Since I like Latakia so much, a few people suggested that I try Mac Baren's Old Dark Fired as a different approach to a smoked tobacco, and wow, I'm liking this.
It's not as "newbie-friendly" as some of the Latakia blends I've tried. It arrived very moist in the tin, so my first few attempts yielded only a hot, steamy, tasteless mess. I started letting it dry for different amounts of time, and started having some success.
This is only my second flake, third, if you count Escudo coins. The flakes are only around half an inch wide. I can comfortably fit two flakes in a MM Country Gentleman, or one in my smaller pipes.
Thus far, folding and stuffing has not worked at all for me, though it works fine with Escudo coins. Rubbing it out is better for me, but this yielded some very long strands that still didn't want to pack comfortably. I find it very easy to pack too tight OR too loose. Remember, though, that I'm still quite new! I have not, yet, tried to cube-cut it.
When I do get it packed and burning correctly, it really is nice. It has a rich, smoky flavor that reminds me of Latakia, though it's really completely different. I detect a sweet undertone, and just find it a smoky, tasty, comforting "real tobacco" taste. Yum!
I find that it heats up quickly if I smoke the least bit fast. That's another reason I didn't find it newbie-friendly but, if I pay attention, I get no burn or bite and the flavor stays fresh all the way down.
All in all, I plan to keep this in my rotation, right beside the similar-but-totally-different Pirate Kake.
It's not as "newbie-friendly" as some of the Latakia blends I've tried. It arrived very moist in the tin, so my first few attempts yielded only a hot, steamy, tasteless mess. I started letting it dry for different amounts of time, and started having some success.
This is only my second flake, third, if you count Escudo coins. The flakes are only around half an inch wide. I can comfortably fit two flakes in a MM Country Gentleman, or one in my smaller pipes.
Thus far, folding and stuffing has not worked at all for me, though it works fine with Escudo coins. Rubbing it out is better for me, but this yielded some very long strands that still didn't want to pack comfortably. I find it very easy to pack too tight OR too loose. Remember, though, that I'm still quite new! I have not, yet, tried to cube-cut it.
When I do get it packed and burning correctly, it really is nice. It has a rich, smoky flavor that reminds me of Latakia, though it's really completely different. I detect a sweet undertone, and just find it a smoky, tasty, comforting "real tobacco" taste. Yum!
I find that it heats up quickly if I smoke the least bit fast. That's another reason I didn't find it newbie-friendly but, if I pay attention, I get no burn or bite and the flavor stays fresh all the way down.
All in all, I plan to keep this in my rotation, right beside the similar-but-totally-different Pirate Kake.