MacBaren HH Vintage Blends

[Alpedhuez55]

I have a few tins of the MacBaren HH Vinatage Blends that picked up last year that I have finally got around to smoking. I have had a few bowls of each and thought I would leave some comments.

HH Vintage Syrian
This is a mild Latakia Blend. Seems to have a slight tin scent of what has been described as Balsamic Vinegar. It is moist in the tin so needs to be dried out slightly. The ribbon cut packs easily and they burn OK if dried out slightly. The flavor is very mild. You can taste the Virginians in there in the background and the Latakia is very mild and delicate. If you like mild latakia blends, then this is a good one. But I tend to like Bick But Latakia blends like Old Ironsides, C&D DaVinci and Boswell Northwoods. If I want a mild to medium Latakia blend, I would go with Penzance which is cheaper in bulk for than. This is not a bad blend, I am enjoying it, but after three years of trying as many things as I can, I am starting to settle down to the ones I really like and buiilding a rotation. So when I am done with the two tins I have of this, unless in a pinch, I probably would not buy any more.

HH Mature Virginian
This one is actually pretty good. Like the HHVS, it is a ribbon cut and on the moist side in the tin. It has a sweet tin smell that may be slightly cased but not heavily flavored. It is more like a hint of honey. The flavor is mild, minimal bite, even when moist. Slight citrus tang with that slight hint of honey on the tongue. All in all, it is a pretty good blend and would would go nice with a cup of Earl Grey Tea. My only complaint, possibly due to the moisture, is it needs a lit of tamping and if you smoke it too slow, relights. But after a little more drying, it may not be so high maintenance. But this is a blend I can see myself buying more of.

[Vrbas]

I picked up a tin of Mature Virginian at a local B&M (actually, it was their ONLY tin). It has the signature MacBaren honey flavor to me but i also detected a little bit of smokiness that was very welcome. Honestly, this blend is unique to me and i do enjoy smoking it, though i haven't in a couple months. I think i'll revisit tonight.

[Requiem]

I have smoked some bowls of HH Vintage Syrian, and still have enough for 2-3 more bowls... I think it also contains a little of the MacB honey flavor, but it is a nice medium-light english.
The Syrian latakia is indeed much milder, gentler, not as smoky as the variant from Cyprus... very nice for all day smoking or for the end of a hot night.

I recommned those who don´t enjoy latakia blends to give a try at some blend with the Syrian kind, as they really are very different.

[tobac&tea]

I haven't had Macb virginias but I'm looking forward to trying. I really like astley's 44 Dark VA. Talk about figs and raisins. The tin smells like you pushed your face into a giant bin of freshly dried calmyrna figs.

Syrian latakia, yes...

Anyone who wants to cautiously try english/latakia blends, I highly recommend Ashton's Artisan blend. Syrian latakia is softer but still full flavored. I prefer it to cyprian which, too me, smells like standing inside a campfire. Great I imagine on a winter night, but here in Louisiana, it's way to hot for that business. Syrian works though. I've heard, and would agree, that syrian is more like leather than campfire. Good description.

Try ashton's artisan blend!