Customer Reviews (30 Total)
Amazingly Good
August 19, 2017
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 3.5oz
I used to smoke Mclelland #27 for the last ten years for my go to Va flake until I tried this recently. This blend basically focuses on everything I like about Va tobacco and somehow the steam press seems to have removed all of the traits I don't lik... Read More
e. It's like it took away some of the brightness and darkness extremes in the flavor profile and boosted the middle of the spectrum a bit. There is absolutely no bite in this blend if it is dried out properly prior to smoking. There is a tiny bit of molasses/ brown sugar like sweetness dancing around in the background but it is very subtle and I would not call this a sweet blend in any way. I have smoked pipes for 20+ years and I honestly feel this is the best Va without any perique I have ever smoked. A good nice medium full flavor with a nice medium nicotine level. I like to smoke it rubbed out and the flakes are nice and thin just a little shy of being a shag cut the way I like them. The smoking is leisurely and it is well behaved. Burns nicely with minimal relights and does not punish the smoker in the slightest sense if they smoke a little quicker than most Va's allow. I wish they would make a Vaper version of this. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting the pure Virginia experience. I will be purchasing as much of this as possible to cellar for future enjoyment. Read Less
Straightforward and Full
July 24, 2017
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
I like HH Virginia. Great quality tobacco. For me it is very different than most of the Virginias I smoke. Somewhat robust and full. Not sweet or particularly nuanced. It could be used in cooler weather in place of mild/medium English blends. I woul... Read More
d also sip Whisky or something similar with it. In the sweltering heat of Summer I will opt for the lighter Virginias like Dunhill Light and Dark Flakes or Orlik Golden Slice. Though that being said, there is nothing inferior here. No disappointment in quality Read Less
Disagree with the Reviewer Below
March 15, 2016
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
Look. I like Virginia. I like, really like Virginia.
And to tell you the truth, usually, I'm not a huge fan of MacBaren. They make some great stuff, sure, but the leather/cologne/savory/bitter thing is not for me.
This, however, entered my top te... Read More
n list. But only on the second tin.
Because it takes some getting used to. It doesn't taste like other MacBaren VAs. It also doesn't taste like Escudo, or Orlik, or Navy Rolls, or McConnell's, or Rattray's, or... you get my point. What the blender did here was do the impossible: make a new profile for a VA tobacco. So you have ash, iron, leather (it is MacBaren, after all), but also some plum, cherry, even apricot I got off of this one. Without being sweet, but instead, a slight bit sour. I really, really like it. I bought thirty tins of the stuff.
I will say, it is not an all-day smoker. It is pretty strong, and pretty full-flavored, so watch out. This bears a full rubbing out and a pretty rigorous drying before it can be appreciated with aplomb. I had great results taking it out of the tin and putting it in a jar to air and age a bit. I hope that the below reviewer gives it another chance. Likely it's a palate thing. And you, reader. Give it a chance. It's weird, but not offensive. It won't ghost your pipe. And who knows, you just might grok it.
