Tobaccos Mac Baren - Modern Virginia Loose Cut

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3019)	2014-10-14		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

The first thing you notice when you open the tin is the sweet fruity topping and Virginias. The yellow and dark Virginias offer some citrus with a few grassy notes and a little earth, and comprises the majority of the tobacco (70%). The dark cavendish is Virginia based, and adds a citrus note with a touch of honey, and bare hit of spice. There’s a little burley (10%) that is nutty with a slight sweetness. The tobaccos are pressed for thirty days and the flake is very easy to break apart for folding and stuffing in your bowl, or rubbing out as you please. The topping is apricot and a hint of pineapple, and is noticeable in every puff, though it’s not strong enough to overwhelm the inherent properties of the tobaccos. I also get a mild fig taste. The topping slightly diminishes after the half way point, and the tobacco flavor is just a little more obvious from then on. The only difference between the flake and the loose cut is the the loose cut is slightly sweeter after the half way point than the flake. The flake is just a mite fuller in regard to the Virginia. It’s a mild to medium very smooth and rather creamy smoke that burns at a moderate pace with few relights, no harsh or dull spots, no bite and no dottle. The nic-hit is mild. Has a pleasant after taste and room note. An all day smoke.

-JimInks

27 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrumsAndBeer (217)	2014-12-05		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

A very flavorful and somewhat spicy Virginia mixture. The topping operates entirely behind the scenes and in my opinion is perfectly done. The overall effect is reminiscent of quality fruit scented black tea. The tobacco flavor is bright, slightly sweet and focused, with an elegant peach like high note on the finish.

I spent the entire Thanksgiving holiday weekend smoking this and with every pipeful, it delivered a tasty & well balanced flavor. Modern Virginia is well behaved with no bite. It's easy to load and it burns perfectly.

This is a good smoke with a great room note. The sweet tin note may say otherwise but this is not an aromatic. It is however a good, easy going Virginia mixture with a Danish flare.

Recommended.

Pipe Used: Cob

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jacinto Cupboard (209)	2014-11-21		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Review based on a small free sample, so weight that as you see fit.

This is a light aromatic, but an aromatic nonetheless. It is described as apricot and pineapple in the description here on TR, but I would never have identified the flavouring as such and even now when I know what it is supposed to be I find myself wondering about it. Personally it reminds me of candied fruit and is a smell more reminiscent of sweet shops than a fruit stall.

It is not a broken flake. McB calls it a 'Loose Cut'. It's a short cut ribbon.

Anyone hoping by the descriptors 'flake' and 'apricot and pineapple' that this is in anyway like the Grandfather of those terms, Erinmore Flake, will be sadly off track. This smokes nothing like Erinmore, and has none of the depth of that esteemed tobacco. This is a Virginia based light aromatic that despite being bolstered by some Cav and Burley, never reaches deeper than mid range notes.

As would be expected from a Va based aro, this burns without relights, but hot, fast and wet.

For me personally this is a one star tobacco, but for its intended market it is probably worth three stars because it is certainly better than the average entrant in this genre. I'm splitting the difference and giving it 2 stars.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Arkie (129)	2015-03-06		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is one of those mixtures that is liked for what it is lacking. There is no chemical taste, propylene glycol, excessive toppings or casings and if you are in the mood for a blend that isn't loaded with Latakia or perique, this might be just the stuff for you. I can barely detect the fruit topping if I'm trying really hard but it is very subtle. It has a natural tobacco taste that is flavorful and slightly sweet. If you would like something similar to Carter Hall that isn't loaded with PG this mixture might be what you are looking for.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jevverrett (104)	2014-11-05		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I just finished my first half ounce sample I got from smokingpipes for stocking up on dunhill blends. I've been smoking this out of a MM Morgan cob I used some time ago for a tin of moontrance and it seems to be working nicely with it.

The tin note and presentation are both pretty good. Fruity, maybe a dash of vanilla. My gf didn't mind the smell of it in the pouch, so that's a plus. It's nice and fluffy in the pouch I got. I know it come in tins as well but, I haven't bought one as yet. Predominantly golden in color, with some strands of burley and the "modern" macbaren cavendish popping up as black flecks all throughout it. It's moisture content is almost perfect straight away, however I still let it sit for ten minutes first.

