My thoughts on Mac Baren Honey & Chocolate: a review
After a couple of bowls I think that this blend smokes better in a larger (Country Gentleman) bowl than a smaller (Legend) one. The moisture content is very close to perfect out if the tin; if it needs any drying time it is minimal. The tin note is nice: not too sewer but definitely of dark chocolate and a hint of honey. The charring light tasted almost exactly like the tin note. However, the true light sometimes tastes a bit ashy but not always; the times I experienced this ashiness were times I had allowed some extra drying time. After a few puffs the taste comes back to just what the tin note and charring light gave: not overly sweet but tasty. The flavors seem to hold up through the bowl pretty consistently if one doesn't get it too hot; get this blend too hot and you will loose all the honey taste, which is light to start with. Slow down and let it cool back off and back comes the flavor. So, slow smoking is definitely the key to getting the best flavors from this blend. I can't see this one being an everyday smoke for me, more like once a week. If you like or are looking for a not too sweet chocolate blend this one is definitely worth trying.
After a couple of bowls I think that this blend smokes better in a larger (Country Gentleman) bowl than a smaller (Legend) one. The moisture content is very close to perfect out if the tin; if it needs any drying time it is minimal. The tin note is nice: not too sewer but definitely of dark chocolate and a hint of honey. The charring light tasted almost exactly like the tin note. However, the true light sometimes tastes a bit ashy but not always; the times I experienced this ashiness were times I had allowed some extra drying time. After a few puffs the taste comes back to just what the tin note and charring light gave: not overly sweet but tasty. The flavors seem to hold up through the bowl pretty consistently if one doesn't get it too hot; get this blend too hot and you will loose all the honey taste, which is light to start with. Slow down and let it cool back off and back comes the flavor. So, slow smoking is definitely the key to getting the best flavors from this blend. I can't see this one being an everyday smoke for me, more like once a week. If you like or are looking for a not too sweet chocolate blend this one is definitely worth trying.
