Mac Baren's Mixture Flake.

[petes03]

I'm just finishing up my first bowl of Mixture Flake as I type this. I have to say, I didn't quite know what to expect with this one. The description says that it is slightly aromatic, an assessment that I completely agree with. It smokes cool and sweet, but not overly sweet. There is still plenty of "tobacco" flavor, with a slight casing that only adds to it. Nothing is really taken away from the tobacco as with a true aromatic. It smoke dry and takes to the match quite easily. Aromatics tend to be quite monotone to me, but this blend seems to change quite often throughout the bowl. Relights are few, a trait that in uncommon with most aros. To be honest, I'm not sure that I would call this one an aromatic at all! It does share some characteristics with aros, while at the same time being very different from one.
If you're looking for a change of pace from your normal flakes, I'd definitely give this one a shot! Mac Baren is fast becoming a blending house that I can trust not to let me down!

 

[natibo]

Thanks. This is on my list of things to try next, but did not make it in the large order I just placed. It will definitely make the next one. I love "non-aromatics" that have a bit of topping (Erinmore flake being the exception, I did not like it and it ghosted my pipe).

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I was actually holding a tin of this in line at the briary yesterday, and opted for another Va instead. I will have to give it a shot soon.
I've found several labeled aromatic that just didn't seem to deserve it. Former's Private Stock is another. It is a straight Virginia with hint of an apple casing. I'd have called it a Cavendish, at best. I've also seen PS Luxury Twist called an aro. But, then I've gotten Cavendishes that were labelled non-aros that were so goopy, that they make 1Q look like a VaBur. Go figure.
Thanks for the words. I'll give it a burn soon. Sounds good.

 

[petes03]

I don't think you guys will be disappointed! It's not nearly as aromatic as their Vanilla Cream Flake (also good by the way), but is definitely more so than say their Virginia Flake of Roll Cake( also great blends). So far, I've been happy with every Mac Baren flake/coin that I've smoked!

 

[cortezattic]

I have to agree with you Petes03! I think Mixture Scottish Blend is very similar -- it may even be a rubbed out version of Mixture Flake.

I recently got around to opening a tin of Mac Baren Navy Flake and found it an excellent smoke too! It's another variation on the Virginia/Burley/Cavendish theme where the balance is altered to great effect.

 

[petes03]

@cortez. I agree, Mac B Navy Flake is one of my favorites! I've got about a pound of that one in the cellar!

 

[judcole]

Mixture Flake is simply "Mixture (Scottish Blend)" in flake form. A pleasant smoke.

 

[papipeguy]

Here's a tin of Mixture that I found at my parent's house in 2012. It had been sitting there since 1977 when I moved out. It took me a while to get it open but it was fresh as new and the 35 years of sitting in their basement really mellowed it. Smoking it was exquisite, to say the least. Also notice that the price was $1.49 at the time.

 

[rmbittner]

papipeguy:
I'm so glad you smoked that tin instead of, say, selling it on eBay. That kind of experience is irreplaceable. (And it's remarkable that it never got thrown out or stuck away in a box somewhere!)
Didn't happen to find any Balkan Sobranie resting there too, did you?
Bob

 

[papipeguy]

I smoked more than my share of BS. My Dad used the empty tins for screws. As for the Mixture, I brought the tin to the B&M and a pipe club meeting to share with others. It seemed the right and fun thing to do. I still have some left.

 

[petes03]

Wow, that looks like some tasty stuff!

 

[bluesmk]

Very nice John. Yes this MB offering is a summer smoke for me. Who is the importer on your tin, think mine is a bit younger that yours. My import sticker is Swisher, yours possibly Fireside Imports? I have this tin thats still sealed and 1.5 opened and jared I've been working on, think I got them a few years back from Mel Feldman at Richmond...hmmm maybe NY.

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Dan

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