Mac Baren Latakia Blend

This is a typical Danish latakia blend. If you bought the tin thinking you were going to get a real "English" hit of tobacco, then you were disappointed, weren't you?

This latakia blend is in highly unusual (for latakia mixtures) roll cake form. After a good rubbing out and packing, it is ready to get lit up. The only down side is that you won't get lit up over this one. The latakia is faintly present. The smoke is pleasant, but bland. If I am not in the mood for big flavor, this is a good change of pace. But no, I don't leave any unopened tins in my cellar.

- I made this review only as a "Public Service Announcement !", as this was one of the great smoking experiences I've ever had. But let me clarify, this smoke was from a 28 year old sealed tin !!! It's a long story, that I don't want to bore you with, but basically I bought two tins, the first I smoked new, 28 years ago and was unimpressed. I just cellared the second and just got around to trying the second.

What little I can remember of the fresh tin, was that it was very light on Latakia and it reminded me of MacB's Virginia #1with some spicy bitey Cavendish and a touch of Latakia.

This aged tin, is very creamy, smooth , sweet with only a hint of spice and yes, still lacking in Latakia.

I don't think I'll buy more and wait 28 years ! Wow , Just saw "Kilmarnock Piper review from a 40 year old tin and we are in the same camp

I've been waiting to write this review because my first impression of this tobacco was not very good. I was like many of the other reviewers who imagined this would be a strong, smoky flavored latakia blend.

At first I thought my inexperience with "coin" tobacco was to blame for what was missing in this blend. I discovered that was not the case. I figured my inexperience with pipe tobaccos was to blame, and that was partially true. Ater trying numerous other tobaccos, hating some and liking some, I decided to go back to this. All of my expectations were gone. Alas, I discovered why this tobacco was unimpressive to me at first--I had prejudices about what it was. Thanks to MacBaren's leaving out the key word "Virginia" from the name of this blend, I expected something entirely different.

What I have found different from this blend compared to so many others is that it requires being in the moment. Yes, I can smoke some Balkan blends or Syrian blends while doing just about anything and still be left with a strong taste of it during and afterwards. The beauty of this blend is that it is so subtle yet so delicious if I smoke it slowly, then faster, than slowly, savoring the sweet honey Virginia and Cavendish, and finding hints of something else. It is the most relaxing tobacco I have ever smoked. I couldn't think about my problems, my stresses, my hurry and worry of the rat race; I had to chill out and be in the moment. I don't care for pure Virginias (unless it's mature Viginia), can't stand pure cavendish, and I love Latakia. I think that is why this is named as such. It's a bit of a paradox--it's named for the ingredient that can't be sensed too well, but it's what brings out the best of the other tobaccos.I'll keep for the occasional smoke when I need to just slow down and relax.

I had exactly one tin of this waiting for the fullness of time, and it was discontinued. There was some guy on one of the forums who absolutely loved the stuff, and I decided that there was no point in falling in love with something that was out of production, so I got his address and gave it to him. Now that it is in production again, I got some to actually try.

The coins are the size of Three Nuns and not a larger one like Escudo or LBF. There is a slightly rich tobacco pouch note. It does not have the distinctive latakia campfire thing going on.

Smoked, this is a delightful, slightly heavy, sweet and spicy blend. The sweet may have a little honey flavor in there, but it has a fairly natural tobacco flavor. I tried smoking this as folded coins and rubbed out, and had equal success both ways. The latakia is a condimental addition. In terms of flavor profile, think Mac Baren Dark Twist Roll Cake with just a whiff of latakia. There is a caramel edge when puffed. This was an easy smoke to keep at a smoulder.

This one is easy to recommend. It is good, and it can be found.

As others have pointed out, the name of this blend is completely misleading. The percentage of Latakia here is almost irrelevant, and we have just another excellent Mac Baren roll cake tobacco.

But... there is a hint of something different, just a minuscule variation on the usual Mac Baren theme. Think of this as something like Club Blend or Stockton, but with a hint of an extra smokiness and fragrance. Yes, there is very little latakia, but its presence adds a subliminal ghost: if it weren't there, it would probably be missed.

Frankly, I usually prefer either having no Latakia at all or having lots of it. I usually find "medium" mixtures rather bland and dull. In this case, though, Latakia is used as a condiment in the strict sense of the word. It simply enhances the smoke without becoming noticeable (almost). So, I am not left with a Latakia craving: I simply consider this one an excellent Virginia/Cavendish blend, and as such it smokes better in my Virginia pipes than in those dedicated to Balkans and English mixtures.

Overall, a very balanced blend. Cool, slow smoking, just a little astringent and mouth drying (but not bitey!) like all the other Mac Baren roll cakes are. If you love the other ones, you will love this one too. I have already reviewed Club Blend, Stockton and Dark Twist, so please go and read my reviews for those blends because the difference in this one is absolutely minimal.

This is a my definition of a Danish blend. A curly Virginia with a sweet topping. But there is a surprise in the end. There is little Latakia to speak of in the initial smoke, but please be patient.

Like most Viginias, this blend improves with age. It is sweet and smoky and it will put a hurtin' on your tongue if smoked too fast. So be careful, and you'll enjoy a decent smoke.

For you of those patient enough to smoke this blend to the bottom of the bowl, you know where the name "Latakia Blend" comes from. We are the privileged few to enjoy the Latakia in this blend.

The disk cut of this tobacco is one?s first alert that it has more in common with curlies than with other tobacco types. The smoke proves this assertion true, the top-drawer VAs, like those used in other curlies such as GH Curly Cut and Curly Cut DeLuxe and Heinrich Special Selection Curly Cut, are subdued and mellow. When I say "subdued and mellow," I am comparing the VAs in this blend to the richness of the VAs typically found in MC Christmas Cheer.

Medium-bodied, one has to pay attention to the smoke else its subtle complexity imparted by the Latakia and a floral element are lost. The Latakia is used as a subtle flavoring agent and gives the blend a darker hue; beyond that there is a continuous, subtle hint of the taste of Latakia. Also, the blend has a subtle florality, but this taste element also remains in the back round

The Cavendish, I suppose, imparts a sweet note, but then again the sweetness could just as easily be derived from the VAs. But given the inclination of Danish tobacco manufactures to sauce their blends, the sweetness probably derives from the Cavendish.

Back ground subtlety aside, the foreground is dominated by the round, subdued taste of the Virginias/Cavendish with the darkening of the Latakia.

If you want a curly that is a bit different, give this blend a go: you won?t be disappointed.

I recieved this tobacco as an extra from my friend, It is spun cut which is a very well rounded 'chip' type of flake. upon opening the can, which in fact was aged for 5 years, I smelled very light woodsy/bourbon tones.

Easy to pack and it seems it was aged with perfection, the flake was easy to light but kind of hard to keep lit, I tamped and lit about 3 times to get it going, and it needs constant attention to keep smoking.

In my honest opinion it smells like a forest fire, yep. I just remember my days in Arizona and the smell the forest fire gives off, slightly earthy, robust, burning wood chip scent.

Taste is mildly sweet/whiskey/bourbon with damn near no tongue bite. Does tend to cause some extra drippage in my pipes and had a nice light buzz after I was done. Great stuff.

I tried this weed when my local brick and mortar was out of Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake, which I had previously enjoyed. I wanted to try another coin format, and I was rewarded with a great smoke. Some disappointment at the lack of the namesake latakia, but still a pleasure.