Mac Baren HH Bold Kentucky

There are other brands of this ilk that are of better quality. What this has is smokability. It lights easily and stays lit with no fuss.

It's ideal when you're feeling a bit lazy and want a problem free, good honest smoke.

It's a Volvo diesel. It starts every time and just keeps going.

Update 01/11/16:- I recently bought 6 tins. I'm now on the third tin. It must be from a different batch because it's lost it's charm and flavour. It's as flat and as boring as a witches tit.

It turns that I'm a Gawith Hoggarth fan boy and they do this type second to none.

I was persuaded to try this, not as good as HH Old Dark Fired, but good all the same, there seems to be some sort of flavouring there, but I'm damned if I can put my finger on it. Not one I'd stock up on, but I can see myself buying a tin or two in the future

This tobacco is dark with strong leathery flavor, it has no complexity or nuances, just plain, strong smoke with good nicotine dose. I didnt enjoy a lot, it is very one-dimensional for my liking. I still prefer MB Scottish Mixture/Flake

High quality very fine strong classical tobacco. I was delighted to taste it and it instantly became my favourite. Very pleasent and easy to smoke. No waste.

Honestly I am quite surprised to see so much praise for this blend. I realize that some tastes are acquired but every puff I take of this just gives me the no feeling. IMO there is something in or on this that shouldn't be, resulting in a smoke that is well beyond full bodied and well into ridiculous harshness. Granted I have not tried other Kentucky blends, but this is absolutely offensive. I cant imagine anyone from any walk of life, under any circumstance, thinking that this was not bad. Out of the tin, contrary to some of the other reviewers, it has anything but a "natural" or "pure" tobacco scent. The musty, pungent, burnt, and smokey smell is just off the charts intense; (is there even any tobacco in there?) leaving you to wonder how something that smells so assertive is going to taste. Upon lighting, every puff tastes like your inhaling a stale campfire; the mouth feel is very (and oddly) intense, and rest assured if you inhale it its nasty on the throat, in fact it's almost impossible to inhale, and I don't say that often. All I can taste so far is strong harsh smoke that has no pleasing qualities other than strong nicotine. Every so often I detect a nuance of something pleasant underneath it all but its hopelessly covered up. It does have have very high nicotine, which is actually what I look for, so I might see if I can blend in something else to tone down everything down, but that's not what I bought it for. To MB's credit (sort of) I also believe that they may have quality control issues from time to time, that being said they do stand behind their product and value customer satisfaction. I wonder if the tin I got was from a bad run. This is the second product I have bought from them that was obviously sub standard; the first they actually replaced for me readily which was mighty decent of them, but I think it also indicates that they are aware of their own issues or bad runs but continue to sell the product. This while all the other MB are great. But its' still frustrating; I feel like "just make a quality product or don't, because I'm tired of getting stung" is how I feel. I'm a MB fan, but for this one I got, I might as well just go eat an ashtray then wash it all down with bong water. Would I recommend it? not my tin.

As with all of MacBaren’s flake tobacco this one’s a highly recommend and the blends from the HH line are a 4 +. The smokey Kentucky is perfectly blended with the mild Virginias to give this long time pipe smoker exactly what he wants in a tobacco that I would compare with a fine after dinner Bourbon; perfect amount of sweetness, maltiness, spiciness, complexity, and craftsmanship. Smokes cool and clean and doesn’t bite. Takes a little patience as the nic- hit is substantial and smoking this too fast will bring out some rough spots, but not much. I wouldn’t consider this an all day smoke, but could fill my pie more than once in 24 hours as this tobacco is one fine smoke which is part of my regular rotation….This could be a tough sell for a new smoker that likes flavored blends with sweet toppings and there are other mild flakes that would work better for them…. This is one fine pipe tobacco.

Not too much to add to all 4 stars reviews.

BK is just an amazing stuff, not for every-day . I use it just sometimes and in special occasions only.

It's strong, bold and deeper than Old Dark Fired.

Just amazing stuff. 4 stars.

It’s a cold day. The back of you’re throat feels slightly bitten by the cold as you finish raking the yard. You sigh as you glance around and notice how quiet the evening has become. You pull the matchbook from you pocket, strike one, and toss the match on the pile. You pull up a chair some distance away and watch the flames grow brighter and then die as the smell of burning leaves mixes with the crisp autumn air.

Great blend if one likes stronger mixes. It isn't the least bit harsh nor does it have a tendency to bite. It has a true Kentucky/Burley flavor & the tin note was an earthy sweet & sour aroma. The flakes were quite dark & very moist with a minimal amount of yellow Virginia. I rubbed out a flake and let sit for about twenty minutes. I thought I'd try this out for a change of pace because I prefer stronger blends & Burley usually delivers a quick, strong vitamin N blast & this stuff works.

It is a strong tobacco that smokes mildly. It expands quite a bit after the charring light & provided an excellent burn rate and keeping it lit was not a problem. I didn't notice the Virginia that much but it's probably what tamed the slight bitterness of the Burley which soon subsided. It's been a while since I've smoked Irish Flake & this reminded me of that a little. The mild topping is barely noticeable and the flavor was mostly Burley with a slight sweetness coming from the Virginia infusion.