Mac Baren HH Rustica Flake Pipe Tobacco

I like it so much that I have 20 tins in storage! Since I can't seem to get Stonehaven any more, this is the next best thing!

Mac Baren - HH Rustica - Limited Edition 2023 When something is relegated to legend status do to no longer being made and being excellent we all tend to be sad and wishing it would be brought back. Well mine and many others wish has come true. Rustica is back and it’s excellent but it’s only back in the limited form of 5500 tins and I’ve got one of those! Is it the same Rustica we fell in love with years ago, sure seems to be to me but it’s fresh and I honestly find Rustica starts out very good but becomes excellent with age so maybe a tin for now and as many as suits you for later. When I opened the tin I was greeted with the Mac Baren gold wrap holding a very beautiful batch of about 30ish thin dark pressed flakes of delicious rich tobacco flavor. They are thin and a bit moist so I dried mine a bit but your mileage may vary. It’s easy to fold and stuff or rub out these thin flakes but I chose to cross cut into small cubes with sharp shears. The result is easy to load in a bowl and light it up. Might take a few extra lights along the way especially if you choose not to dry it a bit. You get a wonderful mix of earth, spice, wood, sweetness, herb a touch of citrus and a peaty leathery taste with a very full mouthfeel. It’s bold and solid with maybe a few rough edges but very few and a sort of tea bitterness note at times. Rustica is a very unique leaf as it seems to have properties of many different tobacco’s such as orientals and burleys and Virgina so nailing down exactly what part of the rich broad nuanced smoke that Rustica plays in this blend isn’t easy. There is flue cured Virginia in the blend that I am sure are responsible for some dark fruit, bread, grass, mild citrus and sugar. The burleys add a lot of nuttiness, some molasses and brown sugar, earthy and a lot of smoke and add to the mouth feel I find satisfying. Overall you get a very full robust blend that won’t bite and burns cool somewhat creamy mildly sweet well balanced flavor. A fair bit of complexity comes through if it is smoked cool and slow with some slight spice mixed in. The flavor level is full to very full and the nicotine is definitely up there and is the strongest in the Mac Baren line so I suggest a smallish bowl and after a meal or you might feel it’s effects. Room note is tough for me as I smoke alone but it’s not bad but does linger a bit more like a cigar does…considering that this blend has some cigar flavor it’s no surprise. The after taste is pleasant. A very solid five out of five stars! For a newbie I would go a bit easy until you know how it suits you but there is no need to fear this blend, it will reward you finding your pace and tolerance I assure you. For someone who has some experience with robust blends it could be an every day after dinner treat for sure. A legend sometimes becomes bigger than reality over time, not this one, it’s just as big and wonderful ass it always was! Dave da Dragon

If you’re looking for a mild smoke this won’t be for you. Very rich, full flavor that gives hearty mouthfuls of unadulterated tobacco smoke. Absolutely no bite whatsoever. Unlike some stronger blends this one never gets bitter or harsh at the end. Leaves nothing behind but dry ash.

Bar none, the strongest tobacco I’ve ever smoked. I enjoy it immensely!

I LOVE this stuff. To me, it is by far the strongest pipe tobacco. Right up there with some of the heavyweight cigars. Great smoked meat aroma when you open the tin (which is funny since I'm a vegetarian). Then when you light up it starts heavy and gets heavier, till you feel like your head has been used as a pile driver (in a good way). I'm not capable of describing the taste, other than it's good and goes well with neat bourbon. I'm going to stock up so the rest of you can't have my preciousssssss...

Good tobacco a little damp.Nice earthy tin note. Nicotine is high as stated in ads. Smoke on full stomach. Kind of reminds me of an LFD double ligero cigar. I like this new blend and hope it is continued..

Complex nuances nutty molasses citrusy Floral vegetative woodsy. strong strength and taste are similar to G & H great pure tobacco! Three-quarters of a flake in smaller meerschaum does the trick.

The new Rustica is a nice blend for anyone looking for something with a punch. It makes for the perfect bowl after a meal or late in the evening when you're ready to wind down.

I really enjoy this blend. A word of warning, it has a lot of nicotine. It reminds me of Jackknife Plug but stronger. Great after a meal or before bed.