EDIT 5/12/16: This has become one of top five tobaccos. I still dry it, but not as much, because you lose the huge sweetness that occurs with two months in the tin. I have smoked as much as 4 tins a week of this thing. It's absolutely magnificent--it does take some getting used to, but try it in a smaller pipe with a medium to long stem. Can't recommend this enough. Read Less
I'm Mac Baren's iron fan
December 01, 2020
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
在尝试过老暗火，拉切，还有这款 HH Pure Virginia以后。我是马坝的忠诚粉丝，要知道我喜欢的圣布，蓝绞盘也同样是由马坝代工的。用我们中国话说：大巧不工，重剑无锋。马坝的HH系列没有花哨的名字，没有繁复的吹嘘，只有至纯至简的烟气，至美至臻的味道。这款烟草有着天然没有修饰的坚果甜味，再最后的三分之一尤为浓郁。鼻腔回味吞吐出的烟气，有着极为舒适的烟草气息。我不喜欢奶精调香的清淡弗吉利亚，我欣赏的弗吉利亚应该是两种走向，一种是veermaster，saltydog这种有着奇妙调配带来丰富变化... Read More
的口感的弗吉利亚，有些时候我觉得它们会比一些几美元一只的古巴或者非古巴雪茄还要好抽，味道还要丰富。还有一种就是马坝hh virginia，blue capstan 这种立足于优质天然，带来的烟草本味。就像一只上好的鸡，可以借助厨师高超的厨艺，做成香菇滑鸡，辣子鸡丁，也可以通过厨师对火候和肉质的把握，简简单单炖上一锅鸡汤，去把这只鸡本身的味道发挥到极致。但是量产的劣质炸鸡块裹上一层工厂量产的调味酱永远都难以称得上是美食上的享受。马坝的hh系列正是把烟草本味发挥到了极致，HH Pure Virginia 依靠的不是复杂的工艺或者调配，而是大自然的馈赠。 Read Less
Superb Virginia
January 31, 2018
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
Since Dunhill ruined thier flake by poor packaging when switching to the round tin, this has become one of my two favorite tobaccos (the other is McC 40th Anniversary). I would add that I enjoy it most after I crack a 6 month old tin and let it air ... Read More
for a couple of weeks; it changes dramatically after it is open. Highly recommended. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
Alright so Mac Barren Pure Virginia Flake. Wonderful! This is a very straight forward, no nonsense Virginia Flake. Reminds me a lot of their original Virginia Flake, but this one has a much stronger, more up front tobacco flavor. First thing that cam... Read More
e to mind was a leathery kind of smoke. And of course there's that amazing grassy hay like sweetness you would expect with Virginia blends though the "leathery" tobacco flavor plays into it very well! Highly recommended! Read Less
Straight Virginia convert
January 28, 2021
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
I, like many other pipe smokers love variety, but never really got straight Virginia's. I bought this blend on a whim and holy cow! I had a beautiful epiphany. First, when I opened the tin it had a nice malty fermented aroma. The tin came with about ... Read More
a year of age and that was nice. The start of the bowl was a mild sweetness with the typical hay/grassyness this was followed by a delicious fresh baked bread with nuances of forest floor (tastes better than it sounds). The final third of the bowl is where the strength amps up a bit, but does not overpower and the blend stays smooth with no bite and a fine white ash. I can't wait to see how this will age. HH Pure Virginia flake turned me on to the world of Virginias. I am converted! Read Less
I'm a little disappointed.
September 25, 2015
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
I usually only get inspired to write a review for a tobacco that I love instantly. I'm no "Expert" but it doesn't take me long to figure out whether I do or do not love a new blend. Based on the advertised description and heralded promoti... Read More
on of this as a must-have, I bought a couple tins to try. After just my third bowl smoked, my opinion hadn't changed from my first bowl. I DON'T love this one. I'll smoke it, but I'm in no rush to buy a bunch of tins so that I don't run out of it. The tin aroma is bland, somewhat reminding me of freshly cut lawn grass. Not offensive, but not rich with the usual sweet, bright notes of many other great VA blends that I love. The taste is true to the tin aroma. Kind of bland, very straight forward, but lacking any noticeable "natural sweetness" that was advertised. My taste buds may be off, but I didn't detect any of the "complexity" that's claimed either. The aftertaste is somewhat sour, and I even found that it caused the back of my throat to "tickle" a bit, causing me to cough and reach for a cleansing sip of coffee. The overall flavor, for me, was what I'd describe as strong and a bit harsh. Not overpowering, but not mellow or pleasant and again lacking the requisite sweetness that Virginia tobacco is celebrated for. It's not bad, or in my mind something to avoid, but I just don't see what all the fuss is about? I've come to expect excellence from Mac Baren products, but for me, this is not their best offering. Read Less
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 3.5oz
First time trying...Amazing Flavor, I'm going to be buying more...If this is what it tastes like with no age on it I can't wait to see how it changes with age.
