Over a year ago I began smoking a pipe. I wasn't good at it at all. I had a few cobs, no briars just yet. One night I was drinking Laphroaig 10 and having some Macbaren #1. The stars aligned that night and somehow I had the most amazing experience with that tobacco. It was perfect. And, like a curse, after that night I could not recreate the moment. I couldnt taste the grass anymore, hell I couldn't even smoke it without it heating up so much that I had to put it down multiple times. I stored it, defeated, as I simply did not know how to enjoy it. Fast forward to today, over a year later, with a MM Wizard I decided to give it another go, that old finicky #1. Taller, thinner bowl I'd read may fight the overheating. First try a couple nights ago, overheat. Then I thought, maybe its how I'm packing it. Last night, same pipe, LOOSE pack, sip slow, and slap my momma we are back baby! Delicious. Reading, smoking, testing, and patience, have brought me victory! I am triumphant! And very excited to keep smoking #1.
Macbaren #1 Triumphant
- Thread starter dcicero
- Start date
- Status
It's one of my favorite virginias. Yeah, there's some inherent tongue danger with Mac Baren blends, but it's worth the trouble with this one. I don't know if the bowl shape makes a difference.. I just smoke it in a standard billiard, but without question keeping the burn temperature down works well. Don't let the bowl get hot and use caution when you're lighting; aside from that I don't find it too hard to find the sweet spot.
Yes, MacBarens, tend to bite a tad. Scottish Mixture is an example of patience and taking things slow. It's a find blend, but the components make it ripe for tongue bite. Most the MacBaren blends that contain Virginia/Cavendish can get hot if puffing more vigorously. Although, Old Dark fired and Bold Kentucky=no problem.
- Status