Customer Reviews (69 Total)
One of the finest
September 20, 2016
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
From the tin opening I had a sensation that this will be a special tobacco. The cut is beautiful with a mix of ribbons and broken flakes. Components are well noticed and distinguished and the tin aroma is amazing. It packs quite easily and lights lik... Read More
e a charm. And with the first puff you get all the flavour at once. You're greeted by a distinctive plum flavour similar to that in Royal yacht, but with smokiness coming from Latakia. Then there is that taste that keeps teasing you and makes you ponder about it. If you're familiar with rum you will recongise it in about the middle if the bowl. But if not, you will have a beautiful complement to the plum without knowing what it is exactly. It burns evenly and well to the end. Requires very few relights over a large bowl 1.5hrs+ and leaves no dottle in the bowl. Read Less
Smooth Latakia with plum
February 14, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
The tobacco came in perfect smoking condition for me (although maybe a little too moist for some smokers, just let it dry for 30 min). Opening the tin your nose is meet by a very nice aroma of plums and a little bit of hay and fresh cut gras. When ... Read More
lit the tobacco unrolls a very nice balanced aroma of sweet fruits with the typical Latakia flavour. The Latakis is not too strong, so I recommend it for everyone who wants to try Latakia for the first time. Since I bought it, I smoke it nearly every day. This one is definetly a keeper for me. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I decided to try latakias again, I've taken a break for a while. Plumcake has just the right amount of latakia and a delicious plum flavor. Nothing about this blend is overpowering and it's just smooth as can be. It burns very cool and clean, has a w... Read More
onderful room note and just tastes so good. I can't get enough of this blend. Now I'm going through my rotation and finding not much interest in the virginias and burleys. If this blend sticks around I'll be buying lots of it, and really messing up my rotation! Read Less
Excellent Hybrid
April 29, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Plumcake is excellent.
The mix is very attractive with its fine ribbons and uniformity. My tin was cellared for a year. It was the right moisture, but drying time could be beneficial. The tin aroma is prominent and smells like real rum. Most aromat... Read More
ics with "rum" flavor do not smell like rum to me -- this one does. I cannot pick out the individual notes, but it's very pleasant. The latakia is subdued, but still ads complexity to the tin-note.
The fine cut packs very well. I Frank-packed it with success. It lights and burns easily even with humid weather. There was slight gurgle, but that's expected with balmy weather and an aromatic. Straight stem and pipe cleaner, so no problem.
I do not have experience with older codger blends or OTC blends. But Plumcake tastes old school to me. Solid flavor throughout. The topping and rum is subtle. The burley and virginia's blend together for me. But the latakia and cavendish routinely surface though the bowl. It's frequent, yet unassuming. Consistent through the whole bowl, but never boring. Absolutely solid. No bite for me, even with some vigorous puffing. Aging may alleviate bite.
Great hybrid. I think there is something in this blend for everyone. Highly recommended. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I have enjoyed my first tin of Plumcake. I like to sit some out in a dish in the morning before work. Then, in the evening after supper, I fill a bowl up and really enjoy this tobacco. I’ve purchased a few tins for my cellar.
Great English Aro!
May 23, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
This was my first bowl of MacBaren Plumcake and this is going to be a new favorite. Nice light English aro with notes of plum and rum with a touch of Latakia. Packed well and smoked perfectly with a consistent taste top to bottom. Just a good pleasan... Read More
t relaxing smoke. A perfect evening smoke for sitting on the deck with my dog listening to the tree frogs. This was a new tin, I think it would only improve with a little aging. I’ll definitely be ordering more. Read Less
A New Favorite Medium Smoke
October 20, 2021
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I was cautiously optimistic about trying this blend because Mac Baren, a Sutliff company, is hit or miss. Their products are usually either really good or not very good at all. Few and far between are their offerings rating at “just okay”. There’s no... Read More
t much middle ground. But I was pleasantly surprised. The tin note does *not* smell like goopy fake medicine-y aromatic topping. It smells of deep, rich, classic tobacco, and a bit of subtle sweetness from the rum. It is a bit moist right out of the tin, so I will definitely lay it out to dry for half an hour before my next bowl. But what a bowl! It’s perfect for waking up with a cup of coffee. No one tobacco is forward, drowning out the others; instead, they all work complementarily to produce a very harmonious chord. At no point could I say, “oh, there’s the Virginia” or “now I taste burley” or even “there’s the latakia”. I could never single out an individual tobacco. For the duration of the bowl, I could taste every one of them at the same time. It very classic and very “American”, as there is not much latakia here. I do love me some very heavy latakia, and at first I wanted more in this blend, but it was so perfectly harmonized that I think adding anything to it or changing the proportions would have tipped the scales and thrown off the balance completely. It is not strong, but not weak either. It is right there in the middle. So if you are looking for a shocker to slap you awake in the morning, this is definitely not the one. But if you want something medium bodied with classic tobacco flavor and the subtlest bit of sweetness, this will be a go-to blend for you. Also, for those thinking about a foray into English or Balkan territory, considering a taste of latakia, you simply must try this. Plumcake is a perfect introduction to that venerable old leaf, an encounter proving that latakia is as versatile as any other tobacco, not something to be relegated to overbearing, overwhelmingly strong blends. Latakia is for everyone, and this Mac Baren offering proves it. My morning pipes will feature Plumcake ever more often in the future.
