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RATED (by 6 users)
Flavor Recommend It? Tin Aroma |
DESCRIPTION
Brand: Mac Baren Tin Description: The base of the blend, a little under half of the volume, is a smooth and yet powerful Latakia from Syria. This tobacco gives the blend the overall smoky taste, a powerful taste and yet without any tongue bite. To add a spicy note to the blend, Turkish Oriental has been added. A mix of different Virginia tobaccos from 3 continents adds a sweet natural taste. To complete the taste with depth and body, we added a little Dark Fired Kentucky from the USA. The HH-Vintage Syrian Latakia is a loose cut tobacco, which guarantees a smooth and steady burn. It does not get hot which means you will find extremely little bite on your tongue. When you empty your pipe after smoking, you will find only fine grey ashes, the sign of a slow and dry smoke. Country of Origin: DK Curing Group: Fire Cured Contents: Kentucky, Virginia, Latakia, Oriental, Turkish Cut: Coarse Cut Packaging: 100g   tin Blend Notes: Introduced in 2006
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# 4/7/2011
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Review by Schmitz Bitz
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A different kind of Lat bomb.
This review is based on a 100g tin, purchased in 2011, and consumed almost immediately. I have since ordered a pair of carafes...
When I first opened the tin, I have to admit I was somewhat dissapointed - although this blend is reputed to contain somewhere in the vicinity of 50% Latakia, the prevailing aroma was that of Oriental leaf, rather than the rich smokyness I was expecting. Sweet hints of treacle mingle with sage and savory and an almost underlying note of paprika; blending into a rich, almost barbeque like note. The tobacco itself is presented as a ribbon cut, however tends toward the random and ragged side of the ribbon spectrum. Struck immediately by the amount of black leaf, one also finds dark browns and tans, interspersed with golds and the occasional bright yellow or green Oriental leaf. Although the tobacco does feel slightly on the damp side straight out of the tin, I find that the humidity is about perfect for my body chemistry, too dry and the flavours seem to dissapear. Loaded using the air-pocket method; very nice tobacco to handle.
With the initial light, I am always somewhat taken aback at just how sweet this blend is. The treacle like notes found on the tin play heavily into the flavour profile, while supporting the herbal flavours of the Oriental leaf. However, this is but the supporting cast; the main role is that of Syrian Latakia. Unlike its bold, brash Cypriot cousin, Syrian offers up a subtle mix of frankensense (insense), sandalwood, and cedar. Through the mid-point of the bowl, the sweetness begins to dissipate, leaving behind an almost nutty flavour, with hints of unsweetened cocoa. This grows progressively stronger, particularly through the very heel of the bowl.
I have heard MacBaren referred to as "MacBite"; an felt that was quite an apt name; however, I am pleased to report that this blend, even when pushed (within reason, of course), doesn't seem to suffer from the usual MacB bowl of capsaicin issue.
The room-note on this tobacco, while I find it pleasant, seems to send the crowds running. This is one of those tobacco's that my wife demands I wash off of my facial hair before I kiss her. As I've yet to hear one good thing about it from anyone who doesn't currently have a bowl of it burning inches from their nose, so I shall leave it at that.
The nicotine level of this blend is a nice surprise, as MacBaren blends do tend to leave my rushing for a fix. Although this blend won't floor me, it does kill any cravings I may have, making it a suitable choice for all day smoking.
All in all, I recommend this blend very highly; I note that every page in my notebook dedicated to this blend, from day one through the last bowl smoked contain the notation "Stockpile this blend - NOW".
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# 9/4/2012
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Review by The German
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Bit of a must-try.
I was very intrigued by Henrik Halberg's new series of blends (the "HH" series), as he decided to leave all of the old MacBaren recipes behind and seems to have focused on the properties of the tobaccos as such. This was the first blend I got to try from that series. It was enough to have me at least try all the others.
As had been noted before, this is not about the all-out smoky Cyprian Latakia, but the much more subtle Syrian. There is some VA in there, and some Oriental... and, atypically for MacBaren, no topping, no flavouring, no sugaring. For something with over 40 % Latakia in it, this blend is remarkably smooth and gentle in room note -- as well as in taste.
Stuffs easily, smokes easily, good enough nic hit especially considering this stuff comes from Denmark... and after two tins, I find I like it a lot. Go Henrik; you're on the right track!
Even with its high amount of Latakia, this is one blend I can recommend with a clear conscience to those who just want to try that particular type of tobacco preparation. Not too strong (OK, I personally like my 'baccies stronger), easy to handle, and not overwhelming. Certainly works for me.