On the charring light I got fruity, sweet Virginia and a slight hint of paraffin wax. I know right? Anyway that's what I took away from it. Kind of like a fruity candy.

I figured out after the first bowl it required a slightly firmer hand on the packing. It burns a bit fast if it's packed normally. It doesn't bite unless you push it to that point. Which, is much further than most macbaren blends in my experience. It has a fairly clean taste to it in spite of the topping. They did that part very well. I would maybe call this a light aromatic in the sense it has on a slight topping which does not dominate the flavor at any point that I noticed.

All in all, this is good. It smokes easy, and has lighter flavor that would most likely be nice in the morning with coffee or tea. Also the room note is more pleasant than I had thought it was. I got compliments from the gf. Of course I normally smoke English mixtures these days so, it could be a comparison issue. It's worth trying this one if you like Virginias, or aromatics.

Pipe Used: MM Morgan cob

Age When Smoked: Brand spanking new blend

Purchased From: Smokingpipes sample 1/2 oz pouch

Similar Blends: Peterson Sherlock Holmes a bit.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bonneville (52)	2014-11-01		Medium	Mild	Medium	Very Pleasant

Nice new offering by Mac Baren! This just might be my new go-to when I'm in the mood for something a bit more aromatic than my typical straight VA preference. The Virginias are very mature and definitely are in the driver's seat. The remaining tobaccos compliment them very nicely and the fruity topping is very pleasant.

I wouldn't consider this an aromatic. It's more of a natural tobacco with a slight fruit topping that dissipates to near non existence midway through the bowl. Love it.

Pipe Used: Peterson Meerschaum

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2075)	2017-10-25		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Mac Baren - Modern Virginia Loose Cut.

Tin note's fruity and sharp, and although the paper which surrounds it's heavily stained it's not too wet. It's currently badged as Broken Flake but the cut's a steadfast ribbon.

The toppings are a little heavier than mild, especially the apricots, it tastes like the aromatics are heavier than I found in the flake version. Like the Modern Virginia Flake the Virginias give a lot more flavour than the Burley, I detect only a smidgen of the Burley. The Virginia Cavendish brings a honey-sweetness, curbing the alacrity from the fruity topping. It burns consistently, but I think it goes a little quickly. I get no tongue bite.

Nicotine: mild. Room-note: pleasant.

This isn't bad, but I prefer the flake version. Somewhat recommended:

Two stars.

Pipe Used: Atinok Meerschaum

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Cup O' Joes

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Hybrid12 (26)	2014-10-30		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a pleasant mild Virginia with just a touch of Cavendish, and Burley. Though I tend to prefer something a bit stronger, I really did enjoy this weed. The quality of tobacco is easily noticeable and the slightly sweet taste makes this one easy to get puffing away at. Having said that if you do smoke it hot it will bite but not nearly as bad as some straight Virginia tobacco will. I would recommend giving this a try if your not looking for an overwhelming nicotine buzz, just a relaxing smoke perfectly blended with the right proportions.

Pipe Used: Dr. Grabow Royalton

Age When Smoked: right out of the pouch

Purchased From: Smoking pipes.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2017-03-08		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Gifted by a good friend. Thanks D.

Pretty nice smoke. The Virginias and Cavendish hold a slight lead over the Burley. Nice notes of hay, citrus and nuts. There's a fair amount of sweetness. The topping is light and I can identify the apricot, but the pineapple eludes me. it does seem as though there is something else there, just can't nail it down. Overall it's a very pleasant profile. My only issue is that it can burn a bit warm if you aren't careful. 4 stars for the flavor, minus 1 for the heat.

Mild to medium in body and taste. Mild in flavoring. Burns very well.

