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Dottle Diggers, Ember Chasing And Slow Smoking Blog » 2010 » September
Mac Baren, 7 Seas and My Humble Opinion of Their New Regular, Royal, and Gold Blends
September 19th, 2010I was fortunate enough to have been asked to try the new 7 Seas Blends by Mac Baren. I was sworn to secrecy… No not really, just asked not to tell anyone. Provided with a pouch of each blend; Regular, Gold, and Royal, I dove right in. The pouches are not available in the U.S., they were just samples. The following is what I submitted.
Mac Baren, 7 Seas, Regular Blend: The White Pouch
Before I opened the pouch, I carefully looked it over, first thing I noticed was the excellent depiction of a very tall sailing ship’s mast with the impression of a great-long and majestic unfurled pennant making the numeral 7 and three fully trade-wind filled sails under which is the word Seas written in long-hand; a most impressive logo. Inside is a gray scale map reference compass, on the whole very impressive tasteful packaging.
Mac Baren’s description of the contents on the white pouch is very descriptive of my first impression of the blend upon opening the pouch. The pouch note is very sweet and pungent, seems like I smell plum… very pleasant, but not overpowering. It seems to smell like RLP-6, but not as spicy. The tobacco is rather course cut and moist. It is comprised of very dark and very light tobaccos.
I decided to pack my MM cob churchwarden straight from the pouch without any preparation (in hindsight probably not the best choice). Being moist it packed very easily.
The char light was very pleasing as was the true light. The flavor was very nice, quite smooth and rich. I have never been one to discern individual and ethereal flavors, but I seem to taste a little vanilla and plum. Its flavor, to me, is reminiscent of Captain Black Royal only smoother. Somewhere I picked up the impression that this was supposed to be Mac Baren’s answer to Captain Black White, maybe because of the pouch I had been given to try. You know what they say about assumptions…..
It is somewhat difficult to keep lit because of the high moisture content, or because I chose the cob-warden. It may not be so with a bit of drying.
I asked my wife about the room note. She said: “It’s strong… smells like Captain Black. Not bad.” It burned completely and the bowl was dry, but it did gurgle about half way through, and probably my fault for being so anxious to try this exciting new tobacco blend.
I liked it, so I packed a second bowl in my Cavicchi Volcano after about an hour. The second lit well and I had no trouble keeping it lit. The flavor was just as good as it was the first bowl. No bite, didn’t burn in my nose, rich and sweet.
It is a blend that I will buy in the future; it has earned a permanent place in my stash.
Mac Baren; 7 Seas Royal Blend: Dark Aqua package
The pouch note reminds me of RLP-6 as well, only milder, not too sweet, and very moist.
The Char light immediately tasted a little peppery and smoky in a way that is unlike Latakia, and not very sweet. Following the true light; the flavor hasn’t changed much from the char, it still tastes smoky and there are some pleasant flavors that seem to be making their way into the overall flavor. It is very mild. While it is a good blend, it doesn’t seem very sophisticated (for me that is a good thing). I mean that it doesn’t seem to have too many things (flavor wise) going on, and I like that.
I’m smoking it in my handmade Ascorti “New Line”, made by the dearly departed master pipe carver Roberto Ascorti. It is on par with my 5C Cavicchi as far as overall quality of craftsmanship, grain, and ineffable smoking qualities. In other words; I have chosen to smoke this blend in the best pipe I have save one. And that one isn’t superior to this one, but equal.
The 7 Seas Royal Blend is burning well, maybe a little on the hot side, but not unpleasantly so, it is also burning at a fairly slow rate and has no bite. As the smoke continues it begins to hint at an un-sweet 1Q, but not quite as satisfying (possibly due to lower nicotine content than 1Q). It is smoking dry, there has been no gurgle. As I near the end of the bowl, some 40 minutes into the smoke, I find myself looking forward to the end. It has lasted far longer than I had anticipated, and that isn’t a bad thing either.
I asked the wife what she thought about the room note: “It’s OK”. My wife isn’t very loquacious sometimes.
While I don’t dislike the Mac Baren 7 Seas Royal Blend; it is not something that I would purchase with any frequency. But, I may keep it in my stash. However; it does seem to have a place there.
I think that this would be a good choice for the novice pipe smoker. It has qualities that would lend itself to the inexperienced pipe smoker’s enjoyment of his pipe, for the following reasons:
First; it smells good in the pouch without being flashy not Royal, but Nouveau riche, (using a 17th Century cultural definition.)
Second; it packs well and easily.
Third; it lights well and burns evenly without the need to continually tamp, and stays lit with little effort.
Fourth; while it does burn a little warm, it doesn’t bite.
Fifth; as aromatics go, has a mild smoky flavor, it isn’t overly sweet, and doesn’t taste like a bowl of fruit but pleasant none-the-less, not too rich, and not too much nicotine.
