Tobaccos Mac Baren - HH Bold Kentucky

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3046)	2015-03-20		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Aptly named, HH Bold Kentucky has a lot of strength and boldness, and is indeed, the strongest tobacco in the HH line. The African and American dark fired Kentuckys are a bit dry and sour, very earthy, woody with some nuts, herbs, floralness and spice, dryness, along with a minor amount of molasses and barbecue. Smoked straight, dark fired Kentucky can be harsh and at times, bitter, so the bright Virginias are a necessary addition, succeeding in their purpose by softening many of the rough edges with some minor tart and tangy citrus and grass notes. The grassy, tart and tangy citrusy, tangy ripe dark fruity, earthy, woody Virginias do not dampen the power and hearty richness of the Kentucky, and a little of the expected roughness remains, but it is more palatable to smokers as a result of its inclusion. There are a few small sour notes from the Kentucky. There is no topping, and the vinegar casing is very minimal, and not noticed very often.

The slices are hot pressed and moist in the tin. It may help the burn rate if you dry them a little, but I have found they burned fairly well straight out of the tin, though the tobacco will require some relights. The slices are very easy to break apart, and easily rubbed out if that is your preference. The strength is very potent, and the taste is full. Has a strong nic-hit. Burns slow, clean and fairly cool with no bite, no dottle and very little moisture at the finish, even when it’s not dried out. Requires some relights. The deeply rich, bold taste is very consistent all the way through, and doesn’t turn bitter at the end. Has a long lived after taste and potent room note. Due to the strength of the flavor and nicotine, I recommend smoking it at no more than a moderate pace. Obviously not an all day smoke, but a smoker experienced with strong dark fired Kentucky products - or strong tobaccos in general - won’t mind having more than one bowl a day.

-JimInks

117 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2015-03-30		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Unnoticeable

I smoked a bowl of the Mac Baren HH Bold Burley on a recent 100 mile auto trip (I purchased a 5-pack a couple of weeks ago). I opened a tin and spread out just enough to dry for an hour before loading. It never did dry out. And, even though I smoked with the window cracked while I drove to promote a good air flow, the tobacco was hard to keep lit through the first half of the bowl due to the moisture level. I really enjoyed the overall flavor, but boy, did this stuff smoke fresh. It reminded me quite a bit of a fresh tin of Peterson's Irish Flake that I had purchased and smoked right after it came out. The HH Bold Kentucky was sweeter and stronger than the Pete Irish Flake and didn't have that sort of campfire woodsy taste I get from the Irish Flake. I socked away the other tins and will re-visit them in a few years. I'm going to order a dozen or so more tins to cellar as I really did think this one has potential to be a whale of a good smoke once the fermentation process in the tins does its job.

I'm taking the rest of the Bold Kentucky from the tin I opened to my local pipe club meeting. I can't wait to see how it affects whoever smokes it. Naturally, I will say that it seems to be a mild Burley. (-;

Pipestud

64 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2015-03-25		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Mac Baren should stamp the word "SATISFACTION" on every one of these flakes. It satisfies better than any other blend I've smoked. Great natural tobacco flavor with a hint of sweetness. This might be the substitute I've been looking for to replace my morning cigar. I used to smoke 5 or 6 cigars a day, but that got terribly expensive. That's the reason I picked up the pipe. I've been down to just one per day for a year or so now and this blend might just make that zero. Gonna give it a shot and if it works I'll send a thank you card to Mac Baren and my budget will send a thank you card to me.

Body is medium to full. Flavor is full. Burn is very good. Satisfaction is off the charts.

Pipe Used: MM Country Gentleman, MM Diplomat Apple

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

54 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (633)	2016-01-28		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Of all the nicotine strong tobacco that I have tasted, this is, no doubt, the king. IMO. Make no mistake, this one is a nicotine bomb. Probably the strongest I have ever had, but this, alone, is not what makes it the king in my book. It is a combination of the flavor and its other uses.

Many of the nic bombs also have an overwhelming taste that borders on the completely nasty (1792) or the incredibly ashy (Burley Flake #3 and a host of other C&D burleys). This one is nutty sweet with even a bit of a chocolate type taste and is quite enjoyable to smoke. I have also found it to be not too disagreeable on the relight which is a good thing should you pack a bowl too big too handle.

Funny as it may sound, I typically smoke this one in large bowls. In fact at last year's Chicago Show, I loaded up my group 5 dunhill 5103 with this one a few times. I would smoke on it for a bit and let it go out and return to it later. I got about three smokes off it for each bowl packed. Due to this I would say this blend should be one of the first blends a new piper coming over from cigarettes should put into service. It seems to go against traditional wisdom to start with such a blend, but I strongly disagree with that tradition as it relates to ex cigarette smokers who require a lot of nicotine and are used to having short smokes.

This blend has another benefit, it will kick the crap out of any ghosts that may be in a pipe, so it is good to have around simply for that reason alone. So many good reasons to have this one on hand will make it a staple in my cellar for a long time. Highly recommended to all but the nicotine lightweights.

This one is sure to become a staple in my cellar.

39 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	doc'spipe (242)	2015-03-23		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

I agree wholeheartedly when Mac Baren says this is their strongest tobacco to date. Very similar to the likes of their ODF but with much less of a vinegar smell from the tin and definitely more potent. A slightly sweet tobacco aroma is the tin note for this one and nothing else. I smoked this fresh from the tin and although it did require a few relights, it did not smoke wet. Irish Flake has always been a favorite of mine and that is the benchmark for my comparison. I've noticed since KK no longer blends IrF, that its overall quality for me has dropped a bit. Still a good smoke, but not the same anymore. Enter HHBK. A great natural tasting tobacco and very strong. A full tasting, nicotine laced flake for sure. Needs to be smoked slowly and with thought or the nicotine will leave you with a lump in your chest. Same taste profile from the beginning to the end of the bowl. Can become a bit harsh if pushed. Nothing fancy, just good tobacco as it was meant to be smoked. If you like a good, stout and dark flake, this is the one. For me, it was Kentucky all the way as I could not detect any of the Virginia presence other than for the slight sweetness in the smoke. Kudos to MacBaren.

Pipe Used: Stanwell featherweight poker

Age When Smoked: Fresh from tin

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Irish Flake, MacBaren's ODK, Rattray's Stirling Flake, John Sinclair's Highland Sliced.

37 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2015-06-12		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Rather black thin flakes, neatly arranged in rows and presented as only Mac Baren seems to do. Earthy, deep tin note, and as a huge lover of ODF, I was excited to fire this up. I was not disappointed. I did have to dry it considerably to keep it lit and I found the flavor improved by a small margin when I did. But I didn't dry it to tinder... just short.

This seems to have been made for those who found ODF a bit lacking in boldness and dark flavor. I have no such issue, but if that is indeed what they were going for, they succeeded admirably. This takes ODF and elevates the deep Kentucky flavor without adding any harshness. There is the same mild sweetness that is very far to the rear but that keeps the tobacco from being all brawn and earth. This one leans towards G&H Dark Flake but backs off a little on the flavor in order to keep from becoming overly strong. Indeed, I cannot call this a "strong" tobacco, but perhaps I really mean it's not harsh as a lot of dark VaBurs can be. No real cantankerous qualities here, even when overpuffed, although it can show it's displeasure with higher temps by giving off a little bitterness. Perhaps this is the strong tobacco for those who don't like strong tobaccos but enjoy full flavor. This has that in spades. Mac Baren has definitely expanded their horizons with their HH line. I prefer ODF to this but this has a spot in my cellar as well. Four resounding stars!

28 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	fr_tom (393)	2015-05-08		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

First I have to say this is very good. I have been smoking it rubbed out straight from the tin with no drying time. The flakes are sliced thin, and rubbed out it is almost like a coarse shag.

It is DFK with the rough edges removed by the hot press and some Virginia. It has the DFK spice and the nicotine kick in the butt. It also has an earthy full flavor with a few sweet Virginia notes. Every now and then I get a slight sour. It never got bitter. The flavor was consistent through the bowl. It smoked cool for me.

I initially rated this Medium to Strong in the "Strength" category and have since changed it to Strong. It has the edge there on OJK and ODF there but not by much.

This is highly recommended for experienced pipe smokers who can handle a strong, full-flavored flake. It punches a lot of buttons for me. If you fit this description and you are on the fence, order some now.

26 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr. English (1)	2015-03-24		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I didn't find this as full as Irish Flake but similar in taste, only more refined. Very smooth tasting with some earthiness. Also got some nuttiness and a very slight sweetness. The second half of my bowl was definitely stronger than the first half. I let it go out half way to take care of the hounds and when I came back to it, it was much fuller. However, it was still very smooth. In terms of strength, I would put this between ODF and Peterson's Irish Flake with a nod towards IF.

It definitely needed some dry time, pretty moist in the tin. The flakes are presented in neat rows, three across about and five flakes deep. Smells heavenly out of the tin with a slight, but pleasant musty note to it. Rubs out easily into a very nice shag. Easier than ODF, actually. The wife enjoyed the room note but she also smokes cigars, so the non smoking SO might not like it as much. I will definitely be getting more in the 100g tin and hopefully the one pound bulk if released that way.

Pipe Used: Neptune Dublin, Peterson 606 Blackrock

Age When Smoked: New (Feb 2015)

Purchased From: Pipes & CIgars

Similar Blends: Irish Flake, Kendal Kentucky.

20 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Arizona George (3)	2015-04-21		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable

I was excited to get this, as I am a big fan of MacBaren HH Old Dark Fired. It came in, typically of them, a nice looking compact square tin, and the "fancy" gold foil inner wrap, surrounding a nicely presented, uniform, and quite dark flake. And with a notice on the bottom of the tin warning novices of it's strength. This is true, if you aren't an experienced smoker, or smoke cigars- this would be a little strong for you. However, for most of us it's totally okay, I would rate the nicotine level of a bowl of this as about the same as a medium full cigar, such as a La Gloria Cubana Series R. I rated it very strong, simply because I can't recall smoking many stronger pipe tobaccos. When you open the tin and smell this, it is pretty satisfying, a smell of strong smoky tobacco, a bit of a deep dried fruit smell, and just a hint of vinegar (I assume the casing), but mostly just strong unflavored tobacco goodness. The tobacco in my package was a bit moist, so I rubbed it out to about 3/8 of an inch and let it sit for about a half hour, it smoked just fine. I tried this in a couple of pipes, one a Calabash, I wanted to make sure that I am giving a fair overview, but honestly, it was much the same in all of them. I mentioned before that I am a fan of HH ODF, well I am, it's got a great full tobacco taste- on the other hand I often mix it with some Escudo or other VaPer or Virginia, because although it it very good, it is a bit monochromatic. With Bold Kentucky, this is not a problem. The strength it has, and the sweetness and tangy-ness of the Virginias in it, make it much more interesting and nuanced. It is at once smoky, earthy, and has just a bit of spice, a very full tobacco flavor, and an underlying sweetness (hard to describe- like a touch of the flavor of a dark chocolate brownie, maybe?), and just a touch of a lemony Virginia aftertaste . A bit of bitterness presents itself at the very bottom of the bowl, to which I say, don't knock yourself out over it, just call it done. If smoked at a moderate to slow pace, you will experience no tongue bite at all. I absolutely love this stuff, but I will not smoke it every day, just as I love steak, and will not eat it every day. It is simply too rich to do that (and it has no Latakia either- and doesn't seem amenable to the addition of any- which I would miss, sooner or later). It does definitely give a cigar like nicotine buzz (the ash even looks a bit white like good cigar ash), and it produces a great deal of smoke- although the smell is pretty tolerable-have some dinner before you smoke it. All in all, I like it very much, although I see it as a every once in a while treat, rather than daily smoke. Very rich!

Pipe Used: Pipa Croci, CBP Viking, Calabash

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

Similar Blends: Mac Baren - HH Old Dark Fired.

16 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2080)	2015-05-01		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

Mac Baren - HH Bold Kentucky.

It's hard to find words to describe just how good this is! Even though there isn't any added flavouring the tin note is highly charismatic. It's very full and intriguing and suggestive of the hearty smoke that's about to follow. The flakes probably would benefit from a very short airing but it's not at all imperative to do so. They are a dark brown and fairly slim in width.

Despite the flakes are a touch moist it still ignites with ease. The smoke is such a joy! Yes, it's quite strong in nicotine but it's up to you whether or not you inhale the smoke, personally I don't so the N doesn't bother me! This has a brilliantly full taste. Although it's a fairly simple blend I find it quite a complex taste. All of the tobaccos can be acknowledged without any of them becoming too much. I get a wonderful deep nuttiness coming through accompanied by a delightful grass tone from the Virginia. The smoke is of a decent thickness and it doesn't burn too hot. It's actually quite cool. I get no tongue bite at all. Not even if I strain the guts out of it! It takes it's time in burning. It isn't one of those blends that's gone in a few puffs, it's a proper 'sit and savour' smoke.

I said at the start "it's hard to find words to describe just how good this is" and I hope I've done it justice! Full marks without a doubt.

Pipe Used: Pedder Jeppesen

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: My Smoking Shop

14 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Ducksbreath (125)	2015-03-25		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

These flakes come very moist, dark and somewhat fragile and remind me of the way Condor long cut looks and feels, but of course this has no discernible topping. In strength it is roughly equivalent to Condor, maybe a tad less.

In taste it reminds me most of Gawith Hoggarth Kendal Kentucky. Rich, creamy and full of Dark Fired notes. Although not quite as strong in N as Kendal Kentucky, it certainly delivers a punch yet is still approachable.

Further bowls have given me a slightly different take on this exceptional tobacco. There are tastes of very dark chocolate, and silky dark body, without sweetness. And the experience is akin to smoking a high quality, dark wrapper cigar, the kind that isn't so spicy as chocolatey, although this is something which I no longer do.

The added touch of Virginia and the processing create a refined, contemporary take on an old fashioned tobacco. Deeper and richer than Old Dark Fired, and without any of the roughness which DF in general can have, it will ring all the bells of someone looking for a full bodied smoke. Really a superb blend with good smoking characteristics and lack of harshness. Not for the smoker of Mac Baren Mixture Modern.

As good as Mac Baren is with toppings, it would be interesting if they had a "aromatic" version. I realize this goes against the H&H marketing idea. Anyway, this is a sure fire winner.

Pipe Used: Jorn Larsen, Dunhill

Age When Smoked: new

Similar Blends: Kendal Kentucky.

