Mac Baren HH Latakia Flake
(3.39)
This is a hot pressed flake tobacco, meaning that during the pressing steam is added to mature the tobacco further and to ensure a mellow smoking experience. A blend of bright Virginias, spicy Orient, a bit of burley, and a fair amount of Cyprus Latakia is the foundation of HH Latakia Flake.
The taste is complex with the smoky note from Latakia in the front seat, the subtle sweetness from the Virginias working in the back, and the mellow spiciness from the Orientals popping up from time to time, creating an intimate interplay where all tobaccos play their role and contribute to this unique smoking experience.
HH Latakia Flake has very little casing and no top flavour at all. The only taste you will experience is the natural taste from the tobaccos used.
A mellow, yet satisfying tobacco, with a lot of nice, smoky aroma.
Notes: Released at the 2014 Chicago Pipe Show.
Details
| Brand | Mac Baren |
| Blended By | Per Jensen |
| Manufactured By | Mac Baren |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Burley, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 3.5 ounce tin weight |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.39 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 04, 2014 | Medium | Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I'm lost on this one. Out of the tin I smelled the sourness of the VA first, Latakia secondarily. I didn't note any of the topping smell, however it is there, I'll talk about that soon. I sized up that it oughta be a good blend and a good flake.
First bowl was from my Cavicchi dublin. Flake had been dried around 15 minutes, then folded and packed. First light - ouch! Okay I guess the charring light sometimes bites, second light - ouch!!! What!?! Okay, it's lit now I'll smoke it through. Really, OUCH. This blend bites like microwaved ramen. Throughout the whole bowl, it just kept getting worse. Fine whatever, I'll try again later.
Second bowl in a Klodt dublin. Flake had been dried for an hour, then crumbled and packed. First light - ouch! Second- ouch! I'm about to give up. Finally, after a couple minutes the bite subsided and it wasn't as bad. I don't know if I might have to dry this stuff overnight but it's seriously bitey. Sigh.
Onto flavor. Very good! There is definitely some sweetness stemming not from the VA but definitely from some cavendish or a topping. It's noticeable in the smoke and more so in the room note. Doesn't take away from anything though, actually quite nice paired with the lat/va. You get the pleasant fruit preserve hint from the VA, a nice healthy note of latakia, and the burley I didn't taste, as I almost never do.
So truly, I'm torn as it is. This is a great tasting blend, it really just traumatizes your tongue. I don't remember smoking an aromatic that burned me that badly. Really unpleasant.
First bowl was from my Cavicchi dublin. Flake had been dried around 15 minutes, then folded and packed. First light - ouch! Okay I guess the charring light sometimes bites, second light - ouch!!! What!?! Okay, it's lit now I'll smoke it through. Really, OUCH. This blend bites like microwaved ramen. Throughout the whole bowl, it just kept getting worse. Fine whatever, I'll try again later.
Second bowl in a Klodt dublin. Flake had been dried for an hour, then crumbled and packed. First light - ouch! Second- ouch! I'm about to give up. Finally, after a couple minutes the bite subsided and it wasn't as bad. I don't know if I might have to dry this stuff overnight but it's seriously bitey. Sigh.
Onto flavor. Very good! There is definitely some sweetness stemming not from the VA but definitely from some cavendish or a topping. It's noticeable in the smoke and more so in the room note. Doesn't take away from anything though, actually quite nice paired with the lat/va. You get the pleasant fruit preserve hint from the VA, a nice healthy note of latakia, and the burley I didn't taste, as I almost never do.
So truly, I'm torn as it is. This is a great tasting blend, it really just traumatizes your tongue. I don't remember smoking an aromatic that burned me that badly. Really unpleasant.
Pipe Used:
Cavicchi Dublin CCC, Klodt Dublin
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 17, 2015 | Mild | Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Yes I'm pleasantly surprised, anticipating Mac-bite and none to be found even puffing along at a good clip.
A rather deceptive blend given the tin-appearance and aroma one thinks Lat-bomb, not at all. In fact the Latakia is very mute far too much of an Anise casing/topping. I cannot call this an English.
The flakes need some drying, afterwards I cube-cut them fairly chunky with my scissors and gently rubbed them out a bit more still chunky though. It packs great and combusts very well albeit slowly one of the many reasons why I enjoy flakes and cakes.
Plenty of sour casing notes and not enough Latakia presence for my liking. Also the casing/topping does coat your palate so last bowl of the day at least for me. I cannot recommend this blend . . . very boring and mute.
A rather deceptive blend given the tin-appearance and aroma one thinks Lat-bomb, not at all. In fact the Latakia is very mute far too much of an Anise casing/topping. I cannot call this an English.
The flakes need some drying, afterwards I cube-cut them fairly chunky with my scissors and gently rubbed them out a bit more still chunky though. It packs great and combusts very well albeit slowly one of the many reasons why I enjoy flakes and cakes.
Plenty of sour casing notes and not enough Latakia presence for my liking. Also the casing/topping does coat your palate so last bowl of the day at least for me. I cannot recommend this blend . . . very boring and mute.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 19, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I've tried and tried and tried with Mac Baren. I wanted to like their blends, but i just can't do it. This blend has been another fail for me. It actually starts of pretty good. It has a very creamy quality to the flavor, a semi sweetness and semi smokiness, but it all drowns out after 15 minutes of so into flavorless steam. This is my experience with this flakes new and at 4 years. Some things just don't change.
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