Tobaccos Mac Baren - Original Choice

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3047)	2015-09-27		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

There is a little grassy, tart and tangy citrus from the Virginia, along with some nutty, earthy, woody, molasses sweet burley in a supporting role. The black cavendish sports a very mild sugar hit throughout the smoke. The fruity toppings have among them a little cherry, some berry and honey, and perhaps a hint of caramel. The vanilla is a moderate addition. They also have a light syrupiness. The tobaccos are sublimated by the toppings, which are the main players. Has little nicotine. The strength is mild, while the taste is a couple of steps past that mark. No chance of bite or harshness. Burns at a reasonable pace with a very consistent creamy smooth sweet flavor. Leaves a little moisture in the bowl, but no dottle. Requires an average number of relights. The after taste pleasantly lingers, and the room note will please most people. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks

41 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	OomPaul Guy (7)	2014-10-24		Very Mild	Very Mild	Very Mild	Very Pleasant

Finally an "Aromatic" that doesn't taste like soap!! More than a few reviewers have said that folks that prefer Latakia Blends probably won't like this one. WRONG!! I love Latakia. I love Burley. I love Va and Ky as well as Orientals and Perique. When the tobacco is done right, I have a very diverse taste and enjoy many different combinations. Original Choice was done right, IMO. I am not a fan of aromatics and til now have not smoked any in many many years. I found this blend to be very pleasing to smoke, albeit a very light smoke. Nothing wrong with a light smoke sometimes. This one goes good with morning coffee and is a nice change of pace. Try it! You'll like it!

Pipe Used: Savinelli "Tignanello" 614 Oom Paul

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

22 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2006-03-31		Extremely Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Very Pleasant

I will recommend this one to the pipe smoking hobbyists among us who don't care for a lot of tobacco flavor or nicotine and have a sweet tooth. Additionally, you can choo-choo train this one with your puffing cadence and never blister your waggle.

As for me, I prefer the home run to singles.

Oh, one of the previous reviewers described this as a "ramped up" Captain Black. Great descriptive and dead on.

22 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2081)	2014-08-29		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Very Pleasant

Mac Baren - Original Choice.

This has quite an intriguing description, so I was thrilled to try it! The mixture has a pleasing aroma to it: not particularly aromatic but more of a full tobacco smell with a slight fruity edge to it. It is of a perfect quantity with the moistness and appears to be predominately darker Cavendish pieces.

Due to the moisture level it lights up with great ease and once lit burns very even at a steady pace. The ash left behind is very pale and the smoke given off is a great temperature, not too hot nor too cool. The flavour is super! Although it is classed as an aromatic the aromatic side is incredibly delicate and doesn't mask the tobacco flavours. There is a VERY slight floral note but it is not at all omnipotent. The tobacco tastes are brilliantly balanced, I thought from the appearance it would be only a Cav' taste but actually they are all present at an equilibrium that is perfect. Vitamin N? Again perfect, and if you choose to inhale the smoke by exhaling through the nose the delicate aromatic side is embellished pleasantly. Tongue bite now: quite a surprise as unlike the expectation with Mac B's this one appears redundant in the bite department!

This one would make a stupendous first time aro' or a great choice for those of us that are sick to death of heavily cased cherry or vanilla ones!

Four stars.

Pipe Used: Peterson

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Smoke King

14 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Noorrmm (192)	2002-01-27		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Appearance: The blend was mostly variations of lighter colors (about 70%), the remainder much darker. It was much drier than the tinned Mac Barens that I've tried in the past.

Aroma: All that came through was the flavoring/scenting agents used. They were somewhat fruity and sweet, and were able to mask what I assume are burley and virginias. No orientals af any kind were detected.

Packing: Packing was quite easy in a variety of bowl sizes. The dry tobacco did not tend to clump or stick together, making a nice springy pack with little attention.

Lighting: As expected, the blend was quite easy to light. In fact, in a fairly narrow bowl, a one match light was often possible.

Initial flavor: Two impressions immediately. Cooler than expected, and rather fruity tasting. I can't identify most of the flavors that came through, except for the faint impression of banana. (BANANA???) Better on a bowl of corn flakes than in my pipe!!

Mid-bowl: Continued cool and gentle on the tongue, smoked dry and clean. However, the flavor did not develop beyond the first impression.

Finish: The finish was still cool, just a bit stronger in taste, and still dry.

Summary: An excellent choice for the aromatic smoker. It burns cooler and drier than much of the breed, and doesn't gunk up the pipe. It does leave an aftertaste in the pipe, as all flavored blends do. Way above average for an aromatic, but just not my style.

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Hunor (8)	2015-11-23		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Full	Very Pleasant

What they say is true: this is a perfect smoke for a beginner. I thought I would move forward from Original Choice over the years, but actually I got stuck with it. It's my default if you like, something I always have in my collection. A lot has been sad about it here: it's a true rich aromatic, without any artificial taste, you can taste real tobacco. It has different layers of taste, different aromas while you smoke. It's extremely easy to smoke. All of this is true. But I have to add something.

I get back to Original Choice, sometimes for days in a row because of the after-taste. It has a very pleasant and long lasting after-taste that can make me dependent. I can feel it in my mouth (and beard) even 12 to 20 hours after the last smoke, and often it makes me covet. A sip of water can refresh it, and makes me want to light another pipe. And it has a wonderful beard capture. My family loves the smell of Original Choice in my beard, and when I smoke something else during the day, in the evening they will miss it. Where's your dad-smell?

This tobacco is my base, maybe it's not passionate love, but it is a long and warm friendship.

Pipe Used: Peterson bent Dublin, Szabó Ambiente large

Age When Smoked: new from pouch

Purchased From: any better tobacco shop in Budapest

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	babysinister (55)	2010-11-12		Mild	Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

A previous review discerns "toffee, figs and almonds" in MacB Original Choice, but I also received a whiff of something close to the cherry topping in SG Celtic Talisman, although much more subdued and almost vestigial, together with a bit of warmed up butterscotch. An extremely sweet smoke, thanks to the casing and the virginias. But not cloying, thanks perhaps to the burley. The base tobacco is extremely good and the general effect is one of a pleasingly sweet, rich and tasty smoke, right out of the tin. (Well, let it air a bit, as one should all MacBaren blends.) I wonder how it will taste with some weeks in the jar. Nicotine level is low, which I prefer, so YMMV. I smoke slow so I never get bitten by any MacBaren blend or few others for that matter. Again, YMMV. The ribbon cut should be filled loosely, not packed or jammed, and smoked in a size 4 at least for the maiden voyage. This and MacBaren Dark Twist Roll Cake would be excellent choices for the fall and winter months. I dare say the OC room note would give it an edge during the social commitments of the holidays.

02/13/2011 Update: I can't believe I only gave it three stars orginally. This baccy has "legs" and along with Dark Twist has become my favorite MacBaren blend. Time in the jar just makes it better.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Flinthills Tex (27)	2013-05-31		Medium	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

First off, I am a lover of aromatics and have been smoking pipes for over 20 years. I was never a big fan of MacBaren blends, but my local tobacconist had an open tin of this mixture. I never buy a cat- in-a-bag when it comes to pipe tobacco (too many BAD experiences). I liked the tin-note, so I asked for a sample. I enjoyed this tobacco so much, that I bought a 100g tin. Here is my review:

Tin note: fruity, but not overpoweringly so,so that the aroma of the natural tobacco leaf is also detectable.

Moisture content: unlike many aromatics, which are too moist to smoke out of the pouch/tin, MacBaren Original Choice is ready to smoke. The tobacco packs well without plugging up the draw. If it dries out, however, I would recommend remoisturizing it. Otherwise the tobacco cannot be packed properly, resulting in a quick burn with tongue-bite.

Room note: A real crowd-pleaser, this tobacco is one that even anti-smokers will be tempted to love. My daughter, who usually complains about my pipe smoke (even though I never smoke in the house, only outdoors), exclaimed that this pipe tobacco smells really pleasant. I did smoke this in a pub, and after leaving the room, then reentering it a few minutes later, I noticed a pleasant, slightly fruity scent, reminiscent of "grandpa's pipe".

Smoke: You will need to perform 2-step lighting, with a charring light followed up by a 2nd light. No tongue-bite (unless you let the tobacco dry out - see "moisture content"); pleasant, slightly sweet, typically aromatic taste; no dottle; smokes to the end of the bowl; no "wet draw" (a.k.a "tobacco juice"), though moderate residue in smoke channel after pipe has cooled down (recommend using 6 or 9 mm charcoal filters, if your pipe is fitted for them).

Overall, I find this a very pleasing smoke, and it has become my go-to-tobacco when I want to please non-smokers in my vicinity. Despite contrary information in the product description above, I would not necessarily recommend this for novice smokers.

BTW: Both MacBaren and Stanwell have reduced their pouch content from 50g to just 40g, of course without reducing the price. This is rather unfortunate, and I felt duped once I noticed this fact!

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	elelion (25)	2008-12-14		Medium to Strong	Very Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I bought a pouch of this tobacco in the tobacco store only because it was the cheapest solution. I stored it in my cigar & wine temperature controled humidor for about 4 months and I finally opened it with plenty of expectations.

But the flavory changed my mind. Looking closer and it is not hard to find some sugar cristals sticked on the leaves. I first thought that I may be cheated with some kind of drug-store products. Afterh checking on tobaccoreviews.com, and I think maybe it IS the charactor of the tobacco. I did not through it away. I transfered it to a used tea tin. I ordered some Corn Cob pipes to smoke this tobacco. Each time I feel happier looking at the tin with less and less remainder inside.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Joci_B (1)	2018-05-03		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

This was my second tobacco purchase ever back a year and a half ago. It was actually the reason I have grown to like smoking a pipe and why I still smoke today. To me it is a perfect begginers smoke. I remember the transition through the smoking habits and the mistakes that I and probably every begginer made within the first year of smoking. The point is that MB Original Choice is the perfect tobacco to start enjoying the tobacco without big repercussions on the tongue. You can pack a pipe tight AF, you can severely overheat the tobacco or even puff like a locomotive but the smoke is going to be enjoyable for a newbie. I bought a 50g pouch few months ago and with all the experience that I have now, the MB Original Choice is still an aromatic delight. I found it to be the most satisfying as a slow early morning smoke since I can't stand the pipe getting hot to the point I can't touch it, which happens at the third quarter of a bowl if I smoke at a bar or café(bad habits). The lovely fruitiness of this blend is a delight which I can't compare to any aromatic I have tried, but it's also a reason I can't imagine to smoke it regularly. I get satiated quickly, and 50 grams lasts for about a month which is rarely the case with other blends. Nevertheless this is a 4 star tobacco which everyone should at least try.

