. It stays cool and tasty, if you don't chug to hard. A slight nutty chocolate note to the room, family found it pleasant. But no doubt it's a very one dimensional tasting tobacco, although quite refreshing and consistent throughout the bowl.

I could've done better, and I could've done worse on my 1st foray into Burley blends. I'm gonna explore the full spectrum of offerings, and definitely keep one in my rotation.

******Update 10/2/07******

This tobacco has become a staple of mine. I never tire this blend. Others comment that MacBaren burns hot. I find that MacBaren blends burn on their own, like a cigarette. It isn't necessary to maintain a cadence to keep it lit. Slow, deliberate, and gentle puffing is the way to go with this blend, or any other. It is always rewarding. The room note is always a crowd pleaser.

I've upgraded to 3 stars, as this is my absolute favorite burley alongside good 'ol Granger. However, I prefer this blend in bulk. It always tastes creamier and nuttier in bulk than in tinned. Otherwise, I'd give 4 stars.

If you've ever thought of Mac Baren blends as hopeless tonguescorchers, give this one a try. It smokes remarkably cool and effortless. Actually I think it's one of the coolest smoking- and burning blends I have ever tried.

It comes in almost flake form in the pouch, and as usual with Mac Baren, just stuff it down your pipe and light up, and think no more of it, and you're off to a very enjoyable and long lasting smoke.

Tastewise it is cool, clean, nutty and with a wholesome milk chocolate tone. The sparsely used virginia creates hints of subtle sweetness here and there throughout the course of the bowl.

The only thing that is preventing me from giving it full score is that it lacks somewhat in body and nicotine to be just perfect.

Definately recomended.

What a great way to start the day! A one-note performance but very enjoyable. It is hard to believe this is just Burley it is so tasty. If you normally avoid Burley tobacs, give this a try.