Mac Baren Navy Flake
(3.10)
Carefully selected Burley, Virginia and the original Mac Baren Cavendish have been pressed and stored for weeks before being cut into slices. The pressing process ensures a slow burning tobacco.
Notes: Introduced in 1965. According to Mac Baren.
Details
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.10 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 51 - 60 of 339 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 27, 2019 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
I just have to pitch in my ratings here for this exceedingly decent tabac.
My search for regular all day smoke has ended. Now this Mac Baren Navy Flake is one of the two tabac that I smoke regularly every day. The other one being Peterson Wild Atlantic.
Before this, I have tried Straight Virginia (Capstan Blue Navy Flake) and I have also tried Solani 656 Aged Burley Flake - hoping either one of them becoming my stable daily tabac, alas my pesky tongue could't really agree with both of them. The Capstan Blue gave me erratic sour after taste which I attribute to the "citrusy" sweetness of full Virginia. Solani on the other hand, my tongue find it difficult to savor the depth of the famed Burley taste (yes my palette is not as refined as how I wished it is).
However, this Mac Baren Navy Flake - I had them all rubbed good and aired substantially, then bottled them all in a glass jar, this tabac offers the tobacco feel that I longed. You see, I was a chain cigarette smoker for 24 years, my last cigarettes being of Mac Baren Maxi Roll (Original & Coffee). I totally stopped cigarettes by the turn of 2019, and I needed a substitute for daily smoking. I get satisfying sweetness of the combined Burley and Virginia from this flake, very natural tasting sweetness - not like the ones you get from the Aromatics. Most importantly, I love that there's no sour aftertaste that my ever sensitive tongue could detect. The nicotine was just about right for regular puffing, similar to The Mac Baren Maxi Roll (considered as mild cigarette tobacco) and Lookout Vanilla Shag.
So as it is, I am writing this from the perspective of a non aficionado point of view, just a normal pipe smoker enjoying his tabac.
Yes, I would highly recommend this Navy Flake, it is what a refined mild/moderate tobacco should taste like.....IMO
My search for regular all day smoke has ended. Now this Mac Baren Navy Flake is one of the two tabac that I smoke regularly every day. The other one being Peterson Wild Atlantic.
Before this, I have tried Straight Virginia (Capstan Blue Navy Flake) and I have also tried Solani 656 Aged Burley Flake - hoping either one of them becoming my stable daily tabac, alas my pesky tongue could't really agree with both of them. The Capstan Blue gave me erratic sour after taste which I attribute to the "citrusy" sweetness of full Virginia. Solani on the other hand, my tongue find it difficult to savor the depth of the famed Burley taste (yes my palette is not as refined as how I wished it is).
However, this Mac Baren Navy Flake - I had them all rubbed good and aired substantially, then bottled them all in a glass jar, this tabac offers the tobacco feel that I longed. You see, I was a chain cigarette smoker for 24 years, my last cigarettes being of Mac Baren Maxi Roll (Original & Coffee). I totally stopped cigarettes by the turn of 2019, and I needed a substitute for daily smoking. I get satisfying sweetness of the combined Burley and Virginia from this flake, very natural tasting sweetness - not like the ones you get from the Aromatics. Most importantly, I love that there's no sour aftertaste that my ever sensitive tongue could detect. The nicotine was just about right for regular puffing, similar to The Mac Baren Maxi Roll (considered as mild cigarette tobacco) and Lookout Vanilla Shag.
So as it is, I am writing this from the perspective of a non aficionado point of view, just a normal pipe smoker enjoying his tabac.
Yes, I would highly recommend this Navy Flake, it is what a refined mild/moderate tobacco should taste like.....IMO
Pipe Used:
GrandMaster Mini Lovat 17mm
PurchasedFrom:
Kamelah Tobacco House
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2017 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Lots of positive reviews and the ages this blend continues to be producted motivated me to purchae a tin.once the tin cracks a florall and citrucy smell comes out.stuck your nose in and you detect some alcohol and spice notes.though a bit moist the flakes are very manageable either to rub or to fold into the bowl° i noticed that this flake behaves the same good.lights easy and some relights are needed.while smoking the tastes are pleasant and balanced.in my opinion the cavendish and the virginias are balanced between them leaving the burleys behind.floral assences,spices,grass,citruses and fruits are mixed really well giving a great taste mixture from the beginning till the end.rarelly some spices and alcohol notes are present.burns medium hot and slow to total ash with no tongue bite and moisture at the end of the bowl.the room note is pleasant.the nicotine level is medium .defenitelly an all day smoke and a must try!
