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 65 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 07, 2012 | Medium to Strong | Medium to Strong | Full | Tolerable |
I was very excited to try this blend after reading so many positive reviews on and watching many video reviews on YouTube.
Opening the tin: Being mechanically minded, it struck me as off-putting that the lid will become inevitably misshapen and therefor will not easily be resealed. The immediate aroma is that of a field of hay with a touch of sweetness akin to honey. The finishing scent is certainly that of subtle rum that may not be detected or appreciated by those of you that do not enjoy a swig from the captain's flask. Visually intriguing, each flake is nicely homogenous.
Flake detail: A new tin will certainly be simpler to handle due to the tobacco being somewhat moist; albeit not so moist as to prevent lighting the flake. Each flake is generously sized and will fill most smaller to medium bowls comfortably. If you have a large bowl and are a first-time flake smoker I would recommend starting with a single flake, or even half.
Lighting and smoking: The first time I tried this flake I used the fold and stuff method as per the recommendation of a YouTube friend. This provides an easy light and a fairly even burn. The smoke produced is quite opaque, but not copious. I immediately noticed the boldness of this flake. It will bite the tongue of the more aggressive smoker, but the manner in which the flake burns makes it unnecessary to puff profusely.
The room note is NOT that of "caramel cookies" as I had been led to believe. It is quite pungent and will even cause a sting in the nostrils if deliberately smelled. Consequently, I do not recommend releasing the smoke through your nose. Nicotine is present, perhaps even pronounced, but I do not harbor an addiction to quell.
After thoughts: The taste is lingering and a somewhat pleasant compliment to various foodstuffs and drink such as grapes (strange, yes), chocolate, rolls, coffee, but certainly not beer.
Conclusion: This is a strong smoke with a lingering room note of heavy smoke. Your hands will smell of this mix for a number of hours following the completion of the bowl. I would recommend that you sample this blend if possible before purchasing an entire tin. I have found that I prefer to smoke this flake only occasionally. Also, the fold and stuff method delivers a more tolerable smoke than if one were to rub out the flake and pack the bowl more tightly as with a loose blend. Happy Smoking to all!
Opening the tin: Being mechanically minded, it struck me as off-putting that the lid will become inevitably misshapen and therefor will not easily be resealed. The immediate aroma is that of a field of hay with a touch of sweetness akin to honey. The finishing scent is certainly that of subtle rum that may not be detected or appreciated by those of you that do not enjoy a swig from the captain's flask. Visually intriguing, each flake is nicely homogenous.
Flake detail: A new tin will certainly be simpler to handle due to the tobacco being somewhat moist; albeit not so moist as to prevent lighting the flake. Each flake is generously sized and will fill most smaller to medium bowls comfortably. If you have a large bowl and are a first-time flake smoker I would recommend starting with a single flake, or even half.
Lighting and smoking: The first time I tried this flake I used the fold and stuff method as per the recommendation of a YouTube friend. This provides an easy light and a fairly even burn. The smoke produced is quite opaque, but not copious. I immediately noticed the boldness of this flake. It will bite the tongue of the more aggressive smoker, but the manner in which the flake burns makes it unnecessary to puff profusely.
The room note is NOT that of "caramel cookies" as I had been led to believe. It is quite pungent and will even cause a sting in the nostrils if deliberately smelled. Consequently, I do not recommend releasing the smoke through your nose. Nicotine is present, perhaps even pronounced, but I do not harbor an addiction to quell.
After thoughts: The taste is lingering and a somewhat pleasant compliment to various foodstuffs and drink such as grapes (strange, yes), chocolate, rolls, coffee, but certainly not beer.
Conclusion: This is a strong smoke with a lingering room note of heavy smoke. Your hands will smell of this mix for a number of hours following the completion of the bowl. I would recommend that you sample this blend if possible before purchasing an entire tin. I have found that I prefer to smoke this flake only occasionally. Also, the fold and stuff method delivers a more tolerable smoke than if one were to rub out the flake and pack the bowl more tightly as with a loose blend. Happy Smoking to all!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 08, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
When I traveled to Israel, I got this tin from the Duty Free, just to make sure I'll buy something on that trip too. Burley, Cavendish, Virginia are its contents.The bowl is filled very effortlessly, and as easily it lights up. Like all Mac Baren, it causes tongue bite, especially if you smoke it with bulimia. I wouldn't mind having a tin with me and smoke it once in a while, especially is places where my beloved Latakia may be irritating to others. Medium to high its nicotine dose.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 14, 2011 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
It's OK but rather boring actually; nothing to elaborate about.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 05, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Yea i was disopointed by this blend. The Tin aroma resembles a hay like smell, anf maybe some honey. As for taste this blend lacks alot of flavor, First time is smoked this wow it was bad. second time it got aittle better, It not really natural tasting, it actually kinda artificail, mac baren mixture is much more natural and sweeter then this. Its slowy getting better so expect an update, but as for now all i can give it is 2 stars
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 21, 2010 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Before buying a tin of Navy Flake, I had already known it for a long time, but never bought it. I always saw it in the shelves of tobacco shops when I bought other tobaccos. I actually wanted to buy a pouch of Plumcake, but there was only a 100 g tin left, so I bought this one. And my first impression about it is very positive. At first, I can't understand why so many smokers associate its tin scent with lots of honey and the typical Mc Baren casing. When I cracked the seal and opened the tin to take a breath of it, it just smelled like high-quality,chocolate- like, fine Burley, mingling with a dash of Virginia and Cavendish. Very delicious. I looked forward to smoking it. The fold and roll method seems to be tailor made for this flake, so packing your pipe is no problem with this one. It lights absolutely fast and easy. The taste reminded me of a matured, aged Virginia at first, with subtle sweetness. It left a chocolaty aftertaste in my mouth and this very Burley characteristica is always present in the background until the smoke is over. The taste became more rounded after the middle of the bowl. It leaves only a small amount of dark grey ash. If there really is a sort of topping in this Flake, it is unnoticable, respectively in my tin. Strengh is somewhat around medium and every tongue- bite was absent. A beautifully balanced tobacco. All in all, a very well done Flake. The best one I have smoked so far. Let's see how it proves in the near future.
