Tempted to make a purchase, Advice?

[phatmax]

So I have about 40 bucks to spend....

I am tempted to get a selection of MacBaren tinned from SmokingPipes....Or a full 16 ounces of one type.

My tinned selection is:

PlumCake 100G
Honey & Chocolate 100G
Vanilla Creme 100G
Burley London Blend 100G


My thoughts on the 16oz

Get a 27 dollar one (such as London or Honey/Choc) and 1 tin of something (vanilla flake or plumcake)

or a 37 dollar 16, such as Vanilla Flake or plumcake.


On a side note I am going to call around to my local B&Ms to see if they have any of the above at prices close to Smoking Pipes... a buck or two difference will cover shipping.

[phatmax]

Oh, and just for clarification, I have yet to find a tobacco genre that I dislike, although the Perique and Latakia blends are not everyday smokes... I do like a decent roomnote and good flavor (this can mean something mild to spicy)

If food is any indication, I like everything from Apple Pie to Ethiopian to Sushi to Indian to Italian. (the only thing I don't like is very specific...LIVER)

[Mister Moo]

There are so many other lightly flavored things to try....

My advice would be to start with practically anything that doesn't have MacBaren written on the tin. They are nicknamed MacBitten and MacBurn'em for a reason. I really like vintage Plumcake and I'm steady on their Navy Flake but I'd recommend neither to a new smoker. I swear there's a naptha topping in every tin. One mans opinion on MacBaren for a "How do you do?"

[nate560]

I would agree with Moo the MacBurn can have a bite different story if your going to buy it to put it away for awhile. I like the plumcake myself but I buy with the intention of cellaring it but thats your choice.

[phatmax]

I may run by my B&M that has some Ashton and Peterson selections....if the price is decent

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

There are so many other lightly flavored things to try....

My advice would be to start with practically anything that doesn't have MacBaren written on the tin. They are nicknamed MacBitten and MacBurn'em for a reason. I really like vintage Plumcake and I'm steady on their Navy Flake but I'd recommend neither to a new smoker. I swear there's a naptha topping in every tin. One mans opinion on MacBaren for a "How do you do?"

The Moo speaks truly ... I would suggest the "noobie sampler trade" over in the pipe WTS/WTB/WTT forum thingie. You will get a bunch of samples to try out, then stock up those that float your boat (or dingy, as applicable).

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by phatmax

I may run by my B&M that has some Ashton and Peterson selections....if the price is decent

I respect the draw, loyalty and convenience of a B&M but if I depended on all but one of them around Raleigh I would've given up pipe smoking long ago. If the NST that R'uffs suggested isn't for you I'll only suggest you avoid MacB for a year or two.

Jeepers. Get some Esoterica Stonehaven and Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake. That kinda stuff'll light up your taste without terminating your tongue. You only live once, eh?

But hey! If you stop by that B&M see if they have a couple of giant glass things full of damp, gooey caramel-vanilla smelling stuff. I love the way that stuff smells. The bastiches at JR gave me a free sample of Stanwell Melange the other day and, altho it smoked a little harsh it smelled like fresh baked cookies. I wanted to eat the stuff, not smoke it.

[DeadFrog]

Out of all of those MacBs the only one I've smoked is the Plumcake. I've never gotten it to bite, but I can see how it could. I do notice that after a while it can sting my nostrils (I exhale through my nose most of the time). I just bought a pouch of it and in the month that it's been open it's gotten better and better. I can distinguish the flavours better and it's cooled down a bit, but I can imagine being cellared it would be great.

[Mad Hatter]

You anti-MacBaren guys.......... sheesh!!! MacBaren Plumcake and Mixture Scottish Blend were like the 3rd and 4th tobaccos I ever bought and were some of my learner tobaccos. Well rubbed out and dried moderately, lightly packed, lit and smoked with patience MacBarens are some of my favorite smokes. Many blends have sweet cavendish in the mix. Of the ones I've tried I like Burley London, Roll Cake, Dark Twist, Club Blend, Mixture, Plumcake, and Virginia #1 the best. The one's I don't care much for are Golden Extra, Stockton, VA Flake, Navy Mixture and Vanilla Cream.

I agree that newbie sampler trade might be just what you need but don't let that stop you from making an order

[Professor Mike]

I totally agree with Mr. Moo. I haven't found a McBaren blend I really care for in 40 years of pipe smoking. I am an aro smoker for the most part. If I may I would suggest:
Scotty's ButterNut Burley -Habana Cigar CO.
Sweet HoneyDew- Dan Tobacco
Town Topic- McCelleland.
Professor Mike's Blend- Tobacco Shop, Fayetteville, Arkansas( Ask for Justin)
BlueNote-Dan Tobacco

Kindset Reguards

Prof. Mike

[phatmax]

So I got:

100G of MacB London Burley
50G Of Stanwell Vanilla
50G Of Ashton Gold Rush

32 bucks

Not a bad sample pack.

I already have Dan Sweet HDV, MacB Dark Twist.

That particular B&M (Marietta Cigar Company) has a decent selection and pretty good prices.

I did see a nice Savinelli 320EX in there ...... DAMN that thing has a huge bowl. I might get a Baronet 320EX (for less then 50 bucks) for that bowl size...

I have a 320KS and there is a pretty big difference.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

You anti-MacBaren guys...

1. Well rubbed out and
2. dried moderately,
3. lightly packed,
4. lit and
5. smoked with patience...

D'oh! That's FIVE WHOLE THINGS to remember and execute precisely so as not to set fire to your face. As if! How do you think this makes me feel? I can't smoke and drink coffee without:

1. letting the pipe go out or
2. dribbling cold coffee on my shirt or
3. both, usually.

Multitaskers. Pfui.

(Hey now! Those Sav BaronetEX'ers are some champs for the large fill and the long smoke. They can be a handful to get stoked and burning evenly - see steps #2-4 above - but once fired up they are spectacular. Have one. Love it, sometimes. It holds enough weed to make me dizzy.)

[Reverie Forest]

Haha, Moo. You keep me well entertained.

[dmkerr]

Yo, Phatty!

If you want to try some Plumcake, shoot me a PM with your addy and I'll send you a couple ounces. Smoke it sloooooowly - it's got no aging on it yet.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

(Hey now! Those Sav BaronetEX'ers are some champs for the large fill and the long smoke. They can be a handful to get stoked and burning evenly - see steps #2-4 above - but once fired up they are spectacular. Have one. Love it, sometimes. It holds enough weed to make me dizzy.)

I have one of those in the 619 shape along with two Sav Hercules in the same shape. The Hercules pipes actually have a bigger bowl capacity, while the Baronet has thicker walls. A Herc could get you dizzier still!