13 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	J.R. Patton (106)	2016-06-05		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable

Mac Baren is really on to a fantastically good thing with the hot-pressed flakes of the HH line. This, like Old Dark Fired, is in my top 2. Quick logic would show my 2 desert island blends are MB ODF and BK. In fact, if I depleted my entire inventory, as long as I had BK and ODF around I'd probably never need another blend around. Search for the holy grail complete.

This one is similar to ODF in the choice VA and dark-fired burley used...excellent quality is an understatement. The difference is the VA component has been reduced to mere seasoning and replaced with loads of that awesomely stout, heavily smoky dark fired. This is tobacco, my friends. No added sweeteners. Rich, flavorful, brimming with taste and nicotine, with just the faintest natural sweetness brought by the Virginia. This is the full-flavored cigar of the pipe tobacco religion.

As with ODF, I find the flavors are much enhanced by fold n stuff, smoked low and slow. I've never had burn problems, nor tongue bite. Just high octane, smooth and creamy smoking bliss. I smoked ODF when I want a more balanced and smoothed over dark fired blend, and pick BK when I just wanna be kicked in the neck by a three-legged kentucky mule. If you haven't experienced the greatness of MB HH flakes, listen to the reviewers here...get some ASAP.

Purchased From: Pipesandcigars.com, smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: GL Pease Jackknife Plug, Peterson Irish Flake.

12 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DenizBeck (323)	2017-03-03		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

After I enjoyed a generous sample of an Old Dark Fired Clone (Peter Heinrichs Old Dark Kentucky) so much, I was looking forward to smoke this one

I got told this would be the ODF "but more, just everything more" Well, imho they share a few nuances but this is something much earthier, much deeper, and a feel of ethereal-oilyness! Its a bit spicy, a bit "biting" , but not in a bad way.

A earthy stream of fine smoke flatters your palate. Decent smokiness to it. Letting the smoke float in your mouth reveals it deep earthiness and a excellent, tasty and very woodsy taste. A unobtrusive vinegar aroma is present in the back, just as in the tin note, which likely comes from a mild casing, for taste and preservation reasons I guess. You can clearly taste this was dark fired, you can litteraly taste the burned leafs! Also a minor nuttiness to it. Fine, fine Kentucky Blend!

This tobacco I enjoy most, when I "chew the smoke"...it gives me this ethereal-oil feeling, a herbal note and reveals much more of it's litteraly woody taste. Keep my mouth closed, and make (just slight) chewing-like gestures with my mouth, so most of the smoke gets out through the nose and the smoke can float and stream in your mouth and nose. Looks incredible dumb - tastes incredibly good and enhances the experience to sublimity. But this is only for doing at home ! ;-P (or for people who don't give a damn about what others might think - like me) Generally I'd advise to smoke this when having leisure and being at a quiet, not too windy place.

Even tho it's a bit of a hassle to light it and keep it lit, I personally find it to be most pleasant to smoke right out of a fresh tin. Letting it sit in the tin for some month won't dry it out that much, but just takes away a whiff - really not much! - of the taste.

Excellent after a good meal, or with a good drink (I had rooibos-caramel tea to it a few times - awesome contrast!)

This is the 11/10 to me. Not a All-Day-Smoke , but a good bowl 2-3 times the week after dinner I wouldnt wanna miss. (EDIT: well..in kinda became a every-day-smoke...i smoked it almost every evening for quite a while, and still now I smoke it a lot)

Also as I'm writing this review im only 2 1/2 months into pipe smoking so I can tell it's definetly not only for "the experienced smoker" as the label says ;-) Well - I smoked cigarettes before, maybe that plays a role to it idk- but if you like a deep, earthy and rich smoke wiith a lot of woody qualities you should try it no matter how long you smoked the pipe before, because this is freakin awesome!

EDIT: This reviews were about tins produced in 2015. They were 25 cents cheaper, and the tins were a few centimeters bigger than the ones I have produced in 2016. Somehow I find the 2016 tins to be tasting a bit more vinegar-ish. Airing them out properly helps getting them just as earthy, and less vinegar-ish as the 2015 tins i've smoked.

Similar Blends: a more potent, and more earthy version of, , Mac Baren - HH Old Dark Fired.

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bud_Harold (24)	2017-01-07		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Mike Tyson would be proud. MacBaren delivers a straight right followed by a left cross to the kisser with this one. Full powered for sure, yet softened nicely with the Bright Virginias. No sweetness, no flavoring or casings. Just full tobacco flavor in your bowl.

Enjoyable, yet for me, I need a lil more complexity than the Bold KY brings. Some sweetness, nuttiness, something... Because of that I can only give it 3 stars.

Pipe Used: Wally Frank Huntleigh

Age When Smoked: 2 years

Purchased From: Gifted

Similar Blends: Irish Flake, ODF.

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2016-05-16		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Given a couple of the comments surrounding the “freshness” of Bold Kentucky, I choose to age mine for nearly a year prior to smoking. The neat flakes are leathery and smell of a typical dark fired Burley. They do need to be dried some for the best result. The Burley tastes more of the African variety than the American variety to my taste although I believe both are found here. I have smoked this folded and stuffed and partly rubbed out. BK burns slowly and to my taste, smoother than other dark fired blends that I have tried. It is sweeter than SG’s Lakeland Dark and less earthy than GH’s Dark Flake Unscented. I agree with the tin description as I don’t taste any topping. There is likely a bit of vinegar and possibly a little sugar in the casing. Like most Dark Fired Burley’s, it is strong. It is definitely stronger than McB’s Old Dark Fired. What separates this one from the pack for me is how smooth it is, with no bite. It is just smoky, earthy, slightly sweet and very tasty. There isn’t any complexity here at all, but the straightforward flavor is so good, I didn’t miss it. As others have mentioned, it will mainly appeal to experienced pipe smokers, so newbie’s proceed with caution. Mac Baren has taken a flavor that I usually associate with the British and shown that they are a player in this genre for sure!

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrumsAndBeer (217)	2015-07-23		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

No two ways about it, this is a rich, spicy, unbridled tobacco. However, Mac Baren seems to have learned a few new tricks in the process of developing and producing these fabulous HH series flakes. First off, Bold Kentucky is absolutely delicious and amazing. I use the term amazing because despite the rich flavor and the ramped up strength, when smoked slowly Bold Kentucky still manages to be exceedingly mellow and very well balanced. Despite its strength, the flavor is exceptionally focused and has a remarkable amount of restraint.

The tin note is savory and has a slight vinegary edge with a hint of chocolate and reminds me of the smell of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. At first light, the flavor is very even keel with subtle hints of pepper, wood smoke and a sliver of sweetness. Gradually the flavor intensifies, delivering a full, rich and bittersweet earthy burley smoke that is soft rather than edgy.

Bold Kentucky does share some traits with Old Dark Fired, only it's stronger, deeper in favor and definitely not as sweet. Bold Kentucky has plenty of strength but Mac Baren’s hot pressing process has taken some of the teeth out of what would otherwise be a monstrously strong tobacco. What your left with is strong but approachable. The flavor strength is a firm-strong & the nicotine level is certainly higher than Old Dark Fired but it's not as strong as say Gawith Hoggarth's Dark Flake, Dark Birdseye or Sam Gawith's 1792. If anything, when it comes to nicotine, it's in the realm of the current version of Peterson’s Irish Flake. Nevertheless, when smoked in a smaller pipe Bold Kentucky has only ever left me feeling peacefully relaxed.

Once again Mac Baren has done a great job designing a blend that highlights their well-aged Kentucky dark fired leaf. Bold Kentucky is pleasurable smoke and it pairs nicely with a robust American style double or triple IPA.

Pipe Used: Briar

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mesh (51)	2016-02-13		Strong	Mild	Full	Tolerable

Ohhhh sheeeeet :)

What a blend! Another reviewer here made the comparison with Condor Long Cut and I can certainly see resemblances, not just in appearance but also in taste. Unlike the Condor flake, though, this is quite a bit smoother and, of course, lacks the soap dousing.

In my opinion, and based on the blends I've experienced, this is the best tobacco in its genre at the moment. And what a genre that already is! If Peterson's Irish Flake, Condor Long Cut, Gawith and Hogarth's Dark Flake and HH Old Dark Fired are all great tobaccos, for me this one beats them all. And it does so without going overboard with the nicotine - out of those tobaccos I just mentioned, I'd say that the first three all have more nic than HH Bold Kentucky. The right balance between flavour and strength in this blend has been achieved masterfully.

Well done, Mac Baren. Hats off to you.

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PeterD (91)	2015-04-10		Strong	Extremely Mild	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

...Quite a fine flake tobacco...I believe HH Bold Kentucky is as good an example of a stout, well-crafted tobacco, as any I've come across in many years. Earthy, pungent, and full flavored, this is a 4 star flake...perfect moisture level and well above average nicotine level. Definitely worthy of a try...

Pipe Used: gp 3-4 size

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Capt (339)	2016-03-15		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Tin notes of rich tobacco, with a hint of a smell that reminds me of rubbed out pencil erasers, perhaps Dixon Ticonderoga #2. Flakes very moist in the tin, but a few minutes laid out after being rubbed out, of a few seconds in the microwave if you have the patience I do. Initial lighting takes a while, and relights are common. The flavor is rich, leathery and chewy. Pure tobacco goodness. I don't find this as strong as some people do, never had it give me any negative effects, even smoking in large bowls. Does great with DGT. The room note is terrific, not strong and off-putting as you may think it would be. Solid 4 stars, especially because this is the only Mac Baren that doesn't scorch my tongue!

If you are venturing into Dark Fired tobaccos, this is a must. And don't be afraid of what you heard about the strength, you'll be fine.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	moniker (220)	2015-05-02		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable

HH Bold Kentucky appears to be another hit from Mac Baren, given it finds its target market of experienced KY fanatics (mostly grumpy old men, I suspect). This one kicks into gear right away, and – all in all - it is, in fact, a straight-up, bold pipe tobacco. Grampa might have smoked something like this, back in The Day - if Grampa was a bad-ass.

In the tin, BK presents 3 rows of dark, short-ish, narrow flakes. Tin note is “no nonsense”, mostly strong, smoky, spicy KY, rich “regular” Burly, and some fairly aggressive, piquant “bright” VAs. The blended leaf is hot pressed and aged, and it looks, smells and tastes it. Tin moist, it takes a couple of tries to light BK. Dried, it fires up like tinder. Either way, it burns down slowly and evenly, like a good cigar. I generally use 1 flake, which I fold, spindle, and dry just a little, then I stuff it fairly loosely for a satisfying bowl. Once it gets going, there is plenty of smoke. It is thick, “smoky”, spicy, and dry, not at all sweet, and it may well strike some as “harsh”, at least initially. As for tastes, the dominant KY is smoky, earthy and piquant, with a fatty, “smoked meat” quality like a combination of dry salami and beef jerky. The “regular” Burly is strong, tannic, and voluminous rather than soft and round. If it’s nutty, then it’s Brazil nuts. The always-present VAs are Old School, with some punch and some zing to offset what sugar they bring. The flavors are generally well melded and they are consistently deep and strong, with sharp-ish, spicy side notes. Smoked carefully, BK smooths out as it concentrates, as it is smoked down. Strength is strong, tastes are full, and I’d think twice before smoking BK around civilians. Aftertaste is the end of the smoke, dragged out. YMMV, of course, but it’s perhaps best to at least start out slow and easy with this one, and I further recommend using a “Kentucky pipe” or pipes, since BK leaves its ghost in its wake.

After a wobbly start, Bold Kentucky has grown on me, and now I look forward to it. It wants time spent, and when I take my time with it, I find it very relaxing and quite satisfying. I highly recommend it to adventurous lovers of strong KYs and strong OTCs of yesteryear. Not recommended for beginners.

Pipe Used: various briars, all ghosted

Age When Smoked: right out of the tin

Purchased From: 4noggins

Similar Blends: compare/contrast to Solani 660 Siver Flake and GLP's JackKnife Plug and Key Largo..

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	manno (50)	2015-03-29		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

UPDATE: My God this stuff is good!!

Thank you MacB for hitting the note that I seek daily as an avid pipe tobacco lover. Unlike many other wonderful blends that are advertised as true tobaccos "for the lovers of pure tobacco flavor", HHBK has achieved this moniker with a degree of approachability and silk that envelops a rich and incredibly satisfying smoke. If you are familiar with their ODF, imagine that with an extra depth and "wallop". As they claim, a little natural sweetness from the VA to soften the burley, and it's perfectly done. It is indeed pure and manly. A greatly satisfying smoke of which one needn't be wary. It's a very enjoyable trip into the world of what has made pipe smoking an enduring pleasure for many centuries. Fantastic.

Pipe Used: I like smaller pipes for flakes

Age When Smoked: brand new product

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com; pipesandcigars.com

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Greekpipesmoker (201)	2017-12-10		Strong	Very Mild	Full	Strong

After a period of smoking blends that i 've tried before i decided to open a tin of HH BOLD KENTUCKY one night before i go to sleep..once the tin cracks a vinegar combined with barbecue sause smell comes out.a deeper smell gives you some dark smoked fruits note.the flakes have the typical cut and moisture of the HH line.i prefered the rubbing method due to the hot pressing wich makes lighting less difficult.in comparison with other flakes they rub difficult and not perfect.they are dark with little bright parts.the lightingis tricky and several relights are needed.no drying time needed.while smoking the flavours are strong and simple.lots of earthy notes,some smokey notes,few florall notes and dark fruits.some grassy notes are present sometimes.as for the topping it is present in the backround without being tense.generally there is a taste of pure tobacco from the begining till the end.burns cool and slow without tongue bite and harsh spots.my advise is to go slow and let it reveal it's taste and nicotine level wich is almost high.that makes it not an all day smoke but an ideal before sleeping blend.burns to total ash with a little moisture being created and a clear filter.i found similar spots with Peterson's irish flake but this one is smoother with better taste and lower nicotine level.in conclusion this is a decent blend,not an all day smoke and a must for every kentucky lover.

Age When Smoked: Rubbed and packed at once

Similar Blends: I found some similarities with Peterson's irish flake.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	J. Ward (70)	2017-02-01		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

A beefy, rich bowl of pure baccy goodness with a big dose of nic kick, Bold Kentucky lives up to its name. I don't really pick up any sweetness, though. This one'll put some hair on yer chest. Personally, I'd recommend a smaller bowl after a good meal followed by a moderate cadence and you will be rewarded with a deep earthy flavor, spicy and slightly nutty, full and satisfying. As described, for the experienced pipe smoker.