Pipe Used: Multiple Briars

Age When Smoked: Fresh

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Corncob3 (77)	2018-01-09		Very Mild	Very Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant

Dressed down version of Mixture Modern. Very little flavor until you get to the bottom of the bowl. Cinammon, vanilla, chocolate and coffee notes but very subtle. Smoked straight from the tin and to my surprise the bottom of my cob was dry. No dottle or gurgle. Room note was nice. This one is hard to get your hands on. Makes a good day starter or after dinner type.

Pipe Used: Corncob

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Raines (52)	2014-01-01		Medium	Mild	Full	Strong

When you open the pouch the smell is very sweet. But when you light the pipe the taste is almost overwhelming. A lot of people say that tobacco is for beginners, why not. All I know is I almost stop the pipe smoking because of this tobacco so it sickens me (I wondered if I didn't like smoking or just that brand).

Pipe Used: Butz-Choquin Formula 1601

Purchased From: France

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-11-25		Mild	Medium	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Pleasant

This tobacco was kindly gifted to me and though I am leary about MB products I gave it a try. Quite plainly, this was overly cased with some sweetish fruity/vanilla flavoring, bitey, boring and bland. It smelled overwhelmingly strong in the tin and this aroma translated to a harsh, bitey smoke with a flat taste and no appreciably pleasant aroma. I wont be purchasing MB again, but as I said, this was a gift from a true gentleman whom I respect deeply and I had to give it a test run.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-04-13		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

This is clearly one of my most favored dailies.

As the day dawns with a whiff of a quality blend of sweet virgina from North Carolina augmented by Burley from Tennessee, one can immediately qualify it as a typical Mac Baren blend - smooth, flavorful and delightfully mild.

Our friends who normally prefer to dabble in latakias, orientals and perique may not necessarily associate themselves with this one, but the lovers of virginas and burleys may find this quite irresistible.

The corrugated look of the packaging is incredibly avant garde will turn heads before you even get an opportunity to light it.

As a matter of fact, I have noticed on several occasions that it remains a topic of discussion and fascination.

Hats off to Mac Baren to have chosen such a packaging gimmick, that adequately retains its natural moisture and flavors.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-12-01		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

A true pipe smoker tree huggers dream come true! The same people who like this probally buy organicly grown vegetables,and don't eat any fat,(and fat tastes good). Oh well,if you're just out of high school and want to try a pipe,go for this.You might smoke half of it before you realize that there has got to be something out there better. Good tobacco flavour,quality leaf,Mac Baren sweetner added.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jorge Soler (203)	2021-08-21		Mild	Medium to Strong	Medium	Very Pleasant

The room note is something to die for, but this tobacco is a waste of time if you are a seasoned pipe smoker. Not that there is something intrinsically wrong with it, but I'd give it to someone who is just starting. Having said that, if there was a nonaromatic version of this blend I'd probably change my mind. I do not hate it, but I do not love it either.

Edit 27 Agust 2021:

I think I have been somewhat unfair with this review. Aromatic though it might be, I like it. It evolves nicely, no tongue-bite, nice room and tin note, the casing is not horrible, good combination of bright and burley leaf, the nicotine content is OK, has some complexity, and it is easy to approach. I am upgrading it to 3 stars.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Antonius Blok (192)	2020-09-10		Mild	Strong	Mild	Very Pleasant

This aromatic must be the most used and recommended tobacco for those who begin to smoke a pipe (and I include myself). I think this is because its cold smell is really delicious. However, as with other aromatics, this is lost when it is smoked. The distance between the pleasure you have when smelling it in its tin and the disappointment at the time of smoking it is so great that I can't help but give it two stars. One for its cold smell and the other for the room note, where it passes with an outstanding.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	canvas (337)	2020-08-21		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I tried about 300 other blends before this one, so I guess it was not my original choice, but no matter. The tin opens up to a light, fruity, sweet smelling Cavendish forward mix dusted with some spice I couldn't identify. Seemed pleasant enough to continue...

The filling had a good moisture content and a sturdy enough ribbon cut (no thin fish flakes here). Had to refill my Zippo before getting things working, as it took a hint more spark to ignite. Once there, I puffed out a pleasant plume that didn't want to identify too strongly as a specific flavor, as if wanting to stay neutral enough to appeal to all paletes. It was easy to ingest, albeit kinda boring. The Burley and Virginia acted to bring everything back to the center without being prominent themselves.

I do appreciate the value of a 3.5oz tin not costing much more than one half the size, it is a good deal for a workhorse Aromatic. An easy all day smoker that was in a word: servicable.

Purchased From: tobaccopipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	kik_rpm (15)	2020-04-26		Mild	Medium	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

I'm writing this one while smoking it during a sunday morning. It was a great kind of “dessert” for breakfast. For this COVID19 times it is a “merry smoke”, since it has a little nicotine and brings a sense of peace and silence because of its buttery caramel flavours.

This blend is not strong, it is not sweet, but it is creamy with some wooden maple honey flavours. The burley and cavendish adds mild but noticeable an almost butter kind of taste.

I smoked it when it was dry and I did not humidify it, for this kind of tobacco I feel it was a good idea since normally it is a wet smoke probably this was the reason why I did not need any relighting. It burns evenly during the whole time. Almost no tongue bite.The after taste is pleasant and fresh being with me for a long time without feeling cloying.

I have been a pipe smoker for more than 5 years now, and, thanks to the universe I still consider myself a beginner, and I sincerely hope I never quit being a beginner, so I can be open to discovering new, fresh and diverse flavours and experiences.

Pipe Used: briar block pipe

Age When Smoked: 4 years

Purchased From: Amsterdam airport

Similar Blends: Cornell & Diehl - Autumn Evening.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	oldpaths (6)	2019-12-24		Extremely Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I'm a dedicated Mac Baren smoker and wanted to love this. The tin note is outstanding and the blend is the right moisture. The downfall to me is the lack of flavor. I enjoy aromatics, but this one fell flat. YMMV!

Pipe Used: HS Studio and Rossi.

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HeavyTrees (70)	2019-05-07		Mild	Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

First of all with a name like this and a paper wrapping you'd expect an all natural tobacco with no added flavors but "Original Choice" isn't natural at all.

Cold smell is wonderful with just a bit of vanilla covered in a sweet/sour bread-like smell. Variant cut looks good with much dark brown shares and dots of golden VA here and there.

Packs just fine and takes flames well then burns slow and cool until the end with no tongue bite.

The first few tokes surprised me a lot since I was expecting a bit of vanilla asides natural tobaccos but there's a brutal sweetness in this one. It reminds sometimes of almonds sometimes of banana milk?! and there is (fortunately) a bit of VA and Burley taste in the background. With the last third I can taste a hint of the so called "Modern Cavendish" which is highly sugar coated I guess. While smoking slow and cool a lot of condensate occurred in my pipes.

Mac Baren Original Choice is an aromatic par excellence even if the aroma isn't as artificial as in other aromatics but more like sugar and sweetness but it's still an aromatic; that's where I miss the true tobacco tastes. Sweet and smokeable. Fits great with a cup of black coffee and the room note is very nice and vowed by friends. The price is ok, too.

Pipe Used: Vauen Churchwarden, Georg Jensen noFi

Age When Smoked: Fresh from tin, 2 month in jar

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Courtney Fish (33)	2018-03-13		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

Fairly standard cherry-vanilla aromatic. Very mild tobacco with light vanilla and particularly distinct (and very pleasant) cherry in 1st half of bowl. Not as sweet as many similar blends but not good or distinct enough to keep going back to. Pleasant 'tobacco' and fragrance candle(!) room note. Burns fairly well to the end of the bowl with a few relights, and is only a little wet at the end. No bite to speak of.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	MikeHaggarKJ (22)	2017-10-15		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

The flavourings used provide a unique & well rounded taste that blends well with the natural tobacco taste (which is there but very mild). Not a very "spicy" or varied taste, but not weak or flavourless. Just mild. Very sweet but not absurdly overpowering. Smells almost only sugar, but the taste is far more honest that that. You can't really tell what flavourings are used, what is flavouring and what is the tobacco itself. It just tastes Mac Baren Original choice. Some aromatics taste like taking a cigarette puff and then eating a piece of candy (during the exhale), without the flavourings meshing well. Like pouring sugar on a steak. This is not one off those aromatics, and also the best "pure" aromatic I've tried. I've despised most off them, including some that get decent reviews here.

Burns well. Small pieces and rather dry so pack lightly.

Must try for aromatic lovers, but also for people who hate them as I think this one might change your mind. At least as long as you don't have fericious hate for sweet blends.

Edit: After having tried even more aromatics I'm just continually convinced off this blends superiority. It's the only aromatic I smoke even somewhat regularly.

Pipe Used: Ratos Old Briar 915, unidentified briar

Age When Smoked: 27

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	krg1000 (183)	2016-02-05		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

I don't smoke aromatics too often, but decided to give this one a go. As with most of this ilk, there is hardly any nicotine to detect at all and a very nice room note and tin note goes without saying. I would agree with others who have said that this is a better version of Captain Black with less of the goop associated with that line of tobaccos. Its a change of pace for an English smoker and a better blend than the OTC blends out there. Definitely recommended.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	samanfromiran (22)	2014-12-06		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

sorry but this stuff wasnt good for me.mild tobacco and aromatic.i dont like aromatic tobaccos and specially this tobacco.if you dont like aromatics dont waste your time with this.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jacinto Cupboard (209)	2014-07-17		Mild	Extra Strong	Overwhelming	Strong

I ordered this by mistake. It came in the usual metal round tin, not the corrugated cardboard version in the product description. The tobacco itself is predominantly dark with light leaf scattered throughout. It is an easy to pack short ribbon cut.

