Customer Reviews (36 Total)
The lovely surprise
February 24, 2017
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
This is my first blend dubbed "Navy" flake.. and from the history of tobacco, I imagined something rough and strong like the winds and waves braved by the navies when this kind of tobacco was made for the sailors. And the conservative, whit... Read More
e & red tin art confirmed my speculation, and as I started opening the golden wrapper of Mac Baren, my surprise started. It is nothing as I imagined. The first thing that hit me was the beautiful, fruity aroma that welcomed me. Tropical, warm and gay. I tried to detect what aroma is that, but failed. Then the flakes themselves are of a lovely light brown colour with strands of gold as if it's a lazy sunset on the beach. In typical Mac Baren fashion, the flakes are hot pressed, which marries the flavours and makes the flakes as fragile as a little baby. They are easy to break and rub out. easy to pack and a bit tricky to light. But once you do, you're off to the races. The first draw confirms the aroma with a taste, a lovely taste that hit me with a childhood memory. And right then I recalled what aroma is that. It is licorice. And despite everyone saying it's fruit and rum. But I could detect neither, It is licorice all along. Lovely, consistent and easy to smoke all day. It burns down cool and well. And leaves a bit of white ash and some moisture in the bowl. I suspect that some drying time will remedy this, but I had no issue with it. Definitely an excellent VaBur with some sweet Cavendish. Highly recommended
Pipe Used: Stanwell Deluxe Royal Danish Brandy billiard
Age When Smoked: Fresh tin Read Less
Brown Sugar
April 03, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
This is a delicious flake !
Smokes cool, tastes sweet with flavors of rum, honey, and brown sugar in a tobacco base. This is an awesome blend and with age its even better.
Very nice
January 25, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
Very nice. Moisture level is just right straight out of the tin. Packs and smokes well. First impression was typical VA fake which I enjoy. As I got about about a third of the way into the bowl the hints of natural honey sweetness came out. The Cav a... Read More
nd burley gave the smoke some good body.The more I smoked the more I enjoyed it. Definitely an all day smoke. I will be getting more. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
This one is really enjoyable. It almost has a honey and brown sugar like flavor to it. It's a very smokable mild blend, and since it is a easy smoking tobacco. It works beautifully to break in new pipes.
Good Navy Flake
November 20, 2017
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
I was in the mood for a navy flake and thought to give this a try. It's a really decent flake. Rubs out well but tastes good just folded. The topping isn't overpowering and the tobacco comes through. I should say that it burns hot and I imagine it wo... Read More
uld give some tongue bite (I use 9mm filters so I don't get bite). Overall, it's worth a go. I really liked it. Read Less
My Favorite
October 28, 2013
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
For me, my perennial tobacco. The one tobacco I'm never without. Good, rich, smooth smoke. Slight topping of honey in the tin, that in no way overwhelms this blend of Virginia/Burley
Mac Baren Navy Flake
November 22, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
This has become my go to tabacco. It has a semi mild and smooth tobacco forward taste. There is also a slight sweetness and nuttiness due to the rum casing and burley. It is just a great smoke.
I love it
September 28, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 16oz
The nutty, lightly earthy, woody burley is subdued a mite at first and is more noticeable as you go along.
Great Stuff!!!
July 31, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
As a GI i usually don’t like anything Navy but this stuff is Great. From the honey comb tin note to the smooth smoke the only thing I would change is the name. Army Flake has a better ring to it ;)
Underrated sleeper
December 30, 2019
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
I love this tobacco. The topping is not at all cloying, but serves to enhance the natural flavors already present in the tobacco. Honey, apricot, rum, brown sugar, molasses, nuts, citrus, and pastry are some of the sensations gleaned from these sailo... Read More
r slices. The sweet high notes of the Virginia are balanced so well with the nutty bass notes of the burley that it’s impossible to tell what variety is present in the greater proportion. Speaking of tobacco varietals, MacBaren claims to use leaf from 42 different crops for
this blend. I can only imagine the arduous development process for such a complex flake. I for one sure am grateful for their dedication. As an aside, notable American pipe makers Mark Tinsky and Rad Davis have both expressed a fondness for Mac Baren Navy Flake. Read Less
Major Tongue Bite; Shallow, Sweet and Typical Mac Baren Flavor Added
November 23, 2019
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
The room note is heavenly. WATER, PURIFIED, AND/OR DISTILLED AND/OR DEIONIZED AND/OR MINERAL,
SUGAR (invert),
ALCOHOL, ETHANOL,
1,2-PROPYLENGLYKOL,
SORBITOL,
SUCROSE, FROM SUGAR CANE,
PUBLIC: FLAVOURS BELOW 0.5% W/W; Mapl... Read More
e Sugar, RUM, Licorice,
PROPYL-4-HYDROXYBENZOATE,
BENZYL BENZOATE. Quite a few additives for a pipe tobacco. Licorice, maple sugar, alcohol. The virginia is young/green and hay-like. Burley is dry, acrid and nutty, slightly earthy. I would assume that the burley would add body, but the profile is flat considering the casings used. The cavendish is not sweet and smoothes most of the roughness. Average finish as the aftertaste lingers and sweetens the mouth, though a coated mouth accompanies the sweetness. Possibly from all the additives. It's a 3 - star mixture on taste alone.