Pipe Used: MM Little Devil Cutty, Little Devil Acorn

Age When Smoked: at least a year

Purchased From: gifted

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	incognitopoet (37)	2015-10-15		Medium	Extra Strong	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Tolerable

I got a free sample of this with a tobacco order. The bag smelled like the nail polish remover that my wife uses. Against my better judgment I set aside my loathing for Mac Baren and loaded a small bowl. Imagine burning cardboard that has been soaked in Fruit Punch Kool-aid. There isn't a toothpaste on Earth that can get that taste out of my mouth. The only reason this toxic concoction deserves a review is that it might save someone from having to try it. It really is that bad.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrT999 (317)	2015-01-05		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

From a demo pouch sent out: a decent enough mild VA-based aromatic. Burns a bit on the hot-side for me, and for whatever reason, this never really caught my interest. The dark fruit topping is tasty enough for the first third of a bowl, but disappeared soon thereafter. What was left wasn't bad, but it was a tad boring.

Pipe Used: briars & cobs

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: 4 noggins

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (632)	2016-01-18		Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a pretty good blend. I am not sure whether this is better categorized as an aromatic or as a Virginia blend. As the latter I would probably give this one two stars as it is a little light for my palate and has too many additives that take away from the taste of the Virginias themselves. Make no mistake though, they are still the star ingredient.

The Virginias to me are grassy and citrus sweet. I found the burley element to be light in this one. Exactly the type of Virginias that I prefer. The sweetness is heavily accentuated by both the topping and the Cavendish. I found the burley element very light, but it probably helps round out the edges a bit as this one does smoke pretty smooth considering that it would seem like a firepot from the way I am describing it.

I really look at this one more as an aromatic and a well done one in the European tradition. That being a lightly topped Virginia dominant aromatic. That is the reason I am giving it three stars. It is just an enjoyable light bodied smoke.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	fr_tom (393)	2015-11-30		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

This was unremarkable but pleasant. The fruity pouch note is in the smoking taste as well, but it is mild and does not overpower. It is slightly sweet, and the Virginias give it a slightly grassy note. There is a little citrus in the flavor, and I am not sure if that is from the Virginia or the mild topping. I can believe the fruit topping is apricot, because that was in the description, but I was not struck with any specific fruit flavors.

I have been smoking this in the truck with an assortment of pots and a cob. To my palate it is a nice step up from an OTC and an easy Virginia-forward mildly aromatic smoke. This would be a good and inoffensive "all-day" smoke. The room note is pleasant, and it does not fatigue the palate. For a reason I can't quite put my finger on, it does not punch any of my buttons.

On my scale, this is a 2.5 - no regrets, but I am not likely to buy more.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Perique (163)	2015-09-06		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Pouch note is citrus, honey and pineapple, though subdued and not at all cloying. The tobacco is medium to light brown ribbon. Moisture content is lower than what one might expect, and Modern Virginia is ready to smoke right out of the pouch. 

The charring light delivers exactly what the nose promised: citrus, honey and pineapple, perhaps even a bit of exotic fruit (kiwi? lychee?) with the honey slightly more assertive than the pouch note would suggest. There's some body to this smoke as well, some earthiness in the background: coffee, cocoa, leather. This grounds the blend nicely in the "tastes-like-tobacco" niche and places it firmly in the Nordic, as opposed to American, aromatic category. 

The flavoring agent largely burns off within the first third of the bowl and the smoker is left with a somewhat sharp VaBur smoke with an undercurrent of honey/citrus, some of the aforementioned earthiness, and the slightest hint of burley parchment. This blend can definitely bite if smoked too enthusiastically, but when sipped with a consciously slow cadence, there is plenty of flavor. Modern Virginia smokes nice and dry, though a bit hot and sharp. 

A pleasant enough smoke, but doesn't stand out in a competitive field. Could work as an all-day blend if not for the attention required to avoid bite. This reminds me of Erinmore Mixture without the consistency of flavor. For those who enjoy a citrus/honey/pineapple aromatic grounded with good body, and who are naturally slow sippers, this could be a three-star blend. For me, alas. 

I should add: despite the blend's name, true Virginia smokers will be disappointed. This is likely not your blend. 