The tin note is exceedingly sweet. Notes of licorice, toffee, vanilla and more, but the prevailing top note is raspberry: Confectionery raspberry.

Burns easily. The casing translated to a nasty chemical taste when ignited. It left a nasty coating on my tongue. Not much of a tobacco taste at all. This is sickeningly sweet and it will probably sit in the back of my drawer for years.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JuanCarlos (13)	2014-04-26		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

I can´t get tired of this tobacco. Despite im an english mixtures smoker mostly this is one of those aro you must always have. You can enjoy the full taste of virginias and burley and a little sweet flavour has been added (Honey/mapple syrup?) to the black cavendish.

Pipe Used: Amadeus bent brandyglass, Lorenzo bent apple

Age When Smoked: new

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pipeclubsi (17)	2009-01-24		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

Nice paper-board outer package with a tobacco leaf sticker on it and no other motifs than mac-baren crest. Looks as it is a true tobacco we are about to try.

A lot of black cavendish among bright virg. and burley. No artificial aromas and toppings to kill the tobacco taste, if we ignore the natural sweetener which only enhances the fine natural aroma.

It smokes fine, tastes sweet enough, mild, but still is a serious smoke with some body. An all day smoke for any occasion. The room note is very nice, fruity almond like.

It suits all, from beginners to ones moving from aromatics to a more natural english or oriental blends.

It's neutrality will not appeal to heavy latakia smokers nor sweet cherry-vanilla-aromatics lovers. However it has it's place in a spectrum of tobacco and in a way it makes an important link in a chain of many blends.

I recommend it to all that start with smoking pipes, to all that want a day off from the heavy english mixtures, and to all aromatics lovers willing to try something more natural.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Tantric (321)	2007-11-18		Very Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant

Fairly cool, very mild and, as the esteemed Noorrmm puts it, fruity and sweet, it is indeed one of those new blends (very much like Dunhill?s Aromatic or Mild Blend) designed to appeal to a new generation of pipe smokers. Without being entirely a scented tobacco, it does have a noticeable aroma?perhaps a bit too sweet for my taste?that gives the whole blend a tasty and smokey structure, in the Danish tradition.

The blend comes in one of those new corrugated carton pouches, lined with a golden foil paper. It is quite moist without being goopy. Visually it is a very nice tobacco, comprising golden thin ribbons (Virginias?), crimp dark brown leaf (Burley?) and jet black cavendished leaf. It can be packed as it is from the pouch, and its fairly easy to light and keep lit.

I do not mind smoking it every now and then, but its mildness tends to dry up the palate (though I would not classify this as a tongue biting tobacco) and does not reach that satisfaction point I find in other blends. Again, with the esteemed Noorrmm, it is an above average aromatic mixture, and should be very enjoyable to those picking up a pipe. If you are used to stronger or more consistent blends, too much of this stuff could parch up your taste buds!

Addendum (18 Nov. 07)

For the better part of the last six months I've been smoking this blend. It is indeed a very mild product, but once you get the hang of it--especially in the filling-up-the-pipe department--it can become a very suitable companion. As in Mixture Modern, and unlike Cube, I can really taste the Burleys and Virginias in this blend. The aromatic structure is nice (people tend to compliment the room aroma), but not pervasive to the point of occluding the tobacco flavors.

Not a bad choice at all.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-11-22		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Tolerable

Original Choice tastes like there might be some quality tobaccos in there underneath all that fruity nonsense, but I am still unable to find it in my heart to give this blend two stars. The strawberry-banana-grenadine topping is simply ghastly. I don't mind the odd aromatic (I smoke Mac Baren's Plumcake sometimes), but this stuff tastes like a whole year's worth of Friday afternoons when I was 10 years old. Like the package says, it won't bite your tongue, but it might burn your ass if you spent good money on this garbage. About the only thing this absolute crap has going for it is the fact that I can send it to the landfill with confidence that its corrugated cardboard packaging will biodegrade.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Paganelius (11)	2022-10-21		Extremely Mild	Extra Strong	Overwhelming	Overwhelming

Tobacco in a pouch smells like buckwheat seeds. Smoke has a strong taste of firing rubber tires. The pouch went straight to a rubbish bin after the first sip of smoke. Likely it was just 8 euros.

Pipe Used: Briar

Age When Smoked: From the pouch

Purchased From: Local tobacco store

Similar Blends: No similarity.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	brusaerba (8)	2022-02-08		Mild	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I was skeptical because in general I am not attracted to aromatized mixes but this one ... tastes like capuccino and I like it quite a bit. It smokes quite fast, if I am not paying attention it finishes quick and could bite a bit (bowl gets hot and humid too in case, no dottle). Once I paced it more calmly (even taking some breaks) it revealed to be a pleasant and sweet, round, flavorful smoke. I like the bready notes and the aroma in general. I think is a nice blend to break the monotony of non-flavored tobaccos for those who like burley (as I do) and a creamy cappuccino taste.

Pipe Used: billiard

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: online

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Whenry (8)	2021-09-22		Very Mild	Mild	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Pleasant

When I was buying this tobacco I was told it was caramel flavour. Well, funny thing, tobacco smell sweet and I do get caramel notes, but it doesn't taste sweet or caramel at all. It tastes like normal tobacco. In my honest opinion this tobacco shouldn't have been gentrified as aromatic tobacco, because it isn't. It's Original choice after all just like the name suggests. Pros of this tobacco is that it lights greatly, smokes easily and you don't get tongue bite even if you overheat it. It's a great choice for non-aromatic smokers.

Pipe Used: Jack Pot

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jacco (1)	2020-11-12		Very Mild	Medium to Strong	Medium	Strong

A very mild and sweet smoke. Especially the first three (or so) draws are very sweet and tasty. However, for the more wintered tobacco smoker the taste might become a little monotone. The Original Choice is very fruity and sweet in taste, but lacks a more rounded tobacco taste. Personally, I would puff this blend occasionally when in the mood for a mild smoke. However, I personally remain more a fan of strong non-aromatics. Smoking MB Original Choice is a nice change from time to time.

Age When Smoked: 5 months

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	arcusMae (5)	2020-07-15		Very Mild	Strong	Mild	Pleasant

In my constant search for "the all day smoke" I decided to try this blend as it's noted for its mildness and flavor. On my first impression out of the tin I get whiffs of caramel and cream; but with additional deep breaths I get a trace of fruitiness. It's hard to exactly put my finger on it, but the more whiffs I take, the more I imagine a raspberry cream-like dessert. A very pleasant, mouth watering aroma overall.

The ribbon cut packs well and is of the right moisture content out of the tin. Easy to light, and after a few tamps and char lights I can get a consistently lit bowl without much fuss. While I can attest to the "hot air" that others have noted, but I get a waft of sugary sweetness now and again. I find it to be a pleasant aroma, however my wife states it smells "like tobacco," but it's certainly not nearly as pungent as any English blends.

As with most aromatics, this can be a bit "bitey," but an experienced smoker will have no issue. I find that packing this a bit tighter than normal gives the best experience.

While one could feasibly call this "an all day smoke," due to its mild strength, I find that it requires a little too much concentration to keep it from biting for me to puff away while mowing the lawn. I'm perfectly content to smoking this on the front porch on a summer's evening. It's a perfect blend for one looking for an uncomplicated and high quality aromatic. Recommended.

Pipe Used: Old Dominion Jamestown, Ben Rodgers Canadian

Age When Smoked: Two year old tin

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	North State (72)	2020-03-21		Very Mild	Very Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant

"We have managed to develop a tobacco that does not smart on the tongue", they said, and they weren't lying.

Now here's an aromatic that I like. A very easy, light smoke without being too spicy yet having just enough wholesomeness to be satisfying at the same time, and no discernible tongue bite; for me, this would be the true definition of an all-day smoke. The pouch note is that of brown sugar and maple suryp, very nice, and the somewhat grainy consistency of dark and light browns mixed with yellow (cavendish, burley, virginia) is pleasing to the eyes and fingers alike, easy to stuff the bowl with as you like. Overall, this is a very non-offensive light aromatic and a very easy smoke by all standards, while still retaining enough taste and wholesomeness to be enjoyable; therefore, this would be my No. 1 recommendation for a beginner to start with.

On a technical note, the corrugated cardboard sleeve this comes in has a nice 'old-school' feel to it and is surprisingly handy as it's sturdy and keeps shape very nicely as opposed to the standard paper-and-plastic pouch, and I would really like to see this style of packaging being used for other brands of tobacco too. Having tested this after Amphora and a disappointing Peterson's made me think that I might be a MacBaren man rather than Peterson, and it turned out to be so.

Currently my favourite of the brands easily available in Sweden.

Pipe Used: various

Age When Smoked: Fresh from pouch

Purchased From: Tobacco shop in Kalmar Sweden

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Geeknux (5)	2020-01-29		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant

It's a light and tasty blend, I get a little grassy taste from Virginia, a little sweet, and nutty and bready taste. it has a nice retro hail. doesn't get too hot in the bowl, no bite(or very little). needs to fry out a little bit, and i can keep it lite until the end without any relight. it could be easy and all day smoke for me.

Pipe Used: Tekkin Meerschaum pipe

Age When Smoked: fresh

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	lamanorbu (2)	2018-11-09		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

Disclaimer: I am a novice pipe smoker :) I received a pouch of this tobacco as a present from my friends; I found it quite easy as a new smoker, it's not too wet out of the pouch and it's ready to be smoked. Loading and lighting is easy and it doesn't tend to go off. It burns to a fine white ash and I found it great for breaking in my new pipe, after 10 bowls I can already see the start of a good looking carbon cake. But it's not a perfect tobacco: the taste is sort of a let down compared to the amazing fragrance. It is indeed a mild tobacco and the aromatic component is very subtle; the taste is dominated by nutty notes, whereas one can smell wonderful vanilla and fruity notes (peach, apricot) from the fresh tobacco. I have smoked this blend both unfiltered and with Vauen Charcoal 9mm filters and I found that filtering doesn't really harm the aromatic component of the tobacco: actually, it makes it stand out a bit more over the subtle ashy aftertaste. I am sure I'll be able to appreciate this very promising tobacco more once I build a finer palate.