Lastly; it has a decent room note, so it won’t annoy those around the new piper, who by logical extension may be inexperienced with a pipe’s aroma, as well.
I would say this would be a good blend for a pipe smoking college student who is just starting out. The more I think about it, the more I like its attributes. Mac Baren, 7 Seas Royal Blend is a good blend for studying or just reading a good book. Yep… I will keep some in my stash.
Mac Baren: 7 Seas; Gold Blend, Gold Pouch
Pouch note: Quite pleasing, like a Cavendish, not sweet, just a good honest tobacco smell. The appearance is light gold to light brown ribbon cut not too coarse. Very similar in texture to Lane 1Q but not quite as thinly cut.
I smoked my first bowl of Mac Baren’s Gold Blend in my 5C Claudio Cavicchi Half Bent Volcano. After my first experience with Mac Baren’s 7 Seas Regular Blend; I decided to smoke it in my best pipe, on par with my Ascorti New Line.
Like the 7 Seas Regular and Royal blends; the Gold Blend packs very well, and like the others, is very moist.
Char Light: I found it a little difficult to get lit initially, indicating that it may need to dry a bit before lighting. That difficulty may disappear with subsequent openings of the pouch. The initial taste seems to be a Cavendish and I don’t taste of any flavor additives.
True Light: Once the char was successful, the True light wasn’t an issue. The Cavendish flavor comes through nicely. The smoke is not a thick smoke but quite flavorful.
I had to relight after about 10 minutes due to my own ineptitude. This is quite a good tobacco. It is not fancy just straight forward and smooth. There is no bite and is not burning hot. While I truly enjoyed the Regular, I think this is may be my favorite of the three. The flavor is very pleasant and bright. Not an “in your face” bright, but very tasty, and no gurgle.
As the bowl burns it hasn’t developed any bite. It is burning quite cool and hasn’t lost any flavor. It isn’t complex, a little nutty, and tastes to me a little like Half and Half, that’s just my opinion.
The description on the pouch is spot on. “A soft and exceptionally mellow smoke. Delightful aromatic taste. A true pleasure journey.” I can’t argue with that.
Room Note: I asked the ‘War Department’ what she thought of this blend. She said: “That smells good.” I asked: “Do you like it.” I got a smile and a bright “Ah- huh!” The Mother-in-law is up for the week, and she said it smelled good as well. She said: “That smells sweet.”
I’ve had to relight a few times, again that may be due to the moisture content. But, I have no complaints at all. This is definitely a blend that I will keep on hand. I look forward to this becoming available in my area.
My palate isn’t as discerning as Bob’s or some others and I’m new to this “Tobacco Review” thing; I hope I have been able to convey just how much I really enjoyed trying “something new” (in both the literal and figurative senses). I was also pleased to have been asked to try these wonderful new blends and offer my humble opinion. Thanks… that was fun!
Ernest asked: Has Pipe Smoking Changed With Time?
September 9th, 2010As many of you know, I tend to look upon History from a slightly different perspective than what is generally found in text books. And that I have heretofore touched on the differences between the “modern pipe smoker” and those “old school pipe smokers”. In this incarnation of my humble blog, I have collected some old forum posts and some new musings from varied sources. While it may seem disjointed in context and style, I think I will manage to convey my thoughts.
A question was posed by one of PipesMagazine.com’s newest members, Ernest. He started the string: Serious question: Has pipe smoking changed with time? I think that the “old school” has had at least 8 very different incarnations, but there is something at the heart of each, and I don’t mean nicotine.
As something of a History buff, I felt that if I posted to Ernest’s string, I would simply be responding with an anecdote and not truly answering his question. I feel that Rod’s screen name is both self-defining and a challenge to us to contemplate and expound, even though it is spelled differently than the word defined below. So, light your pipe, and read my attempt at allowing us to think beyond what we can see.
ear·nest 1 (ûr
n
st)
adj.
1. Marked by or showing deep sincerity or seriousness: an earnest gesture of goodwill.
2. Of an important or weighty nature; grave. See Synonyms at serious.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/earnest
Bearing the above in mind, the following may seem somewhat disjointed, so bear with me.
1) Our European perspectives and ignorance have attached the moniker of “Peace Pipe” on that which is at the foundation of our shared passion… the conveyance of prayers to and the contemplation of, their venerated spirits, and the creator of all things through the burning of tobacco by the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
2) Upon the acquisition of tobacco from the New World, Sir Walter Raleigh brought it first to England, where it spread across Europe and the rest of the world. The earliest depiction of pipe smoking (I have seen) is of Sir Walter Raleigh smoking a long pipe and reading a parchment document at his desk. Being a poet, I can imagine him deep in the contemplation of his writings. This depiction of Raleigh’s relaxed demeanor demonstrates to me that deep thinking and relaxation are inherent to the nature of pipe smoking. I might add that the wood block print shows a servant or Paige about to douse Raleigh with a jug of water; because he thinks Raleigh is on fire. So, there was humor in the 16th Century.
