Mac Baren Navy Flake

I decided to give this tobacco ago having read decent reviews on it. Now it's my turn I guess. When you open the packet you are greeted with a pleasant smell of raisins. It's got a decent feel to it ie not to moist nor to dry. Packs well, stays lit, an all day enjoyable smoke. This might just be me but it took me a couple of bowls to work out if I liked this tobacco. I wouldn't say I hated it because I didn't however I didn't get the wow factor. Now iv smoked it a few times it is an enjoyable smoke, I would buy it again and I would recommend it, all I would say is give it a few bowls first.

When I switched from my 40-a-day cigarette habit to a pipe, once adjusted I made a point of choosing mild blends [because I inhale] with no more than a mild nic-hit.

MB Navy Flake is medium strength with a nic-hit that's mild to medium. So why did I buy a pound after smoking a tin? Because it is really tasty. I'm a bit surprised to read other reviewers experiencing tongue bite. I'm quite sensitive to tongue bite myself but have not been bitten by this flake. Maybe because I jarred the flake for a year before loading a bowl?

My tolerance for nicotine is now so low, that I've jarred the pound & keep it for an occasional treat or those times when I'm in the mood for something stronger than my normal fare. [This is NOT a strong blend nor is it loaded with Vit N. So please don't get that impression]

If MB Navy Flake was a bit milder & had a touch less nicotine, this would be an everyday smoke for me because it is so darned tasty.

Despite it not fitting my exact preferences, it's easily a four star blend. A must try for every pipe smoker, even if you're a lightweight like myself, lol. Highly recommended.

Why: If you like Navy Rolls and something not as fruity as Sunset Breeze you will like these Navy mostly Burley flakes. Smooth and a little fruity but not leaning too much Virginia. Get the pocket-sized 50g tin and the flakes are almost still in a block packed tight within the foils. Pressed burley tobaccos with fruity Virginias and Cavendish.

Looks: Beautiful inside. Nice box. Perfect pocket size. The tobacco is darker flake but don't let the darkness deceive you. It is a light to medium strength with a good dose of nicotine.

Using: Flakes are easy to manipulate. Recommend for rubbing out into a ball in your hand for a taste that peaks more. Leave whole for a deeper richer draw. Easy to dry if you want. It will burn fairly fast and somewhat quickly but you don't constantly puff on this one. Easy to put aside and take now and again.

Result: It's a cut above most over the counter packet tobaccos from the same company. Reserved for a tin box and while you reach deeper in your pickets by a little more you have something a bit better quality that will last. So expect nicotine doses every so often and set aside while you wait again for it. Mild taste but a heavy dose. Tastes is smokey but slightly fruity. Not quite full-bodied but that's fine. Taste memories of Peterson's Sunset Breeze but lighter fruits and more Burley,

Conclusion: Not as fruity as sunset breeze, then this canned Navy Flake not only looks great but may help remind you of the good old times. The craftmanship of the block in flakes is second to none. Very nicely pressed and neat.

Pipe Used: Peterson Dracula 68

Similar Blends: Peterson Sunset Breeze

I keep returning to this tobacco as it gives me a full taste satisfaction. A Danish style aromatic with burley, virginia and black cavendish makes a good, rich smoke, burns slowly and is packed with sweet honey aroma with a hint of floral, rum and fruity notes. I accompanied it with dark rum enriched green tea to a perfect enjoyment.

Mac Baren’s Navy Flake was a one-and-done blend for me. Though the toasted tobaccos are not really bad, down the bowl it tastes to me like a re-light with an old Zippo lighter. I suppose this owes to some combusted additive or other, and more than likely it’s the same additive that makes it smell rather like vanilla at the light and briefly thereafter. Again, the tobaccos aren’t bad; neither are they notably good, IMO, which generally means for me, why bother, especially in a hotly contested category like VA/Bur. Strength is mild. Tastes are toward medium from mild. Room note is nice. Aftertaste is faint lighter fluid over trailing VA/Bur tobacco. Can’t personally recommend it, so 1 star.

When I opened my first tin of Navy Flake, I was both impressed and disappointed. I was impressed by the perfectly shaped, uniform flakes but disappointed by their smell. It was very faint and weak, almost like there was no smell at all. Nevertheless I packed a bowl.. and didn't really like it. It was way too mild and I didn't get any of the flavour so many people had told me about.

I was trying out 9mm Meerschaum filters at the time, which turned out to be a huge mistake. They take away way too much flavour, compared to the ones with active charcoal. So I changed the filter, and immediately fell in love with Navy Flake.

The subtle sweetness, combined with a hint of spice and a lovely, fragrant aroma, which reminds me of floral essences and dark, sweet molasses are just absolutely wonderful. I also get a tiny hint of citrus peel.

After the first bowl, I knew why it was/is such a classic tobacco and it very quickly became my absolute favourite. The moisture right out of the tin is pretty much perfect and whether you fold and stuff, or rub it out, it takes a light easily and requires little to no relights. It might bite you, if you're not careful, but if you let it dry out a few minutes and learn how to properly pack it, you'll be fine. Just sit back, relax and enjoy this wonderful flake.

It's definitely my "lonely island tobacco" and I hope I'll be able to enjoy it for many years to come. 10/10 (or 4/4 stars) for me. Highly recommended, even for beginners who want to get into flakes. Navy Flake is easy to get, uncomplicated and very tasty!

I couldn't agree more with Philo down there the flakes look very neat and perfectly thin slices and tin aroma is more toward citrusy fruity and a very faint hint of rum upon hard sniffing. Unlike GH flakes it folds and pack the bowl without any mess burns easily but taste is on the lighter side you get occasional burst of fruitiness and sweetness of Virginia but burns quickly before you get the hang of it.

Good for an outside smoking. The first time I tried it on a walk in the woods. In combination with coniferous odor it gives incredibly rich notes of flowering field and rum. P.S. When the half of the bowl is gone, leave the pipe to cool down for 10-15 mins and relight it again. Enjoy the spiciness and lightness of this tobacco.

Superior all day smoke, easy to pack, lit, few relights. No tongue bite at all even if you are puffing like freight train. Honey toping is dominating, rum hiding somewhere in background. Overall very nice flake, highly recommending to everybody.