Pipe Used: Big Ben Jockey 102

Age When Smoked: Less than a year

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	atskywalker (5)	2015-06-07		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

The presentation is top notch with its compact elegant tin, its golden flake wrap, and the neatly seated 3 rows of flakes that demand your attention and respect.

This is a very satisfying smoke that will transfix you to your seat with its earthy/nutty Nicotine presence. It is a fair bit stronger than Irish Flake which is very strong in its own right so handle with care and enjoy the dizziness induced by this heavenly flake.

Irish Flake had been my favourite smoke since I started smoking pipe. HH Bold Kentucky seems to be its stronger wiser brother. If Irish Flake is Bruce Lee with all his exuberance, HHBK is an Aikido Master with his quite and grounded calm! Both mean business in their own way.

There is a hint of very subtle sweetness there because of the VAs but it doesn't show itself often. If there's anything missing in the blend (to my taste) is some more sweetness but this is my taste.

After folding a flake into thirds I cube cut it and gravity filled my pipe. It is silky smooth on the tongue without any tongue bite or irritation. Just taste and nicotine that has a commanding presence. Burns very well throughout fresh from the tin with a few relights due to me putting it down (upon relights, the subtle sweetness comes to the foreground.) Very enjoyable and satisfactory.

4 stars all the way. Tobaccos like this are the quintessential definition of satisfaction to me. Certainly buying more to cellar and enjoy on a daily bases especially in the morning with my black coffee.

Age When Smoked: Tin dated Feb 2015

Purchased From: SmokingPipes.com

Similar Blends: Irish Flake.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Scupbucket (10)	2015-04-09		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Holy crap this is good tobacco!! Tin note is a strong burst of straight-up tobacco goodness without all the fruity fireworks. The flavor is as robust as the scent and the nic hit slaps you right across the ol bearded yap without turning your tongue into a dried up chili pepper. I set the flakes out for a 30 minute rest before firing up since they're a bit damp but well worth the wait. A great companion to Old Dark Fired. 4 Stars and a thunderous round of applause for Bold Kentucky!

Pipe Used: Hackert Billiard

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2021-06-06		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant

The pouch aroma is of a smoky, deep dried fruit, pure tobacco with an hint of sweetness and on opening the little plastic tray of tobacco the smell that greeted me was very reminiscent of the now defunct Digger Flake, the smoke too was also very similar, I should add that the long gone Digger flake was my favourite smoke of all time. From the very first light of my pipe the Bold Flake brought a nostalgic tear to ones eye, in that this tobacco as ended my personal search for a digger flake substitute. The smoke is sweet, satisfying, cool and the burley, Virginia mix is a marriage made in tobacco heaven. Nicotine content is strong and not for the faint hearted nor indeed would I recommend smoking this tobacco on an empty stomach, for the potency of this blend is about on par with Irish Slices. I smoked this in a brand new Nording Sailor pipe and the tobacco never bit back or smoked hot, which surprised me given that the pipe was straight out of the box and this was my first encounter with this magical blend. I was rewarded with about an hour of smoking Nirvana on just the one thin slice, which burnt down to a very fine ash with no hint of dampness or trace of dottle. Kicking myself that I only bought the one pack, because from now on this tobacco will be my number one smoke. I cannot recommend Bold Kentucky enough, try some and I can assure you that you too will be suitably entranced.

Pipe Used: Nording Sailor

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Black Swan Shoppe Scarborough

Similar Blends: Digger Flake, Irish Slices..

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	B&D Pipes (9)	2020-05-22		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

HH Bold Kentucky - Part 4 of 6 - MacBaren HH Flake Reviews

In honor of the just released MacBaren HH Rustica Flake (that I have jarred and is currently reintroducing oxygen and smelling wonderful) I will be reviewing the five previous HH Flakes leading up to a final review of that new release. I feel all tobacco requires a “Cool Down” period after you open the tin. A minimum of a month so the prior five HH Flakes will give me enough time to get Rustica ready for my liking. With that said: here is Part 4 of 6 . . . of my MacBaren HH Flake Series Reviews.

I have a friend. I know that may be hard for many of you to believe, but I swear it is true. Someone enjoys my company occasionally besides Dorothy. This friend and I first met at our local tobacconist. He was predominantly a cigar smoker at the time. Dorothy and I were smoking our Missouri Meerschaum Shire Cobbits that day. He informed me that he was a fisherman and a woodworker. He loved to fly fish and he liked to make boxes. I was immediately drawn to him because he has a genuine intellect. The guy is smart. He may not look it, but he has a great head on his shoulders. Loves the state of West Virginia as much I do. Left-handed just like myself. Soft spoken and polite, but also easily able flip that switch and let his inner “trailer trash” out if the situation calls for it. Him and I are like two peas in a pod.

As time progressed my friend took up the pipe. I do not know for sure, but I like to think that Dorothy and I may have made a bit of an impression on him. Regardless of why he started one thing remains obvious and apparent . . . he took to the pipe like a babe on the teat. My friend was born to smoke a pipe! So much so that he used his talents with wood working and made some beautiful pipes. He is a Morta smoker that swears by the bog-wood. He has gifted two Morta pipes to Dorothy and I. Dorothy has a Poker with a white stem and I have a Tomato Author dubbed “The Nauthor”. Both are great smokers!

We visit my friend and his wife from time to time. Those days I regard as some of the happiest times of my life. We eat, smoke, laugh, and simply enjoy each other’s company. We talk about our pasts as well as current events and even future possibilities. During those conversations we are almost always smoking. He seemingly always smokes something with Dark Fired Kentucky in it. If the blend doesn’t have DFK in it, he will pinch a bit in his pipe. Heavy nicotine blends are something that he, Dorothy, as well as myself have always welcomed in our pipes. I have always enjoyed HH Old Dark Fired, but in order to understand my friend a bit better I delved into the stronger Dark Fired blends that offer a bit more of the Vitamin N. That journey eventually led me to HH Bold Kentucky.

When you open a tin of HH Bold Kentucky you are greeted with a bit of vinegar, a bit of sweetness, as well as a mildly savory and earthy smell. Folding and stuffing Bold Kentucky is a must in my book. The char-light can be a bit difficult, but once you char the tobacco . . . it smokes perfectly fine with little issue. When you smoke this blend you immediately get the Dark Fired Kentucky in all its earthy, spicy, tart greatness. You will also be reminded of barbecue every now and then as you smoke. If your cadence is true, then you will even taste the grassy Virginias. Obviously adding sweetness to the blend, they also add a bit of citrus and dried fruit to the observant piper. The Nicotine is GLORIOUS! If you can handle your Vitamin N, this tobacco will never disappoint you. The calming effect is quite lovely. A friendly PSA to those lovers of HH Old Dark Fired that crave more strength . . . look no further than HH Bold Kentucky.

Due to the worldwide pandemic I have not been able to visit my friend for quite some time. We have kept in contact via text, telephone, and even the occasional video conferencing app. I am not sure if he has ever had the pleasure of smoking HH Bold Kentucky himself. If not, that will be remedied the next time I pay him a visit. I honestly think that I am able to understand my friend’s taste a bit better due in large part to this tobacco. As I type this and smoke a final bowl of this blend for quite some time (due to the fact that I smoked quite a bit of it this past week for this review) I realize that it is truly a wonderful blend that is great to smoke alone . . . but will be even better when smoked amongst good friends.

~ Barry

Pipe Used: Multiple

Age When Smoked: Fresh to 5 Years Old

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars, Local B&M, SmokingPipes, TobaccoPipes, TheStoryTellersPipe

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Skando (203)	2017-12-07		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Well. Having smoked quite a number of Toscano cigars over my long smoking life, I consider myself as a Kentucky aficionado. Nice that Mac Baren – a brand getting my appreciation even if in alternate phases… - has put on the market a couple of Kentucky flakes.

Thanks to a friend I’ve put my hands on a couple of 50grms tins. I’m working the first, but it’s a job slower than expected. This is not calling me very often, and I don’t know the reason, since it has all its features in the most perfect order. It’s considerably milder than some Lakeland beasts (say a GH’s Dark Flake) and sweeter than a Peterson’s Irish Flake, due to some Virginia. Smokes cool and steady.

I thinks it depends on the fact that lately my preference goes to Kentuckies (or, in general terms, dark fireds) in ribbon form (say DBE or our italian rustics). Just like I prefer the Virginias in flake form. It’s a matter of personal preference.

In terms of flavour, balance and quality, HHBK is top notch. Out of question.

Pipe Used: Dunhill, Ashton, Castello

Age When Smoked: one year

Purchased From: received as a gift

Similar Blends: mainly Irish Flake.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	fdcl50 (9)	2017-08-20		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

This is a strong flavored blend of dark Kentucky and Virginias hot pressed into uniform flakes roughly 3/4 x 3 inches. Beatifully presented n a square tin wrapped in gold foil. The count is very generous and I was impressed by the sheer volume of tobacco in this tin. The smoke is wonderful creamy and voluminous. It was moist in the tin and so I dried it for a while in the sun whilst I watched my beloved Yankees take another drubbing at the hands of the evil Red Sox. A few glasses of red wine and a few relights later and I am sitting here writing this review with a nice satisfying nic hit after a nice flavorful enjoying smoke. Great stuff! I will have this tin to enjoy for a while as it dries out a bit and mellows. The meer was a precaution that was not necessary and I look forward to enjoying this fine blend in my regular briar rotation. Not for the faint of heart. Needs time to fully enjoy this delicious tobacco.

Pipe Used: Meerschaum lined briar

Age When Smoked: Fresh from tin

Purchased From: Cigars international

Similar Blends: Or lick dark strong Kentucky.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Knightsmoker (218)	2017-08-03		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

The KY is the star of the show. It is earthy, spicy, slightly nutty at times and has a small note of molasses. The bright VA's have a slight citrus note that comes with the normal and expected notes of hay. The casing seems to have a little anise note which is subtle and perhaps a subtle hint of vinegar as well. That said, this is a good straight tobacco but it lacks the complexity of a four star rating. When I think of great VA/KY blends I think of GH's Dark Flake, and Dark Bird's Eye, or Solani's 660 Silver Flake (which has more VA's than this), and all are way more complex than this one. Overall, however, a good tobacco and worth a look if you like VA/KY blends.

Age When Smoked: 2 yrs.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HabaneroHardy (401)	2017-07-14		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Unnoticeable

This is an excellent pipe tobacco. It smells strong out of the tin with rich and dark flakes. To me it smokes milder than it smells. Not good at describing what it tastes like except to say this reminds me of pure tobacco smoked a hundred years ago.

Pipe Used: FRASORTERET FREEHAND (PREBEN HOLM REJECT)

Age When Smoked: 2 years

Similar Blends: Irish Flake.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stefanos (222)	2017-06-21		Strong	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Presentation is impeccable, thin and narrow hot pressed flakes of almost black color cut with precision. Tin note is also good, heady, deep molasses and licorice aromas with a stewed fruit note. Flakes rub out very easily but can also be folded and stuffed. Optimum moisture level to smoke straight away.

The tobacco has a deep juicy molasses/licorice taste combined with first class tobacco. It balances between sweet and bitter tastes and is strong but smooth and very tasteful. It is nuanced and complex, with earthy, bitter chocolatey tones and a mild smokiness. Yes, this is a strong tobacco which might give you an occasional hiccup, but I do not find it overwhelmingly strong. However this means that it cannot suit an all-day use. Room note is quite strong but I find it pleasant.

Similar Blends: J.F. Germain's Rich Dark Flake.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Danno (106)	2017-06-15		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Strong

This is a superb dark flake, in the vein of Sinclair's Highland Sliced, Peterson's Irish Flake, and G&H's Dark Flake.

Typical Mac Baren quality abounds in the packaging and presentation. The rows of razor-edged nearly-black flakes grab the eye, and the nose: I smell vinegar, creosote and wood. The flakes are pliant, and after a gentle rub with a few minutes drying time, are ready to go.

The flavour is strong and uniform, with the plentiful dark-fired making itself known from first light, and never letting up, You needn't be a burley fanatic to appreciate this blend, but it wouldn't hurt. The taste deepens and strengthens throughout the bowl, accompanied by considerable nicotine. There are cigar-like notes present, especially in the retrohale, but the flavour is not that of a cigar, simply a strong burley-forward-with-virginia combo. The smoking experience is rich and the flavour unrelenting.

Room note is old-tymey, and it lingers. For me, this is an evening pleasure, to be enjoyed at the end of the day. It rewards slow stoking, and you can fall into an easy cadence with it. I actually prefer HH Bold Kentucky to the blends listed above, and the fact that it is (thus far) widely available is a nice bonus. Pairs well with cold tea and whiskey. I also advise having something sweet at hand to refresh the palate.

The tin I have been enjoying has about 2 years of age on it. It would be interesting to see how (if) it matures, so I intend to order some and put it aside.

Recommended for lovers of darker fare and the adventurous smoker.

Age When Smoked: 2 years

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BigFatBloke (4)	2017-02-21		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

As somewhat of a novice pipe smoker, I was almost dissuaded from buying this tobacco by the reviews stating 'not for the newbies'. However, I'm nothing if not adventurous, and drawn to strong flavours. Gorgonzola cheese, espresso coffee, rich fruit cake, 80% cocoa chocolate and so forth. When I smoked cigaretes I smoked Marlboro Red, so I'm used to a big hit, and even today I admit that I inhale a little from my pipe, and like a nicotine hit that would knock down a cow. Dunhill nightcap is my constant smoke, my go-to blend, if you will.

So, I took the plunge with this offering, and I'm super glad that I did.

I'd have to say that my initial reaction upon opening the tin was "WOW, what a delicious aroma!" The tobacco is such a deep brown as to be almost black, with just barely a few strands of light Virginia. I have to say that, in contradiction of some reviewers here, I found it to be moist to the point of wetness, and requiring an hour of drying out on a sheet of kitchen towel in a warm, well ventilated room.

Once packed and lit, it smoked very well indeed, requiring so few relights that I'm fairly sure a more experienced pipe-er would go through the whole bowl in one light. Also, the tiny amount of excess moisture is most likely due to me and my packing/smoking style than a feature of the tobacco.

