Mac Baren blend history

[Pipe Organist]

Back when I was a noob, the corner store in Oberlin (now long gone, sadly) was one of those great places that sold more than prescriptions. It sold high-end comic books, gifts, and most importantly, pipe tobacco.

Among the blends they sold were Mac Baren Golden Extra and Scottish Mixture. ISTM at the time these were strong both in tin aroma and in the pipe, and while I enjoyed them, I often got wet, gurgling smokes and wicked tongue bite from both of these blends.

Now I'm re-trying Mac Baren blends (Mixture Flake and Dark Twist), and so far am a huge fan.

My question is, has the quality of Mac Baren blends improved over the years, or am I just a more mature and skilled puffer?

[Requiem]

I would love to visit that store... comic books and pipes, just like my office at home

[rrb]

I don't know about quality improvement.
What I can say is that if you don't smoke them carefully they'll bite you really hard!!

[ShamWow]

Having smoked MacBaren blends on and off since 1971, I would generally agree that the blends have improved. They still require careful puffing to avoid bite, but the quality of the tobacco is in my opinion better.

Ed