Pipe Used: Peterson B42, Talamona Sabbiato Bent

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Tabaccheria Rizzi, Brescia, Italy

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2016-05-01		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

This is a very intriguing tobacco. The most intense aromatizant is cocoa, with honey or sugar. It's a very simple tobacco: the taste is very sweet, with a predominant cocoa taste, and also caramel and nutty notes; it hasn't a lot of body (this is a good attribute for a beginner or, otherwise, if you don't want a slap of nicotine), but, however, it's a good quality tobacco: tasty, easy-going and very mild.

Pipe Used: Many briars

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: local tabacconist

Similar Blends: Orlik Tobacco Company A/S - Park Lane No.7, Manifatture Sigaro Toscano - Golf Armonia.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	georgariou33 (16)	2016-03-31		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

mcbaren at its finest...smooth, cool and very tasty..what a fine experience...i put this one with my top blends of my 105 different blends...i think this one requires someone who has been smoking pipe for a while as the complexity is very soft..this one is winner

Pipe Used: stanwell and big ben only

Age When Smoked: 70

Purchased From: pipes and cigars

Similar Blends: 000.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Talltree (31)	2016-03-31		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I liked this tobacco at first. It has very little nicotine and a nice aroma. Smells like raisins or figs in the tin - a really nice tin note. I can't really distinguish the various tobaccos in it. It is mild to medium in strength and is the strongest one I smoke. Definitely an outdoorsy tobacco, and the wife likes the way this one smells. Good for a walk in the snow or rain.

However, after a year I'm lowering my rating to two and one half stars. It is a little bitter and gets goopy in the pipe and stem and is definitely not as satisfying as it used to be. I think that in comparison to tobaccos I've tried recently it loses by comparison.

Pipe Used: Cesare Berolini bent briar, corn cob

Age When Smoked: fresh from the tin

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: a danish light aromatic.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipesmoking101 (63)	2015-11-07		Very Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I received a sample of this from a friend, so cannot comment on the packaging, which is apparently quirky and innovative.

The pouch note of the sample I got was very nice, sweet topping mixing with the tobacco, they mingle in a very pleasing way, promising a mild, easy smoke.

The appearance of the tobacco seems to be a fairly even mix of the Virginia, Cavendish & Burley, a mixture of blondes and darks.

The tobacco is a fairly thin ribbon cut, apart from the Cavendish which appears to be a slight shorter chunkier cut. It pack easily & takes the flame well. It burns evenly and steadily and requires few relights.

The taste is a sweet smoke upon the draw which then hints at nutty tones before fading to malted grain and bread with fruit. The smoke retains its flavour well, but as with most aromatics, it starts to fade a bit in the last quarter of the bowl or so. The tobacco is of fine quality & works with the flavouring so that it is not being dominated, but helping to produce the notes present within the flavour profile of this decent blend. As mentioned by previous reviewers, there is not even any hint of possible tongue bite.

The room note is a pleasant sweet aroma, with the tobacco again being present within it, and contributing a nice accent to it.

The nicotine is low, a common trait amongst aromatics, it seems. This does not gloop up your pipe, and mine was fine to smoke straight away with no drying, but as I said it was a sample (about 20g) and as far as I'm aware wasn't straight out of a freshly opened tin.

Overall, recommended. Anyone who has read my other reviews knows I'm not an aromatic lover, and I like my blends with a bit more of a nicotine kick, but this blend tastes fine, burns well and produces a nice room note. A possible early morning smoke or even a dessert smoke after a meal. I imagine this would go well with dessert wine, or even a sherry if smoked in the evening. If smoking in the morning, I would be tempted to pair with a mocha or latte.

Pipe Used: Dr. Plum short billiard

Age When Smoked: Unknown (received as a sample)

Purchased From: Received from a friend

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Room Note Professor (44)	2015-02-27		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Tin note is golden raisins and mild molasses. Thirty minutes dry time. Packs easily and burns well all the way down to white ash. Slightly stronger than mild. Not the disappointing "hot air" offered by some super-mild aromatics. A fine combination of virginia and cavendish. Sweet and tangy mouth feel while retaining mildness. Roomenote is a delicious old-fashioned pipe aroma, slightly sweet but quite pronounced. A non-smoking friend went, "Mmmmm" the moment I lit up.

Minus one star because, despite its mildness, it does chemically scorch the roof of my mouth. Probably due to a sensitivity to a flavourant, as I appear to be in the minority. Therefore, recommended as a try!

Pipe Used: Poul Winslow

Age When Smoked: 4 years

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rustiepyles (3)	2014-11-13		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I saw a tin of this at the duty free in an airport on my home from vacation so I bought it. The pouch note is mild and pleasant, the room note is is also very mild. Calling this an aromatic is a bit of a stretch, it's flavoring is very mild. It's a great smoke and will be getting another tin.

Pipe Used: Peterson

Age When Smoked: Fresh from the tin

Purchased From: Duty free

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Hillbilly08 (38)	2014-10-17		Very Mild	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Inoffensive, but actually also unappealing to a seasoned smoker. Suspiciously flat in flavour and overly sweet. Burns reasonably well and stays lit. Maybe useful for someone starting pipe smoking. I could not finish the pack past two pipefuls, despite being a natural aro smoker.

Pipe Used: Georg Jensen Yacht 9mm filter

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: Churchill's shop in Prague, Czech Republis

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gam86 (49)	2014-03-14		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

The original choice is the perfect tobacco to start your pipe experience! The cut and humidity are fine and it is very easy to charge and light up. Unfortunally, I discover it very late but, if you want to start to smoke pipe and you don't know which tobacco choose, I recommend it.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	milabros1981 (15)	2014-03-06		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

Opening the pouch: a smell like bubble gum. Smoking the tobacco: like eating something too sweet. McBaren's modern Cavendish is evident everywhere, with its distinctive and unique syrupy taste, I almost thought I saw my bowl caramelized! Albeit very sweet for my taste, it is still an interesting and tasty blend that I will certainly smoke again and certainly recommend.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LV9 (85)	2014-01-12		Extremely Mild	Very Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Hard to like, difficult to hate, this is a aromatic smokers heaven, the taste is sometimes too much but most of the time after dinner is about right, Macbaren is right saying that this blend will not torch your mouth, but at the same time it feels like other sacrifices were made to achieve this, mostly the lack of tobacco flavor, as a aromatic you could do worse, I'm just not a fan of tobacco that does not taste like tobacco. Would I buy this again No. but as aromatic gets a solid 3.

Pipe Used: Boswell fishing pipe

Age When Smoked: 6+

Purchased From: Smoking pipes

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Arkie (129)	2013-09-23		Very Mild	None Detected	Mild	Tolerable

This mixture is an aromatic in the Danish sense of the term which means it is cavendish with very little casing or topping. When the tin is first opened there is a trace of fruit & honey fragrance but any added flavors are extremely subtle. It is a mixture with a mild, satisfying, no nonsense tobacco taste - a bit like Plumcake without the rum. If you like Sail Regular or Sail Natural you might like this as well. It would make a great all day smoke if it didn't have a slight tendency to bite.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-05-23		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

Another blend I can locally find.

A bit moist, burns hot, on the wet side with a mild flavour. Bites if you are not careful. Smells great though, wife loves it.

Comes in 40gr pouches; I am sure you can find a better aromatics at this price.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RupturedDuck (6)	2011-08-31		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Ok, so you are finished with the pouch of Cherry Captain Black that your girlfriend bought you for your birthday and are wondering where to go from here? Original Choice is a great next step. The tobacco is midly sweet, and will leave behind a not unpleasant reminder that someone has recently finished a pipe. It does not have the heavy sweet smell that may cause some non-pipe enthusiasts to proclaim their appreciation for pipe smoke. The enjoyment of this tobacco produces a cool, dry smoke, and is rather easily maintained. The ash left behind is a fine white powder. For these reasons, I also recommend this tobacco for use breaking in a new pipe.

This tobacco is everything expected in a pipe filler, and therin lies the 3 star recommendation. It doesn't surprise, amaze. However it does provide consistant enjoyment. This is a fine all day tobacco that you will not be displeased with.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Caripu (11)	2011-08-14		Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild	Pleasant

A nice smoke to be an aromatic. I'm a VA, Vaper and English mixtures guy and there is a very small number of aromatics in my list of "smokable" leafs. Original Choice is not one of my top ten, nor top 20 tobaccos, but in social environments seems to be well accepted by sorrounders.

It's a flat smoke, as most of aromatics are, but is also consistent from the begining to the end of the bowl, not suffering the strong degradation that other aromatics do once you pass the first half of the bowl.

Recommended for aromatic fans an for social smokers.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-07-12		Very Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Probably the best of the MB 'choice' offerings. I can't really say what it is that this tobacco tastes like. It is an aromatic, but not overwhelmingly so. I found myself liking this more as I worked through the 40g pouch, but probably won't buy again.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-01-05		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

I've made MacBarens Original Choice my overall all day blend, along with some medium English as an alternating blend. After trying most of MB's blends {not all of them} i seem to favor this more-so than the rest, mainly because of its genuine sweetness and real tobacco taste. Not too bland but a gentle unabounded sweetness that i can smoke all day long. To me the sweetness of the virginias, which is very selective from any of MB's blends, combined with just enough dark burley to give it a slight buttery, creamy, chocalaty taste, falls short of a blend that incorporates too much of a good thing. I've ran across a few of those, Dan Tobacco's Milonga and Davinci are two that are great tasting but i found myself loading up a bowl of those blends too many times. hence, too much of a good thing. I think a slightly bland tobacco that offers an exceptionally good overall taste, is necessary for an all dayer that you can add as a rotater along with something else that you like. It all depends on you and what your tastebuds are telling you. This one very easily slipped into my daily rotation, two aro's and one English. Strength is just right for me that completely satisfy's my N cravings without it being too harsh, with absolutly no tongue bite.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Steden (100)	2010-11-28		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Very Pleasant

OC is not recommendable to Latakia puritans nor to nicotine hunters but highly recommendable to freshmen, recommendable to Aros fanciers, so and so recommendable to all the ones (like me) which normally are floating around the atoll of Natural Aromatics. Yes, a perfect Macbeginners tobacco but not only, with this blend Mac Baren boys show one more time their skills on tobacco production combined with marketing strategies. OC is a mild, unassuming aromatic (even not bad in any way) able to gain a respectable reputation, it is described on MB official web-site emphasizing the quality of tobacco supply and then it's sold on a low-profiled cardboard corrugated pouch; in a manner or another they are strategic on stimulate our curiosity and are able to satisfy the 65-70% of pipe smokers…...Macchiavelli and Von Clausewitz worked they for Mac Baren?