Similar Blends: Erinmore - Erinmore Mixture, Skandinavik - Full Aroma.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Darth 69 (117)	2015-04-23		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Tin aroma is very heavy fruity apricot but, being a top flavor doesn't come through that much in the smoke. The flavor is more simple and mild, slight sweetness and fruit, balanced with practically no bite which is nice for a virginia. In relation to the milder taste the top flavor is way overboard and would be better if it was somewhat understated yet more complex. I'm not sure what Mac Baren is trying to do with this one, if it's their attempt at something similar in class to Erinmore or other super fruity blends. But again, it doesn't have the heavy flavor of something like Erinmore that it's tin aroma would suggest which seems incongruous to me. A mostly virginia ribbon with an almost insignificant dose of black cavendish that I can't discern offers much. A rating of 2.5 stars.

p.s. I did not taste any off flavors as some have noted.

Similar Blends: Thomas Radfords Sunday Fantasy, Erinmore.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SmokeDawg (82)	2015-04-10		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Unnoticeable

Modern Virginia Flake has become one of my favorites. I blew through a tin of the flake at recored pace so when I received a sample of the loose cut from Smoking pipes, I was ecstatic as I figured it would be like the flake... same bacca and flavoring, except loose cut for easy packing.. right?

Wrong.

Modern Virginia Loose cut is nothing like it's brother Flake! Flake has more flavor in both topping and tobacco. The Flake version is by far sweeter and has a nice balance of flavoring and tobacco taste! MV Flake burns slower and cooler and has a richer color!

Modern Virginia Loose cut in my opinion is weak in tobacco flavor and aroma. The taste is overall weak. It was like a lighter tasteless hot-burning version of the Flake. Even the color of the tobacco is much lighter than its Flake version.

The loose tobacco burns hot and overall the room note is not there. The loose cut does burn to a super fine ash and cleans easy and that's the best I can say for it. I'm disappointed in the loose cut and would not recommend it at this time.

I highly recommend sticking to the Flake version and rubbing it out if you like a loose cut.

Pipe Used: Peterson XL 305

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr. Motoyoshi (68)	2015-04-07		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

The pouch reminds me of echinacea tea. Later I heard Per Jensen say that it had some peach flavoring in it during an interview.

Tobacco packs easily and lights just the same. The first few puffs are very sweet and creamy, almost reminiscent of creme brûlée. The flavors I got after that were sweet, similar to a stevia sweetness. I am not particularity fond of MacBaren's cavendish and it is definitely present in this tobacco.

This tobacco has a tendency to burn hot but doesn't leave behind too much dottle at the end of a smoke.

I will say I was disappointed when this came out thinking that it was going to be a true VA flake but instead it's just peachy cavendish and burley and VA. Not for me, but may be for you.

Pipe Used: cobs briars and meers

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Solle66 (2)	2015-01-07		Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

Nothing special about this tobacco. Taste like cigarettes. Can not recommend it. However no tongue bite. Lights and keeps easily lit. Burns to white ash.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Darth Vader (110)	2014-11-28		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

Recieved a free sample of this from 4noggins (20 grams/.71 oz). 8 pipefulls later and i am very impressed. I'm not really a big McB's fan but that seems to be changing with all the new releases. Gone are the days of thin weak tobac. Old dark fired is another great release of their's. Modern Virginia shares some similarity with Erimore, however it a different take on the style and a little lighter. Smokes very easily straight from the pack. Low PG and doesnt get gloopy at all. This was free but looking at the tins the price of this is also very reasonable for tinned tobac. I'll definitely be buying some. If Va with a bit of light flavouring is your idea of a good time them definitely try some. A very pleasant experience.

Purchased From: free from 4noggins

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	brashboy (84)	2014-10-24		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Very Pleasant

I just reviewed Mac Baren's MVF, the same blend as this one except MVF is flake and this one is broken flake. It's funny, but newer pipe smokers tend to be intimidated by flake, though it actually is easy to fold and pack. I find the broken flake more difficult to work than flake; I just rub it out good, let it air for 1/2 hour or so -- maybe longer, I'm in Florida -- and gravity-fill the pipe, tapping the pipe to settle the broken flakes to the right pack. I smoke a lot of black cav, so I am used to broken flake.

I like the MVF maybe a little better, but this one is good. Mac Baren is making some great tobaccos; just look what they did with Capstan! I'm rating it 3 b/c it's not a 4, more like 3.1-3.4. Considering it has an apricot/pineapple topping, this is much, much better than it has any right to be.

