Mac Baren Golden Blend

I really like this blend. It has that nutty choclatey taste that good burleys do. The tin aroma is somewhat fruity, perhaps even sweet and sour. It burns relatively effortlessly, but pay it due care, as it can get hot. I didn't really get any bite, but I can see how it may have the potential to bite. I had to force myself to give it a rest when it got my pipe too hot, but that's easier said than done as it is a thouroughly enjoyable tobacco. If it weren't for this blend's high temperature burn, this smoke would most likely have received that elusive fourth star.

I got me a tin of this a few days ago. Enjoying a bowl in my GBD Rockroot with a big smile:-). It reminds me of Mac Baren's Harmony, but with a little bit more personality. The room aroma is pretty good in my opinion.

If you are exculively a fan of majorly sweet aromatics and HATE anything else, You may as well reach for the can of Blue Note on the next shelf. If you want to try something different, with flavor, grab a tin. Don't smoke it out of the same pipe as you do your Cpt. Black (if you smoke it like me).

I am a fan of both Aromatics and non aromatics. Aromatics such as Blue note is like having a chocolate sundae, Blends like Mac Baren is like having a steak. (not literally, but figuratively). Either one should be savored and enjoyed depending on mood and personal taste.

I do enjoy the taste of this blend. The hidden tastes when smoked slowly is rewarding, it packs easily and the smell of the tobacco in the tin is good too. But boy does it burn hot. Even with really careful packing and puffing, it seems to burn all on its own. Very disappointing indeed considering how good it tastes while smoking. The volume of smoke is also not good at all. Great taste but very hot indeed, it blistered my pipe 20/09/2007 Hmmm, seems as if I am suffering from foot in mouth disease again. After reading the reviews on this tabac again yesterday I read that this blend smokes best in a big bowl, I then visited the MacBaren site and read somewhere that the bowl should be packed fairly loose. The result was a stunning smoke from first light to the last puff. Please bear in mind that this tabac has been extensively aired out and was just right for a smoke. I doubt I will get the same results from a new pouch or tin. I left the best for last, would you guys believe that this blend did not bite??? Enjoy, Mo, South Africa

Update

Whoops! I got this one wrong with Golden Extra...

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This was the first MacBaren blend that I purchased, in a department store: it just started to be imported in Canada.

When I breaked the seal, I was impressed by the broad, long cut ready-rubbed flakes that were inside. The smell was nutty, the leaves a nice medium brown, very similar to Scandinavik regular.There wasn't much golden shades in there.

The taste,after lighting up, was a big like cereal, a bit nutty and rather rich. unfortunately for me, I wasn't ready for several steps up because I decided to stick with my old Captain Black...

I wonder how I would like it today...probably too much on the mild side.

This was the first MacBaren blend that I purchased, in a department store: it just started to be imported in Canada.

When I breaked the seal, I was impressed by the broad, long cut ready-rubbed flakes that were inside. The smell was nutty, the leaves a nice medium brown, very similar to Scandinavik regular.There wasn't much golden shades in there.

The taste,after lighting up, was a big like cereal, a bit nutty and rather rich. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't ready for several steps up because I decided to stick with my old Captain Black...

I wonder how I would like it today...probably too much on the mild side. But I might give it a try, I still remember, 15 years after, the beautiful bakkie and the nice smell and taste of the tobacco.

I really like the flavor of this one.

Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for the inevitable Mac Baren horror show to begin.

Do we have any native Danes on the reviewing crew? If so, does Mac Baren, translated into English, mean BURNS HOT & BITES ?

Like MacBaren Navy Flake, the base tobacco is light and grassy. The flavoring is one I can't put my finger on....some write chocolate...maybe, I guess. A pleasant smoke and can be rubbed out a little more or pack it just like it is....smoke gently, and will give you an honest smoke. An occasional choice for me, somewhat prefer the honey cased navy flake when I want a little more flavor. 3-4 stars...combined it 1/1 with some mature red cake, and I liked the combo.

Opening the tin, as typical with MacBaren, the tobacco is well presented; aroma, appearance, moisture content. Having smoked Golden Extra in smaller pipes, today I decided to try it in my Ardor Sherlock. Although I found it to be a good smoke in standard size pipes, I must say that in the larger bowl this blend is much more satisfying.

It is labeled as ?ready rubbed?, I?m not sure of the origin of that term but felt it worth noting that I found this to be partially rubbed rather than fully rubbed. Without any further rubbing I lightly loaded a wad into my pipes leaving an air gap at the bottom of the bowl. That with a light, and an enjoyable smoke ensued (no tamping required).

Observations include: a very pleasant room note through the entire bowl, that being a subtle aroma of a "chocolate cake baking" and "coffee brewing" on the fringe of a tonic leathery bass note. Flavors were also of the same notes.

This blend does contain some Virginia leaf. That Virginian sweetness peaks through midway through the bowl (if one is puffing gently) and like a child wanting attention, keeps coming around time and again, giving a little nudge to the Burley.

Having acclimated my technique with MacBaren Blends, I experienced absolutely no tongue bite. A slight gurgling, once or twice through the bowl reminded me to lighten up my draw and my pace. MacBaren tobaccos are excellent if you know how to draw out their best behaviour.

I give this tobacco four stars, it?s a masterful blend and a high quality product. I believe it to be best in a larger pipe, but find it enjoyable in the standards too.

Really a very nice, toasty sweet burley. One of the few Mac blends I can enjoy without destroying my tongue. Give it a shot!