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-11-18		Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Pleasant

Quality aromatic tobacco with good burning and very good room note.Great for morning smoke as it is not very powerful.Nearly no tounge bite unless you puff too strong.Beter then Virginia Choice according to me.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-12-09		Very Mild	Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Tolerable to Strong

It's har to tell how much burley this blend contains, and actually I would have said pure virginia / cavendish was this presented to me in a blind-test.

I don't think I've ever come across an aromatic THAT aromatic upon opening the pouch! An extremely sweet sugary smell, that makes me think of both fruit and candy. But surely the sweet cavendish is obvious too - some tobacco detected never-the-less.

The cut and blend looks almost exactly like that of Porter House Double Mixture, so naturally I was very exited to put this in my favorite aroma-pipe, hoping of some reminiscence..

Well, that comparison fell flat right away. So when it presumably contains, looks and feels alot like that of Porter House, but smells tenfold the sweetness, it must be a case of heavy flavouring. And right on - when smoked, 50% of the aroma detected was non-existant in the taste of it.

It is by all means a decent tobacco, and I would recommend it to all aromaniacs. One can compare it to those of 'My Own Blend' - but with a decent taste, and most importantly in that comparison, it doesn't pack 'gravy' by the gallon!

120 grams smoked

Flavours detected: Vanilla, Raisin, Almond...rice pudding?

To even out the sweetness, I'd recommend a hot cop of black espresso to go with it.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DoctorThoss (146)	2008-03-15		Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I really used to like this blend, as it was one of the very few "fruity" aromatics I could tolerate. Times and tastes change, however, and I doubt I would give it so much as a second glance these days ... It's not that I hate aromatics (I don't), it's that there are far better blends of this type on the market that are available in bulk.

Don't get me wrong. This stuff tastes great, and it manages nicely to balance the sweet/fruity topping with the natural tobacco flavors of burley and Virginia. It's a very unique taste, and I had nothing to compare it to until Russ Ouellette introduced Classic Burley Kake for the Hearth and Home label last year. Unfortunately, there seems to be an above-average chance of falling victim to what appear to be quality-control issues. Usually, the problem seems to be that someone at the factory put WAY too much flavoring into it, which yields a harsh blast of smoke with a painful bite you won't soon forget (assuming you can actually get it to burn, which is doubtful). I did find a solution of sorts to the quality-control problem, which is to buy this only in tins from the few very few online e-tailers that stock them, but such a variance in quality between the pouch and tin is inexcusable.

A better solution, however, is to simply order a batch of the aforementioned Classic Burley Kake and settle down for a nice smoke. The flavors are essentially the same, but Classic Burley Kake is superior in every other respect. It's cheaper,too.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-03-15		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

Having recently become a convert to MacBaren Mixture, and with a penchant for mild aromatics, I thought I would give this one a try.

I wasn't too convinced about all the marketing stuff on MacBaren's website about the modern corrugated packaging and about it being a tobacco for the younger pipesmoker.

However, this is a really nice tobacco. Smells of toffee or caramel in the pack. Packs and lights easily as they say and gives a very easy going sweet smoke that (most importantly for me) is not sickly like some other continental aromatics. Enjoyable to the bottom of the bowl.

One thing I would say say is that this tobacco is not completely bite free. You can really puff on it but it will bite you eventually.

Recommended, and currently my sweet tooth favourite, alternating with Mixture.

Update 15 Mar 08 :

It's almost a year since I first reviewed this and back then I used to smoke it a lot. I haven't smoked it for quite some time and was a bit bored so I thought I would get another pouch. Still smells great in the pack but I don't feel this translates to the taste whilst smoking - it's bland. Also tends to burn hot. All in all a bit of a disappointment now - very much in the style of MB's Black Ambrosia. Great room note though. Downgraded to 2*

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-06-15		Extremely Mild	Extremely Mild	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Pleasant

My first review of a Mac Baren tobacco was for the god-awful Mixture. Being an open-minded person, I decided to try the Original Choice as well. Both were purchased in a country where good pipe tobacco is a precious rare commodity.

The package is quite nice-looking, and promises the tobacco contained within is easy to light and smoke. It also claims to deliver a "sweet, rounded, and exciting taste." Presumably, this is so it might appeal to young and/or novice pipe smokers.

Well, it failed to appeal to me. Though it is very easy to pack, my first bowl was a bear to keep lit. One would think that, as dry as this stuff is, that wouldn't be the case. My second bowl burned rather hot, and neither bowl held the promised taste. In fact, it didn't taste like much of anything.

This tobacco gets two stars because it is friendly to a new pipe smoker. It just wasn't for me. The second Mac Baren blend I'll dump, and the absolute last I'll try.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-06-06		Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

Original Choice is not what I would call a high grade smoke. Yes, it loads very well in a pipe. Yes, it burns well, and leaves a grey ash in a dry pipe. No, It does not bite the tongue. But the flavor of the casing is something I never want in anything, much less my pipe tobacco. Fortunately, I tried this in a cob, and when the Original Choice went in the trash, the pipe followed closely. Some may find this a quality tobacco, but I do not. =============================================================On trying a second bowl, crazy as it seems, I got nothing but tongue bite, tongue bite, and, oh yeah, tongue bite. Maybe I should have tried smoking the corrugated pouch. Or better yet, I could have lit my torch and stuck that in my mouth.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-08-03		Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild	Pleasant

Notes from first two tastings:

Nice packaging. Corrugated cardboard instead of the usual plastifoil. Practical and probably works as advertised, keeping your blend from getting too rubbed out. Like the idea.

Nose aroma: Fruity, sugary, and raisiny. Rumcake-like. Like something baked for Xmas. Luxuriously rich smell, this should go down well with family & friends.

Packs well. Charring light fine. Lights nicely. Outdoors went out a few times in the beginning, not later on. Composition quite dry (the tobacco on review had been unopened on the shelf for about a year).

First puff: Mild, yet there's a lot of tobacco taste in it. Mild, but tasty smoke w/ a lot of air. Like a 6 AM morning haze blended with a light camping smoke. Drier and "fierier" than many MacB's.

Begins with a nice Cavendish note. The nose-feel in the pouch does come through in the smoke. But in a very much lighter version. Still good.

Quite early on, taste turns chocolatey, raisiny. Smokes cool, and a lot drier than most aromatics. That said, I did get my tongue bitten, though. This one gets hot quickly if you don't mind your puffing. Pack tight, I'd say.

Halfway through the vanilla tones disappear and the taste develops and darkens a bit. The Cavendish and topping moves to the background, and back of your throat. A more balanced note.

The base tobacco, though mild, is of the usual high MacB grade, and quite agreeable. The aromatics start stronger (ahem, it is still mild), then mellow out to give a alternatively tobacco or aromatic dominated smoke. Which is why I can see it is quite a seller.

I immediately had the image of smoking this say, camping, hunting, fishing or hiking. Outdoors, early in the morning, after the morning coffee or cocoa, by the campfire or so.

(Tested in a Gr. 2 bowl, and the aroma was nice. Better in a small pipe, perhaps?)

Great for that first smoke of the day... in a way "I've found my real Early Morning Pipe" (pun not entirely unintended).

UPDATE: Newly tried this one again, now in the warmth of summer instead of the breeze of approaching winter. Positively surprised! This one's a "summer blend". I also had let it dry out a bit more (and by drying out, I mean it was just left as it is, in the closed pouch, so some air will seep in anyway). Doing that proved to be a good call. The taste and smoking characteristics have improved quite a bit. Room note (cottage porch, actually) was beautiful and favorably commented on. I believe it has lost plenty of its bite potential, a good thing. Good for the occasional, light smoke, and very agreeable.

UPDATE: Recently experienced the beautiful aroma of this one when someone else was smoking. Superbly agreeable. Nice to get to experience the "wife factor" on a baccy that's in my own rotation, too.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Darth 69 (117)	2005-01-28		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

DITTO HERMIT 78. This is crap! What a waste of tobacco of any quality. I say this in embarrassment for the Mac Baren company. I'am a fan of several of thier blends (Plumcake, Navy Flake, VA #1) but this is a disgrace. The tobacco mix is a base of black broken cavendish cake with some lighter, blond short strands of leaf. It smells sickeningly sweet in the pouch, very candy/confectionary-like and tastes like cotton candy when smoked. Yes its' true like the pouch says this is mild with out a bite, but so what. What I like about Mac Barens' main line blends is that of thier unique nature of being relatively lightly aromatic and not confectionary, despite thier strength. And thier choice of flavorings like honey, real sweateners and the like. Often times such flavorings are applied just to reinforce the natural flavor like in thier rollcakes. This is such a departure from such traditions and what I expect from them in products. In the product description it says that many test smokers have given thier approval for this, however I could only do so with a gun to my head.

- NOT RECOMMENDED

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-01-08		Extremely Mild	Medium	Mild	Tolerable

Well, my search for the perfect aromatic continues... I was given an unopened package of this by a fellow pipe smoker (Hello Randy!) who has decided to only smoke Va/Perique blends. I am desparately trying to find an nice smooth, sweet after-dinner kind of smoke, a dessert smoke, if you will.

This one has an incredibly sweet smell in the container. Almost honey-like. It looks fairly light, with some black tobacco. Mostly ribbon cut. Visually very appealling.