-- Edit: to all these reviewers claiming tongue bite, you must be doing something wrong. I experienced one of the most soothing smokes of my life with this blend. A fantastic room note, flavorful but not heavy smoke, a very cool burn, a slow burn. It was gorgeous. If you’re getting tongue bite, it’s almost always your own fault. Smoke more slowly, smoke cooler, smoke drier. Try laying out the tobacco to evaporate moisture. Try a deeper, wider bowl and a longer stem. Don’t over-pack, and don’t pack too tightly. Apply flame a lot less frequently. Sip-don’t-gulp. And, finally, just relax. Read Less
A more subtle Navy blend.
August 23, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Several years ago my first time trying Plumcake was lackluster. “What?” you say, but it's true. Initially, I couldn't see what was so appealing. It was a nice blend, sort of mild, a mostly ribbon-cut blend, and something that could easily be puffed a... Read More
ll day, but nothing special. I had so much to learn. I jarred it up and left it alone for a couple of years during which time I expanded my palate exploring many other tobaccos. When I returned to Plumcake, I was more experienced and better educated about subtle blends. From that point on, I was a fan. This blend doesn't have a strong goopy rum-drenched flavor, nor is it Latakia heavy. Passing up Plumcake because “aromatic” or “Latakia” is in the description would be ill-advised. This is a gentle, mild-medium strength blend with character best smoked slowly if you want to understand how it became a classic. The natural tobacco flavors are more prominent than in most aromatics and less overpowering than most English blends. The rum casing isn't meant to be the dominant flavor and isn't directly detectable most of the time. Even the Latakia is used only as a condiment. Of course, the aging effect had mellowed the blend even further, but I've had fresh tins since then and now see what I couldn't that first time. While aging the tobacco is nice, it's not what makes Plumcake so pleasant, that's in the way it's blended, because it's fine right out of a fresh tin when you're ready. Simply a superb Navy blend. Hope this helps. Read Less
Don't normally like flavored tobacco.
February 16, 2016
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I tend to steer clear of just about any tobacco that talks about being "flavored with anything. However, a friend of mine had a tin of this stuff and the smell coming out of the tin was too tempting. I was not disappointed to say the least. this... Read More
tobacco commands the attention of your taste buds. The smooth, sweet, mellow flavor is good to the last bit of dottle. I like it enough that I save it for more momentus days when things are going my way and i want to put a positive exclamation point on the end of it! Read Less
Anyone for dessert?
January 21, 2022
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Can’t go wrong with Mac Baren. Plum Cake is like smoking dessert
Yummmm!!
December 06, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Normally I'm not huge on Mac Baren mixtures because of the infamous "bite" however, this stuff (smoked in a churchwarden) smokes amazingly!! Very delicious and zesty with so much flavor! The topping is present all the way through but, it doesn't hide... Read More
the pure flavor of the tobaccos in this blend. I truly love this blend as a night-cap and it's all-around a wonderful smoke. I love this mixture and will order more for sure! This is a real treat! I don't get much of a bite. I do get a lot of flavors and contemplative thoughts from the billowing smoke. This is a real winner and should be added to your rotation! A great Sunday evening treat! Thank you, Mac Baren for making a blend that truly delivers in every way! Yummmm!! Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Esta mezcla es famosa; no entiendo por qué. Su fama debería residir en su tendencia a quemar, pues es inmediata. El ron tal vez.