The taste is bold. Strong. Full flavoured. Earthy. Like eating a grilled portobello mushroom. Meaty, even. BUT. Not bitter. Not acidic. And the nicotine hit isn't enough to knock you down or give you head-spin. It's there, but in a manageable dose.

All in all, a very pleasant smoke. I've yet to decide wether or not I'll be buying it again, there are so many good (and bad) tobaccos out there to try. I'm sure this one would benefit from storage for a few months, so I might buy a few and keep them in hand.

So, in summary, if you like 'em strong and dark, not too sweet, and a bit 'off the beaten track' I think you should give this one a try.

Hope that helps.

Incidentally, if you don't drink, and you don't smoke.... you don't live longer. It just SEEMS longer(!)

Pipe Used: Classic (1967) Dunhill straight apple

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Burkitt's of Hove, actually

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	turkoloco (3)	2016-04-25		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is quite a strong tobacco. It gives a very nice Nicotine kick. It comes in very nice even flakes, which are a bit moist but they are very easy to rub out. When you open the tin it greets you with a very nice smell (at least for me) The smell reminds me of Old Horborn rolling tobacco. The smell could be coming from wine or vinegar.

The taste is very full. It makes you feel like you smoke a nice cigar. This is something you need to be careful with though. I smoked two bowl in one evening because I liked the buzz from it. After finishing the bowls it really disturbed my throat. After that I treated it with respect, and reduced the smoking amount and add a filter (which I really don't like) Also if you smoke too fast it can give you very little bite on the tongue.

I like to smoke this before bed, i can get a very nice sleep afterwards.

My favourite strong tobacco at the moment.

Pipe Used: Peterson POY 2009, Peterson Bulldog

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	FP Stew (25)	2016-03-06		Strong	None Detected	Full	Very Pleasant

This is a nice bold and full flavor tobacco that has no bite and is good from start to finish. I would even say that it has a hearty “meaty” quality that is satisfying. Works well in various size bowls and while it seems moist from the tin, it lights well and produces thick clouds of smoke. This one will join my rotation list and I’m planning on cellaring some to see how well it does with a few years of age.

Pipe Used: Several

Age When Smoked: 11 months

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LiterarySmoker (143)	2020-11-14		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I have always wanted to try that old fashioned tobacco, the stuff that puts hair on your chest. I had been smoking through Old Dark Fired which is a reasonably strong blend, and I got the nerve to buy a tin of this. I didn't know much about this blend, so on an empty stomach I packed a full, large bowl of this and proceeded to light it. It was a mistake. I was so dizzy I thought I was going to loose my empty stomach. Learn from me and smoke this after a good meal.

When you get your tin it comes in 1 oz, 3.5 oz, or a 16 lb box. When you open it you will find nicely pressed MacBaren flakes. They are really dark, and show a nice mixture of tobaccos. The tin note is similar to ODF, but there are a lot more dark fruits, BBQ spice, Virginia sweetness. This is really easy to fold and stuff, but it takes a longer time to light than all the other offerings in the HH series. Leave your flakes out for around 20 to 30 minutes and you should be good. A few more than average relights.

As you light and after you will get voluminous clouds of white smoke, this is because there are lots of natural oils in Kentucky. Taste. For a blend that is strong it is really creamy. Ample BBQ and spice from the Kentucky. Dark fruits are in the foreground. There is a molasses note and a slight floral note. I can taste the Virginias they are sweet and bright. Smooth. This is well blended. With age it does get significantly smoother. I've been been cellaring this for a little over six months and I can only imagine the taste after a year or two.

The taste of this blend is full but not in the way you'd expect. It fills your mouth with smooth flavorful smoke. Every puff brings a little nuance. Lady N is here to take you in her arms and keep you in your chair. This is strong tobacco, the strongest I've had the chance to try, but I would say even with its strength it is repeatable for me, so I must be building a tolerance. If you are not used to strong tobacco don't be afraid, I reccomend a meal and a smaller bowl for your first time with this blend. This is a great blend, one which I hope to keep in my cellar, and it is perfect for these cooler autumn months.

Pipe Used: Kaywoodie Birkshire Large Billiard

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: B&M

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Cold Comfort (14)	2020-03-01		Very Strong	Strong	Very Full	Tolerable

This is how I start my day - MacBaren hits it out of the park with this blend.

Dark, rich and sweet. Great smoke from first light to last draw. Fruity, nutty flavours and full creamy smoke. These perfectly cut MB flakes are a slow light, and require a few re-lights. It keeps the full rich flavour right to bottom of bowl.

For the rookies, this has a meaty nic hit, so be prepared. Not an all day smoke, just due to time contraints, a big bowl takes me about 2.5 hrs to get through. Can leave the bowl a bit damp, so dry to taste.

Pipe Used: Peterson / Butz

Age When Smoked: 18 mons

Similar Blends: Stands on its own..

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	nkulk8r (90)	2019-11-24		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Back in 2015, the first 10 or so reviews I read respecting Mac Baren's HH Bold Kentucky made it easy for me to pull the trigger on a 2-pound purchase. A big fan of ardent burley blends such as ODF, Irish Flake, and Stonehaven, the first reviews of HH Bold Kentucky pushed all the right buttons for me.

After 3+years in the cellar, I'm just now getting around to taking BK out for a test drive. It's late November -- my straight Virginia blends have all been retired for the winter -- and with a sharp autumnal chill in the air, I settled on the porch with a generous 2-flake helping of BK stuffed into a preposterously oversized Neerup, accompanied by 4-fingers of Wild Turkey.

Long, dark uniform flakes easily present the most pleasingly pleasant smell of authentically honest pipe tobacco. Still moist and pliant after 3+years of rest, I pulled the flakes apart to dry some before rubbing them out a little more thoroughly.

Upon ignition, BK was everything I imagined it would have been when I purchased it 3-years-ago: a resolutely robust and invincible smoke, BK is full of spice and earthy essence, with the Virginia's playing a perfectly harmonious background role.

During the first 15-minutes of what was a 2-hour affair, I was able to pull off 5 or 6 retrohales; any attempts at doing so after that was just plain silliness. I would say the BK nic-hit is on par with 20mg of Nicorette. I had to drastically down-shift my cadence to a prudentially moderate pace with BK; a more sprightly cadence enhances the risk of an unnecessarily unpleasant and undesirable slap-yo-mama empirical wisdom.

Whenever I encounter a tobacco of such fine quality and caliber as Bold Kentucky, it makes me wonder how this tobacco would have been received by Union or Confederate troops had I wandered into one of their winter encampments with 10-pounds of the stuff. To sit around the campfire in the frigid cold, canteen cups filled with O-be-Joyful and pipes full of this beautifully brawny burley blend -- I would love to see their reactions, their faces, their summations of such a stout and huskily hardy tobacco.

HH Bold Kentucky is a convincingly legitimate, honest to God, old world pipe tobacco blend that is, quite simply, beyond reproach.

Four-and-a-half stars.

Pipe Used: Oversized Neerup freehand

Age When Smoked: 3 years

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lower Alabama Piper (15)	2018-07-08		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Strong

My elocution is not quite as refined as other reviewers since I'm just an old Southern Country Boy. I'm going to give another review on this later in the coming weeks as I smoke more of this tin. Everything I find about this particular tobacco is four stars. As I open the tin and take my first sniff it reminds me of a Beggin Strips for dogs it has that Smoky beef jerky smell that I find very pleasing. I have only smoked 5 bowls of this in my pipe. I'm comparing this to War Horse bar. This particular tobacco when they say is for the experienced pipe smoker there is a lot of Truth to that. Both the War Horse bar in this tobacco are so close and flavor I'm having a hard time at this point distinguishing it. so far the only difference is with this tobacco you have to sip it slowly or it will bite you. The flavor in my opinion is fantastic it is exactly what I'm looking for in a tobacco. The War Horse bar in my opinion does not bite you as quickly as this one will. The flavors are very very close. The more I smoke this I will update a little later. Like I said the only complaint I have is it has to be smoked slowly if you try to smoke it like a freight train you're going to get bit not bad but you're going to get bit. This is a very good tobacco with very good flavor lots of smoke the room notes are pretty good. I don't recommend this for a new pipe smoker. This is an update July 28th 2018. This is a rich smokey tobacco it has lots of flavor the further down the bottom of the bowl I get the nuttier the flavor. It still Burns hot if you sip it too fast. This is a smoke that's mean to enjoyed slowly I will be making another purchase of this.

Pipe Used: Missouri meerschaum Country Gentleman/Legend

Age When Smoked: Jan,2016

Purchased From: Pipesandcigars.com

Similar Blends: War Horse Bar.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pylet2000 (33)	2017-03-23		Very Strong	Very Mild	Very Full	Strong

As a big fan of HH Old Dark Fired, I had to try Bold Kentucky right? They are cousins to be sure, with Bold Kentucky being decidedly stronger.

In the tin, the smell is quite robust. I get more of a vinegar note from BK than I do from ODF. To the point that BK starts to smell a bit like barbecued meat. Not sweet molasses sauce barbecue, more like smoked meat. Perfectly shaped flakes, neatly arranged.

On lighting, you know it's gonna be a powerful smoke. Big, robust flavor. There may be other tobaccos involved, but it screams nothing but dark fired Kentucky. Very little, if any, sweetness. Despite it's strength, I didn't find myself getting bothered by the nicotine level, but it was on the edge of what would start to be too much.

So given it's big bold flavor and almost mono-dimensional character, I find myself liking Old Dark Fired a lot more. This is good, and despite the strength still very enjoyable. But it sets the volume knob just a notch or two higher than my tastes care for, where Old Dark Fired gets it just right.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Phil Theharp (16)	2016-11-07		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Not as strong as I was expecting having read some of the previous reviews. Nice earthy, woodiness to BK. I take flake every once in a while to see if I can find something quite as satisfying as the old St Bruno Flake and this is good, moist, dark and cool. More mossy that Irish Flake, which I do rate, and I did find myself reaching for the tin more regularly than I might have expected, so it did disappear in surprisingly short order. This tobacco is beautifully presented and will sit perfectly with a glass of ruby, winter ale. It will require re-lights and is best smoked slowly and where there is ventilation so that you do not lose family and friends in the haze.

Pipe Used: Peterson Rosslare

Age When Smoked: From the tin

Purchased From: JN Barber, Otley

Similar Blends: Irish Flake, Condor.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bifkinator (10)	2016-08-25		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I bought this tobacco along with a few others of the same line during a sale (with latakia flake and old dark fired). All of the tins have sat in my tin box for over a year and this one has aged in a small sealed jar for about 3 months since I opened it. This is the last of the three to be smoked. It's definitely an interesting tobacco.

From the tin, or jar in my case, I get a lot of vinegar which is pretty tingly on the nose and it makes the other notes hard to pick up. I kind of like the vinegar smell though. After focusing in for a while I get some sweetness, fig, jam, some smoke, subtle molasses, and slight grass from the virginia. I really enjoy the scent of this and just cram my nose into it when I smell it.

Packing it is really nice! They have cut it into a half width flake so all you have to do is stack two, fold, and stuff. It's a little on the moist side but I like my tobaccos moist so that doesn't bother me. I hear of some people attempting to dry it saying it takes a long time or it simply doesn't so be aware of that if you wish to dry it. But an easy flake to pack!

One thing I don't like this tobacco is that it's difficult to light. No matter what I do or how I pack it (plug, rip and stuff, or rubbed) it takes a long time to get it going. You will have to baby it some. Once it's lit though it rolls nicely needing a relight every so often. Puts off a medium amount of smoke which surprises me since it's a bold tobacco. I enjoy the room note although those around me will occasionally not be fans.

For being a not so heavy smoke producer, the body is heavy! It feels very full in the mouth and bites pretty hard when I light it up. Once I get it lit though it smooths out so don't worry. That may just be me though. Flavor wise it's very interesting! For a heavy body it's flavor is somewhat delicate. It's smokey with a muted vinegar taste coming through, but not upfront, with a slight grassiness, soft hazelnut, and sweetness. It's an attention grabber for sure. The nicotine level is pretty high I will say. They don't lie when they say "we don't recommend to begining smokers" on the tin. It never hits me until about 2/3 of the way into the bowl then it hits hard. If you're looking for a good buzz on your smoke, this tobacco is a great choice!

Overall, a nice tobacco but I wouldn't say it's an everyday smoke and, for my taste, not a summer smoke either. This is something I would enjoy a lot more in colder weather and/or at the end of the day to wind down. If you're a beginning pipe smoker I would say wait a bit to try this one because the nicotine level can hit pretty hard. I have a friend who doesn't smoke often and couldn't finish a bowl because the nicotine was making him sick. But to the intermediate or advanced pipe smokers I say give it a try.

Pipe Used: Savinelli Punto Oro Lovat

Age When Smoked: 1+ years

Purchased From: Smoking pipes

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CharatansMake (18)	2016-02-07		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Yes, this is the strongest tobacco in the HH line.

I think you can call this one the "strong brother" of old dark fired...and ODF is not a soft tobacco at all. It has this charateristic earthy taste with a hint of nuts and a little bit of dark chocolate, it is less sweet then ODF and there is a bit more spiciness involved. It has a higher nic content and the last third of the bowl tends to be a bit too much for me. I enjoyed it, but I am not 100% in love with it. I prefer ODF and will try this one again after a certain aging process.

3 stars!

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrT999 (318)	2015-08-29		Medium	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

In the tin, this smelled like a basic commercial bbq sauce, but that doesn't carry over into the bowl at all, so I would agree that there is no 'sauce' in the actual tobacco (ie the tin note comes from the processing, not a topping). However, unlike the consensus, I found this a rather boring, uninspired smoke and not even a strong one in terms of N, although it was 'full'.

Pipe Used: briars

Age When Smoked: 5 months after purchase

Purchased From: smoking pipes

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Darth Vader (110)	2015-07-26		Strong	Mild	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

A good strong smoke not to disimilar to GLP Jacknife plug. This looks a little darker but delivers hearty dose of nicotine with a plesant leathery taste. Not nearly as woodsy or campfire as Old dark fired and for that reason i like it a little more.

Don't be afraid of trying this. Whilst reasonably strong, it is nowhere near Brown Rope in strength and much more smokable. An easy all day smoke and highly recommended. Mac Baren is really putting out great new products these days!