So far, so good.

It was very dry. When I pinched it, nothing stuck together. Perhaps it was too dry.

I smoked the first bowl outside on my walk to work. Initial light gave almost no flavour whatsoever?! That strong scent in the foil package was completely gone in the smoke!

By the halfway mark, little or no change. In fact, by the bottom still nothing had changed, sadly. (sigh)

I decided to smoke the next bowlful inside, hoping that smelling the room note would make some difference. Alas, no such luck. It was as bland inside as out. In fact, it seemed to offer a little tongue-bite too! Maybe I was drawing too hard to find something to sink my teeth in to!?

Will I finish this 50g package? I suppose. Will I enjoy it? Maybe. Will I order more? Probably not.

UPDATE: I tried it again this morning. It seemed a little more flavourful. It seems sitting for a few weeks has helped it out a bit.

One More UPDATE: A little more time has passed, and this tobacco has improved again. Maybe it's just me, but I like this more and more. I'm upgrading from "Might Try Again..." to "I smoke this on occasion"

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (633)	2022-11-02		Mild	Medium	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I just found this to be alright. It is an aromatic to be sure and came across as a little too light to my palate. With a little more burley presence I think I may have enjoyed it more. The topping does stay through to the end of the bowl and covers up most of the tobacco taste.

The topping, to me, comes across as very caramel and maybe a little chocolate. I won't delve too much into the underlying leaf as it is not readily detectable, but judging by the strength, I feel the cavendish dominates. The blend itself is pretty low maintenance. It packs fine, takes a light great and does not really bite unless pushed.

I think this is two stars to me, but many aro smokers do not seek strength and this may fit that smoker just fine, so with that thought I am adding a third star.

Age When Smoked: 7 yrs 1 mth

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipefitter (51)	2022-08-22		Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

I usually steer clear of tobaccos “especially blended for beginners “ because of the absence of tongue bite as I’ve smoked about every MacBaren product and still can’t figure out why their products have gotten such bad press . I’m also wary of aromatics that tend to be over the top with cloying sweetness that I find offensive. With that being said, I can see why a beginner would find this appealing, but as a veteran smoker, this stuff ain’t bad. As mild as it is, there’s still plenty of tobacco flavor to let ya know it does in fact have some quality Virginia and burley and the Cavendish is not too sweet…..I like it more than the Seven Seas series as the flavoring is toned down from that. I may not put this in my regular rotation , but I’m giving it a 3 because of the overall quality and it’s a good bridge blend for beginners that are making the leap from1-Q and are getting a little tired of the same old same old…….Original Choice also has a pleasant room note that my girlfriend can appreciate because As I usually blow the place up with Bold Kentucky or a Perique blend which isn’t always appreciated by the fairer ones among us.

Purchased From: Sergei’s in East Lyme Ct.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mikaszcz (10)	2022-03-27		Very Mild	Strong	Full	Very Pleasant

Un tabac aux saveurs de fruits et de cannelle, très sucré, très onctueux; bourrage, allumage et fumage très faciles; à conseiller aux amateurs de tabacs très aromatisé et aux débutants; la fin d'une pipe est un peu décevante car les saveurs partent pour de laisser en bouche qu'une fumée sucrée.

Pipe Used: bruyère

Age When Smoked: 1 mois

Purchased From: civette du palais royal à Paris

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	dixcreek (184)	2021-10-06		Mild	Mild to Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

Original Choice is a very good all day smoke. Some hay notes in the Virginia, earthy nutty Burley and that excellent MacBaren Cavendish. The topping is a fruity blend of cherry, and berry with a hint of citrus. Some caramel and vanilla seem to be present as well. Packs, lights and burns in a most excellent manner. Little if no moisture in bowl and presents little dottle. Burns to fine light gray ash due to the quality of leaf. A good choice for the novice as well as the old codgers like myself. Will keep in my rotation. Solid 3 for me

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Korsukujan Keisari (4)	2020-10-29		Medium	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

Hmm, I can't describe myself as new smoker rather noob piper. This blend is mild aromatic as described but has nicotine in it, therefore strength medium. I really wouldn´t recommend this as maybe first tobacco blend to begin with because you have to really focus your mind to the flavours added which as described are mild and hardly distinguished, I can get hints of creamy notes, hints of Vanilla maybe but is there some rum or whisky at the background lurking? Taste of this blend is bit airy, cloudy like sensation (therefor, taste mild) which lacks some depth so you start over focusing your mind into toppings and might get disappointed whilst doing so.

Pipe Used: Vauen 4300 Basic Bent Apple

Age When Smoked: Relatively new

Purchased From: Local Kiosk

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rafe Hyatt (5)	2020-01-28		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

This is what old-timers tell me is a "black & tan" blend. It's certainly sweet enough to satisfy any aromatic cravings, but other than being sweet it doesn't really qualify as an aromatic in my book --- this is unadulterated tobacco, or at least I was unable to detect any flavorings.

Like most MacBaren blends, the high quality of the leaf is obvious, and like most MacBaren blends it looks very appealing and smells heavenly in the tin. I loaded up a large Peterson, packed it medium-tight and fired it up.

I am already a big fan of MB's burley/VA/cavendish blends, and this one earns its place among my go-to tins. Admirably juxtaposing the straight strength of my beloved Navy Flake, Original Choice is something like smoking a pipe bowl of sugar --- unquestionably sweet tobacco, but not cloying or goopy. It stays lit well and burns at a nice, medium-slow rate on its own. If, like me, you occasionally like to stoke it up a bit with some deep, heavy draws you will be rewarded with nice, big puffy white smoke clouds and a very pleasantly sweet but real tobacco taste with little or no tongue bite. And the room note gets Mrs.Rafe's seal of approval.

Regular partakers of heavy lats or Balkans might find this blend a trifle on the wimpy side, or might find it a nice change of pace. Burley/VA/cavendish lovers, those who enjoy lighter, aromatic fare or even green newbies will find Original Choice a pleasure to reach for. I know I do. Good stuff!

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	skivis (5)	2019-12-30		Very Mild	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

The label says “original choice” so I was not expecting this tobacco to be a sweet and peachy aroma; don’t get me wrong though, I absolutely love the smell! Sometimes after smoking Virginia or burley for a while, I like to change it up a bit and switch to this one.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	raybrown55 (46)	2018-11-08		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I guess that if this tobacco were sold in an expensive tin marked by McClelland, Samuel Gawith or similar renowned brands, it would achieve much better rankings by some of the reviewers. In my opinion, this is an excellent blend: you can taste the tobacco and at the same time enjoy the discrete fruity topping; easy to load, easy to smoke and no chance of byte. If you aren't among the aro haters or among the snobs who consider an aro smoker not a real (??) pipe smoker, I think you should try this tobacco and you won't be disappointed.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bosančeros (3)	2018-05-08		Extremely Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant

It was recommended to me as a beginners tobacco,well that's what it is. Tin note is full and wonderful as a aromatic blend and one would expect to have a full taste but no its just isn't there. What is there is a mild sweet taste of vanilla,some fruity,honey appearing if puffed very carefully. It wont bite unless overpuffed,yet like with most MacBs I ve tried there is always some chemical reaction with my tongue no matter how slow I puffed. I guess its a good morning smoke for some who enjoy mild sweet tobacco without real tobacco taste. Wont be buying again.

Pipe Used: Savinelli

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: Tobacco shop,Mestre,Venice

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	L'Italiano (233)	2017-05-02		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

It’s not so easy make a review about this blend. I try. Original Choice is a good aromatic mixture, very well balanced. There is flavoring and there is top dressing but it is pleasant and it doesn’t cloy. Of course it is not a natural aromatic but rather a flavored mixture and yet it is always possible to perceive the taste of tobacco. Satisfying, tasty. Sweet but not too much. For aromatic mixtures’ lovers. In my personal system rating (from 1 to 10), my score is 8 and three stars.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lazarus77 (91)	2017-03-17		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

One of the best drug store blends. Easy to lit,no moisture,no tongue bite.Good in taste and room note. All day aromatic. Reccomended to try for everyone.

Pipe Used: Corn cob

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Drug store

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dottie Warden (22)	2017-01-13		Mild	Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

A worthy all day smoke

I bought a tin of this blend with high expectations and I wasn’t let down. Already a fan of Vanilla Cream Loose Cut and Cube Silver, I was looking to add yet another aromatic option to reach for when the mood for something sweet arises.

Upon opening the tin the scent of vanilla backed by natural tobacco aroma greets the nostrils, raising expectations of a satisfying smoke of a quality aromatic. The blend is quite dark, consisting of mainly Black Cavendish, with a small percentage of golden Virginia and deep brown Burley. The cut is rather coarse with short wide ribbons that make it easy to load right into the pipe.

Lighting is fairly easy and burn is consistent and even. Plenty of the natural tobacco flavor comes through the sweetness of the topping, making for an enjoyable and balanced smoke. If pushed it will bite so I recommend a slow smoke, thus some relights may be necessary. Suitable for in and out of doors, the room note is pleasing and lingers enough to get compliments well after the pipe has gone out.

Be forewarned that this is a low nicotine blend, perfect for the sensitive smoker and great for those days you feel like several bowls without getting overwhelmed.

Pipe Used: Chacom Alize 815, Peterson Samba 44

Age When Smoked: 1 year (approximately)

Purchased From: Iwan Ries, Chicago

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Silent Soliloquy (17)	2016-02-10		Very Mild	Strong	Full	Pleasant

A less sweet version of Aromatic choice, otherwise much the same.

As far as intense stock aromatics go, this is top notch even though we're not talking fancy master blend.

Advantages: cool burn, tasty, even burn, sweet, consistent, no common cavendish drawbacks. Disadvantages: close to no nicotine, you can barely feel tobacco if at all, actually this does not feel like smoking a tobacco (even less so with aromatic choice).

Fruity sweet flavour throughout, which one can well taste in smoke, not just in the room or out of the pack. If you smoked hookah, - this is it, just drier and thicker smoke. It can well stand on its own with expensive (snobs would say "high-quality") aromatics.

