Esterval’s Order and the Mac Baren-Made Germain

[woodsroad]

My latest order from Esterval’s arrived today. A few new things and some old favorites. One of the new to me blends is Germain No. 7. Now, I knew that Planta was making some Germain blends under license, but lo and behild, the No. 7 is now made by Mac Baren!



FWIW, my order arrived in Pennsylvania 8 days after the order was placed. That’s faster than some of my P&C orders arrive, and their warehouse is a half hour from me.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

Number 7 was, as you say, made by Planta. Planta has been acquired by MacBaren.

New beginnings: Mac Baren Tobacco Company to take over Berlin-based 
Planta Tabak-Manufaktur brand portfolio | Mac Baren Tobacco Company

Mac Baren Tobacco is pleased to announce an agreement to acquire the outstanding brands
from Planta Tabak-Manufactur’s traditional portfolio.

mac-baren.com

 

[cigrmaster]

This should be interesting as Planta made Fribourg & Treyer blends for years and the stuff was killer. I can't wait Hopefully they have no limits promise I will only buy 150 tins which should leave you guys a substantial amount.

 

[DanWil84]

Nice haul Dan! That Germains mixture doesn't have a high rating on TR, but I'm still intrigued by only the name and now it's made by Macbarren..... Next to the pipe tobacco I wonder how those Vegueros are.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Are we going to have to wait a decade before we hear how it smokes or are you going to pop it and put us out of our misery?

 

[mingc]

My latest order from Esterval’s arrived today. A few new things and some old favorites. One of the new to me blends is Germain No. 7. Now, I knew that Planta was making some Germain blends under license, but lo and behild, the No. 7 is now made by Mac Baren!

A Germain's that bites. How quaint!

 

[briarbuck]

Yummmmm....Krater Plug.

 

[woodsroad]

No. 7 is the only “Germain” blend that I haven’t tried. And with my new foray into light aromatics, I thought I’d give it a go.

Now, we’ve been having warm weather here, and I’ve been enjoying a cigar every other evening or so, but the day those Cubans arrive it’s below freezing with snow in the forecast! So maybe I’’l try one out in the garage. The description and review sounded good, the price was right, and Esterval’s was sold out of every other Cuban that interested me.

 

[RobertLeslie75]

Wow! Enjoy your smokes!

 

[woodsroad]

Are we going to have to wait a decade before we hear how it smokes or are you going to pop it and put us out of our misery?

Nah.
I have to go run some errands, so I’m going to pack a bowl right now.

 

[woodsroad]

Ok, so here goes:

In the tin, there’s a pleasing topping aroma that, although not very strong, displaces the tobacco. Peach, appricot, something slightly floral, but certainly not Lakeland. All artificial, I presume. The tobacco is slightly damp to the touch. More moisture than I like for smoking, but perfect for shipping and storage. I didn’t have time to dry it, so I stuffed a good pich into a Dr. Brog wine barrel pipe that had previously been used for some My Own Blend aros.

On lighting, there was an immediate aroma of brown sugar, but that passed quickly. Peach and light floral, very light, perfectly balanced with the tobacco. Much more balanced than Rattray’s Exotic Orange. Neither the topping or the leaf dominates. Nicotine is low. Aroma held consistently throughout the bowl. Very enjoyable, but certainly not a complex smoke.

I’ll enjoy more of this in the near future. A nice break from my usual Virginas, Vapers, Orientals, English, Dark Fired blends.

 

[ofafeather]

I used to enjoy No7 a lot. Haven’t smoked it in ages though.

 

[mikethompson]

Nice little haul Dan!