Aging MacBaren Virginia No. 1: Tongue Bite?

[craig61a]

Virginias in general, having higher sugar content, and being more acidic, will tend to bite more so than other tobaccos.

Aging does seem to temper them somewhat. However my experience is that will take several years.

Technique does play into it. And smoking it in a smaller bowl with a thinner draft does seem to help.

Each manufacturer cases or tops their Virginia differently, which can help to reduce any tendency to bite in varying degrees.

Try sampling different blends until you find something that agrees with you, rather than buying huge quantities of whatever everybody is raving about as the "blend of the week".

 

[rajangan]

I would buy a lb of this zero additive burley, and mix 4 parts MacBaren, 1 part that. See how that goes.

 

[Briar Lee]

I own a half full can of Virginia No 1 that’s almost old enough to buy a bottle of whiskey.

Because of years of adapting to a blend (technique, or addiction, or a misspent childhood, whatever you’d nans such an acquired talent) I don’t get bit.

But this 2002 can of Virginia No 1 would bite me still, if I let it bite.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I find that, even with 7 years of age on it, that if I smoke VA #1 in my other Virginia pipes, that no matter how dry or slow, that it still is not a pleasant smooth smoke like the Virginias I prefer. It is because of the acidity and maybe the extra honey added increasing the burning sugar ratio. Other Virginias don’t do this, and become much smoother with age.
However, if I smoke VA #1 in one of my wider burley pipes, it does smoke smoother.

Whatever that means, more volume of smoke, more air mixing in the chamber, whatever…. it’s the only way I can make it palatable. (I’ll let the rocket surgeons on here break that idea down).

I picked up about 5 lbs early on, and I’ve given most of that away, because it’s just not a favorite. @BROBS, is that 2014 from me?

Anyways, I still have some to try in 10-20 years, but I have no intentions pf ever buying it again. Their Pure Virginia better suits my tastes. YMMV
But, of you don’t like it, there’s probably hundreds of other blends to try. Maybe just strike it off your list. I have.

 

[BROBS]

I find that, even with 7 years of age on it, that if I smoke VA #1 in my other Virginia pipes, that no matter how dry or slow, that it still os not a pleasant smooth smoke like the Virginias I prefer. It is because of the acidity and maybe the extra honey added increasing the burning sugar ratio. Other Virginias don’t do this, and become much smoother with age.
However, of I smoke VA #1 in one of my wider burley pipes, it does smoke smoother.

Whatever that means, more volume of smoke, more air mixing in the chamber, whatever…. it’s the only way I can make it palatable.

I picked up about 5 lbs early on, and I’ve given most of that away, because it’s just not a favorite. @BROBS, is that 2014 from me?

Anyways, I still have some to try in 10-20 years, but I have no intentions pf ever buying it again. Their Pure Virginia better suits my tastes. YMMV
But, of you don’t like it, there’s probably hundreds of other blends to try. Maybe just strike it off your list. I have.

Yes it is!!!
I’d bet it’s probably too light for you.

 

[mikefu]

I'm smoking some from 2016 as I type. Age mellows it out quite a bit. I really don't like it fresh, but enjoy it quite a bit after 3+ years, and if it's 10+ years old it really sings. All that being said, it's a high sugar content VA, so it'll always bite if pushed and smoked fast. But when well aged and smoked slowly, it's among my favorite blends, with a flavor reminiscent of buttered raisin toast.

 

[mingc]

If you can't depend on Mac Baren Virginia No. 1 to bite, you can't depend on anything else. Might as well end it all I tell you.

 

[edger]

It burnt my tongue so I mixed it with some old original Gallahers Condor. It become just tolerable (I'm too cheap to bin it)

 

[dog_park_piper]

I would buy a lb of this zero additive burley, and mix 4 parts MacBaren, 1 part that. See how that goes.

I've been meaning to try that Whole Leaf tobacco. What are your thoughts???

 

[rajangan]

I've been meaning to try that Whole Leaf tobacco. What are your thoughts???

I am very very biased towards it.

 

[dog_park_piper]

I am very very biased towards it.

Would your bias suggest I buy some or stay away from it?

 

[rajangan]

Would your bias suggest I buy some or stay away from it?

I think you need to try whole leaf. Make some blends, maybe some plug, don't add any toppings or casings. Maybe make some cavendish, or do some toasting. But beware. You might be ruined forever.

 

[dog_park_piper]

I think you need to try whole leaf. Make some blends, maybe some plug, don't add any toppings or casings. Maybe make some cavendish, or do some toasting. But beware. You might be ruined forever.

ok then. I will have to try it soon.

 

[karam]

I was looking at this blend for a while because it's available here and pretty cheap for a MacBaren, but after reading it called "very light" by people who know Virginias a lot better than me I'll give it a pass.

This. I fall into this trap occasionally when the flavor is good but the blend is really mild.

I know what you mean, exactly, so I'll avoid #1 and pick up for HH Pure Virginia instead

 

[rajangan]

Keep in mind that WLT is temporarily shutting down because the owner has the vid. I don't recommend their competitors because rumour had e it the quality isn't as good; however, I haven't tried it.

 

[Parkland_Puffer]

I see all the comments about technique and cadence but I can feel my mouth going numb after about three puffs when I smoke any of the Macbaren blends that I have tried.
I've tried all the way from tin fresh to bone dry and even with a filter.

Something in their blends just doesn't agree with my body chemistry, nothing to do with technique for me. Will aging get rid of this for me, I'm doubtful.

 

[Magnum207]

“Each manufacturer cases or tops their Virginia differently, which can help to reduce any tendency to bite in varying degrees.”

Please explain if possible. I understand each manufacturer has their own proprietary processes, etc…, but Mac Baren apparently continues to “case or top” theirs “differently” than others, knowing it still causes “bite?” Wouldn’t they change or modify their process to reduce this, knowing it’s a common complaint?

 

[dog_park_piper]

I see all the comments about technique and cadence but I can feel my mouth going numb after about three puffs when I smoke any of the Macbaren blends that I have tried.
I've tried all the way from tin fresh to bone dry and even with a filter.

Something in their blends just doesn't agree with my body chemistry, nothing to do with technique for me. Will aging get rid of this for me, I'm doubtful.

I am the same way. Although I smoke regular pipes all the time, I've been getting into Peterson System pipes with the L-lip using very dry tobacco, like from Daughters & Ryan.

And I don't know why MacBaren doesn't try and change their recipe to appeal to more palates. I guess they have smokers who enjoy it the way it is.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I may be wrong, but I think "tongue bite" is a by product of over zealious lighting.

 

[dog_park_piper]

I may be wrong, but I think "tongue bite" is a by product of over zealious lighting.

That's been true for me, especially with MacBaren Virginia no 1. I'm used to burley giving me lots of smoke and I think I can do it with bright thick Virginia