Yes, we are members of an old and venerable fraternity.
Thanks Bob,
I love the history that one cannot find in text books.
The day to day inconveniences, struggles, prejudices and wider realities of life in our progenitor’s past.
The implication that the “Colonies” were given ’seconds’ and flawed merchandise is illuminating. Makes one contemplate the world’s unconscious perceptions of our nations place in the larger world at that time.
OR, is that all they could afford?
It depends on the context of the find, the social status of the owners. The article said the fragments were found in trash. What type of trash? Was this the contents from a fireplace? If so, were they discarded from a public house (a pub or restaurant) or a home, or a place of business? How did their former owners make their living? Were they aristocrats, restaurateurs, carpenters, tinkers… thieves…… slaves? Romanticizing here: If from a pub; were these pipe smokers discussing taxation by the crown or Suzy Rotten Crotch’s ankles over on Wall Street over a pint of ale or porter? Were they Dutch, or English subjects? Did they smoke their pipes by candle light or oil lantern?
Damn… I love history.
4) After a fill from a draw-string tobacco pouch hung from his belt; I see the air cured Red Virginia tobacco being smoked in long clay churchwarden next to a stone hearth, by one of our Founding Fathers with his feet on the fender and a pint at his elbow on a cold winter’s night, engrossed by the fire, while blissfully unaware of the hubbub of the Public House going on around him in the monochromatic light from the flames and candles filtered through a smoky haze. (Private forum: Paraphrased from a description of an impression provided by a unique and excellent tobacco blend.)
5) In the Clint Eastwood movie “The Outlaw Jose Wales”, there is a scene with a character called Granny. While I could expound on the gritty reality depicted in the great movie, I will restrict my observations to the person of Granny in that one scene. Granny is “Up to the store”. She is earthy, hates the “Red Legs”, knows what Josey Wales represents to the Red Legs, finds humor in the boastings of the Captain of the Red Legs, is generous in providing aid to the Outlaw Josey Wales and the kid with a “you can pay me when ya see me Josey Wales”. She speaks her mind, afraid of no consequence for those words, and smokes a homemade corn cob pipe probably packed with home grown and cured tobacco. Granny see’s things for what they really are, and not what they seem to be. In short, she’s a thinker.
6) From: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/memorable-pipe-smokers-from-your-past#post-3902
One of our newest members Patriotfirst got me to thinking back to my early days of pipe smoking and my curiosity about my new passion, way back when….
Woodlawn Hardware Store was a dusty relic of the old style Mom and Pop Hardware stores where you could find things that you couldn’t find anywhere else. (After a bit of rummaging of course.) (You know the type.) Even the hours were antiquated. 6 to 6 Mon. - Sat. except Wednesdays when we closed at noon because of an old blue-law. (So people could go to church.) Well there was an old WWI veteran that would come in to buy a couple of nails or screws or just to shoot the breeze. He smoked a pipe with a Rum Soaked Crook cigar in it. I always found this amusing, but practical. He told me he had been smoking that way since “Ma momma give me dis pipe fo my 6′d birt-day. Mah re-ward for bein’ a good boy-n stayin’ in school”.
7) During the 1950’s the epitome of the American Dream was realized. The War to End All Wars was over; Vietnam was a country somewhere on the kid’s globe. There was inexpensive housing with running water, showers in the bathrooms, the inevitable child of the Great Depression wife wearing an apron, spoiled children (of which many of us are included), she always had a fresh Permanent, and she would always have dinner waiting for her husband when he returned home. The husband… worked 9 to 5, had perfect hair, and easy chair, a shiny new car (with fins), an immaculate lawn that was mown every Saturday, three channels on the tube, a clenched Dr. Graybow stuffed with Prince Albert and a big smile on his face while reading, and thinking about the news of the day…. Life was good.
8 ) Over the last 40 years the world has changed. Maybe no more than in other times, our concerns have definitely changed. Baby Boomers now outnumber the young. We have 400 channels on the satellite, and instant information on the internet. Pipe smokers are more highly educated and sophisticated than at any point in history. We know what type of pipe we prefer, what tobacco goes with our morning coffee or that smooooooth nightcap. We wonder about what we tasted in that last bowl; was that raisins or apricots. Is Short Cut to Mushrooms an English mix or an aromatic with a touch of Latakia? Now when I light up my pipe, I read a book, post my musings on the internet, listen to music, or think about the musings and ideas of others.
So, from my own historical perceptions; I have to say, from the earliest incarnations the of stone, clay, and wooden pipes of the early Native Americans, to the latest in high tech carbon fiber pipes with stainless steel bowls manufactured in sophisticated factories, there is but one constant… It’s what we do while smoking those pipes that counts. While the subjects have varied greatly over time, and from person to person, the smoking of a pipe has always facilitated contemplation, and therefore hasn’t changed.
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