Jim's MacBaren HH Bold Kentucky Review.

[JimInks]

Aptly named, HH Bold Kentucky has a lot of strength and boldness, and is indeed, the strongest tobacco in the HH line. The African and American dark fired Kentuckys are very earthy with some nuttiness and spice, and a minor amount of sweetness. Smoked straight, dark fired Kentucky can be harsh and at times, bitter, so the bright Virginias are a necessary addition, succeeding in their purpose by softening most of the rough edges with some minor sweet citrus and grass notes. The Virginias do not dampen the power and hearty richness of the Kentucky, and a little of the expected roughness remains, but it is more palatable to smokers as a result of its inclusion. There are a few small sour notes from the Kentucky. There is no topping, and the casing - which I suspect is vinegar - is very minimal, and not noticed very often.
The slices are hot pressed and moist in the tin. It may help the burn rate if you dry them a little, but I have found they burned fairly well straight out of the tin, though the tobacco will require some relights. The slices are very easy to break apart, and easily rubbed out if that is your preference. Burns slow and fairly cool with no bite, no dottle and very little moisture at the finish, even when it’s not dried out. The taste is consistent all the way through and doesn’t turn bitter at the end. Due to the strength of the flavor and nicotine, I recommend smoking it at no more than a moderate pace. Obviously not an all day smoke, but a smoker experienced with strong dark fired Kentucky products - or strong tobaccos in general - won’t mind having more than one bowl a day.

 

[mrenglish]

Thanks for the review, I cannot wait to try this.

 

[admin]

Thanks Jim!

 

[JimInks]

One thing I should add is that Bold Kentucky is stronger, earthier, and less sweet than Old Dark Fired. It also has more nicotine.

 

[buroak]

Thanks for another excellent review. I think I will indeed like Bold Kentucky as much or more than Old Dark Fired.

 

[beastkhk]

Thanks for the review.

 

[bigpond]

One thing I should add is that Bold Kentucky is stronger, earthier, and less sweet than Old Dark Fired. It also has more nicotine.

Would you say leans more toward Irish Flake then ODF? It reads a lot like IF without the anise flavoring. Very interested in giving this a go; just wish they had it in 3.75

 

[mso489]

jiminks, you arrived with your review just as I began puzzling over how this new Bold Kentucky would be, and just after I was introduced to Old Dark Fired by a generous Forums member. Dark fired Kentucky leaf is the big current trend, but deservedly so. It is a remarkable addition to the lexicon of blending and bodes to be right up there with Latakia and Perique as a dominant taste dimension. This is a fine review, right on the cross hairs, and I especially appreciate the follow-up comparison with Old Dark Fired, which I find excellent. I may see you in Raleigh if you're exhibiting at the TAPS show again this year. Thanks again for the excellent scouting on these blends. Might you be selling either or both of these at the show?

 

[JimInks]

Bigpond: Yes, I would say BK is more like Irish Flake, but I really think it's closer to G&H Kendall Kentucky in regard to taste.
MSO489: I'll be at the Raleigh show, but I don't exhibit because I don't sell anything pipe related. I don't work for Sutliff, though I know it seems like it to some people. I write reviews of their tobaccos when they ask me, and some times they ask me for my opinion on stuff. Some times I just offer my opinion anyway! :D I'm good at doing that! :crazy: :rofl: I like to work at their table if I go to a pipe show because I used to be a comic book store manager and I enjoy talking with people. It's a lot of fun for me, and the Sutliff guys are kind enough to let me do it. Being a professional comic book artist, I go to a few conventions and sell my artwork and chat with fans, so I more or less look at working the Sutliff table in the same light, only I'm doing it for free. I've gotten to be friends with some of the people who work there and they are all nice people, and because they care about their customers, I like helping out.
I doubt they'll be selling tobaccos, but I know they'll give free samples. However, since you brought the subject up, I'll ask them, and if I am wrong about them selling tobacco, I will let you know. I hope to see you there.

 

[crazypipe]

Thank you for the review ,I just ordered a tin today ::

 

[lostandfound]

As I said in the other Bold Kentucky thread, I'm excited.
Hopefully, other blending houses (eh hem, Dunhill) will soon catch on to the DFK hype.

 

[bigpond]

Bigpond: Yes, I would say BK is more like Irish Flake, but I really think it's closer to G&H Kendall Kentucky in regard to taste.

Thanks Jim! That's good news. I think I'm developing a strong preference for Malawi dfk.

 

[conlejm]

Hopefully, other blending houses (eh hem, Dunhill) will soon catch on to the DFK hype.

I don't know about Dunhill, but Orlik recently reintroduced their Dark Strong Kentucky.

 

[seadogontheland]

Damn...I just declared in another post how I'm not a big MacB fan, but this stuff looks really good...shoot, I know I'm going to have to try it. Good review!

 

[darthcider]

Thank you for the review, one to keep an eye open for in the UK.