Age When Smoked:
Rubbed and packed at once, folded at once
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 09, 2017 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Rum is tastefully applied and easily discernible beneath the Virginia and burley which bounce in and out of the lead, I'd say theFruity and sweet from the Virginia stars , with some of the toasty tobacco taste from the burley and some elements from the cavendish tying the experience together in a good performance for cavendish. Smokes cool and clean and easily folds and stuffs into the bowl without even any dry time necessary. Some relights needed but not overly necessitated. Easily a 4 star for me, satisfying all day smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07, 2015 | Extremely Mild | None Detected | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Unnoticeable |
This is the first flake tobacco I have tried. I wanted to like it very much, due to the four star reviews. I have smoked about six bowlfuls. The flakes are easy to handle, and the tobacco looks well made. It folds nicely, burns well, and produces nice volumes of smoke. But, to me, the smoke is tasteless. It is mild to the extreme. This tobacco is bland and boring. I wish I could describe all the flavors in it, as others have. But, I taste nothing. I would like to say what it tastes like, but it doesn't taste like anything. It is just smoke. Recommend trying MacBaren HH Old Dark Fired Ready Rubbed.
Pipe Used:
Al Pascia, Stanwell, Nording
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
7 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 22, 2015 | Very Mild | Mild | Very Mild | Very Pleasant |
Very light, golden-colored flake. Nose is honey and slight hint of rum over sunny Virginias (grass, hay).
On first light, all I can think is, "If Tinkerbell had body odor, it would probably smell like this." Very light/airy blend, bit of citrusy/grapefruity funk to it, but that's it. Not dark, complex, or brooding in the least.
Opened up nicely by mid bowl. I don't notice the burley at all, nor the cavendish, except for its role in carrying the flavorings, which it does adequately. It's a very well behaved tobacco that burns dry and clean.
Beyond Tinkerbell's armpits, it occurred to me throughout the smoke that this is not bad in a Darren McGavin (RIP) Christmas Story sense. It's not good. But it's not bad either. Give it a try.
On first light, all I can think is, "If Tinkerbell had body odor, it would probably smell like this." Very light/airy blend, bit of citrusy/grapefruity funk to it, but that's it. Not dark, complex, or brooding in the least.
Opened up nicely by mid bowl. I don't notice the burley at all, nor the cavendish, except for its role in carrying the flavorings, which it does adequately. It's a very well behaved tobacco that burns dry and clean.
Beyond Tinkerbell's armpits, it occurred to me throughout the smoke that this is not bad in a Darren McGavin (RIP) Christmas Story sense. It's not good. But it's not bad either. Give it a try.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 08, 2007 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I?ve smoked Navy Mixture in the past. It is not a favorite of mine, but I do like it and whenever I find a tin I buy one. Just recently I found a tin of Navy Flake. It is indeed very similar to the mixture, but the flake version somehow gives it a richer, fuller, and sharper taste.
I guess the process of pressing the tobaccos helps to condense the natural sugars, oils and resins to the extent of making the flake version more palatable. The flake is beautifully presented, with a very nice aroma: sugary and warm. But the flavor isn?t that sweet. I guess the Virginias used in the flake are treated the same as Virginia Flake, but the added Burleys and Cavendish provide more richness and depth of flavor. I believe there might be a slight rum topping.
Unlike the mixture, Navy Flake has no tongue bite and it burns nicely. Someone has said this is a classic. I believe it is, even when the flavor is not that common or familiar as other flakes. Personally I enjoy Dunhill?s Light Flake, Stokkebye?s or Rattray?s Virginia flakes much more, but this one isn?t bad at all. A nice alternative to flake smoking. Recommended.