Notes: 21 slices of flake in a 50g tin. These are a bit damp and need drying out a little before smoking ( rub, then 15-20min dry). Excellent after dinner smoke.

Age When Smoked: 3 months

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stan (179)	2015-06-19		Strong	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Tasty from get-go. Cool smoking with lots of body. Smooth, almost creamy for a burley (say compared to most Burley Flakes). Burns steady. Great inner strength. Not overwhelming but not for beginners. Some chocolate undertones. (Better tasting to me than ODF by same blender which is darker tasting to me in a new tin.)

Pipe Used: 1940 St. Claude

Age When Smoked: new tine

Purchased From: smokingpipes

Similar Blends: Irish Flake, Highland flake..

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BingCrosby (162)	2020-02-22		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Although there are a few other English style Kentucky bombs on the market (1792, dark flake, irish flake) this hh bold Kentucky is a very welcome addition.. notably, because of the lack of topping added.. it is a big but remarkably clean smoke.. I'm not saying flavoring is bad.. I sometimes prefer it.. it is just really nice to have this option.. unlike old dark fired this one just has a very small portion of virginia.. I barely notice it in the background.. this is a big meaty earthy smoke.. it reminds me of a cigar I once had (terrible at remembering cigar brands).. woody, spicy, blah, blah, blah.. everything you could ask for in a Kentucky dominated flake.. the hot pressing really helps to tone it down a little.. it is just a relaxing strong smoke.. I love that kind of smoke in the cooler months.. top shelf for me..

Adding a note 5/23/20 Not sure if it is the climate where I live or the tobacco itself.. I only get good results when I dry this over night.. 30 min to an hour doesn't even cut it.. the difference in the smoke is night and day.. only ever experienced this with the gawith flakes.. lots of dry time and it is beautiful!

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CR (30)	2020-02-09		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable

Bold is an understatement. Every puff is full-throttle - thick with the familiar and tangy flavors of “old leather and oil”, but with a nutty undercurrent of grassy granola running beneath it. At times it is almost reminiscent of wine, leaving a pleasant twang upon the tongue. It’s surprisingly sweet, very earthy, extremely delicious. The peppery sensation on the retrohale is quite satisfying. I smoke it all the way down to the heel of my pipe, where it finishes in a clean and powdery ash, tasty to the last.

Its strength took me by surprise. When it it arrived in the mail last week I immediately rubbed out a flake and packed it into a small briar. I expected this tobacco to be strong and so settled into my chair, lit it up. It hits the throat and sinuses like a bonfire, and within minutes I could feel the tingling sensation pass across my face and arms. Ah, but I have had stronger tobaccos. Later that evening I packed another small bowl and sat down to write this review, but I nearly fell asleep in the process.

No real need to mention the tin-note or presentation on this. Smells like barbecue sauce/ ketchup, which does translate into the smoke just like any good Kentucky. Mac Baren has exceeded all my expectations on this, I must try Old Dark Fired next.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	AC (19)	2020-01-28		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a great Burley: one that belongs in the repertoire of any Burley lover, like yours truly. I think it has a similar profile to my favorite C&D Burley Flake #1. It burns steady, right from start. No tongue bite. The various flavors that compose this tobacco - chocolate, cream, nuts, coffee - appear in unison at first. As you smoke through the bowl, each nuance of this savory Burley acquires a more distinct expression. In other words, it becomes "bolder" as you smoke. Not so much in terms of strength, but in the "richness" of taste. There is also an undertone of sweetness that is quite pleasant. Producing a good amount of smoke, yet with a pretty acceptable room note, this is a real winner for the Burley lover.

P.S. Try it with a smaller bowl.

Pipe Used: Marxman Melo Prince

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: www.smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: C&D Burley Flake #1.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DeathMetal.org (231)	2019-04-19		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Summary: tames dark fired flavor without losing intensity

For those who want an American version of the famous UK plugs and flakes, "HH Bold Kentucky" offers a mixture of dark fired Burley and flue cured Virginias that carefully melds the flavors, ending up with a tangy vinegar molasses flavor. This makes sense, given that in the tin, these little flakes smell like mouthwatering barbecue. Longer and thinner than most flakes, they fold or roll easily with the right amount of natural flaking providing kindling, and then burn evenly. On first taste, the spicy smokey flavor of a large amount of dark fired leaf hits, but then the Virginias surge in with their flavor of fermented wheat and new corn, submerging that tangy flavor in a pleasant syrup which then turns to a molasses flavor as the flake caramelizes. The minimal casing and lack of topping allows the natural flavor to stand out and take on these overtones without flavor fatigue, and so this would make a perfect all-day smoke.

Similar Blends: Peterson - Irish Flake, Samuel Gawith - Lakeland Dark.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JoeP (1)	2018-06-11		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Where to begin as this is my first online review although I’ve been smoking for decades. It’s a warm Sunday evening as I await dinner. I trek into my tobacco room where I stare in glee looking over my selection awaiting something to jump out at me and say, pick me, pick me. And there it is, Mac Baren’s HH Bold Kentucky. And so, I pick up the jar, remove 4 slices and lay them out to dry for 45 minutes while I eat a hearty Italian dinner; after all it is Sunday.

The time has arrived as I fold and load 2 slices into my Sevket Meerschaum pipe. Followed by rubbing out the other 2 slices. I walk outside with my Yeti filled with ice and a small amount of apple juice. The ritual now begins. I tamp down the top and then char it for a few moments. I then tamp it down again and wait where I once again char it and tamp it down. Now, I wait about a minute and being the lighting process for a successful burn. Ahhhhhh, the smoke is voluminous and flavorful which reminds me of a wonderful barbeque.

I slow down my smoking and it was a wonderful 15 minutes. I let the pipe rest a minute or two and then relight it for serious business. The second session lasts 45 minutes where I get wonderful smokey flavor with some notes of hay, citrus and a hint of sweetness.

The second session has now concluded. I let the pipe rest for about 10-15 minutes where I scrape out the burned ashes and tamp it down. Time for a relight. The last session lasted about 30 minutes and was very strong and flavorful. This is not for beginners. If you’re a cigar smoker as I once was this will certainly remind you of the pleasure derived from a fine cigar; namely Opus X including the nic hit. All my sessions, the burn was even, smooth and full flavored.

Overall, this is a strong but yet flavorful tobacco which will surely delight the veteran connoisseur. My Sevket has a 2.75” bowl depth and about a .85 diameter so unless you’re used to this amount of tobacco, I suggest a much smaller bowl especially if you’re a neophyte. Good luck and enjoy life.

Pipe Used: Sevket Meerschaum

Age When Smoked: aged about a year

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	MikeHaggarKJ (22)	2018-05-24		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

This blend succeeds in what I presume is it's goal: FULL in strength, truly powerful in an almost humbling manner, without being harsh in the way that cigarettes or dried out cigars are. It's an experience in itself. Old Dark Fired, Peterson Irish Flake, Samuel Gawith Brown #4 and a few others can deliver the same experience. I recommend it to every pipester, but only after years off experience, and preferably slayed a few dragons, although that wouldn't be entirely sufficent preparation. No dragon is as strong as Mac Barens Bold Kentucky (or ODF or Irish Flake or Brown #4)

Compared to them, Peterson's Irish Flake and ODF in particular, this blend really makes you miss the burley in them and its delicious earthiness. The burley in Irish Flake/ODF adds depth and complexity that this blend, IMO, lacks. The DFK completely dominates everything and is only slightly counterbalanced by the VA sweetness, which I actually also find a bit overbearing and... too much. It is just a tad too sweet for my personal palate. For me, Irish Flake and Old Dark Fired (ODF in particular) are superior, they are virtually as strong but with better taste. BUT! If you're a DFK fan who enjoys VA sweetness more than me, or perhaps just dont enjoy burley like I do, this may be a match made in heaven for you.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Philo Beddoe (221)	2018-05-23		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

This blend reminds me of the rich, full tobacco flavor you can usually only get from a cigar. It doesn’t taste like a cigar, rather I get the same tobacco experience that I get from cigars. I didn’t find the strength as overwhelming as the tin would suggest, it’s strong to be sure, but not tremendously so, very smokable in a group 3 or 4 pipe, though I would hesitate to go any larger. Very highly recommended to experienced smokers who enjoy deep, earthy Dark Fired Kentucky tobacco.

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Local B&M

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Christrom (34)	2017-06-19		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable

Oily, wet soil flavour and about as close as you would get to a cigar taste. Lovely spice and white pepper notes. Cool smoking, but for me, difficult to keep lit. Incredibly strong, so best for a rare treat!

Similar Blends: Revor plug.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	buroak (16)	2017-04-04		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

The Dark Fired is, as one would expect, the dominant player in this blend. It is earth, savory, and somewhat spicy. The Virginia is mostly here to chaperone the Dark Fired, but I pick up from it some grassiness/hay and a very subdued sweetness.

The strength in terms of nicotine content is closer to medium than strong, but very near a midpoint between the two. The taste is full but not as strong as Samuel Gawith's Lakeland Dark or Gawith Hoggarth's potent dark leaf offerings. Notably, Bold Kentucky is as moist or moister than Lakeland Dark or the Gawith Hoggarth dark leaf tobaccos I have smoked. Consequently, it requires dry time or many relights.

I enjoy Bold Kentucky when I want a full bodied, earthy smoke that is not as potent, taste or nicotine-wise, as the aforementioned Gawith blends. That said, for me Bold Kentucky is not as good as the Gawith blends. I certainly find myself hankering after Lakeland Dark far more often than I will want Bold Kentucky. Lakeland Dark is more potent in all respects, with a deeper and more complex flavor experience.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wibblefishofdoom (139)	2016-02-23		Very Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Unnoticeable

I bought this from my local b&m as it is one of the HH tobaccos that I have yet to try. As a it of a fan of Kentucky I was quite looking forward to this and other HH offerings I have tried have yet to disappoint. So let's take a peek into the tin.

The tin design is one of those rare gems that catches my attention, this doesn't normally draw my attention with most tobaccos but, on this occasion, I found the red letting on the brown background quite striking. It's just a shame there's that massive health warning sticker that Her Majesty's Government insists upon staring out at me from underneath. The aroma from the tin is absolutely incredible, it has something of smokey bacon and barbecue sauce to it, it is a meatier reminder of GLP's JackKnife Plug. The dark brown colour of the flakes is a reminder of JackKnife too. It's there the similarity ends. Where JK is mild and has wafts of figs with a hint of lemon, this is full flavoured, it is one of quality well cooked meat with perhaps some hint of fried onions. It has earth tones too, providing a rich, full bodied flavour that cannot help but satisfy. The small thin flakes (very well cut in my estimation) make it very easy to pack, especially into a small pipe. It takes a while to smoke too, even on the one flake, making sure you're getting your money's worth from the tin. This is probably just as well as it is rather a strong smoke, not that that seems to bother me much these days but some newbies might want to take note. The only thing that takes the shine off an otherwise very well polished tobacco is that it does take a few lights to get going, but once lit it stays that way to the bottom of the bowl.

This has turned out to be all I expect from a Kentucky and a whole lot more and will be my go-to tobacco whenever I am hungry for this kind of blend. The only way I can see this tobacco improving is with aging and, perhaps, coming in the form of a plug. Now that is a tin of the good stuff that I would pay good money to get my hands on.

Pipe Used: Piloto Rustic Billiard

Age When Smoked: Fresh from the tin

Purchased From: Cuban Cigar Club

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2016-01-29		Very Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Great blend if one likes stronger mixes. It isn't the least bit harsh nor does it have a tendency to bite. It has a true Kentucky/Burley flavor and the tin I opened was fairly old based on the rust that had accumulated around the lip and seal of the tin. The tin note was an earthy sweet & sour aroma. The flakes were quite dark & very moist with a minimal amount of yellow Virginia. I rubbed out a flake and let sit for about twenty minutes.

Thought I'd try this out for a change of pace because I prefer stronger blends & Burley usually delivers a quick, strong vitamin N blast & this stuff works. It is a strong tobacco that smokes mildly. It expands quite a bit after the charring light & provided an excellent burn rate and keeping it lit was not a problem. I didn't notice the Virginia that much but it's probably what tamed the slight bitterness of the Burley which soon subsided.

It's been a while since I've smoked Irish Flake & this reminded me of that a little. The mild topping is barely noticeable and the flavor was mostly Burley with a slight sweetness coming from the Virginia infusion. After smoking a tin of this mix, I decided these types of blends along with a few, select VA/Pers will be my dominant mainstays... liked the true tobacco flavors and the Vitamin N blast... Super!

I preferred this over Irish Flake but like them both. I didn't notice a cigar aroma from HH Bold Kentucky like I did with Irish Flake back in 2010 but I don't notice any cigar essence in Irish Flake that is blended these days... tis now October, Anno Domini 2018. Could be my olfactory glands require a little maintenance or maybe new parts installed. I feel confident that Burley enthusiasts will like this really well. Gets stronger toward the end but Burns cool & dry down to a light gray ash. Great blend.

Pipe Used: Dr. Weller's Size Two

Age When Smoked: Two Years

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Similar Blends: HH Old Dark Fired.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Corvus (36)	2015-12-11		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Really high quality. To start, the Mac Baren tins are hard to beat aesthetically, fully painted, subtle and stately. The gold foil peels back to reveal three impeccably cut flake stacks, the definition of uniformity. Dark and moist, with a texture like a fruit leather. While somewhat moist it will take the match pretty easily. My tin has been open for some time and while it has dried slightly it has not lost that slight tack.

The taste is the classic smoky Kentucky, leathery, maybe some subtle pepper. It has several of the qualities that I've found in good burleys but have not seen described elsewhere. There is a root vegetable quality to the taste and aroma on the light, and even that spicy feel on the membranes that to me is very reminiscent of parsnips of all things or even a mild radish, perhaps slightly sulfurous. This fades quickly and settles to a strong biscuit taste, baked but not toasted, and maybe some subtle but deep leather. Along with this there is the definite burley nuttiness that most tastes like Brazil nuts or cashews and macadamias. This is accompanied by an oily viscous smoke. I seek this out and hit it on some other blends but cannot sustain it like I can with this. There is a sort of background sweetness, but a savory sweetness that is deeper than a simple sugar and this may be the Virginias. Once in a while there will be a tang verging on sourness, but this is fleeting. There are some quick passing bitter notes that increase in frequency towards the bottom. It's strong, but I don't rate it an ass kicker. Overall, it's not overly complex where you're left wondering what a taste is and where it went and very full tasting yet there are harmonious and low key notes throughout. A masterpiece.

