MacBaren Club Blend Pipe Tobacco

Purchased from CI and shipped free and super quick. This tobacco is part of the Classics line from MB. The advertising states it is a mixture of their Modern Cavendish and Virginias, cut in coins. Upon opening the tin you smell the Virginia right away - very close to the aroma of the Mac Baren Dark Twist and Roll Cake. Tobacco richness that only comes from a bit more aging than is normal for most tobaccos. Coins are presented to you as this is a spun cut that needs to be rubbed out. Packing involved rubbing out the coins. I used a brand new Stanwell Trio pipe to do so (purchased from CI!), so the test here couldn't be made more sterile - if that's the correct word. Rubs out fine. A bit moist. Felt just like Dark Twist to me. Same process. Char light was fine. New pipe so I only packed halfway, thus expansion was not something I could tell one way or another. The smoking experience is Virginia all the way if you ask me. That hay flavor and smooth Virginia taste came thru. Very small bite detected and that cost a half ratings star. Burns even, not too hot. Overall smoking experience is just excellent. I think I like it more than Dark Twist which is one of my go-tos for many, many years. Room note is (again) like Dark Twist. Pleasant, not overpowering. Citrus flavoring means there really isn't much of a room note. Very mellow. Should be a nice all-day smoke. Bottom line: Club Blend is a 4-star to 4.5-star pipe tobacco. This one has been around for decades for a reason. Great choice and priced competitive, yet at the upper-end of the Mac Baren price spectrum. I would say well worth a try. I am putting Club Blend in my regular rotation and stack it up against Orlik Golden Slices, Dark Twist, and Roll Cake. Definite winner.

Great tobacco - Great service