Pipe Used: neerup briar, sahin briar

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: some guy in Istanbul

Similar Blends: Mac Baren - Aromatic Choice.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	auprèsdemonarbre (3)	2015-11-30		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

It is a good start for a beginner. It's aroma is much more stronger than Captain Black, and it has a unique, sweet smell. It's easy to light, as written below the package, also packaging is a stylish one. Can also be a supplement for tobaccos with bad room notes.

Pipe Used: Bruyère, Corncob, Meerschaum

Age When Smoked: new

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	snupi (3)	2015-06-29		Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Nice to smoke, if properly filled does not extinguish even after longer pause. I can recommend it to beginners. Personally I smoked it for nearly two hours without break and only one match used.

Pipe Used: Stanwell, Savinelli, Peterson, ...

Purchased From: local tobacco shop

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Ross Arlen (5)	2015-04-12		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

As a longtime Virginia smoker, which means my palate hasn't been destroyed by latakia, I happen to lo e this blend as a simple, uncomplicated morning smoker with coffee. This is high quality tobacco. Yes it's easy. Yes it's sweet. But it has real flavor and appeal even for the seasoned smoker. This is the only aromatic that I enjoy, besides Night Owl from Georgetown Tobacco, which is a guilty pleasure. There is no guilt, however , in enjoying a bowl of Original Choice.

Pipe Used: Danish brandies

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: The Briar Shoppe

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Baki Oztepe (11)	2015-02-05		Mild	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Flagship of the 'choice' series. It is a pleasant and mild smoke. It is moderately sweet on the tongue and no bite whatsoever. Seems ideal for social occasions. The aroma is hard to pin down. But fruits come to mind, such as pear and apple. This is my recommendation for novice or beginner smokers.

Pipe Used: Briar

Similar Blends: Tis quite original..

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipenick (28)	2015-01-14		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

My dear wife likes this tobacco.She loves the room note of it.From MB this is actually quite peculiar blend.There's something that a old pipe puffer like me can't really understand.Easy to pack,easy to light and to smoke.Burns cool with no bite.I like many of MB blends because they are sometimes very unforgiving...with this I mean famous bite and etc.My point is that some of MB blends take time to get it right.... to get the full pleasure of the tobacco.So this blend is mild...too mild for my taste.It smokes nice as I said before but there's something that is missing.If you are new to pipes you'll love it.I call it "plastic" tobacco-it has quality but the soul is missing.For the beginners a must choice.

Pipe Used: Meerschaum and cob

Age When Smoked: Straight from pounch

Purchased From: Local tobacconist

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Appalachian Chef (52)	2014-11-23		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

Great quality of tobaccos used in this one. Very mild aromatic with hints of vanilla. The vanilla is an undertone to the tobacco, the way it should be. Not a very strong blend. If your looking for something with a punch, you might want to go elsewhere. Low nicotine level. I'd recommend this to a novice. Very good room note, tin note and flavor. Stays lit and smokes well.

Pipe Used: Falcon Billiard

Age When Smoked: 6 mos

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ifarghaly (13)	2014-04-13		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

This is a nice smoke to start the day. Light, mellow. kinda creamy and definitely sweet. It does tend to burn a little hot, however it doesn't give you a nasty tongue bite. Over all a nice balanced tobacco that I cannot fault.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	atman (7)	2014-03-28		Very Mild	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Mac Baren Original Choice -nice aromatic blend for beginners. Very pleasant flavor of this blend make it sweetable for smoking on the party.

I don't like aromatic, but this one i have sometimes.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	elliath (3)	2014-02-08		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

The first tobacco I put in my pipe, and still in my list of good mixtures. But this mixture suffers from very unstable quality, as other Mac Baren tobaccos do. In one third times I bought it, tobacco was wet and totally tasteless, and nor drying neither wetting could improve it by a bit. Only two or three times it was really great, so I smoked it about five times a day with a cup of coffee and didn't get tired. So if you lucky enough to find this mixture in good condition - it worth to be experienced.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	cigarcohiba (36)	2013-11-01		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

A very nice, smooth smoke. Nice smoking qualities and flavor. Mac Baren score /4 (strength 1, flavor 3, roomnote 4)

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	balkan_boy (49)	2013-10-23		Mild	Medium	Mild	Pleasant

I'm currently smoking this, and have been smoking it for a while, one month ago. It's really mild stuff, and has the Danish plumcake like cavendish aroma. Burns well, doesn't bite like other Mac Barens. When you light it, you get at the beginning that cheap taste many aromatics have, but soon it gets better and you tend to recognize the tobacco. Ok, the flavoring is still there, but in a very discrete, yet steady manner. I'm not a huge fan of aromatics, actually I can't stand most of them, but this stuff is good, and if you are aromatic lover, you are going to enjoy it. Mac Baren somehow achieved to make the flavoring less artificial, and almost hid the cheap chemistry note that goes with that kind of flavoring. And plus, ladies don't mind the room note at all. Nice stuff every now and then for diversity, but still aromatic. I'l give 3 stars because it's the only let's say "bearable" Mac Baren tobacco. For an aromatic, it's a huge success.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2013-07-02		Mild to Medium	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

After one year pipe smoking experience this product is my number one. I know there must be better tobaccos, but ? haven't tasted them yet.

Burning process is wonderful. Easy lighting. It is not like heavy aromatic tobaccos, however it has a good room smell.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2013-06-06		Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

Visited my local tobacco store with the intent of picking up a tin. They had a decent selection of various Mac Baren. I wanted to pick the right one but was not sure which one that would be. So I whipped out my Razr and did some research on tobaccoreviews.com. Among the blends that were available I decided upon Original Choice. It was a good decision indeed! As I open the lid the warm yummy fragrance of some sort of buttery honey rush up to my nose. My palette gravitates more toward English blends but what is exploring about but walking down new paths and finding new lands? This my friends is that new land. Anywayyy, thanks for the suggestions glad I picked this one up. Cheers!

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	keremgulermen (11)	2012-12-19		Very Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I can say the few one to smokable of Mac Baren Choice Serie. If you cant find a nice tobacco, you may smoke all day.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-03-12		Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild	Pleasant

And suddenly my pipe turned into a caramel candy bar...

This is a mild, light, smooth and - yes - sweet blend. However, unlike other sweet aromatics I have tried, this one really comes with a very pleasant flavor.

Easy to pack and light, reasonably dry and low maintenance - but it burns quite hot and fast.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-02-07		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

Very nice tobacco. I have both Original Choice and Vanilla Cream, they are not very different, except for a slight vanilla flavour present in Vanilla Cream.

This burns evenly, I didn't had any bites and room note is wife approved. :)

I am still a pipe beginner, and I would recommend this one to beginners.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	newsandtraffic (17)	2012-01-30		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant

Ordered a tin of Original Choice when I ordered my tin of plumcake back several months ago just to have something else to try. You know, didn't want just one thing in that box. Not disappointed. Enjoy smoking this. Nothing special, but special enough for me to make sure I keep some on hand.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Xeneize (275)	2011-06-15		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Premium Virginias, Burley and Black Cavendish, a smooth, tasty, cool smoke with almost no tongue bite (if smoked slowly) and the perfect moisture right from the pouch. The flavoring reminds me of dried peach, making one of the best aromatics I've every tried.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-06-05		Extremely Mild	Mild	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Pleasant

This was my first pipe smoke, and although it was nice, it is not something I currently smoke, surely not on a daily basis, right now it's in a jar, left for ageing.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bence (34)	2011-04-15		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

Brilliant composition. It's a must for all aromatic lovers. If you smoke this baccy you'll collect a lot of flattering comment on its fragrance. Like a fruit-cak. Minus 1 star 'cause it is extra light :(

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-04-08		Very Mild	Medium	Medium to Full	Strong

12 years of Mac Baren's Original Choice, non stop...

Highly Recommended indeed

Five Stars =

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-02-08		Very Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

My first tobacco, marketed as a beginners blend, and I suppose such it is. Easy enough in maintenance and not overpowering for someone who's not smoked tobacco otherwise, but at the same time it did come off rather bland for the first couple of smokes. However with time I've found it can be rather tasty it its own right, and is definitely a pleasant smoke, especially if smoked relaxedly. To this day though I don't pick up much flavoring as such (my general reaction is "Flavored? Well if you say so...") Happen to find it perfect for morning coffee. Recommended if you want something mild and unobtrusive, for a morning to noon or an all-day smoke perhaps. However you may find it boring if you're used to fuller or more complex tastes.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-09-19		Very Mild	Medium	Full	Pleasant

Just finished one pipe with this stuff. It wasn't "first date", but i smoke it in new meerschaum pipe without filter, so no bites, pleasent sweet taste during all smoke. How i was forget this, may be i will put it back in my rotation.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pipelicidad (26)	2010-08-26		Very Mild	Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

This tobacco is one of the few imported brands that you can find in Mexico City. I like it a lot. The main component of this blend is cavendish made out of virgina tobacco (see “modern cavendish" in mac baren's website). The remaining tobacco parts are normal virginia and some burley.

The casing is also an important ingredient in this blend. In the pouch (lovely, a foil-like bag wrapped in corrugated cardboard, excellent for good tobacco conservation), we found a tropical fruit aroma. When smoked, however, the flavor of the casing mutates into a more elegant taste, which can be described as caramel with a fruity nuance. Even though is quite flavored, there is a very refined and genuine tobacco taste in this smoke. I have found that the intensity of the straight tobacco taste increases when it is smoked in a small bowl pipe, nevertheless is always very sweet.

Both the tobaccos and the casing are of high quality. It is also very easy to smoke, and doesn't produce tongue bite when is properly smoked (much better if packed loosely). The room note is great, and it can be appreciated by almost anyone. If you are looking for an aromatic blend with some authentic tobacco character, this may be your choice.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-08-05		Extremely Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

Very enjoyable smoke. Not fully aromatic, but far from unadulterated (uncased) tobacco. However, this middle ground is one of the most pleasant I've ever experienced. The tobacco, a good mixture of VA and Burley--cavendish style. As for the topping, seemingly a better variety of the many run of the mill type, as the goop factor is not at all present. Absolutely no bite--absolutely, if you don't puff like a locomotive. Enjoy a tin. Packs like a dream and burns similarly, right down to the gray/white ash.

