Any Tips for Dealing with MacBite?

[Barredbenny]

I’m a fairly experienced pipe smoker, about ten years in and tongue bite has never really been an issue for me. But somehow MacBaren Navy Flake, which I picked up on a whim, really has me stumped. I find it delicious but no matter how slowly I smoke it (I’m talking an hour and 15 for a single flake), I get a tingly and mildly irritated tongue. I have tried using it with filter crystals, drying the baccy, delayed gratification, same deal. Do I just give up, or is there hope?

 

[ChuckMijo]

If it bites you either, you deal with it and try other techniques. However I am in the camp of if something bites me I move on. Plenty of good choices out there that offer a better experience.

 

[anotherbob]

look they're the only brand that bites me at this point. It's still controllable for me but no other brand does that to me unless I really stop paying attention (can't talk on the phone and smoke, can talk to a person right there and smoke but not the phone). Macs well they can get me if I go off just a bit. As terrible as this advice might be it worked for me. Which is to just smoke that blend for a week after letting it dry out a little more. Put it in a jar for three to four weeks and the bite while still there will be further away. Kind of goes from dog that doesn't know you and growls to old friend with arthritis who only bites if you forget not to pet his hips.

 

[badbeard]

I have this problem with MB stuff. The only blend of theirs I can smoke without irritation is Dark Twist. I've come back a few times because I love their flavors, but it always creeps in eventually. I guess my body chemistry just doesn't work with whatever they use as a base casing. Even 9mm charcoal filters don't entirely stop it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

drying the baccy

How long?

 

[anotherbob]

I have this problem with MB stuff. The only blend of theirs I can smoke without irritation is Dark Twist. I've come back a few times because I love their flavors, but it always creeps in eventually. I guess my body chemistry just doesn't work with whatever they use as a base casing. Even 9mm charcoal filters don't entirely stop it.

They're my favorite maker of pipe tobacco (based on how often I buy and smoke their stuff) and after smoking a lot of their stuff other blends seem to be totally bite free.

 

[ofafeather]

I have the same problem with many MB blends. A few have surprised me in a good way. Most of the HH blends, Navy Flake, Mixture and Mixture Flake, Virginia Flake. Others like Dark Twist, Roll Cake, Three Nuns Green, even dry and well aged, do me in. The only way I can deal at all is taking frequent breaks during the smoke. Even then, there are so many blends that are way more enjoyable that it’s just not worth it for me.

 

[mso489]

I have to pick and choose the blends. Amphora Burley, made by MacBaren, is a robust blend but doesn't bite me at all. But a tinned mixture from MacBarens with about twelve different tobaccos bit the worst of any. I don't think they make that one anymore. Can't remember the exact name.

 

[anotherbob]

I have to pick and choose the blends. Amphora Burley, made by MacBaren, is a robust blend but doesn't bite me at all. But a tinned mixture from MacBarens with about twelve different tobaccos bit the worst of any. I don't think they make that one anymore. Can't remember the exact name.

it bit you so hard it effected your memory.

 

[peteguy]

I am also a member of the Macbite club. I stopped smoking any Mac blend 5 years ago. There are a few other Sutliff blends that bite on me as well. Mainly the burley blends.

 

[mingc]

As some of the other folks have said, move on. There's a plethora of blends out there. Smoke the ones that don't bite. If drying the tobacco helps, do it if you have the patience (I don't most of the times).

Time can also change your experience. I had a problem with Mac Bitey blends years ago, moved on, and when I came back to them a decade later, they no longer bit to the point of discomfort. Whether my mouth chemistry had changed, or I had grown callouses on my tongue, or the blends have aged away the bite, I don't know.

 

[mso489]

Bum blends do affect my memory. I make a point of forgetting about them. "Mixture" was in the name, but beyond that I draw a blessed blank.

 

[ncshawn]

Same old suggestions work for me... dry it out well, pack it loose, and smoke it sslloowwww. Churchwarden stem may help as well.

 

[Barredbenny]

How long?

Rubbed it out and dried it for about three hours, I think. I normally dislike drying tobacco but this made no noticeable difference at all to my experience.

 

[jpberg]

As stated, move on. There’s lots of good stuff out there that you won’t have to fight with.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Rubbed it out and dried it for about three hours, I think. I normally dislike drying tobacco but this made no noticeable difference at all to my experience.

I would've left it out overnight.

 

[Bluemonter]

Maybe you're just using the wrong tool for the job at hand.

I smoke all MacB and other aromatics in clay pipes.
No gurgling, hot steam nor tongue bite.
No drying or special packing procedures.
Fill the bowl and smoke away....

 

[Barredbenny]

Some helpful tips, thank you! Jarring it for a while, further drying, long stems, clay pipes.... but most seem to suggest just moving on. I don’t have long or clay pipes so that reduces my options a bit.

I have jarred it and will look onwards. As all pipe tobacco more or less costs the same in the UK, I think I shall get a tin of something tried and true to wash away the taste. I’m thinking SG Golden Glow or something like that, lovely bright VA of some sort. Thanks everyone!

 

[mortonbriar]

I have always found macbaren prone to biting, but can at least avoid the bite with a slow cadence and some decent dry time. I love that plumcake.

 

[marconi]

I’m a fairly experienced pipe smoker, about ten years in and tongue bite has never really been an issue for me. But somehow MacBaren Navy Flake, which I picked up on a whim, really has me stumped. I find it delicious but no matter how slowly I smoke it (I’m talking an hour and 15 for a single flake), I get a tingly and mildly irritated tongue. I have tried using it with filter crystals, drying the baccy, delayed gratification, same deal. Do I just give up, or is there hope?

I suggest you try a filter pipe that worked for me.There is no way I can smoke Mac Barens Scottish mixture without a charcoal filter.