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Boy is this good!! My favorite so much so I’m not smoking it as much. It fires on all levels, Tin note, room, but most of all the taste is spectacular. Buy it, you won’t regret it
Let it dry a little
December 04, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
As the title states, let it dry a little and it's not a bad blend. I get a lot of hay and some sweetness from the Virginia's and Cavendish and a little smokiness from the Latakia. Just let it dry, smoke it slow and enjoy!
Good semi-aromatic
June 22, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Not for new pipe smokers. I tried this when I started out and it was HOT HOT HOT.
A year in and this is a wonderful smoke. It's one of the few aromatics that has a good taste while smoking for me too.
Took off a star because it doesn't seem to sui... Read More
t medium or bigger bowls as the taste will flatten out to hot air after for the last 1/4th in bigger bowls Read Less
Nice blen!!!
January 18, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I love it! I smoke one bowl per day!
Pipe Saver
November 05, 2016
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I love Plumcake. I'm a big advocate. This tremendous tobacco saved a beloved meerschaum for me. Dang pipe, like many, decided it didn't like anything for a spell. Couldn't get it to smoke any tobacco well, not even old favorites. Plumcake saved ... Read More
that pipe, and no other tobacco could do that. Plumcake opened that finicky pipe right up, and that pipe went back to smoking other tobaccos well again. Plumcake and this pipe went strangely hand in hand. It was seriously like two old friends reuniting - I swear that the previous owner must have smoked this very tobacco before me. It was such a perfect match. That is my story with Plumcake. Pipe saver. Smell out of the tin is greatness. I needed something sweetish, yet serious and Plumcake rocked my world; nice, mild desert mix. Again, smell out of the tin is one of the best. I never get that fabled bite from this company, so I would like to dispel that urban legend, please. Mac bite is an urban legend. You're smoking too fast! I, personally, have had nothing but tremendous luck from any Mac Baren's, and I find that they are probably my favorite maker aside from Dunhill. So I love Mac Baren a lot,and Plumcake is a pipe saver, which should be commended. Also, tasty as hell, and did I mention smells great out of the tin? This is not only a great Mac B., but also a Classic tobacco. This tobacco has been beloved since the '50's, and it's easy to see why. Delicious, yummy baccy with a good personality. I've never met a Mac Baren that I didn't like, and Plumcake is no exception. A delicious Classic. Love the stuff. Thank you. A+ Read Less
Classic Compromise.
April 02, 2015
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I like this blend so much, I stopped smoking basically everything else for quite some time when I first tried it. It really sort of owns a little of everything I love about pipe smoking. It's sweet, but that's the point really, it's spicy certainly... Read More
but that's not it, It sort of has a raisiny taste that plays wonderfully with the latakia and for me.. eh, i don't notice the rum all that much but for every once and awhile. I am a lover of latakia and this has enough to at least keep my interest, but it is also certainly not driving the bus here. It's a big wide world in this little smoke. Truly cosmopolitan in spirit. One word of warning- There is a bit of a learning curve to smoking this tobacco in particular. The flavors can be even more mild and mellow at the start than other macbaren blends and the tendency is to really huff and puff to compensate - to "go chasing after the flavors" as it were, but the flavors, like the great cleveland symphony, are just playing pianissississmo for a bit. The fortissimo will knock you out of your seat. Translation: sip this one for sure - take it slow - if you catch yourself improperly sucking this one down, or if you are a puffer in general, you'll find yourself repeatedly victimized by rather obnoxious flavors and/or burn the hell out of your mouth. Read Less
A good type of tobacco worth trying
July 03, 2023
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I tried Plumcake because it's of the same type of tobacco as Peterson Irish Whiskey: a slightly whiskey flavored tobacco. This type of tobacco is under-rated. I recommend it to anyone who likes English tobacco and wants something compatible but a lit... Read More
tle different. I do prefer the Peterson Irish Whiskey, but I recommend trying both. Read Less
nice change of pace
May 03, 2023
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Tin note of sweet spices and tangy raisins. Tobacco is a ready rub of brown, tan and black. Moisture content is great. Burns moderate with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild to medium. Flavoring is mild to medium, with notes of sp... Read More
iced rum. The rum is never more than a mild reminder but lasts to the end. Taste is medium and very consistent, with notes of mild spiced rum, peaty sour vegetation, zesty tart citrus, tangy dark fruit, floral, mild incense, acidic, spicy, wood, grass, sugar, savory, earthy, a molasses and spices background note, and a peppery retro. Burley is leading with Cavendish, Latakia and Virginia supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great. Read Less
I’m not a fan of aromatics
January 30, 2023
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
… but this stuff isn’t bad. I don’t know that I’ll ever order it again. People call it a crossover blend. I don’t know. It’s different. Like most Mac Baren blends for me, this one can bite, but it smells nice and has decent flavor.