Love, JB

Age When Smoked: New

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LannarkGent (145)	2016-12-18		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I have smoked this from 2 different tins, one when it first came out and just recently with some age to the tin . I found this to be a nice flavorful Virginia that was quite good with some age on .A silky and satisfying smoke, I plan on enjoying this for some time.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	William H. Hardy (93)	2016-08-29		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I don't have a lot of luck with Mac Baren. In their defense, there are a couple of their blends that are magical, but most of the time they are dry, honey-drenched flame throwers. This is one of the latter.

I do have to admit, the Virginias used are of good quality (if a bit over-dry). However, why do they have to put that honey/fruit/sugar topping on most of their stuff? Virginias burn a little hot any way and if they're dry and drenched with accelerant...

Anyway, I'll give this 2 stars and will possibly revisit it later. I've read that the flake version is better and it may treat me a bit less harshly. It's quality stuff, I just don't understand the fruity, honey topping.

Pipe Used: Kaywoodie Flame Grain Apple

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gladi8tor96 (143)	2015-12-23		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I didn't notice any flavor from the topping. I had a pouch of this tobacco. I found it mild and a slightly sweet virginia blend with a bit of spice. The room note was pleasant enough, but this blend just didn't ring any bells for me. It's well made, but I don't think I'm much of a fan of fruit cased virginias, even if its a light casing.

Pipe Used: Cob & Billard

Age When Smoked: 6 months aged

Purchased From: Pipesandcigars.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CornCob (94)	2015-11-08		Mild	Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Tolerable

I've received several sample pouches of this blend, very well packaged by the manufacturer as far as samples go and that's about the only positive thing I can say. Truly unfortunate when the packaging exceeds the quality of the product it was designed to house. It's so bad that I now decline the free sample when I checkout my online tobacco order. It has notes that remind me of Clan, both in the pouch and the pipe. Take that however you want to....If you like Clan you may like this. In this case the sample saved me money, anguish and disappoint.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	doc'spipe (241)	2015-03-23		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

I received a free sample pouch with a recent order from Smokingpipes.com . MacBaren is really expanding its lineup, moving away from its signature "honey on toast" (which I happen to enjoy) fare. As a rule I'm not a Virginia smoker and never quite enjoyed the grassy taste typical with much of the variety. I favor Burleys and smokey Kentucky. When I do reach for a Virginia it's usually Capstan Blue or Wessex Brown Slice and not too often lately. A very nice loose cut ribbon of medium browns and black. The immediate pouch aroma was that of sweet wine and spices. On deeper inhaling a very lovely aroma of what seemed to be apricots and another fruity essence was apparent. Loading and lightly were a breeze. This stayed lit for the entire bowl , smoked clean and dry, never got hot, nor was there any bite. An expertly produced blend that made me want for more. This is not your typical aromatic as I detected very little of what I smelled from the pouch other than a sweet presence throughout the smoke. This will definitely become a regular for me and as I fancy flakes, will pick up the flake version of this. Another winner from MacBaren. Highly recommended for both Virginia lovers and aromatic fans.

Pipe Used: Sanwell featherweight billiard

Age When Smoked: Fresh from pouch

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pipedrum22 (15)	2015-03-23		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This blend is a very smooth virginia with some wonderful fruit notes. The tin says it's topped with light fruit toppings and I can taste the notes of apricots. There is no bite at all. The flavor is that of the natural sweetness of Virginias mixed with the right amount of spices and some noticeable honey notes. The main difference between this and the flake version is that the loose cut version is a tad less bold in both flavor and nicotine level. I would recommend this blend to anyone who enjoys a light virginia blend.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BigNick (59)	2015-03-08		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I received multiple samples of this. The aroma in (my samples were in bags) were absolutely intoxicating. I find no evidence of pineapple but apricots are definitely present. It is fruity, without smelling like fruit punch. It packs easily, catches flame and keeps it. The fruitiness only adds the already sweet Virginias. The balance is extremely refreshing. It's simplistic, but very tasty. An important feature is that this tabac has very little Macbite, which is welcomed! It does burn hot, and it burns down to a white ash with no dottle. All in all, I highly recommend this tabac.