Great tobacco for cigarette smokers starting with pipes!
March 03, 2021
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
When I first started smoking a pipe, I got many aromatic blends, but was not very happy with the experience. This is coming from a cigarette smoker who was trying to transition to pipes. I spoke with someone who recommended this as something more sim... Read More
ilar to cigarette tobacco than the aromatics. I enjoyed this flavor and taste, also I liked the cut better than the bulk cut blends I had previously purchased. After smoking this for awhile, I started trying more aromatics and was able to appreciate/enjoy them as well (I truly like the room notes of the aromatics and it takes me back to older days memories)... The only negative I have is some of the tins after the initial opening, did not seal well. If I didnt smoke as frequently as I was, this may cause an issue with humidity for others, unknown if I got some bad tins or if this is common with this type of tin (remember I am new at this hobby). Read Less
Reminiscent of Christmas Cheer
January 07, 2021
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 3.5oz
A warmhearted fellow pipe smoker allowed me to dabble in a tin of his 2013 Mclelland Christmas cheer, and boy was I in love with that tobacco. I spent a lot of time searching for a replacement. Browsing forums, watching YouTube videos,talking to fell... Read More
ow pipe smokers at my local tobacconist and buying a plethora of different Virginias to try, I thought I was out of luck. However, I stumbled upon this and I thought I would give it a shot.... Boy was it a good decision. It’s not Christmas cheer exactly but it resembles it despite that ketchup taste you get in the original Mclelland. This one has a leathery savory note to it that you just can’t get enough of. Take my review with a grain of salt though, as I’ve only had one bowl of Christmas Cheer and I’ve only been smoking pipes for a year now. Cheers! Read Less
It's Okay
December 29, 2020
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
As much as I love MacBaren tobaccos, this was kind of a "Meh". I have found nothing that gets close or beats ODF. I'll try it again down the road and if my opinion changes ya'll will be the first to know.
Aging it.
December 04, 2020
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
With a minimal casing, I am missing the sweetness I enjoy. A long time in the cellar will make it very worthy. I loved the natural tobacco it presented, it’s a must for me, but too young it lacked that extra bit of sweetness to round it off for my li... Read More
king. Read Less
MacBaren!I love you !
September 26, 2020
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
Another MacBaren jewel.Tasty ,zesty,subtly sweet,never harsh ,slow burning goodness.Rub out esily ,doesnt need too many relights.Weird thing is each bowl takes me elsewhere ,with each bowl i dicover something new.Thank you Per Jensen.Highly recomende... Read More
d to all pipe smokers. Read Less
Good smoke
September 06, 2020
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
Wonderful smoke, nice and sweet. Going into my favorite’s. This is a nice and pure Virginia
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 3.5oz
Put it half year , then the flake become ribbon, its my second tin , not sure if its becoz the heat that cause the flake to break . The taste also a little different from my first tin but overall still good. One of my rotation.
Stout Virginia
June 17, 2020
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
Surprisingly well-rounded and relatively strong. About a medium-full for nicotine and flavor strengths. Sweet aroma, baked-goods, sweet, and spicy on the palate. Great presentation. Highly recommend.
Does what it says on the tin
December 15, 2019
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
If you are looking for a good, straight Virginia, this is a really good one to try
Maybe The Best
November 02, 2019
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
This, and Opening Night are probably the best straight Virginia blends I have had. This has a range of tastes and has good body to it.
When it's young it has some savory, earthy, vegetal, salty flavors, fruit-forward flavors, citrus, vanilla, honey... Read More
, bread, and has the barest hint of fig and some leather and wood smoke.
With age it goes into a mostly malty, molasses-like,yeasty, bready flavor. It's complex and full, and satisfying. Give it a go. Read Less
Brings back memories...