Age When Smoked: Fresh

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Big Alp (2)	2015-05-14		Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Very good tobacco. Smoky and sweet But not to sweet. It's very strong and high with vitamin N. This will definitely be in my rotation. I'm going to order some more tins and look let them age.

Pipe Used: Stanwell Deluxe, MM Cobb

Age When Smoked: New Tin

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Similar Blends: Old Dark Fired.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pip'n'Piper (54)	2022-06-19		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

There has been a LOT of reviews in recently on this fine website. A lot of reviews that come in minutes apart, filled with sementic and syntactical errors and little insight. A field of laziness representative of this wave of internet warped minds that suppose their opinion is as important to others as it is to themselves. Allow me to jump on the band wagon. Bold Kentucky, the finest state in the continental USA! Home of the ONE and ONLY, the incomparable Muhammad Ali. The most beautiful state this canuck has had the priveledge to venture to, Vermont and Mississippi are a close second. This tobacco is similiar to Old Dark Fired, but... bolder (pause for gasps). There's lots of dark fruit notes, plums and figs. Theres the woody, smokey barbeque flavours found in ODF, and a little bit of the vinegar. Definite dark chocolate notes. It must be dried out, no ifs ands or butswannas. It can lose flavour if puffed too fast. To the surprise of nobody, it has alot of nicotine, so eat a hearty meal while it's drying. It burns slow. A dear friend tells me the room note is quite chocolatey. I don't like it as much as ODF, but it is good. If you like some oompf and strong flavour in your toby, look no further. Great with a peaty scotch. 3 stars. Cheers to the fine state of Kentucky.

Similar Blends: Old Dark Fired, but bolder;).

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pipesnuffscience (10)	2022-02-09		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant

Definitely one of the best Va+Bur on the market. It has all the characteristics of an excellent stoved tobacco, added to a very high level Kentucky that makes up the flake. A light smoky from the beginning to end. Optimal burning and use of tobacco. Excellent humidity. Beautiful flake, well built and that can be enjoyed in many ways (particularly, I like to deconstruct the flake to fill the bowl). Notes of dried fruit/nuts, caramel (very discreet), and floral incense. Sometimes, a vinegar appears, that I suspect is from the casing. Strength: for beginners, it may be "strong", but for burley lovers it is medium-weak. Recommended for everyone.

- Germano @pipesnuffscience

Pipe Used: Several Pipes

Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com

Similar Blends: A unique blend. No comparisons..

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	nach0 (35)	2021-10-06		Very Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Extra Strong

Tingling in the nose, brain and soul. I cannot start any different from this. Really strong as it has a considerable amout of nicotine. Need a bit of dry out before packing your bowl. Sometimes hard to keep lit. A medium bowl gave me almost 2hours of good smoke, after managing keep it lit, burns well till the end. The flavor is not that complex once that delivers you the same flavor from the very beggining till the end. 3 and half stars.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	troyniss (38)	2020-11-03		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Presentation: Typical slim, uniform and neat flakes arranged in three rows. Gold wrapper and nice vacuum seal. Dark brown, almost black flakes. Some plume was present on my flakes even only being a year old. Come a bit moist. Break apart easily. I recommend a dry time of about 10 minutes.

Palette: Very strong and molasses like smell. A touch of vinegar on the nose but nothing too much. A really strong stout earthy blend. Light up offers a very monochromatic smoke. Don't expect a complex blend by any means. This leaf contains a majority of Dark Fired Kentucky and a touch of Virginia to lighten the load. A singular flavor throughout with touches of floral essence and vinegar, a little sweetness. Mostly dark and rich BBQ flavor, but charred meat with a heavy coating on the mouth. A touch of wood and brown sugar here and there. Heavy on the nicotine. Even after a full meal I felt a bit queasy, but I am a fast puffer and have to remind myself to smoke this one slowly next time. Not an all day blend.

Performance: Smokes a a very cool temperature and at a pretty slow pace too. Leaves some moisture in the bowl. I smoked mine in a narrow bowl and one flake lasted me about 45 minutes, even with dumping the last 1/3. Doesn't change flavor that much so I think a wide bowl would be fine too, but a narrow bowl really concentrated the flavors a bit more.

Conclusion: A strong, stout blend for late in the day after eating. Be sure to have a sugary drink if you want to maintain a level head. A classic blend from MacBaren. I prefer Old Dark Fired to this, as ODF has more vinegar essence and sweetness, kind of like a tangy BBQ sauce. Still, you should try this blend at least once. I have a tin from last year that I'm working on and have just hit the 1/2'way mark on it.

Pipe Used: Moretti Morta Devil Anse

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Purchased From: SP

Similar Blends: ODF.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gr8tefuldawg (87)	2019-12-14		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

HH Bold Kentucky

I tried this blend a few months ago at the pipe club, and did this stuff kick like a mule, to my defense I had smoked a few other Kentucky based blends and against my better judgement and young bravado I gave this a shot. It didn’t kill me, much to my wife’s disdain as we have a good life insurance policy.

Alas, here I am a few months wiser or however that saying goes and I’ve come to conquer the bold Kentucky, let me tell ya, it still packs a punch but damn is it a good one, this blend hits the no non sense tobacco.

Straight forward flavor, Kentucky and Virginia play together like two old best friends, no casing or topping just pure unadulterated yumm. Most of what’s said has been said, it tastes great, let it dry out, aging will hopefully make this blend taste better.

Seriously let this dry, i recommend rubbing this out vs folding and stuffing as I’ve had a hard time keeping this lit even with an hour drying time. I prefer a cob or smaller bowl briar to smoke this in.

Last tip buy the 3.5 oz tin it’s usually the better deal vs the 1.75, I paid 4 dollars more on tobaccopipes for 1.75 more. The presentation inside the tin looks as if I found wonkas golden ticket.

Smoke it on a full stomach, sip and enjoy with a cup of coffee.

Pipe Used: Mm cob

Age When Smoked: 3 months

Purchased From: Tobaccopipes.com

Similar Blends: C&D five o clock shadow.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	shakenbake (11)	2019-12-14		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Strong, and flavourful.

I would compare it to Peterson's Irish Flake, Gawith's Bracken Flake (no longer available) that had Coumarin in it. Although a veritable powerhouse, it is more smoke-able than either of these other flakes. I must also say that it smokes better than Gawith's Lakeland Dark that I have also open at the moment.

There is definitely a sweet tone to it, presumably due to the Virginia content. The smokiness of the Kentucky is definitely there. Mac Baren has, however, refined and domesticated the beast.

Perhaps, this flake should be savoured and sipped in a smaller bowl, in my humble opinion. I have tried it in medium-sized and smaller-sized bowl pipes, an I find it to be very well behaved in the smaller bowls. Also, a day's conditioning after crumbling or folding before smoking may mellow it out a bit more.

Pipe Used: Many pipes

Age When Smoked: Tin labelled Jan 2016

Purchased From: Casablanca, Toronto, Canada

Similar Blends: Peterson's Irish Flake, Samuel Gawith's Bracken Flake, Samuel Gawith's Lakeland Dark Blended Kentucky Leaf.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Cherry picker 1779 (52)	2019-10-22		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

A very strong, very full, very satisfying straight tobacco blend. The flakes come quite moist in the tin, but they seem to burn fairly well straight out of it. This is my absolute hands down favorite tobacco. To me it’s neck and neck with Irish flake. I had one tin of each at one point, and I couldn’t pick up much difference really. BK seemed to be the better one, being a tad more refined I’d say. But that can be arguable I suppose. The Kentucky flavor is just perfect and in your face here, but in the perfect way. I can handle very very high nicotine and I usually have to take a break mid pipe and come back to finish my bowl. I don’t want to put the pipe down, but I just am so satisfied nicotine wise, that I usually need. A 10 or 20 minute break to “ rest my eyes” .....I experience zero tongue bite from this blend. You can easily get two to three smokes out of one full pipe load. The flake chars nice and slow , but you can really get big billows of thick rich smoke if you wanna freight train it. If ya do that , it will knock ya off the tracks most likely. What a fine job Mac Barren has done here. I’ve been smoking this for just over a year and I now know that I don’t want to play with any other ordering or tobacco purchasing to chase down that perfect blend. I’ve got her, here with me, on the couch on this late October night. The pipe never seems to end and a medium or larger bowl can easily produce 60 minutes of smokin. Personally I take one full flake, roll it in my palms just a bit, and stuff with some bigger strands in tact. Even pushing it down tight into the bowl, the draw always seems like it should be restricted more, but with BK it doesn’t ever seem to be. Although I do smoke this all day, the very best time to enjoy this blend is later at night before surrendering to bed. But I also really enjoy this one while drifting streams with my centerpin float rig for fall and winter steelhead fishing in the Lake Erie tributaries. And I have been blessed to enjoy some of this Bold Kentucky very early in the morning, on a cold foggy one at that - while fishing my favorite secret trout stream under a gray drizzling sky. I remember the smoke that morning, it didn’t seem to rise. Each puff seemed to slowly sink down onto the flowing water, and be swept away atop the current , and disappear into the fog. I will never forget that.....

Pipe Used: 4 3/4 “ Leonessa straight pipe with large bowl

Similar Blends: Irish Flakes twin.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dr. Dunhill 23 (39)	2019-08-18		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

To call this tobacco strong is putting it mildly (pun intended). I think I rubbed this out too small.

There is a cigar-like kick of nicotine and it is not for the inexperienced (me). Definitely bring along a favorite carbonated beverage to keep this from causing hiccups. The flavor is full and the taste is strong. I quite like it, but a half bowl is enough for me. I will keep it around for when I am feeling the need to get dizzy. It's slightly sweet and surprisingly free from tongue bite.

The tin note is sour and beefy, like a simmering pot of tomato-based beef stew with a hint of Bay leaf.

Let it dry out and it burns easily. If a strong pipeful is what you seek, then look no further. Quite enjoyable until the nicotine gets overwhelming (Personal experience).

Pipe Used: Peterson Spigot #69 smooth bent Briar

Age When Smoked: Tin stored since 2015.

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Falliver (42)	2019-06-19		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Upon opening the tin, I was immediately hit with the most pleasant aroma of a slightly-fruiter wine than a Zinfandel. I could barely fathom the scent - it is the most outstanding tin aroma I have ever smelt.

The flakes were neatly presented within the tin, of perfect moisture: rubbed -and filled the bowl easily. I lit the tobacco, sat back in my chair, listening to a podcast, and was really intrigued by the palate of this just-slightly-less-than-full-bodied smoke.

Much of the tin aroma is preserved for the palate as well: dark, fruity, and wine-y with a tangy-twist that is in no way unpleasant. It progress to a more earthy side down the bowl, and leaves a dry, woody and milk chocolate taste on the tongue. It burns easily to a white ash that is easily removed from the bowl with a slight tap. It is rich and round, and without a doubt the best tobacco I have had thus far.

Pipe Used: Stanwell Royal Danish 83

Age When Smoked: From the tin

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ChadwickGHurlburt (24)	2019-03-26		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Not the strongest tobacco I've ever smoked, but certainly strong enough. The thing with really strong tobacco's is that they often taste like burning tires and tar. This falls short of tasting like tar, which is a good thing. It's a smooth smoke, despite its strength. The flakes are very thin and fragile. A hint to the smoker that a XL sized pipe may not be the best choice for this one.

I really like this one. This is a very nice treat to give yourself on special occasions when you want to delve a little deep into excess. The room note will not make you any friends. Best smoked outdoors. The smell is pungent and will linger and stick to your clothing and furniture indoors. Still, I give this a full recommendation. It is tasty.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	mark81253 (18)	2019-03-24		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

This is tobacco at it's absolute best. Pure unadulterated tobacco flavor. Exactly what tobacco is supposed to be. Superb blend of Virginia's and Kentucky expertly proportioned into a wonderful, relaxing and enjoyable smoke. Sweet, strong and "Bold"! This is a sipper. Sit back, relax and slowly let the experience envelope you. Plenty of nicotine for a kick but not overpowering. This is for experienced smokers looking for that full bodied long lasting session with the pipe. I love this stuff. One bowl a day and I'm a happy camper. Gives me the diversion I need from my steady diet of Vapers and pure Virginias. If you're hard core for why God created tobacco try this one. You will be in pipe heaven.

Pipe Used: Carey's

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Voyaging (80)	2019-02-10		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Strong

No other tobacco company or manufacturer of pipe tobacco blends beats Mac Baren when it comes to flake tobaccos. The presentation is fantastic, and the gold foil and uniformity of the flakes all makes for the feeling that you're smoking something luxurious. It's fantastic. Comes in a square tin, which Mac Baren is supposedly going to eventually change.

The flakes come a little moist but they are still smokable out of the tin. You won't hurt it by drying it out. I think as the tin gets more dry as you smoke through it, it gets better and more easily combustible.

The tin note is like bacon, or smoked meat, or some kind of dry cured meat. There is a hint of something sweet too, and the summation makes me invent something like 'bacon jam' if I were to be asked what it smells like. Someone else said it still smells like dried fruit. I think most dark-fired burley blends smell like smoked meat and wood. There is somewhat of a salty, briny quality to the smell and taste too, maybe vinegar too, that I also get with HH Old Dark Fired.

This blend is strong, but not too strong. When smoked conscientiously, this blend vacillates between soft, mellow, to strong, yet sweet. I get notes of toasted bread, roasted nuts, roasted coffee (darker roast), molasses, dark chocolate or cacao, and a touch of fruit (sometimes).

Regarding the molasses notes, they are akin to Mac Baren's style. They state that there is minimal casing, well that's what I think I pick up with most of their HH blends that I have smoked. They still have that honeyish molasses structure to the flavor profile, but much less so than Navy Flake, which is a non-HH blend.

If you are used to smoking high-nicotine blends, I suppose you can be adventurous and try this blend in any sized pipe of your choosing. I prefer this in a smaller bowl. A normal Canadian or billiard is fine, but I would not smoke it down to the bottom. I would chuck that last 6/8 of the bowl, maybe even the last 1/3 of the bowl. I think that is my only qualm with this blend, that it can sometimes be too strong. You can feel sick from smoking it, if you're not accustomed to high-nicotine blends.