Best of both Worlds
August 29, 2022
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
In my opinion this is one of the best English Aromatics to be found. As English, Balkan, and Scottish blends are my preference I was immediately satisfied by the blend beneath the topping; All three are represented brilliantly and smoothly meld toget... Read More
her into a wonderful blend. As for the topping, it is just enough for the rum spice and fruity sweetness to come through without leaving goop all over your briar. I love this blend and can't recommend it enough. Read Less
Nice, subtle, smokey
August 07, 2022
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Not really an aromatic but more of a straight up English blend in my novice yet humble opinion. Smoking this reminds me of a nice salty steak with an ice cold glass of beer on a hot day. Frost on the mug, foam touching the top and a hunk of cooked de... Read More
ad thing with salt and butter waiting to be run through with my fork. Yum!! Read Less
A must have
August 05, 2022
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
The one thing I love about this and the other Mac Baren blends is that they get increasingly better with age. Not a whole lot, two to three months and you've got magic! If you enjoy this straight from the tin then do yourself a favor and cellar a por... Read More
tion of it for a few months. You'll be happy you did. Read Less
Surprised me
April 25, 2022
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I accidentally purchased this(thinking it was plain Navy Flake), and not being inclined toward aromatics, I was pleasantly surprised. I love Mac Baren tobacco's, and have quite a few pounds in the cellar. The taste on this mixture is really smooth an... Read More
d easy on the palate. The tin note is quite enticing. Hat tip to the man who came up with the mixture. It smokes like a medium English to me much more than an aromatic. I smoked bowl 1 in a 1965 Dunhill shell Prince, group 2. Bowl 2, in a group 4, 1956 shell Prince. My Mac Baren expert says to sip this one as it can bite. I didn't get bit after two bowls, but it may be like that for others. Not sure? Mac Baren keeps impressing me. I keep trying, buying, and stockpiling. Keep up the good work, and please do another run of Rustica. Love that one, Dark Twist, Bold Kentucky, and Old Dark Fired too. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
抽到一半总有种恶心的感觉，L草比例太少了，基本是个V草调味，比较适合老烟枪，劲道偏大，就是一股子苦杏仁焦油味贯穿始终。。
A very fine tobacco
December 07, 2021
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I bought this for the rum flavour. It was interesting in opening the tin yes there was a pleasing smell of rum, and oddly ripe bananas. The tobacco is a ribbon cut. I dried the tobacco for a time. It maintained the smell of rum but lost the ripe ban... Read More
ana smell. I smoked it in my filter Vauen, and it was and it was an easy to light tobacco. The rum flavour was pronounced, with no tongue bite. Altogether just what I wanted. There was also a more subtle plum flavour. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I love Navy Flake and Old Dark Fired, and 7 Seas is one of my favorites as well, so if you take all that and add some plum and Latakia, well, you have a candidate for the most perfect tobacco I could imagine. But that is not what I got. Tin note to f... Read More
inal puff was 90% cavendish with occasional hints of Virginia and Burley, and NO Latakia at all or anything else. There was no tongue bite at all so maybe they changed the recipe? Tin was from June of 2021. Okay it is May now, and I smoked it a second time. I taste something lemony like izmir? I detect no latakia and no burley, no aromatic or topping, and not really anything about the Virginia stands out. Maybe it is slightly better but it still falls flat, and still no tongue bite, at all. Did I get the same tobacco as everyone else? Read Less
Very Good but could be better!
October 16, 2021
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
This is a very good tobacco overall. It’s a bit moist out of the tin and can use some drying time before packing the bowl in my opinion. I did not taste or smell the plum as some have mentioned, nor did anyone else in the room notice a plum aroma at... Read More
all. I think a bit more of the plum cake and this would be a perfect blend. Read Less
Pretty darn good!