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# 22/3/2015
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Review by Jose Ruiz
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HH vintage syria
Hope every ones doing ok today. Todays review for your pleasure will be from Mc Baren's HH Vintage Syrian. Pipe: Peterson p-lip bent smooth Tin size: 3.5 oz. Tin note: Smokey, campfire aroma, Rich, some natural sweetness and roasted nut notes.
Type: Latakia Blend Tobacco: Virginia, Burley, Oriental, Latakia Cut: Loose ribbon cut Strength: Medium full to full bodied Taste: Richness from the Virginia as well as slight natural sweet notes, nice Smokey campfire aromas from the Syrian Latakia, Peppery goodness from the Oriental leaf, with a nice roasted nut taste from the Burley. Well balanced blend with a lot of great complexity and richness with out being very strong and over powering.
Room note: Nice billowing clouds of aromas that remind me of a summer campfire. Great roasted nut notes with a nice hint of incense of sandalwood or cedar. Very pleasing aromas for sure.
Notes: Out of the tin is ready to pack into your bowl, nice loose cut ribbons. Used the 3 tier method. Has a good amount of Syrian Latakia which produced a good amount of white smoke. The aromas that came from the smoke is very enticing that continue on to the end of the bowl. Taste was also great, reminded me of roasted nuts and woody spicy notes with a hint of pepper. Noticed a natural sweetness coming thru which helped balance the whole blend nicely. This blend is very well balanced with a lot of complexity and richness without losing taste at all throughout the whole smoke. Only took very few relights, burns cool thru it all. I highly recommend HH Vintage Syria to anyone that like full bodied latakia blends or who is interested in trying one for the first time. Taste is great thru out the whole smoke, aroma is pleasing, burns cool. Will make sure to keep this in my rotation. If you never tried it ,give it a try you wont be disappointed. I rate this blend: 4.0-4.5 out of 5
The Wife's Review: I really liked this blend. It, like the 3 nuns evoked a mental image for me, this time of the distinguished woodsman. It had a more raw, outdoorsy, woodsy smell than 3 nuns when I was sitting in the room with it. I personally have never been at a turn of the century, rich mans, woodsy retreat but that is what this pipe reminds me of... Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Ford. If they spent a weekend vacation at their sumptuous country estate and were sitting around together, this is what I imagine they would smoke. So give me a whiskey on the rocks and send me off for a weekend with this blend, please!
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# 22/3/2015
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Review by Jose Ruiz
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HH Vintage Syria
Hope every ones doing ok today. Todays review for your pleasure will be from Mc Baren's HH Vintage Syrian. Pipe: Peterson p-lip bent smooth Tin size: 3.5 oz. Tin note: Smokey, campfire aroma, Rich, some natural sweetness and roasted nut notes.
Type: Latakia Blend Tobacco: Virginia, Burley, Oriental, Latakia Cut: Loose ribbon cut Strength: Medium full to full bodied Taste: Richness from the Virginia as well as slight natural sweet notes, nice Smokey campfire aromas from the Syrian Latakia, Peppery goodness from the Oriental leaf, with a nice roasted nut taste from the Burley. Well balanced blend with a lot of great complexity and richness with out being very strong and over powering.
Room note: Nice billowing clouds of aromas that remind me of a summer campfire. Great roasted nut notes with a nice hint of incense of sandalwood or cedar. Very pleasing aromas for sure.
Notes: Out of the tin is ready to pack into your bowl, nice loose cut ribbons. Used the 3 tier method. Has a good amount of Syrian Latakia which produced a good amount of white smoke. The aromas that came from the smoke is very enticing that continue on to the end of the bowl. Taste was also great, reminded me of roasted nuts and woody spicy notes with a hint of pepper. Noticed a natural sweetness coming thru which helped balance the whole blend nicely. This blend is very well balanced with a lot of complexity and richness without losing taste at all throughout the whole smoke. Only took very few relights, burns cool thru it all. I highly recommend HH Vintage Syria to anyone that like full bodied latakia blends or who is interested in trying one for the first time. Taste is great thru out the whole smoke, aroma is pleasing, burns cool. Will make sure to keep this in my rotation. If you never tried it ,give it a try you wont be disappointed. I rate this blend: 4.0-4.5 out of 5
The Wife's Review: I really liked this blend. It, like the 3 nuns evoked a mental image for me, this time of the distinguished woodsman. It had a more raw, outdoorsy, woodsy smell than 3 nuns when I was sitting in the room with it. I personally have never been at a turn of the century, rich mans, woodsy retreat but that is what this pipe reminds me of... Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Ford. If they spent a weekend vacation at their sumptuous country estate and were sitting around together, this is what I imagine they would smoke. So give me a whiskey on the rocks and send me off for a weekend with this blend, please!
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