There's the slightest of rum flavor, which contributes to the vanilla, cinnamon and allspice flavor. As per usual, Mac Baren added alcohol, sorbital and a multitude of other additives, in addition to maple sugar. The alcohol isn't the rum I taste, but rather straight alcohol for anti-mold properties. Unfortunately, this contributes to a sterile taste and tongue bite. Also something MB adds to every mixture - licorice, and in great quantity. Licorice has a numbing mouth feel. Getting real tired of the same taste profile among this brand with licorice and alcohol... please stop. Navy Flake has a flat, sterile and very shallow flavor profile. The 'honey' that many note, is actually maple sugar. It's an odd flavor in comparison to honey, and I've grown tired of it's use in MB products. In combination with the other additives, it contributes to an overall unnatural flavor of the Flake. This is such a disappointment. Peter Stokkebeye 1931, is a premium alternative to this. 1931 possesses a deep, full and natural profile. It has a natural honey sweetness and has absolutely no bite. Had 1931 been offered in bulk, I'd buy 10 lbs of it. But considering the price of a 3.5 oz tin of 1931, I hoped NF would be an apt substitute as they're both manufactured by MB. I bought a pound of NF instead, and am now faced with the dilemma to figure out how I'm gonna work through this cruddy flake. Mac Baren needs to fix this. Please stop adding licorice to every damn product you make. Read Less
Wonderful Surprise
March 15, 2021
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
Opening the tin is like walking into a pastry shop with aromas of honey, plums, and flowers. Taste of Virginia with a smooth creamy feeling in the mouth. No bite not heat in the mouth nor tongue. After a few more puffs the light rum flavor kicks in. ... Read More
Ash is light gray. The only problem is, I am spoiled, but worth the money so it’s a win win situation. Must try and you will be surprised. I would give five stars but the app only went to 4.5 Read Less
Standing the test of time
February 24, 2021
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
I’m almost exclusively a Virginia smoker. I throw in a little Kendal Dark and some Five Brothers here and there, but I tend to gravitate primarily towards the naturally sweeter blends.
Thanks to its casing/topping, Mac Baren Navy Flake definitely f... Read More
alls into the sweeter side of things.
When I think Navy Flake, I tend to think Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake, because it’s the first non aromatic I ever smoked, and Newminster Superior Navy Flake in all its Virginia goodness.
This Navy Flake doesn’t really have a lot in common with those two bulk offerings, but it’s still a very agreeable experience. I picked up the tin I’m working on now in mid 2019, so it’s got nearly two years of age on it. That has to help. I picked it up i in person at smokingpipes’ B&M location in Little River on a whim. A lot of the blends I was seeking that day were out of stock. So I decided to give it a try.
I’m glad I did. It’s a pleasant change of pace for me. And, while it’s not something I’m going to be in a hurry to replace once this tin is done, but I’m likely to buy more again at some point.
Again it’s just a very pleasant, inoffensive, cool smoking (compared to my usual straight Virginias) blend.
The one knock for me is that it’s maybe a little too sweet for me. I prefer my burleys a little more savory and less sweet.
But it’s obviously got a devoted following to have been around as long as it has. So just because it’s not my idea of a perfect navy flake doesn’t mean it won’t be for you. There’s certainly plenty to like about it. Read Less
Classic Navy
February 15, 2021
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
This is a classic navy flake. The rum tones down the blend and adds just a bit of sweetness. A grassy tart hay taste from the Virginias dominates the flake, but the burley and cavendish Balance the blend out nicely. A classic navy flake.
Excellent
September 28, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
My tins of this showed up with a couple years of age on them, so I think that maybe my first experience with this blend is somewhat biased. It showed up at the perfect moisture. It rubs out super easy, and lately, it's been smoking perfect. I get ... Read More
a real strong honey taste from it, with a little rum mixed in. It does really well in a big bent billiard I have, with a deep chamber. I should have ordered more than 2 tins. Read Less
Nice all day smoke!
September 07, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
This is a very tasty flake with a typical burley forward flavor, light sweetness, some stewed fruit with a very light amount of rum, I notice the rum more in the beginning of the bowl though. Perfect moisture level to smoke right out of the tin. I pr... Read More
efer to cube-cut the flake into 3rds or 4ths and give it a light rub, but keeping the texture somewhat coarse. packs and lights easily, I can smoke this all day, the tin was almost gone before I realized it! Read Less
Navy Delight
September 05, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
Upon opening the tin, the aroma is a cross between light rum, honey and even some plum wine. It’s a little sweet, but not too sweet.