A note on dark-fired Kentucky blends: The flavor can be different depending on where the burley tobacco comes from. I have found that the US-grown burley has more of a nutty taste, and the African-grown burley has a floral, cigar-like quality (which is what I got more of with Peterson's Irish Flake). With Mac Baren HH Bold Kentucky I got more of the nutty flavor profile, with less, but some of the floral hints. It never felt like a cigar though. It was much more refined, perhaps due to time in the sealed tin before opening. It had plenty of time to marry.

I recommend this for the pipe smoker that enjoys strong blends. I recommend this also to the person that enjoys dark-fired Kentucky blends.

Age When Smoked: 3 years

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Mac Baren - HH Old Dark Fired, Peterson - Irish Flake.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	AcworthAl (38)	2017-04-09		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Unnoticeable

Great tobacco very strong but mild. Hard to keep lit. Great smoke Very tasty you must try this. Don't be put off by how strong it is.

Pipe Used: Dunhill

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	GabrielCRT (115)	2016-01-29		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Another winner from Mac Baren. Bold strength, bold flavor, bold aroma. It tastes to me like a less sweet Old Dark Fired on steroids. The bright Virginias are grassy and marry well to the nutty dark fired Kentucky. The casing seems to add a tangy flavor to the blend which vinegar would certainly do. I'm excited to see how this blend develops with some age.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr. Big (321)	2015-09-07		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

I'm in total agreement with reviewer "DrT99-2015-08-29" . This is a boring smoke . Kentucky Burley is front and center, gives an almost "metallic taste". Not really all that strong. I'm confused by all the 4 star reviews, as I'm sure, they are by my 2 stars. Will not buy again

Pipe Used: Cob and maple

Age When Smoked: 3 weeks open

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Augustus A (2)	2022-05-14		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Very Pleasant

Much like others have said this stuff is amazing. I’m on my 4th pound. I look in my cellar for something to “mix up the flavor” and I come right back to bold Kentucky. Buy the 16oz box. It’s much better than the small tins. The whole thing fits in a large mason jar and lasts me a month. It’s sweet, savory, rich,bold, peppery, great nic hit. I’m looking to step up to GH ropes but they’re never available

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: None

Purchased From: 4noggins

Similar Blends: Old dark fired.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sebastoshi (1)	2022-05-11		Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Absolutely fantastic! Should be called Jensen's Opus

Cocoa, Coffee, Dried Dates, BBQ sweetness. Absolutely smooth on the puff with silky smooth smoke. Retrohale through the nose for pepper. Pairs with coffee beautifully. Similar to Peterson Irish flake but turned up a notch and with less anise flavor. Two beautiful flakes rubbed out fit my pipes perfectly and burned cool the whole way down. I let the flakes dry for about one hour before folding and rubbing it out a bit. Nicotine is stronger than most everything that isn't a rope, which makes it a perfect night smoke as I sit and contemplate the day.

Bravo Per Georg Jensen!

Pipe Used: Peterson Army Billiard

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Local

Similar Blends: Peterson Irish Flake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	KingDuncan83 (25)	2021-09-28		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I have nothing much to add but to say this one of my all time favorites! No matter the time or season this blend is one i can never seem to cellar bc i always reach for it. A classic that doesnt need any fancy words but just needs to be enjoyed in your favorite smoking spot.

Pipe Used: various

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: everywhere

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Esactun (11)	2021-09-10		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Very Strong

Others have nailed the description, so some quick notes: 1 the tin note is very much like barbeque sauce 2 arrives moist but dries quickly 3 utterly lacks the Mac Baren Flavor. One could mistake this for another Danish or German manufacturer, unlike every other Mac I have tried 4 some nice sharp VAs provide a counterpoint to the otherwise overwhelming Kentucky. Just enough to calm the KYs rougher edges, achieving a classic Danish smoothness despite the spicy strong punch. It is not a Virginia blend. This is a Kentucky production. 5 definitely the most nicotine of any Mac Baren, indeed any other Danish tobacco I have had. This is Lakeland strength 6 completely unflavored, no detected humectants, straight up tobacco that burns to fine white ash like a boss 7 I usually can't smell my room notes, even after a short break, but not with this one. The room was like a hazy tobacconist, with that heavy lovely (to me) aroma . Others will think you smoked four cigars in there

Pipe Used: Cobs, grabows

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	MandoPiper (2)	2021-07-10		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

I really do not have anything to say here that has not already been said by multiple reviewers.This blend is simply the best of its type I have ever smoked. Full bodied, incredibly smooth,the flavor is just outstanding,The smoke is absolutely luxurious.This is what pipe smoking is all about !!! HH Bold Kentucky is among my top three of all time.

Pipe Used: Peterson Aran 408

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Purchased From: Local tobacconist

Similar Blends: Could not say.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Karam (59)	2021-05-20		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I really wanted to like this flake, given I put Old Dark Fired in my top 5 halfway through my first tin, but it didn't turn out to be the case. Oh well, there's something for everyone.

I feel this tobacco takes all that's great about ODF, turns them down in intensity, and instead ramps up nicotine.

The smell from the tin is similar to ODF, less sweet though, less BBQ and more earth.

The flakes, as the whole HH line, are impeccably presented. A flake will light either folded and stuffed, or crumbled straight from the tin, and of course if dried. Straight from the tin provided me with better tasting smokes than dried.

The taste is strong, as is the nicotine. No doubt about it, it is a strong tobacco and I smoke a lot of strong tobaccos. The taste is where it's faulted for me. I found it harsh, almost metallic at times. The wood and sweetness of ODF are not in Bold Kentucky. If I compare with Samuel Gawith's Lakeland Dark, they are quite similar, but the Gawith sports a bit of floral taste (NOT Lakeland), also found in 1792 Flake (which I've read and believe to be the same tobacco as Lakeland Dark plus tonquin) which smoothens the experience a lot, while retaining the strength. If I compare with Gawith Hoggarth's Dark Bird's Eye, another Kentucky powerhouse, I'll again prefer the Gawith House as it gave me fewer mixed messages than Bold Kentucky.

This doesn't mean it is a bad tobacco, far from it, but there are others of the same line that I'd go to first, and would actually go to MacBarens HH Old Dark Fired over any of them.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tamentis (9)	2020-12-31		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

Oh boy, oh boy... When I opened that tin... I thought I smelled mushrooms, maybe even mold. The wrapper looked sketchy. That damned gold wrapper turned all kinds of colors, the tin was sticky and odd looking.. I was pretty sure I got scammed. But somehow, the flakes looked perfect. That didn't make any sense, everything around those flakes looked corroded, corrupted, even toxic.

So I rubbed a flake, and let it breath for an hour or so... I took a whiff of it every now and then, trying to sense something weird, building up the courage to just smoke it.

I've smoked some odd things, but I'm not into mold, nobody should be. So I packed it into my trusty Eole, which filled the whole chamber, sat outside, and lit it. I took a puff, then another, then I realized I had found a new favorite. I like Virginias, they're nice, but they often leave me hanging. This is not leaving me hanging, it delivers. It is rich, satisfying, burns nicely and provides a good amount of material for proper contemplation. By the end of your bowl, you will need to find yourself another universe to contemplate.

Pipe Used: Eole Classical Bent

Age When Smoked: 5 years in tin

Purchased From: W. Curtis Draper Tobacconist (Washington, DC)

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	WoodcraftSmoker (21)	2020-01-10		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I recently smoked this after letting it cellar for about 9 months. Quite a difference. I was looking for a strong, dark tobacco smoke, and some deep satisfaction in a short amount of time, and got it. I rubbed out 1 slice, and smoked it in my small Peterson Donegal 999. That was perfect. When I smoked it nine months ago, the grassiness of the Virginias and a slight molasses sweetness were present, but after nine months, it is pretty much just a straight, heavy, pleasurable smoke. Not as smokey and rich as my Latakia blends, but definitely strong. It burned much better with age, requiring an average number of relights, has a nice heavy taste, with a solid nic-hit. All in all, a very solid smoke. I will order more, and save it for nights like tonight when I need a good solid, dark, smoke.

Pipe Used: Peterson Donegal Rocky 999

Age When Smoked: 9 months

Purchased From: tobaccopipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	F4RM3R (7)	2019-12-10		Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Not much else to add here but that this blend is ALL Kentucky. I was expecting to find a little more complexity in the blend, but was whammed with the bold and beautiful Kentucky. Granted, the Virginia does play a role in giving slight sweetness and smoothness to the blend. But be warned, you gotta like Kentucky to like this, I mean the name does say it all.

Despite its powerful strength, it is gentle on the tongue. The flavour is one dimensional, but evolves slightly as the Kentucky mellows halfway and the Virginias come through. Lots of chocolate notes.

Works well as a blender to beef up blends but you may need to tone this one down with something else, which is quite alright. I like mixing it with st Bruno to give it a bit more kick. I like it in my clay tavern pipe, but works well in anything.

Pipe Used: Briar cob meerscham clay

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Schneiderwind, Aachen Germany

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	IdahoSmoker (1)	2019-09-01		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Although I'm someone who regularly smokes strong blends such as Burleys and English, I must admit that this tobacco frightened me. I purchased it a few months back and it has been sitting in my cellar ever since... calling my name. Tonight I finally decided to open up the tin and try a bowl. The tin states that this is the strongest pipe tobacco that Mac Baren makes and they weren't wrong!

First Impressions: Upon opening the tin, I was greeted with gold foil tightly folded over the pressed leaf. Opening it up like a flower, I was greeted with a earthly and lightly sour aroma.The dark brown and pressed flake has a minor amount of lighter tobacco included. It is sliced neatly into long strips to make loading the pipe quite easy.

Pipe and packing: I used a generic pear root pipe with a small bowl as I wasn't sure how this tobacco would flavor my regular pipes. Like most Mac Baren tobaccos, this one is moist. To fill it, I peeled off strips and gently folded them to fit into the bowl. I then lightly tamped them into place. This process was repeated three times. I did not notice any casing and there was no residue on my fingers.

Lighting: I worried that the tobacco would be hard to light due to it's dampness, but after a decent char there were no problems.

Smoking experience: This is not a harsh smoke, but you must treat it kindly. Too much will set your head spinning and make you question who and where you are! However, I sipped this over a period of 40 minutes and found it to be just the right pace for me. I did have to relight it a few times, but that was no problem.

Upon the first puff, I immediately noticed a very peppery taste but it wasn't too strong. After getting the rhythm down to a nice sip, I started to notice the more subtle but full earthly flavor. It was all encased with a backdrop of hay. I was reminded of being in a freshly mowed hay field. Quite nice. It smoked wonderfully all the way to the bottom of the bowl with no taste of ash.

Strength: Potent. This - by far - is the strongest leaf that I have ever had the pleasure and challenge of partaking. Even sipping it sparingly, my head was swimming as I was transported to a place of calm nirvana.

Room Note: I asked the wife how it smelled to her, and she said that it smelled like burnt grass, but wasn't too bad.

Summary: As the label says, this is not a tobacco for beginners! You must treat this as a lady with gentle hands and slight kisses! In return, it will reward you with with a warmth and comfort not found in your "everyday" smoke. I enjoyed the flavors, the aroma and how it did not bite at all. This is one that I will be partaking of sparingly, but I know with each bowl, it will be an experience to savor! I will be adding more tins to my cellar to see how they age. In closing, I highly recommend Mac Baren's HH Bold Kentucky!

Pipe Used: Generic Pear Wood Pipe - Small Bowl

Age When Smoked: 4yr. 4mo.

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Liverpool 47 (10)	2019-08-19		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is one inexperienced smoker who loves this in the evening. I don’t inhale so am not effected by the amount of nicotine that others talk about. The wonderful strong smooth taste makes me a happy chappy. A bowl lasts for ages so I tend to go into a dream like state. I was a bit concerned about trying such a strong tobacco but this is really good. I often have this along with a good Bourbon. So Kentucky and Kentucky.

Pipe Used: Churchwarden.

Similar Blends: Mac Baren’s ODF..

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	2piper (14)	2019-04-29		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

This is a nice, sturdy tobacco. I like to smoke it nice and slowly. Bringing out the sweetness laying just beneath the surface.

Perfect for a cold, rainy night after a long day in the trenches.

HH Bold Kentucky will transport your thoughts to a quieter, more peaceful place. Perhaps the rolling hills and stables of a Lexington horse farm. Or an old, barn style warehouse full of sleeping barrels of Bardstown bourbon whiskey.

Highly recommended.

Age When Smoked: 3 months

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2018-12-04		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

When I first tried this brand new it was overwhelming. I'm glad I waited to review it until after I rubbed it out and let it mellow in a jar for a month. It's perfect! This is the perfect cigar to pipe transition blend, in my opinion. Beautiful cigar-like aftertaste as well. Perhaps I'm not very subtle, but this has become me go-to blend. I like this one with tea, as the strong coffee I like seems to interfere with the smoky flavor a bit. (Coffee is good with the typical mellow Burley)

Pipe Used: Grabows and other cheap estates

Age When Smoked: 1 month

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Cigars...even though there's no cigar leaf.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lager (53)	2018-10-20		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable

As a fan of old dark fired I had to try this. My first impression did not go well as I found it overbearing and to much to handle? Away it went in the cellar and the tin from 2015 was logged and forgotten. To present day 10/2018 and re-evaluating the pipes I used and smoking speed, this has become a much better and richer smoke. I am sure the aging may have mellowed it a bit, but the packing method and smoking speed will do this justice. I generally rub out my flakes for some dry time and then use the pinch air pocket method, which has become my favorate packing technique. This is stout, rich and reminds me of beef jerky. Oh, a word of caution, this is packed extremely wet and when I opened my tin from 2015 the foil was stained and the tin was starting to rust in the inside. Anything more of this I cellar will go in a mason jar. This is delicious and I highly recommend it. Smoke in peace

Lager ( formerly budman)

Pipe Used: Stawell sixtus, petersons

Age When Smoked: 3 years

Purchased From: Pipes and cigars

Similar Blends: Old dark fired.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rustedrailsmokes (293)	2018-10-14		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

I've been working my way through the HH flakes and saved this one for last.

My jar is dated 5/172015 and upon opening I found the flakes perfect for roll and stuff in a smaller Morgan Bones Pot.

I'll agree with the vinegar smell on the flakes and on the pre-light sip. After a charring light it burned great.