March 21, 2021
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I’ve had to completely re-do my review on this fine tobacco blend. After just shy of a year in a forgotten mason jar, I found plum cake! I was not initially impressed with this English aro. To be fair I should have tried it a few more times before r... Read More
eviewing. This blend does very well with some time on it. It is mild but flavorful. The virginias are sweet, burley is nutty and a kiss of smoke from the Latakia all working well with one another and finished off with a splash of rum. Very much enjoying a bowl right now. Burns great, and it is very smooth. If at first not impressed, jar it and try again 6+ months. Happy smokes! Read Less
Not as expected but pleasing
January 19, 2021
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I purchased plumcake based on my previous positive experiences with Mac Baren tobaccos. I was expecting more of a 7 Seas aromatic experience. Not so, leaving me disappointed, but after a few more bowls I began to appreciate Plumcake for it's excell... Read More
ent tobacco flavor. I will continue to enjoy this blend as English and not aromatic. Read Less
Muy bueno
January 16, 2021
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
al abrir la lata se percibe muy bien el ahumado y a distancia se aprecia ese olor a ron dulce muy ligero pero agradable ya en la fumada es muy agradable en sabor y habitacion muy satisfecho. ojo soy un fumador noble.
Latakia for the aromatic lover
November 28, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Very good tobacco. The tin when opened hits you with some Latakia and a sweet burley type smell. Not much to say about his if you enjoy Latakia. It's a dry smooth smoking blend similar to any Balkan blend with sweetness added. Roommate very pleasant ... Read More
as well Read Less
Enjoyable
November 09, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Bright Virginias, Nutty Burley, perfect amount of cavendish without it taking over. Seems like a touch of Latakia to me, but I primarily smoke English blends so maybe it's more present to aromatic smokers. Plum & Rum from start to finish. Smokes grea... Read More
t. Burns a bit hot. Will bite if too eagerly smoked, but not a problem if one takes their time, which you should since it is quite enjoyable. Read Less
Outstanding
November 06, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Plumcake is truly delicious and love the slight rum flavor, top notch tobacco
Outstanding
November 06, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Plumcake is truly delicious and love the slight rum flavor, top notch tobacco
Not overdone
September 12, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Excellent blend. When opening the tin, you’ll note the sweetness, but the quality of the tobacco remains evident. The tobacco is not cased in a goopy concoction, and burns easily in the bowl without producing much moisture. The sweetness of the smok... Read More
e is pleasant, and you’ll certainly notice a natural sugar on your palate, although plum may not reminiscent to your taste buds. You’ll not lose the tobacco flavors. The room note is pleasant for your company, which was my purpose in procuring this offering. For you who enjoy a more basic tobacco experience, you’ll not turn your back on your convictions, but will find a compromise for those around you who cannot appreciate your first love of a more pure English type blend. Read Less
Tastes great, bites like a stoat
July 14, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Maybe it's just me, but I get tongue bite from almost every MacBaren blend that I try. This one did not bite me nearly as badly as Virginia #1 did (Honey-flavored flames!), but it's still pretty bitey. The constituents of this blend sounded like they... Read More
would definitely be in my wheelhouse with the burley, Virginia, Cavendish, and a little bit of Latakia. The topping is restrained and does not interfere with the tobacco, but adds a light sweetness to the blend. It smelled and tasted great, just too bitey. I've been smoking a pipe for nearly 14 years now and I don't think it's my technique. I've tried every way to smoke this that I can think of; dried out, moist straight from the tin, very slowly, breath smoking, puffing with my mouth very slightly open... All to no avail.
Perhaps it's just my body chemistry. I've had success with some of the HH series and a few others that I have tried (from friends, though; I won't buy a Mac Baren product unless I try it first, at this point) and have not been bitten by them (ODF, BK, Navy Flake). I wonder if the topping were not present, would I still get bitten? My instinct says no. Plumcake is a really good, what I would call, "Scottish Blend." Light on the Latakia, with added burley and Cavendish. The topping, to me, was more rum than plum, but that didn't really influence anything about the smoke.
All in all, I did like this blend, but won't be buying anymore due to the unnecessary pain I receive when I smoke it. Plumcake is absolutely top-notch tobaccos that I would truly enjoy were it not for the torture. I will definitely give this blend respect for the leaf and the flavor of the blend. I really liked it, just not enough to burn myself again. I had visions of Paul Atreides placing his hand in the agony box... Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Around since 1957. English aromatic or scottish mixture (with black cavendish). Very pleasant tin note and seriously enjoyable
It’s really good!
February 21, 2020
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
This was one of the first tobaccos that I purchased at a local brick and mortar. From now on, any further purchase of plum pudding will be right here on this site. This is a really flavorful tobacco and one that I seem to go back to quite often.
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Not all that crazy about this “English Aromatic” so I made it a bit more "
English" by adding some Latakia to the mix. Tastes better to me this way. In fact, it reminds me of something else, I’m just not sure what that is.
