I Survived Mac Baren's Bold Kentucky

[lordofthepiperings]

I went over a pipe friend's house for the fight last night. I got there early and we hung out and had a few bowls. He offered up some Bold Kentucky and for some odd reason I decided to load a bowl and give it a go. I've heard it's rather strong and I'm typically a bit of a nicotine wimp. It did give me a bit of a buzz, but I didn't get overwhelmed by it. Before I arrived I had a really big lunch and I'd been sipping on water all day. It was a breezy late afternoon, so the bowl would go out from time to time and there were other people around to talk with, so I didn't tend it as much as when I'm alone. Drawing the bowl out longer and taking periodic breaks from it helped with the nicotine. I enjoyed the flavor, a bit of earthy nuttiness and spice from the Kentucky and some citrus sweetness and grass/hay from the Virginias. I'll definitely include a tin of it with my next order.

 

[Snow Hill]

The tobacco sounds very nice. Thanks for the review and notes. I actually have some HH on order right now - Old Dark Fired. Can't wait to give it a try.

 

[MarkinAZ]

@lordofthepiperingThank you for the imput on the HH Bold Kentucky. I have a tin still sitting in the drawer since its release, and will have to open it soon...

 

[papipeguy]

That one is a powerhouse, which I usually like. But BK just isn't my cup of tea. I passed mine along with best wishes.

 

[mso489]

I'm not ready to pop my tin yet, but I truly like Old Dark Fired, and their cousin Latakia Flake, both in the Mac Baren's HH series. These blends really speak to me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I thought this one was on the mild side. Went through my first tin in about two days. I did like the sweet, nutty earthiness of it, but not much of a kick. Could be an all day smoke here like ODF is if they start releasing the pound boxes of it. If you really want something with a punch, try SG Black XX. When I'm feeling really brave I even cut off a piece of the XX to chew. :mrgreen:

 

[cigrmaster]

I really enjoy ODF so is this blend something I would like? How is it different than ODF?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Quite a bit more of ODF's earthy due to the larger proportion of dark fired, I think. Very good next step from ODF.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

+1 chasingembers

 

[Chasing Embers]

Thank you sir! Anyone know if this stuff is coming out in bulk?

 

[conlejm]

I've enjoyed several tins of Mac Baren HH Bold Kentucky so far. Chasingembers nailed the flavor profile. I also wonder about a bulk offering, a ready-rubbed version, and 100-gram tins.
Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky is another enjoyable offering in this vein.

 

[cigrmaster]

chasingembers, thanks for the review. I will order a tin soon to check it out, sounds like it could be something I would enjoy.

 

[JimInks]

Mild is not a term I would use for Bold Kentucky. It's milder than SG Black XX, but it's much stronger than ODF with less Virginia, and a little less flavor nuance. To me, it's like a mix of G&H Kendall Kentucky and Peterson's Irish Flake. I reviewed it here if any one is interested: http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/jims-macbaren-hh-bold-kentucky-review

 

[Chasing Embers]

Hmmm. Really didn't find it terribly strong. Must have a cast iron tongue. :mrgreen:

 

[JimInks]

Man, if you're smoking that Black XX all the time, you gotta have some DNA from the planet Krypton!! :rofl:

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just call me Super Ember!

 

[winton]

I picked up ONE flake of this blend at the Mac Baren's table on Sunday. Since I am a nic lightweight, I chickened out. I included it in box of tobacco samples that I mailed out to my nephew, who just picked up the pipe.
Perhaps I should have included a warning.

 

[saltedplug]

Black rope is stronger than Dark Flake, which is stronger than just about anything else out there.

 

[dixcreek]

Excellent Tobacco, I enjoy all of the HH blends. I did not find it too offensively strong, but I have smoked and chewed home raised and home cured burley mos all my life. Don't really know what too strong is for that part. All I know is that this tobacco has a slight sweetness that is very appealing along with nutty undertones. Very well done.

 

[docspipe]

Not a bad smoke at all. MacBaren is right when they say it is their strongest blend to date. Similar to their ODF but definitely stronger and not as sweet; and ODF 's sweetness is quite subdued to start with. What I do find off putting is the vinegar (yes, vinegar) casing which enters in and out of the smoke. Apparently the vinegar is their to prevent mold formation? Kind of like what McClellan does that produces their characteristic ketchup tin note. But you know the old saying.."If I wanted a salad, I'd have a salad."