UPDATE:
It's strange to see how tobacco changes with some airing time after cracking the tin seal. Some tobaccos improve, while others become worse. This one, I'm afraid, has in fact become worse. First of all, when the tobacco had breathed a few days, I could understand what all the talking about its topping is about. Honey!! But sadly, artificially smelling. The main problem I have with this flake- after I have now smoked many bowls of it and feel ready for a valid judgement- is that it loses almost every hint of taste after the middle of the bowl. No matter if I rub it out or not, no matter if I smoke it with filter or not, no matter what pipe I smoke it in- just hot air with a hint of sweetness. A shame, I wanted to like it....
UPDATE:
It's strange to see how tobacco changes with some airing time after cracking the tin seal. Some tobaccos improve, while others become worse. This one, I'm afraid, has in fact become worse. First of all, when the tobacco had breathed a few days, I could understand what all the talking about its topping is about. Honey!! But sadly, artificially smelling. The main problem I have with this flake- after I have now smoked many bowls of it and feel ready for a valid judgement- is that it loses almost every hint of taste after the middle of the bowl. No matter if I rub it out or not, no matter if I smoke it with filter or not, no matter what pipe I smoke it in- just hot air with a hint of sweetness. A shame, I wanted to like it....
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 05, 2010 | Medium | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This tobacco was a bit of a disappointment, maybe because I expected it to be at least like Orlik Golden Sliced and it wasn't, it's rather bland, common and cigarette tasting like most MacBarren blends I've tried. It's ok but do not expect to much from it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 25, 2010 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Tolerable |
I'm sad to say that I have tasted better flakes.
Yes, there is some kind of a honey aroma. The taste, however, was displaying something unusual that did not agree with me.
And, again, the lack of strength...Such a shame!
Yes, there is some kind of a honey aroma. The taste, however, was displaying something unusual that did not agree with me.
And, again, the lack of strength...Such a shame!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 21, 2009 | Medium to Strong | Medium | Medium | Tolerable |
The first smoke was so beautiful. After my idea has changed. There is anything in taste dry, fast burning something. Looks like Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake. Easy VF lovers should try.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 05, 2009 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
I like burley additions but not this much. I rather prefer lighter proportions. In absence of other fine Virginia/Burley mixtures this stuff would be an alternative for me. Not for all day smoke. It may be pleasant, rarely for me I guess, in the evenings.
Needs a bit attention on packing and airing, so I wouldn't recommend for beginners. Lights well and it isn't difficult to keep it lit. Till the end of the bowl it satisfies your strength and sourness needings. But nothing special..
Needs a bit attention on packing and airing, so I wouldn't recommend for beginners. Lights well and it isn't difficult to keep it lit. Till the end of the bowl it satisfies your strength and sourness needings. But nothing special..
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 06, 2009 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I wanted to give this only the 1 star but maybe thats unfair after 2 smokes. i've been on a navy spree recently and there are some real goodies out there, some in fact i wish to reserve my judgement for a month or 2. hmm but this one has really put me off Mac Baren for a bit. It has some shining reviews but i have to agree with those who called this bland. it was like a boring press of virginia and burly, grassy and a little nutty. Now I'm not a great fan of aromatics but appreciate a good blend regardless. This navy flake however has that typical casing where a secret micro-chip air-freshener has been implanted in the tin. open it up, umm wow smells like great tobacco. now i bet you there is indeed some fine tobaccos in here but they are poorly preped and blended, and you end up with a boring smoke . I'm starting to see Mac B as some generic italian restaurant franchise. Slick marketing and good presentation, fine ingredience but an average joe chef chucking it all in a pot. what a shame. Perfect little flakes in a cute little tin but bread and water smoke i'm afraid.
maybe good to blend your own with. A dash of perique would be nice to flavour up the VAs or even a little more cavendish would bring out the nuttiness of the wasted burly, as i've already said good tobaccos badly put together. will smoke some more and revise if necessary.
maybe good to blend your own with. A dash of perique would be nice to flavour up the VAs or even a little more cavendish would bring out the nuttiness of the wasted burly, as i've already said good tobaccos badly put together. will smoke some more and revise if necessary.
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