Still bites tho... Read More
ugh. Read Less
Don’t be scared of Plumcake
October 12, 2019
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
It’s a classic blend. I’m sure you’ve read and seen videos saying it bites like a great white shark. I’ve not found this. Granted, it’s always a great idea to puff slowly on not matter what you smoke. Pipe smoking isn’t a race. It’s relaxing, and a t... Read More
ime to slow things down and enjoy the moment. But this blend is a great tasting tobacco. It’s rich, slightly smoky and slightly sweet, and keeps it’s rum flavor throughout. It’s excellent aged, too. Much recommended. Cheers! Read Less
Don’t be scared of Plumcake
October 12, 2019
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
It’s a classic blend. I’m sure you’ve read and seen videos saying it bites like a great white shark. I’ve not found this. Granted, it’s always a great idea to puff slowly on not matter what you smoke. Pipe smoking isn’t a race. It’s relaxing, and a t... Read More
ime to slow things down and enjoy the moment. But this blend is a great tasting tobacco. It’s rich, slightly smoky and slightly sweet, and keeps it’s rum flavor throughout. It’s excellent aged, too. Much recommended. Cheers! Read Less
Moving out of rotation
September 26, 2019
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I just decided tonight to move this out of my regular rotation. I really, really like the taste, but it just bites too often. I let mine dry about 40 minutes. It bites hard if you don't dry it, but it goes flat if you dry it too much. So before you e... Read More
ven get it in the bowl it's being fussy. I settled on a "modified" frank method to pack the bowl, but I think you could fairly say it's more of a "two step" packing method than anything. So, packing the bowl adds another layer of special treatment. It lights easy, but you better watch it or you'll have a forest fire going in your bowl. It burns hot even if you sip. Seems like to keep it from getting too hot, you can't quite get enough smoke. To get the smoke you really want, you kind of have to smoke it just a bit hot, and that starts inviting the bite. I have smoked bowls of this with no bite, but it's just so darn fussy. Reminds me of that beautiful girlfriend in college; so pretty and sweet you work very hard to keep her, but just too demanding and fussy for it to work out in the long run. I still have quite a bit so I intend to cellar it; this blend if one I see come up from time to time as an excellent smoke after some age. But as far as keeping it in my regular rotation, well that is ending tonight. My mouth isn't exactly on fire but my normal puffing cadence just doesn't match well with this blend, and that really is too bad because it tastes so good. Read Less
Re-visiting Plumcake
September 25, 2019
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I bought a tin of this a little over a year ago and was not impressed at all. I gave it another try today and took care to puff slowly. I was surprised that I enjoyed it and think that I'll try a few more bowls. Maybe a larger bowl packed loosely... Read More
.
I think it's wise not to give up on a new blend too quickly. Nice subtle flavor which I completely missed on my first two or three tries. Read Less
Good Flavor But Chemical Burn Is Unavoidable
May 26, 2019
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I popped the lid and noticed that unmistakable aroma of Latakia & the heavy rum topping. I didn't notice the "good enough to eat" aroma that others have... just a flavored aromatic with a pleasant tin note and a smoky aroma that is not overwhelming. ... Read More
I sampled this blend in my large, Peterson 9S pipe and it was quite mild with a sweet taste. The Latakia was... feint, or not too pronounced, but noticeable. I felt, more than tasted the rum topping...must have been the 151 proof. In that respect, this stuff could have been called Rumcake as it bit me regardless of the manner in which it was finessed. Plumcake has a really good taste & aroma but I never was able to cope with more than a few bowls due to the harshness & chemical burn (bite.) I suppose I could have been smoking it improperly for I see many had no problems with it. I tried it & failed but such is the way of tobacco blends & pipers having varying degrees of sensitivity with taste receptors & proclivity to tongue bite. Read Less
Not your typical aromatic
March 11, 2019
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Plumcake is not a typical aromatic at all.
This is one of my favorite MacBaren blends. When you open up the tin, you are hit with that smell of plum, rum and then the smell of some spicy latakia underneath. Very interesting smell. The plum and rum fl... Read More
avors don't overpower so much as compliment the virginia and burley combination. It's a completely different kind of tobacco than I've ever smoked, not quite aromatic, not quite an English blend.