August 31, 2019
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
When I was 15, I befriended an 86 year old pipe smoker. At the time I had my grandfather's pipe and nothing in the way of pipe knowledge. He taught me his own feelings of tobacco and pipe smoking and they have informed my every bowl in some fashion. ... Read More
His favorite blend was a simple Virginia-heavy mix with a little cavendish, but his advice was to always start with the virginia. "It'll never do you wrong." And it never has. This flake brings those memories into sharp focus nearly 30 years later. Read Less
Working it's way to the top of my list
June 22, 2019
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
The tin I received already had 4 years of cellar age on it. The tin note is pear, tart apple, and hay. Moist flakes that required a bit of drying time for my liking. Taste is predominantly fruit driven with bright green apple and pear leading the ... Read More
way with the grass and hay more in the background. The more I smoke this PV the more I like it. Will definitely be buying more for the cellar in the future. Read Less
A Nuanced Virginia
January 15, 2019
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
MacBaren's HH Pure Virginia is a tin I keep going to when I know I want a Virginia but I'm not sure what else I want. It never disappoints. It smells nice when I open the jar; it tastes nice when I first lay flame to it; and it stays nice from start ... Read More
to finish. It's one of those types of tobaccos that you can sit down and wonder at its subtleties. It's also one of those types of tobaccos that goes great with a choice drink and a book or a game. Have a few slices of this. Read Less
Clean as can be.
November 26, 2018
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
This straight Virginia has been a staple in almost every order I place. Beautifully layered under gold paper & snuggly stacked in its tin. The citrus & grassy notes quickly hit my nostrils & the flake has been ready for a pipe immediately... Read More
after opening. Plus the past 8 or so tins I have order have already had 3 years of tin age on them. Fully worth the snag. Read Less
Excellent now
November 20, 2018
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 3.5oz
Excellent now, better after 1 yr in the tin,
Not your typical virginia
August 10, 2018
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
This is a quality tobacco and smokes quite well however does not have the typical sweetness I look for in Virginia it's more round and deep kind of like Virginia all grown up it's quite good and also reminds me of ODF a little bit but my favorite Vir... Read More
ginia is still the old Dunhill light flake. Read Less
Very nice
August 03, 2018
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
This is a great Virginia all around.
oh sooo good
July 29, 2018
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
I am starting to really zero in on what I like as a pipe smoker and a pure Virginia is it. this is a sip it tobacco that will always be in my cart every time I order
The Best Virginia ever
March 06, 2018
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
This is an email I sent to Mac Baren hope it explains it all to you:
I just wanted to drop you a line to tell you I have been smoking pipe tobacco for 36 years and have tried more than I can count. I just yesterday received a tin of your HH Pure Virg... Read More
inia tobacco, I liked it so much that I turned around the same day and ordered 5 pounds of it. That was all I could find for sale on the web sites that I use. I have tried numerous Mac Baren blends over the years and I have a few that I sometimes regularly smoke. The HH Pure Virginia is the best tobacco I have ever smoked out of all yours and everyone else....... Please continue to make this and I think as pipe smokers try this especially if they are Virginia smokers they will make it there favorite tobacco out of all other Virginia's. Thank you for being a great company and doing what you do everyday for the love of us pipe smokers in the world. Read Less
Great Straight Virginia Flake
November 30, 2017
Product: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia 1.75oz
Recently opened a tin from 2015. Perfect little stack of flakes. A smooth and savory smoke with a hint of that natural VA "sweetness". There's a lot of flavor here, considering there's only one component. Since it's hot-pressed (likely with steam), a... Read More
lot of the harshness is removed, making a fresh tin nearly as mild as a three-year-old one. Another excellent offering from the HH lineup. Finally, worth mentioning is that the flavor is reminiscent of Old Dark Fired, without the fired. A great blend to cellar away for a rainy day—the result is delicious! Read Less
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HH Pure Virginia 3.5oz