I guess the process of pressing the tobaccos helps to condense the natural sugars, oils and resins to the extent of making the flake version more palatable. The flake is beautifully presented, with a very nice aroma: sugary and warm. But the flavor isn?t that sweet. I guess the Virginias used in the flake are treated the same as Virginia Flake, but the added Burleys and Cavendish provide more richness and depth of flavor. I believe there might be a slight rum topping.
Unlike the mixture, Navy Flake has no tongue bite and it burns nicely. Someone has said this is a classic. I believe it is, even when the flavor is not that common or familiar as other flakes. Personally I enjoy Dunhill?s Light Flake, Stokkebye?s or Rattray?s Virginia flakes much more, but this one isn?t bad at all. A nice alternative to flake smoking. Recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 22, 2005 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild | Pleasant |
There are so many very good tobaccos out there that this just doesn't make the cut for me. Why not? Because it is foul. I am not talented enough to truly distinguish the reasons, but I believe that it is the cavendish that I dislike.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 05, 2001 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Very Pleasant |
This is my first time smoking a blend that's mostly Burley. These come in colorful, veined slices with a nice sweet-tobacco aroma. I folded the wafer a few times and stuck it in my fairly new Nording freehand. It lit very easily and burned to a dry white ash. The flavors were slightly sweet with a spiciness that seemed to tickle the back of my throat. While smoking, the body and richness of the tobacco seemed to be toward the fuller end of the spectrum, but there was not much of a nicotine kick ... so I gave it a medium rating overall. I gave a high rating to the room aroma based on my wife's remark of "That one smells good" ... which is high praise from her. Toward the last half of the bowl, I had to relight once and run a pipe cleaner through to correct a slight gurgle. Aside from that, this was an enjoyable smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 28, 2023 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Review based on 2022 batch.
Natural tasting flake with subtle aromatic elements. Differs from others similarly named as navy flake which are mostly VA’s. Soft and rounded by its harmonious composition of leaf, with the welcome Mac Baren cavendish added to the virginia and burley. Mild honey, brown sugar accents work well with the tobacco forward flavor. No rum detected and not really fruity. Packing lightly rubbed out flake with air pocket method results in a smoke that needs few relights. Effortless to achieve a smoldering, long lasting smoke. Sipping and gentle puffing draws out the flavors such as nuts, honey and hint of figs. Hits the zone about a quarter of the way through when using 0.75” diameter bowl. Burns to a white ash. Full and satisfying with low to moderate nicotine. Room note is ok but not as appealing as an aromatic.
It’s a representative, quality tobacco that is highly recommended to those who appreciate a natural tobacco taste, scarcely aromatic, and something different than straight VA navy flakes. Suitable for a multi-smoke day.
Natural tasting flake with subtle aromatic elements. Differs from others similarly named as navy flake which are mostly VA’s. Soft and rounded by its harmonious composition of leaf, with the welcome Mac Baren cavendish added to the virginia and burley. Mild honey, brown sugar accents work well with the tobacco forward flavor. No rum detected and not really fruity. Packing lightly rubbed out flake with air pocket method results in a smoke that needs few relights. Effortless to achieve a smoldering, long lasting smoke. Sipping and gentle puffing draws out the flavors such as nuts, honey and hint of figs. Hits the zone about a quarter of the way through when using 0.75” diameter bowl. Burns to a white ash. Full and satisfying with low to moderate nicotine. Room note is ok but not as appealing as an aromatic.
It’s a representative, quality tobacco that is highly recommended to those who appreciate a natural tobacco taste, scarcely aromatic, and something different than straight VA navy flakes. Suitable for a multi-smoke day.
Age When Smoked:
December 2022 batch
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 19, 2022 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Rum, brown sugar, and slight floral qualities. A well done navy flake, not harsh and smooth and rich. Off the start it's rum dominant but the Virginia comes through shortly after with sweet grassiness. The burley adds a cocoa note which translates into brown sugar when it all comes together. This is a smooth smoke not raw or rough like Peter Stokkebye navy flake. Aroma is pleasant with a rum and brown sugar/ honey quality. Can bit if pushed hard, smokes sweeter when rubbed out. Nic hit is medium, I'd recommend this to one who is stepping up from mild aromatics. All in all a good navy flake.
Pipe Used:
Nording Royal flush Queen
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking Pipes
Age When Smoked:
New to 5 years aged
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