Lighting it isn’t difficult either and once lit it tends to stay that way without any great amount of puffing or n... Read More
umerous re-lights. One of the easiest flake blends to rub out without being dry, and one of the easiest burning flakes.
My preferred packing method (take a flake or two, fold them horizontally and vertically, stuff them into the pipe and flatten the top a bit; finished!).
The Burley is certainly the predominant tobacco in this blend and you can taste a fine nutty flavor in it thanks to the Burley, but it’s certainly not overpowering. In fact I wouldn’t rate its taste and strength to be any more than on the mild side of medium. No real nicotine hit. If you enjoy flake and want an all-day smoke, this one will not disappoint.
The room note is very pleasant and the taste throughout the bowl is rich and sweet Read Less
Quickly becoming a favorite tobacco
July 22, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
I have to admit that I have had bad luck with the majority of Mac Baren blends that I have tried. Virginia No. 1 is a honey-soaked blowtorch, in my opinion. The other blends not in the HH line that I have tried have all burned hot; Buster Poindexter ... Read More
"Hot, Hot, Hot" kind of hot. Navy Flake is a definite exception. I have had no issues with tongue bite with it and it is a quite enjoyable smoke.
I have to say, I am impressed with this flake. It's one of the easier flakes to prepare, whether rubbed out or fold n' stuff, and is one of the more flavorful flakes I have smoked. It does have a particularly honey-sweet topping, but it is far from overpowering. It may be a bit premature to say at this point, but I believe that this as supplanted University Flake as my favorite flake tobacco. We'll see after I finish a couple tines, but it definitely has a leg up right now. Highly recommended. A solid 5 stars. Read Less
Excelente, un clásico
June 25, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
Se puede fumar a todas horas, se comporta maravillosamente. Dulce y con un aroma placentero. Sus flakes hacen maravillas.
Surprisingly Good
May 05, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
I was apprehensive at buying this at first but after giving it a try I'm won over, I've gotten a consistent soothing honey taste from this tobacco
Classic Mac Baren
April 07, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
This is a quintessential Mac Baren blend of mostly Virginia character. It is a rich, floral flake that is light enough to enjoy any time of day. Lots of floral notes and honey notes, some spices and bread. It performs well in so many ways. Try this c... Read More
lassic. Read Less
Honey and Brown Sugar
February 16, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
Wonderful flake. Sweet and smoky. Lemon tea sweetened with honey. Brown sugar comes to front near bottom of bowl. Complex sometimes catch nuances or raisins or plum fruit. Really nice
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
Perfect with a cup of tea..
Rich and sweet
March 11, 2019
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
Upon opening the tin, the aroma is a cross between light rum, honey and even some plum wine. It’s a little sweet, but not too sweet.
Lighting it isn’t difficult either and once lit it tends to stay that way without any great amount of puffing or nume... Read More
rous re-lights. One of the easiest flake blends to rub out without being dry, and one of the easiest burning flakes.
My preferred packing method (take a flake or two, fold them horizontally and vertically, stuff them into the pipe and flatten the top a bit; finished!).
The Burley is certainly the predominant tobacco in this blend and you can taste a fine nutty flavor in it thanks to the Burley, but it’s certainly not overpowering. In fact I wouldn’t rate its taste and strength to be any more than on the mild side of medium. No real nicotine hit. If you enjoy flake and want an all-day smoke, this one will not disappoint.
The room note is very pleasant and the taste throughout the bowl is rich and sweet. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
The best if not the only true navy flake their is. While there are some good Virginia flake available, most if not all, forgo the rum.
Pleasant, but light.
August 30, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
This blend is...okay.
The tin note is a forecast of what is found in the smoke: light notes of grass, hints of fruit, and a trace of alcohol from the rum.
Mechanically, the blend smokes well. It rubs out easily, packs well and lights quickly.... Read More
It burns a little hot in windy conditions, but otherwise is tame and well behaved. It burns down to a fine white ash with little prompting and almost no need for a relight. It leaves no moisture in the bowl. Unfortunately, the palate flavour does not last throughout the bowl, but tastes more of ash towards the end. But this does not seem to be the universal experience. My wife does not particularly like the room note either.
I would recommend this blend, partially from the consistent quality Mac Baren presents in its blends. It will definitely appeal to others.
Cheers to all! Read Less
A great tobacco!
May 29, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
I tried this based on the reviews and I am very glad I did. It is a beautiful flake that smokes so well. I taste the burley and what seems like a light molasses. Absolutely delicious.
