Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia at 5 Years

[renfield]

Summary: Worth cellaring for Virginia lovers. Pure tobacco flavor.

Tin note: Sweet Virginia, a hint of grassiness, notes of fermentation and lightly toasted malted grains.

Appearance: Classic Mac Baren stick of gum sized flakes. Dark brown brindle in color.

Moisture level out of the tin allows smoking immediately but a few minutes of drying wouldn’t hurt.

Preparation was fold and stuff in various briars, sometimes a single flake, sometimes two. Burn was acceptable and not as fussy as some flakes.

Flavor is about 75% dark Virginias and 25% reds. Notes from a small percentage of some brighter leaf are also present. Light sweetness on top of bread crust and toast throughout the bowl getting less sweet towards the end. If pushed a spicy note appears.

Light mouthfeel and a pleasant aftertaste. Nicotine is about medium.

Not complex but refined and smooth. Worth cellaring as it’s easy to obtain and seems to age well.

HH Pure Virginia would be a good introduction to straight Virginias or flakes.

 

[trubka2]

Thanks for the review/aging report! Been wondering if I should put away a few more tins of this one, but I wanted to get some idea of how it ages first.

 

[magicpiper]

Makes my mouth water.

 

[tfdickson]

Excellent review, I agree with just about every word. I have about 6 pounds of it stashed away, mostly from 2015 as I strongly suspected it would age well from the first time I tried It.

One thing I would add for anyone putting these tins away- pop the tins and jar them, the square tins do not hold up. I transferred all of mine last year and even after only 4 years the seals were intact but I could tell not for long. Better yet avoid the tins and buy the 1lb slabs, cheaper that way.

 

[FurCoat]

Good to know. I have quite a bit of H&H stashed away

 

[JLD66]

Love this stuff especially when it has some age on it.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I have 3 or 4 pounds in the cellar, may need to get a bit more. It is quite good fresh.

 

[DonutLuvr]

I may have to revisit this one. Tried it within my first month of pipe smoking and got horrible tongue bite each time I smoked it. I was probably puffing too fast.

 

[UncleRasta]

Lovely tobacco that changed my mind about straight virginias.

 

[BROBS]

Have you guys tried the non HH line VA flake? I prefer it.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Have you guys tried the non HH line VA flake? I prefer it.

Yes asked is quite good. Milder than the HH Pue Virginia. And sweeter. I also have several pounds of it in the cellar.

 

[Magpiety]

Have you guys tried the non HH line VA flake? I prefer it.

I need to buy a box of this. You turned me on to Virginia No. 1, great recommendation!

 

[UncleRasta]

Yes asked is quite good. Milder than the HH Pue Virginia. And sweeter. I also have several pounds of it in the cellar.

I've avoided ordering it so far. I somehow picked up the idea that MacBaren (non HH) virginias were bitey.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I've avoided ordering it so far. I somehow picked up the idea that MacBaren (non HH) virginias were bitey.

That is a myth and one you should disregard. You're missing out on some great blends.

 

[UncleRasta]

That is a myth and one you should disregard. You're missing out on some great blends.

Yes. It just struck me that I couldn't even remember where I heard that, yet it lives as fact in my head. Thanks.

 

[BROBS]

Yes asked is quite good. Milder than the HH Pue Virginia. And sweeter. I also have several pounds of it in the cellar.

Milder in what way? I find it to have a decent amount of nicotine for a straight VA flake. It’s definitely sweeter and breadier than the HH pure VA.
it reminds me of Vauen no 14 VA Flake.

 

[BROBS]

Some Mac B VAs and other blends can bite if you don’t dry them properly or if you smoke them too fast. They are all really meant to be smoked as a Danish IMO. Though their flakes are more forgiving than the ribbon cuts or even broken flakes.

 

[UncleRasta]

Some Mac B VAs and other blends can bite if you don’t dry them properly or if you smoke them too fast. They are all really meant to be smoked as a Danish IMO. Though their flakes are more forgiving than the ribbon cuts or even broken flakes.

About every three months, I discover that I can slow my cadence down a little more, and discover another level of enjoyment.

 

[judcole]

I'll be getting a five year old tin out shortly. Thanks for the comments; nice to see confirmation that this is as good as I thought it was going to be.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Milder in what way? I find it to have a decent amount of nicotine for a straight VA flake. It’s definitely sweeter and breadier than the HH pure VA.
it reminds me of Vauen no 14 VA Flake.

Its less full bodied. I agree the Virginia Flake is sweeter.