Mac Baren Tobacco Factory Tour (Part 3)
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Kevin Godbee - Jan 17, 2011
- 1 min read
In the final video in our 3-part series on Mac Baren, you get to see the continuation of the process of producing high quality pipe tobaccos. The previous video showed the extensive handwork that goes into creating the spun tobaccos that are cut into coins. This video demonstrates some impressive machinery that greatly automates getting the tobacco blends into packaging and shipped out the door.
Of interesting note is that Mac Baren has transformed themselves from a factory that ran large production to create huge inventory stockpiles, into a just-in-time factory that produces to order. This was necessitated by the myriad different tobacco labeling regulations of different countries that Mac Baren exports to. This portion of the production process is quite technologically, and mechanically sophisticated and impressive. It is also extremely accurate.
Please enjoy Part 3 and the conclusion of our video tour of the Mac Baren Tobacco Factory, which runs about 13-minutes.
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| Precise machinery packages, labels and packs the Mac Baren tobacco blends for shipping. | ||
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| Mac Baren 7 Seas Regular Blend Pouches (not available in the USA) being packaged. | ||
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| The tobacco is perfectly measured according to weight. It is done extremely fast for quick order fulfillment. | ||
Written by Kevin Godbee
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Well there’s nothing like a touch of the plague to usher in the changing season. Leaving the airport just when the first advertisements for all things pumpkin spice began to appear—lattes, muffins, shampoos, trash bags, and myriad other concoctions—so, too, my ability to breathe freely disappeared. The unfortunate side effect of losing one’s sense of taste and smell for weeks is the utter inability to enjoy tobacco. Not that I consider myself an expert on anything but my own tastes, but be forewarned that this review was made with mildly impugned sensory equipment. Just when a comforting pipe was most needed, its comfort was denied. Be that as it may, the road to recovery found me limping along on one lung this past month, trying to wrest the particulars of two blends on offer from Sutliff: the latest 175th Anniversary blend, Silver Quarter, as well as their spooky seasonal Maple Shadows II. Silver Quarter is a new style on offer from Sutliff, their first coin-cut blend. 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With a sweet coffee or tea to accompany, the aftertaste of the maple is reinvigorated on the palate […]
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Great job Kevin!
I thought the whole series was wonderful: entertaining, informative and fascinating. Thanks so much for producing it for the readers of PipesMagazine.com. I think Per’s attitude toward Mac Baren’s reputation for tongue bite exemplified the common sense he demonstrates throughout the video series. A practical, knowledgeable guy who seems to really care about his tobaccos.
Where is the video link ? i can’t seem to find it .
How come Mac Baren does not sell pouches in the States?
@Evo “How come Mac Baren does not sell pouches in the States?”
It is for marketing reasons. The general perception in the U.S. is that tobacco in pouches is lower quality “drug store” tobacco, and that tobacco in metal tins is of higher quality. Mac Baren is definitely of higher quality and not “drug store” tobacco, but they sell in pouches overseas because that stigma doesn’t exist over there.