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
Good baccy only don't like the topping,the only vir/Burley I smoke hot don't know why
Same As Ever
January 04, 2017
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
2017 marks my 50th year with MacBaren tobacco. I started with "Plumcake" in 1967 and "Navy Flake" was a frequent interlude. Always, a treat. Cool, fragrant, long lasting, wonderful complex fruit, agreeable room note. It is always ... Read More
a pleasure to crack a fresh tin. Sadly, it is never around long enough to age. I recommend it to anyone liking flake smokes. Read Less
It must be a masterpiece
October 03, 2016
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
i've experieced some.
Navy flake is the most impressive and always give me great satisfaction.
honey sweety and whisky(rum) flaovour~
Room Note is Better than the actual taste
August 28, 2016
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
The room note is perfect, sweat, earthy and smooth, but the taste of it is not as good as the room note.
Delicious!
January 27, 2013
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
Upon opening the tin, there was a beautiful sweetness emanating from within and very reminiscent of figs. The flakes were arranged in two rows along the long side of the tin and about 1 1/2 times the width of most flakes. They were fairly thin sliced... Read More
and broke apart very readily upon taking them out from the tin. They were very fresh indeed. Loading was easy and the pre-light draw tasted of sweet honey. It took to the match very readily and provided for a long, satisfying smoke. It never burned too hot nor did it even hint of biting. The taste was sweet, spicy, and dry in nature. The initial tin note that I first detected (figs) and the pre-light draw taste of honey did translate to the smoke and was very delicious indeed.
Many of the Mac Baren's blends have been faulted for being too similar in taste. For me, the differences, albeit subtle at times, are most definitely there. It has taken me a long time to appreciate those differences. I thoroughly enjoy comparing them and I suppose that is one of the main reasons I've been a big fan of Mac Baren blends for nearly 35 years. Mac Baren's blends their offerings as a master composer would take a theme through many of its variations in a symphony.
Mac's Navy Flake is a good, dependable smoke that I can recommend without reservation. In the right pipe, this really sings! Read Less
one of my all times favs
January 01, 2013
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
well, i am smoking pipes for 25 years now and this is one of my all time favs ... i think it was the first flake ever but my ol' feeble brain oh well ... i love it for its mildness and slight touch of nuts ... a true any day any hour smoke ... oh, i ... Read More
always cellar lots of it ... none of ones i smoke is less than a year old, so i dunno about fresh from the tin :P ... hehe, and only just yesterday i opened my vintage blend of it with skandinavik mixture ... every 1st of january i mingle 100g navy flake with skandinavik mixture and let it sit for a year ... the outcome is awesome to say the least :) a very mild smoke with a kir and apple taste ... very delicious ;) Read Less
one of my all times favs
January 01, 2013
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
well, i am smoking pipes for 25 years now and this is one of my all time favs ... i think it was the first flake ever but my ol' feeble brain oh well ... i love it for its mildness and slight touch of nuts ... a true any day any hour smoke ... oh, i ... Read More
always cellar lots of it ... none of ones i smoke is less than a year old, so i dunno about fresh from the tin :P ... hehe, and only just yesterday i opened my vintage blend of it with skandinavik mixture ... every 1st of january i mingle 100g navy flake with skandinavik mixture and let it sit for a year ... the outcome is awesome to say the least :) a very mild smoke with a kir and apple taste ... very delicious ;) Read Less
Navy Flakes
June 02, 2012
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
When I first started smoking a pipe, somebody gave me some Navy flake, and I cant recall what it was. It sort of turned me off on the idea of Navy Flakes. Just recently, a friend sent me some MacBarens Navy Flake. So I gave it a try.. Its pretty darn... Read More
good, so I tried it a few days later,, and I'm sort of liking it.
Next thing ya know, this has become my smoke for doing chores. Almost like a ritual. When I head out to feed horses, I load up a COB pipe, and off I go. Its smooth, easy to light outdoors, stays lit,, and as im walking, if I inhale a bit, it goes down just fine. I never thought I would like Navy Flakes, but Im glad this was given to me to sample, as it changed my whole outlook on Navy Flakes. This is a Very Good Smoke Read Less
My favorite Mac Baren blend
May 30, 2012
Product: Mac Baren Navy Flake 3.5oz
I got on an accidental kick on this stuff a few months ago when a buddy spotted me a few flakes when I'd run out of tobacco. I'd tried it before and while I'd liked it, it hadn't really hit the spot the same way it has recently. I think the big diffe... Read More
rence is that I started folding the flakes and packing them vertically rather than rubbing them out. That made a huge difference and MB Navy Flake has been one of my go to blends ever since. The moisture content is pretty much perfect for me right of the tin and the burning characteristics are excellent. Smoked slowly, it's subtly sweet, with lovely nutty and fruity notes. Read Less
The Pipe Locator
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Navy Flake 16oz