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	ynrozturk (62)	2010-08-02		Very Mild	Medium	Mild	Pleasant

I didn't know what to expect with this blend, but since I didn't have a lot of options at the time I decided to give it a shot.

First few bowls weren't that great. Once it aired out a bit, it improved, and now I quite like it. Well, I won't exactly be scrambling for it once it's finished, but it's nice. Easy to pack, light and smoke. Doesn't bite the tongue, provided that you smoke with a filter pipe.

The room note is very nice - I get vanilla, figs and almonds. Quite low on the nicotine, but that's not such a bad thing when you think about it. Can't be smoking latakia bombs all day now, can we?

For the price, a good quality smoke.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-07-02		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

It says "Original Choice is a new pioneering pipe tobacco which will appeal to "novice" pipe smokers and the younger generation."

I totally agree with that, because the new generation starts smoking cigarettes and then (sometimes) make the transition to pipe (maybe not completely), so this aromatic-cigarette like blend would be very appealing.

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	Planet Scott (66)	2010-06-09		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I've read this is a great beginner tobacco, but I've been smoking for 15 years. I do like this blend. It is just the right amount of sweet, with a nice toasty room note. Tongue bite is an issue. Smoke slow and be patient and you will be rewarded.

Mac Baren tobaccos seem to be a love hate brand. Can't say I love this, but I do enjoy it.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-05-08		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

i dont really like this tobacco. it is sugar sweet and boring. i could somewhat recommend this tobacco for the biginners who didn t smoke cigaretts or anything else before pipe.

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	Pipedawg (16)	2010-01-05		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

I rarely smoke aromatics, but always have at least one kind in rotation. I rarely EVER smoke Mac Baren aromatics, as they all taste of nothing, even though the aroma and note usually is good.

This time around they damn near got it right! Original Choice smells fantastic out the tin or pouch (the pouch invention itself is innovative stuff indeed), and it actually almost taste like it smells. Thats good credit right there, 'cause they seldom do.

Easy to light and smoke, but I do miss a little more nicotine and a little more strength to it overall.

Keywords: Toffee, figs and almonds. This is sweet but actually quite good.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-12-08		Very Mild	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

It is a medium quality tobacco, and would be possible to smoke, but it produces so mutch tar that crams your pipe! Probably not very good for your health also ..

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-10-10		Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild	Very Pleasant

I hae smoked a lot of brands and blends in the last years, but this the one I always return to. It's mild but not shallow. One of my favorites.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-09-03		Mild	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

I smoked this tobacco in a cheap brebbia pipe, no bite. it has good taste and flavor and an incredible room note. it doesn't burn hot and leaves a fine gray ash , and you can smoke to the end of the bowl with no problem. however it has low nicotine and obviously not a choice for everyday smokers.

pros: good taste,good aftertaste,burns cool and dry,low tar,good room note

cons: low nicotine

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-07-25		Very Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant

Not bad, but toooooo weak for me. Good for begginers. Leaves a great aroma in the room though.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-07-24		Mild	Medium	Mild	Pleasant

I really like this blend, and I wish I could choose it as a daily for me, but unfortunately, mac baren tobaccos leave me with a tongue bite... I think it' the chemistry of my mouth. Anyway, I recommend it. It's a very decent tobacco.

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	neuron_md (37)	2009-04-06		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I like this tobacco, it's one of my favorites from Mac Baren. It has a sweet, fruity room note that my wife likes. I find it fragrant, tasty, and smokes slow and cool. It doesn't bite the tongue. It is something you can smoke all day. And the aroma won't offend your non-smoking friends. I'd buy this again and recommend it highly.

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	Dr.sadik (120)	2008-12-20		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

well i have to say it is a quality rounded in flavour tobacco and perfect V/B blend. i cannot see this one in the aromatic realm however the natural taste is nothing to complain about but the room note wont be that adorable. perfect all day smoke burns perfectly to a white fine dry ash,,definitly would consider buying more

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-09-16		Mild	Extremely Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant

Not Good over all! Every bow where just like New for me, cause I really can't remember what it taste like. So that I can't remember nothing after I finish my pouch.

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	Pipe4ever (204)	2008-08-24		Medium	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

very close to Vanilla cream loose cut, with the same sweet and fruity topping but with caramel instate of the vanilla. one of the best mac baren aromatics blend, Delicious!

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	Dov of the Galilee (32)	2008-06-20		Very Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

I like this blend a lot having received my first pouch free as a promo from my subscription of Pipe Magazine in 2000. I don't know if this comes in anything other than pouches but if it does I would be interested in that. I've purchased pouches here in Israel that have gone absolutely bone dry. Because of this tongue-bite is almost unavoidable. Despite all of this I find this one to be a stellar product and a good new generation drug store blend.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-01-20		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

When I first opened the tin,I smelled a light touch of vanilla,I didn't know if I should smoke it or eat it..It smells excellent. The first bowl was well rounded, easy to light, and staid lit threw most of the bowl.With many Mac Baren tobaccos,if your rush a pipe.. your tounge will pay for it.This blend is hard to get a tounge bite from. Well balanced Virgina,light touch of Burley,and a good mix of Cavendish.If you tried the Vanilla and found it too harsh,try this one.This will stay in my rotation..

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-12-02		Very Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I just bought some of this last week, i usually sweet-type tobaccos and this one didn't dissapoint me, it's a really pleasant experience to sit down and enjoy a bowl of this, very good for a change of pace.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-11-28		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

Because I have forgotten one of my "regulars" at home, I bought this one and it was a very pleasant surprise. Very good quality tobacco, with a nice aroma and taste, with a very pleasant room note. It packs well, burns well and it is a good companion for any hour of the day. Well done.

Well, months after my first review, I must say that my first opinion still remains: for me, it is one of the most pleasant tobaccos I have ever experienced

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	SmokeKing David (134)	2007-11-04		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

The two previous reviewers are right on point. This is a quality aromatic. Its taste is unique; toffee/caramel. Yes, it's sweet, but not overly so. A nice change of pace.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-04-08		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

This is what old-timers tell me is a "black & tan" blend. It's certainly sweet enough to satisfy any aromatic cravings, but other than being sweet it doesn't really qualify as an aromatic in my book --- this is unadulterated tobacco, or at least I was unable to detect any flavorings.

Like most MacBaren blends, the high quality of the leaf is obvious, like most MacBaren blends it looks very appealing and smells heavenly in the tin, and like most MacBaren blends it's cut a little too chunky for my preference. After a good whacking in a food processor to get it the texture I like, I loaded up a large Peterson, packed it medium-tight and fired it up.

I am already a big fan of MB's burley/VA/cavendish blends, and this one earns its place among my go-to tins. Admirably juxtaposing the straight strength of my beloved Navy Flake, Original Choice is something like smoking a pipe bowl of sugar --- unquestionably sweet tobacco, but not cloying or goopy. It stays lit well and burns at a nice, medium-slow rate on its own. If, like me, you occasionally like to stoke it up a bit with some deep, heavy draws you will be rewarded with nice, big puffy white smoke clouds and a very pleasantly sweet but real tobacco taste with little or no tongue bite. And the room note gets Mrs.Rafe's seal of approval.

Regular partakers of heavy lats or Balkans might find this blend a trifle on the wimpy side, or might find it a nice change of pace. Burley/VA/cavendish lovers, those who enjoy lighter, aromatic fare or even green newbies will find Original Choice a pleasure to reach for. I know I do. Good stuff!

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	donk93953 (29)	2005-06-15		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

Well...I'll try to think of something nice to say..ok its mild and smells nice and you can smoke it alot and no one gets offended....and uh..and uh...well, its a nice step up from Captain Black..and when I have a sweet tooth craving ( which I do on occasion) I'll reach for it.....

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-01-29		Mild	Medium to Strong	Full	Very Pleasant

At present my preferred blend - after a while of smoking uncased tobaccos I rediscovered my sweet tooth. It's basically like the ad says; nice modern packaging, nice elegant taste. However it will both bite you and produce bitter taste if you smoke it too hot, but then again, what blend won't....

The overall taste is Vanilla/ Hazelnut, but the base tobaccos are clearly discernable in the mix. I guess I could pin it out like this: Sweetness from the VA and the casing, "Nuttiness" from the Burley, and Vanilla from the casing and possibly from the Burley too. Very sweet taste, but well blended in and in no way an unnatural experience.

The tobacco is on the moist side out of the box, accounting for its tendency to smoke hot. For the same reason, lighting it is usually 2 or 3 attempts. On the up side, it packs easily without the need for any rubbing out or such.

All in all, a tobacco not without its quirks, but it's charmed me and it just might charm you too ;-)

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	Spike (296)	2004-08-30		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Tolerable

I really liked this tobacco. I thought it was a bit strong and uninspired. After getting through the 1.5 oz. pack, I have ordered another. Very tasty. Also I didn't taste the flavoring like some of my fellow reviewers. Update: The next pouch I received tasted much more aromatic and a different texture as well. A very tasty light vanilla aromatic in my opinion. A nice smell.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-05-16		Extremely Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild	Pleasant

One word: sweet The packing is absolutely nice!! It packs easy cause it does matter how you pack it, it will light perfectly. This is one of those thingy where everyone will enjoy the the smoke, except for the one who is doing the smoking. It don't taste like tobacco at all. It is like drinking a fruit and vanilla flavored coffee with a bit too much sugar added. But hell, I have it always in my pouch for taking it out to gatherings and parties. This is the perfect social smoke for people around you will think you have exquisite taste...except for seasoned pipe smokers.

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	Emeritus Account (30171)	2001-03-30		Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable

This a typical MacBaren tobacco. Pretty good quality tobacco with a slight aromatic topping. The blend is mostly light with some dark mixed into the blend. It is a little on the dry side, but packs well and lights with ease. The flavour is pretty nice, but is defintiely an aromatic. This would make a nice blend for someone to start out with - good quality but still that fruity smell. Probably not a favourite of the experience smoker. It burns clean for an aromatic and leaves a clean pipe.

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