Mac Baren Mixture - Scottish Blend

bphilli75 · Sep 13, 2014

I've been smoking a pipe for almost five years now, having started a little later in life at thirty four years old. I have a modest collection of twenty two different tobacco blends - a couple Lane aros, a few english blends, some burley forward blends, a couple nice C&D blends, a couple of va/pers and this MacBaren Mixture - Scottish Blend.
I'm giving this blend a shout out, because it's the first blend that has me reaching for it almost every time I go to my shelf these days. I look over all the others I have, thinking I may want something else, but then I always go for the Mac B Scottish. I really enjoy it. It lights well and burns great. I just gently rub it out between my fingers, not my palms, to just break it up a little and loosen it for packing. I don't dry it at all. The moisture level seems perfect for me. I've smoked it mostly in .80" diameter bowls, no filters. It will bite a little if I'm not careful, but that's ok, because it tastes better when I'm careful anyway. Saving a little for a retrohale tingles the nose a bit in a good way. Maybe this is the one.
...if it doesn't end up on a discontinued list like my beloved BLB. Fingers crossed.
Peace,

Bill

bphilli75 · Sep 13, 2014

I was surprised to see it was considered aromatic also. I will say I and my family enjoy the aroma very much, but I appreciate that it is not very sweet.

JimInks · Sep 13, 2014

I've heard it's one of MacBaren's top seller in Europe, so I doubt you'll see it discontinued any time soon. I like it a lot, but as previously noted, it needs to be smoked slowly or at a moderate rate.

mso489 · Sep 13, 2014

I've found the Mac Baren blends a little harsh -- Danish Gold and Navy Mixture (loose tobacco), if I remember the names

of the blends. Especially the Navy Mixture, I tried to dry it, age it, mix it, and never could get a comfortable smoke.

Probably I just chose the wrong blends for me. Now I'm off on pleasant adventures with C&D burley blends and various

English blends and even aros, from Lanes, McClellands, Altadis, and others. If I get back to Mac Barens, I'll research them

carefully to see if I can find one that is most likely to suit me. The C&D burley blends are awe-inspiring, full strength but

so ingeniously blended and proportioned that I am lost in the experience. Hard to top them for me right now.

bphilli75 · Sep 13, 2014

Interesting you mention that mso489. I've been thinking my next order will be C&D Burleys. ...any particular recommendations?

onepyrotec · Sep 13, 2014

I like the stuff! The first time I smoked it, I liked it too much so it became the ONLY tobacco that has ever gave me a tongue bite that felt like I just kissed a stapler. :rofl:

pylorns · Sep 13, 2014

I thoroughly enjoy the tin I have as well. I had it on my list for a while but after JD from the Country Squire talked about how it was his go-to blend I figured I should try it sooner rather than later. It's great!

JimInks · Sep 13, 2014

Here's my review of MB Scottish Blend if it's of any help.
Because it's a complex medium blend aromatic with a variety of flavors, I had to smoke a lot of it before gaging how to describe this one. I didn't mind doing that because the more I smoked it, the more I liked it. Sometimes the Kentucky in the blend is more evident than other times, but no matter how present it is or isn't, it relays a very tasty spice note that contrasts nicely with creamy flavors. I don't know what kind of liquor topping it has, but it's pleasant and compliments the mild sweetness of the blend with a fruit and honey taste. And the cavendish hints of a mild sweet taste that works well with the topping. The burley is choice, with a little nutty mild earthy touch. The Virginia is slightly sweet and woodsy, with perhaps a touch of citrus, and creates a solid base for the other flavors. Occasionally, one bowlful will taste a little different from another, but that's due to how you pack it, and whether or not one component is more present in your pipe than other times. I like that.

bphilli75 · Sep 13, 2014

My favorite use to be Burley London Blend, and it didn't bite me at all. Scottish will bite a bit if I'm not careful on my relights, but overall it doesn't bite me during my puffing unless I go too fast. There was a Westminster blend I tried once that I just could not smoke at all, no matter how slow I tried, but I don't get this with Mad Barens. I hear a lot about McBite, but I've never experienced it in a big way. I wish I had a useful suggestion for how to keep it at bay. I don't do anything special, so I suspect it must be a pH thing.

wyfbane · Sep 13, 2014

I got some 1979 scottish off ebay last year. Took it to the PNW pipe meet in Camas Wa. We all loved it!! Great blend

andy · Sep 13, 2014

The Scottish Blend has been a fantastic go to smoke for me. I keep the pouches in the glove box of my car and use it for general go to easy smoke. Coupled with a cob i find i can keep the bite under control without too much trouble.
+1 from me!!

judcole · Sep 14, 2014

I like Mixture myself. I'm currently working through a tin I set aside in 2009. I've got a Dunedin bullmoose that smokes it beautifully. It is a huge seller for MacB all over the world, as I understand it.

MacB aficionados recommend packing a little looser if you are having trouble with bite. (MacB also recommends this.)

bassbug · Mar 16, 2017

This sounds like where I want to go next in my tobacco adventure.
Can anyone comment on how Scottish Blend compares with Original Choice?

raybrown55 · Mar 17, 2017

I smoke regurarly Original Choice in the morning and I like it because of its fruity taste (but it tastes of tobacco too) and its mildness, well suited to me for a morning smoke. Having tried Scottish Blend about two years ago, this left me disappointed: I smoked an entire pouch of it, but I felt generally little if any taste. Maybe I have to try again...

PaulTheScandinavian · Mar 17, 2017

Yep,Scottish was light and fragrant, yet did tend to bite,on the same league I like much better that less bitey more one dimensional Golden Extra

its a nice and dependable Burley forward blend yet widely available.

raybrown55 · Mar 17, 2017

I too like very much Golden Extra (in Europe Golden Blend)...

tschiraldi · Mar 17, 2017

I just bought an ounce of this at my local shop. I also bought an ounce of light Burley. I have mixed them together and it smells remarkable. Going to fire up my first bowl of this mix tonight for Ol' St. Patty!
Tim

Mac Baren Mixture - Scottish Blend

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