The flavor when it is smoked its more latakia and less rum. The rum, to me, adds more to the room note and not to the overall taste. Mind you, there is a rum flavor. The first 1/3 to half of the bowl was like that, a good steady English. Slightly sweet Virginia and spicy Cavendish, however mellowed by the present Burley. The aromatic comes out about half way through the bowl.
Many people consider this an aromatic, but with the latakia, it taste more like an English with some rum added (which works well together) than an overly cased rum aromatic. Definitely worth trying if you love aromatics, rum, English or latakia.
Overall I'd have to say this is a great smoke for someone looking for a very light aromatic. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Not too strong but smell good
No luck so far.
December 17, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 16oz
Right from the tin the nose can pick up a very nice aroma from many aspects of this blend.
It came in very moist out of the tin, but me being ematiant tried to smoke it any way, vey hot with little other than tobacco and smoke flavor, oh and did I s... Read More
ay hot, no sipping would keep it cool, (tried it in several pipes), so ime drying it to deferant stages to get an enjoyeble bowl, but as of now, not finding it to be pleasurable at all other then the nose bouquet. I'll check back with you later on. Read Less
Plum & Rum
April 19, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
This is sweeter than Navy Flake but a bit sharper and with a little spice from the pinch of latakia. If smoked slow its sweet and smooth. Good aroma from the tin and smoke. A staple in my tobacco drawer.
Mellow and delicious
April 10, 2018
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
This is a delicious tobacco with lots of fruity flavors. Very nice room note as well. Smokes a little hot if you push it, but overall is good value tobacco which I’ll buy again.
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
First smoke not sure second smoke ok third smoke loved it then smoked the hole tin ordered more yum top 2 so far
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I bought this because of the great reviews. I don’t usually smoke Mac Baren tobaccos and have disliked most of the ones I’ve tried. Like all the ones I have tried it burns very hot even when smoked slow, bites, and seems like it’s missing something. ... Read More
Mild flavor and easy to light. Burns well but as far as English blends go this one lacks complexity. There are so many great English blends out there to chose from I would not limit myself to thinking this was a good one. Read Less
Plum-Cake
December 01, 2017
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Plumcake is neither Plum nor Cake but an excellent mild English style blend with a small amount of Latakia. It is suitable for the beginner or experienced pipe smoker who desires an English tobacco that is not "heavy" Try it and see why it ... Read More
is one of the best selling blends. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 16oz
This would be my "all-day" mixture if it didn't have a slight bite. It is slightly rich and a bit sweet.It is balanced in the sense it isn't too harsh or too mild.
Very mild - TOO mild
March 31, 2017
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
This stuff is a nice blend, but too mild like most of MacBaren's mixtures.
Good, but not my favorite.
December 30, 2016
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Tin note lives up to it's namesake, though I say it's more raisin than plums. Room note is enjoyable to me and tolerable to my wife (for what it's worth).Found it a bit dry coming out of the tin and requiring a bit more rubbing out to adequately stuf... Read More
f a smaller pipe. Read Less
Adding sweetness ....
June 12, 2016
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 16oz
This is probably one of the best quality tobaccos I have ever smoked.Easy to smoke.Tastes great,but not strong.Room note is wonderful.The tobacco strength seems mild,though rated average.I also blended plumcake with some very mild and boring tobacco ... Read More
and the result was truly exciting! Read Less
ONE OF BEST
February 07, 2016
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
First time used this mixture was in Brazil back in 1982. I enjoy the nice taste and room note. Needs to be gently smoked, otherwise will give tongue bite.
The taste has not changed since 1982.
a really rum infused mixture.
September 29, 2014
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Opening the tin was like opening a bottle of fine rum....a sweet caramel and spice fragrance greeted me.....as a lover of good rum straight up this tobacco blend hit all the right notes for me. Rum, Virginia and Latakia...worked hard it will bite a l... Read More
ittle. Slow down and it smooths out....another nice rotation when the rum bug bites. Read Less
Not Too Sweet
September 13, 2014
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Enough English flavour for sure. A (very) pleasant surprise. Like so many new pipe smokers, two years ago I started out with nothing but aromatics, lasted two (sometimes frustrating) months, then found some English blends (Artisan's Blend, JM Boswe... Read More
ll's Northwoods and Countryside, Blue Mountain and 3 Oaks) and haven't really looked back. However, I sometimes do feel the urge to seek out something occasionally sweet. I just have no interest in casing / topping and an unbalanced amount of sugar. Plumcake does it for me. It is in the regular rotation and keeps me interested all the way from top of bowl to bottom. Dry it out for a bit, even age it. I leave the long term aging to the flake tobaccos. Aged a tin of Plumcake for a year and it worked out nicely. Read Less
Put off at first, but...