This really shines as an example of what DFK can be like. Deep dark flavors, nutty and rich. Quite an N kick to me, so I'll be sipping from smaller pots which are my choice for flakes these days. (I have moderate N toleration)

After a couple of bowls, I'm looking forward to adding some to my cellar and see it having more of a long term place than ODF which I also loved.

Pipe Used: Morgan Bones Pots

Age When Smoked: 3.5 years

Purchased From: trade

Similar Blends: Mac Baren - HH Old Dark Fired.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Little Steven (76)	2016-02-28		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Unnoticeable

There are other brands of this ilk that are of better quality. What this has is smokability. It lights easily and stays lit with no fuss.

It's ideal when you're feeling a bit lazy and want a problem free, good honest smoke.

It's a Volvo diesel. It starts every time and just keeps going.

Update 01/11/16:- I recently bought 6 tins. I'm now on the third tin. It must be from a different batch because it's lost it's charm and flavour. It's as flat and as boring as a witches tit.

It turns that I'm a Gawith Hoggarth fan boy and they do this type second to none.

Purchased From: The Danish Pipe Shop.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pseudo Nim (129)	2015-11-16		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I was persuaded to try this, not as good as HH Old Dark Fired, but good all the same, there seems to be some sort of flavouring there, but I'm damned if I can put my finger on it. Not one I'd stock up on, but I can see myself buying a tin or two in the future

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: My Smoking Shop

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipe4ever (204)	2015-10-27		Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Full	Tolerable

This tobacco is dark with strong leathery flavor, it has no complexity or nuances, just plain, strong smoke with good nicotine dose. I didnt enjoy a lot, it is very one-dimensional for my liking. I still prefer MB Scottish Mixture/Flake

Similar Blends: .

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	FineShag (1)	2015-10-13		Very Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Very Pleasant

High quality very fine strong classical tobacco. I was delighted to taste it and it instantly became my favourite. Very pleasent and easy to smoke. No waste.

Pipe Used: BBB, Liverpool model

Purchased From: Danish Pipe Shop, Copenhagen

Similar Blends: Peterson Dark Flake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RowdyRobbyPiper (4)	2022-10-05		Overwhelming	Extra Strong	Overwhelming	Strong

Honestly I am quite surprised to see so much praise for this blend. I realize that some tastes are acquired but every puff I take of this just gives me the no feeling. IMO there is something in or on this that shouldn't be, resulting in a smoke that is well beyond full bodied and well into ridiculous harshness. Granted I have not tried other Kentucky blends, but this is absolutely offensive. I cant imagine anyone from any walk of life, under any circumstance, thinking that this was not bad. Out of the tin, contrary to some of the other reviewers, it has anything but a "natural" or "pure" tobacco scent. The musty, pungent, burnt, and smokey smell is just off the charts intense; (is there even any tobacco in there?) leaving you to wonder how something that smells so assertive is going to taste. Upon lighting, every puff tastes like your inhaling a stale campfire; the mouth feel is very (and oddly) intense, and rest assured if you inhale it its nasty on the throat, in fact it's almost impossible to inhale, and I don't say that often. All I can taste so far is strong harsh smoke that has no pleasing qualities other than strong nicotine. Every so often I detect a nuance of something pleasant underneath it all but its hopelessly covered up. It does have have very high nicotine, which is actually what I look for, so I might see if I can blend in something else to tone down everything down, but that's not what I bought it for. To MB's credit (sort of) I also believe that they may have quality control issues from time to time, that being said they do stand behind their product and value customer satisfaction. I wonder if the tin I got was from a bad run. This is the second product I have bought from them that was obviously sub standard; the first they actually replaced for me readily which was mighty decent of them, but I think it also indicates that they are aware of their own issues or bad runs but continue to sell the product. This while all the other MB are great. But its' still frustrating; I feel like "just make a quality product or don't, because I'm tired of getting stung" is how I feel. I'm a MB fan, but for this one I got, I might as well just go eat an ashtray then wash it all down with bong water. Would I recommend it? not my tin.

Pipe Used: briar

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: smoke shop

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipefitter (51)	2022-07-29		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

As with all of MacBaren’s flake tobacco this one’s a highly recommend and the blends from the HH line are a 4 +. The smokey Kentucky is perfectly blended with the mild Virginias to give this long time pipe smoker exactly what he wants in a tobacco that I would compare with a fine after dinner Bourbon; perfect amount of sweetness, maltiness, spiciness, complexity, and craftsmanship. Smokes cool and clean and doesn’t bite. Takes a little patience as the nic- hit is substantial and smoking this too fast will bring out some rough spots, but not much. I wouldn’t consider this an all day smoke, but could fill my pie more than once in 24 hours as this tobacco is one fine smoke which is part of my regular rotation….This could be a tough sell for a new smoker that likes flavored blends with sweet toppings and there are other mild flakes that would work better for them…. This is one fine pipe tobacco.

Age When Smoked: 6/2021

Purchased From: Carolina Tobacco Emporium in Manchester Ct

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Frank27 (14)	2022-07-05		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

Not too much to add to all 4 stars reviews.

BK is just an amazing stuff, not for every-day . I use it just sometimes and in special occasions only.

It's strong, bold and deeper than Old Dark Fired.

Just amazing stuff. 4 stars.

Pipe Used: Rattrey's Joy

Similar Blends: Old Dark Fired.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	MAddMAnn (17)	2019-11-17		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

It’s a cold day. The back of you’re throat feels slightly bitten by the cold as you finish raking the yard. You sigh as you glance around and notice how quiet the evening has become. You pull the matchbook from you pocket, strike one, and toss the match on the pile. You pull up a chair some distance away and watch the flames grow brighter and then die as the smell of burning leaves mixes with the crisp autumn air.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2019-04-20		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable

Great blend if one likes stronger mixes. It isn't the least bit harsh nor does it have a tendency to bite. It has a true Kentucky/Burley flavor & the tin note was an earthy sweet & sour aroma. The flakes were quite dark & very moist with a minimal amount of yellow Virginia. I rubbed out a flake and let sit for about twenty minutes. I thought I'd try this out for a change of pace because I prefer stronger blends & Burley usually delivers a quick, strong vitamin N blast & this stuff works.

It is a strong tobacco that smokes mildly. It expands quite a bit after the charring light & provided an excellent burn rate and keeping it lit was not a problem. I didn't notice the Virginia that much but it's probably what tamed the slight bitterness of the Burley which soon subsided. It's been a while since I've smoked Irish Flake & this reminded me of that a little. The mild topping is barely noticeable and the flavor was mostly Burley with a slight sweetness coming from the Virginia infusion.

Pipe Used: Cavicchi Dublin & D. S. Huber Bent Dublin

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tin

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

Similar Blends: Irish Flake, HH Old Dark Fired...

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2019-02-26		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Great blend if one likes stronger mixes. It isn't the least bit harsh nor does it have a tendency to bite. It has a true Kentucky/Burley flavor & the tin note was an earthy sweet & sour aroma. The flakes were quite dark & very moist with a minimal amount of yellow Virginia. I rubbed out a flake and let sit for about twenty minutes. I thought I'd try this out for a change of pace because I prefer stronger blends & Burley usually delivers a quick, strong vitamin N blast & this stuff works.

It is a strong tobacco that smokes mildly. It expands quite a bit after the charring light & provided an excellent burn rate and keeping it lit was not a problem. I didn't notice the Virginia that much but it's probably what tamed the slight bitterness of the Burley which soon subsided. It's been a while since I've smoked Irish Flake & this reminded me of that a little. The mild topping is barely noticeable and the flavor was mostly Burley with a slight sweetness coming from the Virginia infusion.

Pipe Used: Cavicchi Dublin & D. S. Huber Bent Dublin

Age When Smoked: Recently obtained

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

Similar Blends: Irish Flake, HH Old Dark Fired.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Theocharis (38)	2019-01-05		Strong	Very Mild	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is fantastic. Beautiful tin, ketchup-like tin note and heavenly taste. Also this is a strong, high nicotine tobacco preferably for late night. The flakes have a little extra moisture, but it can be smoked right upon opening the tin too.It produces a high amount of smoke too. High quality product overall. So, fill a bowl up and prepare for the ultimate relax.Recommended for lovers of strong blends and high nicotine tolerant gentlemen.

Pipe Used: Briar

Age When Smoked: One year

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2018-12-13		Strong	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable to Strong

Great blend if one likes stronger mixes. It isn't the least bit harsh nor does it have a tendency to bite. It has a true Kentucky/Burley flavor and the tin I opened was fairly old based on the rust that had accumulated around the lip and seal of the tin. The tin note was an earthy sweet & sour aroma. The flakes were quite dark & very moist with a minimal amount of yellow Virginia. I rubbed out a flake and let sit for about twenty minutes. Thought I'd try this out for a change of pace because I prefer stronger blends & Burley usually delivers a quick, strong vitamin N blast & this stuff works.

It is a strong tobacco that smokes mildly. It expands quite a bit after the charring light & provided an excellent burn rate and keeping it lit was not a problem. I didn't notice the Virginia that much but it's probably what tamed the slight bitterness of the Burley which soon subsided. It's been a while since I've smoked Irish Flake & this reminded me of that a little. The mild topping is barely noticeable and the flavor was mostly Burley with a slight sweetness coming from the Virginia infusion. After smoking a tin of this mix, I decided these types of blends along with a few, select VA/Pers will be my dominant mainstays... liked the true tobacco flavors and the Vitamin N blast... Super!

I preferred this over Irish Flake but like them both. I didn't notice a cigar aroma from HH Bold Kentucky like I did with Irish Flake back in 2010 but I don't notice any cigar essence in Irish Flake that is blended these days... tis now October, Anno Domini 2018. Could be my olfactory glands require a little maintenance or maybe new parts installed. I feel confident that Burley enthusiasts will like this really well. Gets stronger toward the end but Burns cool & dry down to a light gray ash. Great blend.

Pipe Used: Vintage Meerschaum Size 3

Age When Smoked: About a year or two.

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

Similar Blends: HH Old Dark Fired... a little like Irish Flake & other strong VA/Burs..

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	kingsqueak (6)	2023-05-05		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Rich flavor, burns very nicely and evenly. I like the depth of flavor of this particular tobacco but the whole HH Burley family is great. It's a pretty regular choice for me but be aware this one packs a nicotine wallop, so go slow and maybe follow a meal with this one until you know what to expect.

I would start with HH Burley Flake first if you are unsure about what your nicotine level tolerance is, it is considerably milder.

Pipe Used: A variety

Age When Smoked: recent production

Purchased From: Online retailer

Similar Blends: Somewhat similar to Solani Aged Burley Flake, but without the casing that I believe is anise in that one. This one is stronger than ABF is by a fair bit..

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	NMpiper (5)	2023-04-29		Very Strong	Strong	Full	Strong

Very good tobacco. Tin note is smoky and earthy. Came moist and the flakes are about the size of a stick of chewing gum. I used two rubbed out to fill my pipe. Very smooth smoke considering the components. Id liken this to Old Dark Fired but bold kentucky is smoother in my opinion. Despite this being strong flavored it is not harsh or bitey.

Nic hit is pretty good. It'll creep up on you. Very smoky and slightly earthy. Is it as good as ODF? Yes. Is it better? Not really. Is it worth the price of a tin vs ODF bulk? No.

For my money Id rather just buy ODF ready rubbed bulk.

Pipe Used: Rossi 8626

Purchased From: Pipes and cigars

Similar Blends: Old dark fired.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Quiggifur (99)	2023-02-22		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

20230313 edit: as an autopilot smoke, it's pretty good. I think my original review was on point, mostly burley-esque, with some not quite smoky DFK characteristics from beginning to end. A single flake smoked after breakfast has got me feeling pretty good, maybe ¾ through the bowl. I think it's appropriate to peg this one as strong, maybe medium-strong by strong accounting for my non-herculean tolerance levels. This may be near the top of my simple, strong burley type category, maybe not as strong or easy to pack as five brothers but certainly more pleasant.

Only note I get from the jar is ketchup, not in a bad way. Taste is full but mellow, if that makes any sense; not a lot going on in terms of flavor, mostly a pleasant and lightly sweet natural tobacco taste which I associate with burley. It will bite if puffed too hard, but nowhere near some other strong KY forward blends I've tried. Just an extremely satisfying and strong natural tasting blend without a ton of complexity. I'm eventually going to decide on at least one blend to rate 4 stars which fills this niche, and this could end up being it.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rodgaud (1)	2023-02-03		Very Strong	Strong	Very Full	Pleasant

My favourite so far, full and rich tobaccotaste, burns allright after drying it for an hour. Very high in nicotine, actually got a bit nauseous after smoking a full bowl. Might be my standard pipe tobacco.

Pipe Used: Barling straight Billiard

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (558)	2022-12-20		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Tin note of barbeque, sour, and stewed fruit. Tobacco flakes are dark brown and black and easily rubs out. Tobacco is a little moist, but not wet enough to need drying. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is strong and nic is strong. (It required a beverage to continue to smoke). No flavoring detected. Taste is full and mostly consistent with notes of dry smoky, very spicy, herbal sour, very earthy, toasted bitter nuts, very woody, floral, leather, spices, mild barbecue, a mildly sweet lemon grass background note, and a very peppery retro. Kentucky is leading with Virginias supporting. Room note is strong, and aftertaste is awesome.

Pipe Used: Wally Frank Limited White Bar Sandblast 128

Age When Smoked: 9 months

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Arkansas Piper (47)	2022-10-19		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

BBQ! As an Arkansan, that’s what hit me first. The tin note is of a nice, summertime, bbq wood.

The flavor and room note are there with it! Great smoke for around the pit!

Strong, Smokey, and sweet (not aromatic sweet, of course). The natural flavor of the tobacco pulls to the front while the Kentucky fired swells around it all. Nice!

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pmonroeb (18)	2022-09-20		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Bold is right. Too bold for me. This is the first Kentucky I have tried. The flavor is not too bad. Some hints of licorice to me. I tried big pipe, small pipe, loose and hard packed. I like strong tobacco, but this is over my limit. I also found it harsh on my throat. Only for someone who wants the boldest.

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tobaksrøg (53)	2022-09-03		Very Strong	Extremely Mild	Extra Full	Very Strong

A very fitting name for this bomb of a blend! The retrohale can be punishing at first but as the bowl progresses and you adapt to the needs of this high quality tobacco, you enjoy it more and more. Not for the faint-hearted.

Age When Smoked: New

Nobody has rated this review yet.