Mac Baren HH Bold Kentucky

Tingling in the nose, brain and soul.
I cannot start any different from this.
Really strong baccy as it has a considerable amount of nicotine.

It need a bit of dry out before packing your bowl. Sometimes it´s hard to keep lit. A medium bowl gave me almost 2hours of good smoke, after managing keep it lit, burns well till the end.

The flavor is not that complex once that delivers you the same flavor from the very beginning till the end.

3 and half stars.

This blend succeeds in what I presume is it's goal: FULL in strength, truly powerful in an almost humbling manner, without being harsh in the way that cigarettes or dried out cigars are. It's an experience in itself. Old Dark Fired, Peterson Irish Flake, Samuel Gawith Brown #4 and a few others can deliver the same experience. I recommend it to every pipester, but only after years off experience, and preferably slayed a few dragons, although that wouldn't be entirely sufficent preparation. No dragon is as strong as Mac Barens Bold Kentucky (or ODF or Irish Flake or Brown #4)

Compared to them, Peterson's Irish Flake and ODF in particular, this blend really makes you miss the burley in them and its delicious earthiness. The burley in Irish Flake/ODF adds depth and complexity that this blend, IMO, lacks. The DFK completely dominates everything and is only slightly counterbalanced by the VA sweetness, which I actually also find a bit overbearing and... too much. It is just a tad too sweet for my personal palate. For me, Irish Flake and Old Dark Fired (ODF in particular) are superior, they are virtually as strong but with better taste. BUT! If you're a DFK fan who enjoys VA sweetness more than me, or perhaps just dont enjoy burley like I do, this may be a match made in heaven for you.

Another winner from Mac Baren. Bold strength, bold flavor, bold aroma. It tastes to me like a less sweet Old Dark Fired on steroids. The bright Virginias are grassy and marry well to the nutty dark fired Kentucky. The casing seems to add a tangy flavor to the blend which vinegar would certainly do. I'm excited to see how this blend develops with some age.

Not much else to add here but that this blend is ALL Kentucky. I was expecting to find a little more complexity in the blend, but was whammed with the bold and beautiful Kentucky. Granted, the Virginia does play a role in giving slight sweetness and smoothness to the blend. But be warned, you gotta like Kentucky to like this, I mean the name does say it all.

Despite its powerful strength, it is gentle on the tongue. The flavour is one dimensional, but evolves slightly as the Kentucky mellows halfway and the Virginias come through. Lots of chocolate notes.

Works well as a blender to beef up blends but you may need to tone this one down with something else, which is quite alright. I like mixing it with st Bruno to give it a bit more kick. I like it in my clay tavern pipe, but works well in anything.

I've been working my way through the HH flakes and saved this one for last.

My jar is dated 5/172015 and upon opening I found the flakes perfect for roll and stuff in a smaller Morgan Bones Pot.

I'll agree with the vinegar smell on the flakes and on the pre-light sip. After a charring light it burned great.

This really shines as an example of what DFK can be like. Deep dark flavors, nutty and rich. Quite an N kick to me, so I'll be sipping from smaller pots which are my choice for flakes these days. (I have moderate N toleration)

After a couple of bowls, I'm looking forward to adding some to my cellar and see it having more of a long term place than ODF which I also loved.

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

My review is based on a sampling of a few bowls, this seems to be unavailable in the UK now.

The tobacco is presented as thin dark brown to black flakes, very even in cut. Aromas of leather, wood and pitch waft up to the nose - delicious!

Flavour at the first light is leathery and tarry, with hints of spice and brewers pitch. The flavour remains fairly consistent throughout the smoke, growing in strength as it progresses. Toward the end, a slightly harsh edge may emerge - nicotine tingle on the tongue, not bite, in common with other very strong tobaccos. A few relights may be needed. A small dottle is left. The pipe is knocked out and by golly you know you've been smoking it! Excellent.

This is another tobacco for cold and dreary days, for warming ones cockles and boosting morale. Very nice, I'll buy it if I get the chance again.

Tin note of barbeque, sour, and stewed fruit. Tobacco flakes are dark brown and black and easily rubs out. Tobacco is a little moist, but not wet enough to need drying. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is strong and nic is strong. (It required a beverage to continue to smoke). No flavoring detected. Taste is full and mostly consistent with notes of dry smoky, very spicy, herbal sour, very earthy, toasted bitter nuts, very woody, floral, leather, spices, mild barbecue, a mildly sweet lemon grass background note, and a very peppery retro. Kentucky is leading with Virginias supporting. Room note is strong, and aftertaste is awesome.