March 13, 2014
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Being a new pipe smoker, I was looking for something that was sort of a cross between an aromatic and an English blend. Based on reviews I read, Plumcake seemed to fit the bill. When I got it home, I opened the tin and was immediately struck by what ... Read More
I recognized as a strong green olive smell!
I was a bit put off and disappointed. The first pipe full smoked slowly and the taste and room note still exibited that olive smell. I tried drying out some of the tobacco (it was very moist) and that improved all aspects of the Plumcake.
It is now remarkably better tasting, smelling and smokes evenly. Very enjoyable! This may seem like a no brainer to more experienced smokers, but as a beginner, it was a revelation. The only negative is that I purchased it at a B&M and paid $22 for the 100g tin. I'll definitely buy more and order it here, $8.96 is much easier to swallow. Read Less
Surprisingly good
September 10, 2013
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I bought this after reading some reviews on it. Tin note was sweet, with the smoky Latakia in the background. Similar to the blueberry smell of MacB Navy Flake, but not as artificial. I dried some for about 30 minutes before I loaded into a cob. When... Read More
I smoked it slowly and sipped it, the flavor was exactly like the tin note. It tasted great. I've never smoked an aromatic, and I don't know if this qualifies as one. But it's pretty inexpensive for 100grams, so it's worth trying IMO. Read Less
Good smoke
August 22, 2013
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
Aromatic, not cloyingly sweet. Definitely some plum flavor in there. For an aromatic smoker that wants a little more nicotine, or a little more bite, this would be a good choice. Pleasing room note. It does ghost badly, so if it's a one off "Jus... Read More
t gonna try it", use a cob pipe until you are sure.
Not something that I'd personally keep on hand, but it's a quality smoke and if offered a bowl, I'd smoke it again. There is some good Virginia in this blend, it just can't get by the top note - but then again, that's not it's purpose. Read Less
Should never be out of stock
June 23, 2013
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 16oz
The chippiness and sharpness of the blend is a good contrast and switch from burley. A pipesmoker should always have both blends in his inventory, and Macbarren's plumcake especially.
Mild yet spicy
April 01, 2013
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
This is definitely one of the more "classic" tobacco's I have tried. The Latakia is there, but only in the way a wood fired oven imparts a flavour to good bread, (not the campfire/bbq flavour from more intense latakia blends)
A little swee... Read More
t, and gains spicy notes further into the bowl.
Pairs very well with a little Porto and a patio in the sunset. Read Less
Old Standby
November 29, 2012
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
I was first introduced to this blend by one of my college roommates in 1967 (thanks Craig) and I've always kept a tin handy since then. The nutty and slightly fruity room note produced when he smoked it was what first attracted me to Plumcake. My wif... Read More
e says, because of the aroma, this is one of her favorites for me to smoke. Latakia is listed as an ingredient but I can't taste or smell it either in the tin or in the room note. This is a blend that can get away from you if you smoke it too fast and will result in harshness, as well as a hot and gurgling pipe. However, if aired out a little before lighting and smoked in a leisurely manner, Plumcake will reward you with a tasty and all-around pleasant experience. It's not one of my every day smokes but I do enjoy it frequently.
Len Barrett Read Less
A Good Smoke
May 31, 2012
Product: Mac Baren Plumcake 3.5oz
This tobacco has a tendency to burn a bit hot and wet. I'm a little over half way through the tin, and am finally getting a feel for how the prepare this for smoking. I haven't had it bite, but if you smoke it too quick, it looses almost all flavor... Read More
. Its flavor, which is pretty good, reminds me of fire roasted chestnuts (I'm resisting saying 'chestnuts roasting on an open fire'). There isn't much spiciness here, just a smokey nuttiness (This does contain a very small amount of Latakia). I also have a very hard time finding the rum in this blend. This is definitely a high quality blend as it consistently burns to a fine white ash. I can't comment on the room note since I do nearly all my smoking outside. The tin note is very strong dried fruit and, no surprise here, plum. Don't let the initial tin note throw you off of it, it fades over time. One complaint I do have with it is there tends to not be a lot of smoke. I enjoy watching the wisps of smoke float away, and I don't get a lot of them with this tobacco. Overall, I enjoy it; its a good smoke, but it doesn't blow you away. Read Less
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Plumcake 16oz
