I just tried Mac Baren's "Navy Flake."

[Kyle Weiss]

Interesting mix!

The flake smells divine, rubs wonderfully (I kept it a titch coarse), smoked in my first hand-carved (dedicated to very mild or non-aros).

Descriptions mention rum and/or liquor, and yes, there's some Cavendished tobacco, but I detected neither, spare a little waxiness (which I have gotten from some Cavendish in other blends, not a bad thing). It's the pinnacle of a straightforward, no-nonsense smoke while still having plenty of subtle character. It has the same qualities of WHY I like Dunhill's "Early Morning Pipe," but make no mistake, except for how they're both subtle in their own way and straightforward, they taste totally different--this has no Oriental influence, which when I'm not in the mood for smokiness, will be ideal. I happen to really lean toward both Orientals and VAs, so I'm pleased!

What I liked: There's a first-burn of salty/grassy notes, followed by a pleasant waxiness. Think, wax beans, if you must. Not like candles. The VA isn't super sweet, but it's there, toasty just like I've experienced in other blends, just not busting out virtuoso in the mix. This smoke is very subdued. I read later some call it "boring," I do not. Got better throughout the bowl. I know we can't "smell" our own pipes, but this one hits the nose something nice. Not sweet, but extremely inoffensive.

What I didn't like: Can't say there was anything I disliked. I didn't understand it in the first few puffs, but it grew on me. I would really like some light, hot tea with this the next time I smoke, that's the only thing I'd change.

I rather enjoyed this smoke!

 

[babysinister]

Great review. I love this blend. When I first smoked it I disliked it. Then I realized that it comes looking deceptively dry in the tin and actually needs some jar time, following by some airing out time. Night and day difference for me. Love that flake cut.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Great review. I love this blend. When I first smoked it I disliked it. Then I realized that it comes looking deceptively dry in the tin and actually needs some jar time, following by some airing out time. Night and day difference for me. Love that flake cut.

Agreed. This is one I'd consider sitting on a few tins and really letting dry out to see what other tricks it can perform.

 

[Harlock999]

An old standby, for sure.
Really mellowed nicely after about a year.
Just a good no nonsense smoke.

 

[MisterE]

One of the better offerings by MacBaren IMHO.

 

[Harlock999]

One of the better offerings by MacBaren IMHO.

Truly!

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

The last time I smoked it I was overwhelmed by the burley blahs. That had never happened before. Too bad it doesn't taste like it smells.

 

[murfman]

I just tried this for the first time a few nights ago and wasn't all that impressed. But after reading this I think I might go and let it sit up for a bit before I try it again. The flake from my tin was surprisingly moist and I had let it set out, but obviously not nearly long enough.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

It is by no means an instant gratification tobacco. You really have to pry into it. Try a narrower bowl and thicker chunks of flake, that seemed to vary the bouquet a little on my second try. I didn't do any so-called "DGT" or "delayed gratification technique," because it was doin' just fine as-is.

 

[murfman]

I'll try that. My daughter "helped" rub out that first bowl I'll do it this time and leave it a little chunkier.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I'll try that. My daughter "helped" rub out that first bowl I'll do it this time and leave it a little chunkier.

When I really got the mix broken up and looking "ribbon-like," it burned a bit hot (as would be the case, many flat, oxygenated surfaces...and it wasn't a bad smoke, it just was less forgiving and the "flavor range" was reduced for me, as I was learning what smoking techniques were and weren't working for this blend. I ended up chasing the flavor rather than achieving it. Chunky loading into the second bowl worked wonders. 8)

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Returned to this now a month later and it's even better than before...

...I got a subtle sweetness and bold grain-like (almost "oaty") flavor to it... really is a great blend.

This stuff's fantastic.

 

[Richard Burley]

This, to me, is one of the really good ones. I like that Macbaren sweetness, almost an aromatic presence, in their tobaccos, which is quite noticeable in this one. I dry the hell out of it. I have seen some people recommending drying tobacco for half an hour or so; I leave it out for days with the lid off, and it still seems leathery and foldable. Works for me.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Another update on this one--

I still enjoy it. This sentiment:

Just a good no nonsense smoke.

...generally reflects how I feel about it in general. There's an up-front sweetness that I'm starting to pick up on as my tastes are refining, and from what I understand Mac Baren has a bit more casing than other blends in a similar genre. This is a good thing, as a little sweetness can be a real treat. With Navy Flake, though, it tends to mellow into a very well-rounded, nicely-bodied mix where the Virginia lends a very slight touch of brightness and the Burley gives it a little evenness. Oat-like flavors and some toastiness are usually the rule from start to finish, with other "colors" added in without being cloying.

One of my favorite aspects is how it changes between going totally rubbed-out and keeping it chunky, as I mentioned before. Today, as an experiment, mixed some totally rubbed-out stuff and leaving in a few chunks. The best of both worlds?

Achieved! :cheers:

8)

 

[KevinM]

NF is great stuff when it's fresh, even better with a year's age on it when the latakia is more pronounced. I agree with the comments that it changes a bit depending on how much it's rubbed out and bowl shape. On a windy day I've just folded a couple flakes and lit 'em up. Worked fine, maybe because I was sitting on a rock watching the Maine tide roll in. My.02 on NF "biting" is that it can be caused by the piper's method of loading the pipe, espec if he's mxing chunks of flake with rubbed out pipeweed. If the tobacco has clumps of densely packed tobacco, it can prompt vigorous puffing to maintain the light, which leads to hotspots and uneven burning which leads to you-know-what. Very nice review.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

NF is great stuff when it's fresh, even better with a year's age on it when the latakia is more pronounced. I agree with the comments that it changes a bit depending on how much it's rubbed out and bowl shape. On a windy day I've just folded a couple flakes and lit 'em up. Worked fine, maybe because I was sitting on a rock watching the Maine tide roll in. My.02 on NF "biting" is that it can be caused by the piper's method of loading the pipe, espec if he's mxing chunks of flake with rubbed out pipeweed. If the tobacco has clumps of densely packed tobacco, it can prompt vigorous puffing to maintain the light, which leads to hotspots and uneven burning which leads to you-know-what. Very nice review.

I'm pretty sure there isn't any Latakia in the blend--are you sure we're talkin' about the same Navy Flake?

 

[KevinM]

U R absolutely right! My order has included Macbaren Navy Flake and Plumcake for a few decades now, so I've begun to switch 'em. Aging does bring out the dash of Lat in Plumcake, which I'd recommend to any piper. Come to think of it, I asked for Macbaren Navy Cake when I phoned in my last order. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Heck, no worry. There's a lot of "Navy-themed" bacca out there, I figured you just found one and confused them. I see now you confused a Mac Baren sibling, but to no harm--I'm intrigued by Mac Baren products, and I hear people either love 'em or hate 'em. Plumcake I'd be curious to try at some point in my travels when the opportunity arises. On the other end of the spectrum, I have some HH Vintage Syrian waiting for me to get to on the shelf which I have yet to dip into. 8)

 

[Harlock999]

SG Navy Flake has Latakia.

 

[Dave_In_Philly]

SG Navy Flake has Latakia.

And its damn good too. My favorite Navy.