Pipe Used: MM Washington, legend, Millard dublin

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Gift

Similar Blends: Mac Baren - Virginia No.1, Ashton - Guilty Pleasure-kinda flavoring only.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	natibo (169)	2015-02-14		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This blend took some time to get used to, but after I did it went from 2 stars to 3. It is really really much better during the second half of the bowl. The topping, while very noticeable from the tin, does not come out too much in the smoke. It's a little wet and needs some drying. I also wonder what if it would be better aged for a year or so.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2014-12-11		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

In the pouch, “Modern Virginia Loose Cut” smells like a light aromatic and I believe that many will define it that way. The good news for me with this blend is that it doesn’t offer me the typical bite that so many of the Mac Baren blends inflict on my tongue. I dried it under a desk lamp for about 10 minutes prior to smoking. The sweet topping, which reminds me more of honey than fruit, isn’t as strong in the smoke, but is definitely there. The combination of the three tobaccos is blended perfectly. It burns cleanly with a constant dose of the added topping that isn’t intrusive. I find the flavoring to be in the “mild” category. I think that MVLC can be enjoyed by aromatic smokers and Virginia smokers looking for a change of pace.

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30124)	2014-11-16		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

It's a very nice blend. I thought it would be very sweet like Vanilla Cream; but it's not. The pineapple and apricot aromas are very subtle in the .7 oz sample offered by smokingpipes and they barely translate during the smoking. Mostly a golden coloured leaf, it smokes very well, is uncomplicated and very enjoyable. Hay based VA flavour coexist with the light fruit topping from beginning to end. The humidity level was ideal (minimal). Really, a fine new offering from Mac Baren, once more!

Pipe Used: Various Falcons

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Sample

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lord Guyrox (24)	2021-12-18		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Modern Virginia is an uncomplicated Virginia based loose cut mixture that offers a refreshing pineapple and apricot casing. The rumor was circulating at one time that it had been created to compete with Erinmore Flake (and Mixture) but, frankly, I don't see a lot of comparison possible between them. The tin I opened had 7 years of aging. The Virginias had darkened some and the Cavendish represents a small percentage. The tin note is grassy and is fruity and yes, I can still make out the pineapple and apricot. Being a Loose Cut, no further rubbing out is required on my part. It's very easy to fill up the pipe and the lighting is as easy. Once properly lit, the casing dominates along with the grassy notes of the Virginias and I believe the Burley proportion is small as I can't really make it out except that it certainly does provide some body. The nicotine level is more than mild and less than medium. There are no significant changes even as I pass the mid bowl point. It burns well all the way down and the aftertaste is pleasant. MV could very well be a good All Day Smoke but for the fact that it has been discontinued. Recommended if you can get some.

Pipe Used: Various Dunhills

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	noquarter (23)	2015-07-21		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant

A mild sweet smoke. The fruity undertones are definitely there. It's a simple tobacco that burns pretty well. It's not anan outstanding smoke but it gets the job done. It used to be dirt cheap but not so anymore.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	huffnpuff (53)	2015-01-10		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

I received a free sample and was eager to try the blend. I was in a mood for a Virginia with some topping. Pouch notes are fruity . Lighting was easy but it can burn fast . It stays lit no problems. The first half of the bowl I got hints of fruit then on the second half it gets weak a little bit but it still present . The Virginia tobacco is not like the others from what I read not from the states and is not tangy like American Virginia . I do like the room notes but I would like to try the flakes since I prefer flakes. Modern Virginia is anice blend for anyone who likes aromatic tobacco and could be a stepping stone to more of the straight Virginia and VaPers out in the world.

Pipe Used: 2 churchwardens

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: free sample smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Old Shoe (25)	2020-09-27		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I started smoking this when I could no longer get McClellans #27 Virginia. This tobacco was a tasty Virginia treat, but like a lot of Mac’s products I just get way too much heat! Is this a processing of the Virginia’s......? I’ve smoked Mac’s blends for 30 or more years and the heat thing goes back that far for me. Otherwise a wonderful smoke that really reminds me of the old Erinmore Flake.

Pipe Used: Peterson Baskerville

Age When Smoked: Fresh tin

Purchased From: Smokingpipes

Similar Blends: Erinmore Flake (Murray’s).

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