Mac Baren HH Vintage Syrian

Great flavor

Knowing the end of the delightful Syrian Latakia was coming...i wish they had offered this jar earlier with 1lb. bags, as i have bought 5 1 puonders, plus several tins, probably a dozen or more, all put away for Cellaring, save for about 8 oz i keep in a vacuum jar to enjoy anytime. i've also stocked up on Brebbia Syrian Latakia Flake...i love it so, but as i've posted before, i hope the good people of Syria come out of this dark time, and have lives made wholeobacco again before concerning themselves with tobacco.

Incredibly balanced smoke! Very mellow latikia, unlike Cyprian latikias which have an edginess and sourness to them. This had a deep smokiness that was not overpowering. Loved it!

This blend is absolutely fantastic. It's strong and smokey but smooth to the finish as it burns cool to the last puff. A very satisfying blend.

It's smokey and delicious.

This is one of the most enjoyable tobaccos blends I have ever experienced. The Syrian Latakia is so much more smooth and mellow than the more common Cyprian counterpart. It lends a nice smokey flavor to this blend but is never overpowering. Instead, is works to perfectly complement the sweetness from the Virginias and spice from the dark fired Kentucky, giving the most flavorful, well rounded smoke you are ever likely to find. This is one not to be missed but you better hurry, Syrian Latakia is no longer available, and likely never will be again. When the stock pile is gone, this blend will be gone forever.

There isn’t anything playful about this smoke. Really enjoyed taking my time with this tobacco. Full body smoke as a good is a good Dunkel German beer. Both together grest to sit and enjoy the world around us.

HH Vintage Syrian is a great English blend. The Syrian latakia is the star of the show, with hints of dark fired Kentucky in the background. A smoky, creamy, enjoyable smoke. Will hate to see this one go.

They have a good search engine and very good pictures and descriptions of the item I recommend them

Cellaring a few pounds. More like a light to medium English blend in my opinion. Make sure to smoke in pipe you haven't run Cypriot through, otherwise it will take a large number of smokes to tell the difference.

Get this while you can, because Syrian tobacco leaf is essentially extinct and when it's gone, it's gone. This is a mild, exceedingly smooth English-style tobacco. The Syrian Latakia is tamer, smoother than the standard Cyprian. It's doesn't offer the strength or bite of a Nightcap, but it does offer a full-flavored, powerful smoke that is also smooth. In many ways, it is the Jack Daniels of the Bourbon/Whiskey world. An elegant, respectable, accessible for the common man, kind of tobacco.

Bought a pound after crushing a tin. I used to smoke Ravens Wing in college and while very different, the Syrian is genuine. Cyprus latakia ghosting your pipe will cover it though so either dedicate a pipe to Syrian (until it's gone) or use a cob. Your going to miss a lot if you don't in my opinion

I don't remember th 1st time I tried this stuff but over time it has very gradually grown 2 be 1 of my favorites...I get it by th lb. now!! Ain't an all day smoke for me but is relegated 2 th later hrs. when I can calm my mind & reflect on nothin else. This & Th Solent Mixture use a Syrian Latakia & th difference between this & it's Cyprian cousin is profound!! There's a smokeyness for sure but much more floral & nuanced!! Th other ingredients weave in & out as you work your way into th dottle , constantly bringing something subtle & new !! Like I said this is a close o' day smoke . Iffn your head ain't clear when you lite a bowl of this it probably will b by th time you finish!!

I don't remember th 1st time I tried this stuff but over time it has very gradually grown 2 be 1 of my favorites...I get it by th lb. now!! Ain't an all day smoke for me but is relegated 2 th later hrs. when I can calm my mind & reflect on nothin else. This & Th Solent Mixture use a Syrian Latakia & th difference between this & it's Cyprian cousin is profound!! There's a smokeyness for sure but much more floral & nuanced!! Th other ingredients weave in & out as you work your way into th dottle , constantly bringing something subtle & new !! Like I said this is a close o' day smoke . Iffn your head ain't clear when you lite a bowl of this it probably will b by th time you finish!!

The only needed aging is for the Virginias & the Turkish (Smyrna?), because MacBaren's 2 stashes of Syrian Latakia are from 2 huge bumper crops, one from 1974 & the other from 1983. With such an overabundance of leaf to cure, growers were dry leaf in the rafters of their homes, as well as the tobacco barns. This bit of kismet is what made Syrian Latakia so very special. It took on all the wood fired aromas from the homes & gave it a much more layered and subtle flavour, that while milder that Cyprian, is far more complex. A tobacco is not better simply because of overwhelming flavor. The Tin Note of this blend would lead you to believe it is bold and strong, but what it actually tastes like if quite different. Of course there's the campfire, incense, floral notes from the Lat & the Turkish. My best advice for those who enjoyed it, but were expecting more, this is your chance to work on sussing out different notes of a subtle tobacco. HH Vintage Syrian is indeed subtle, & you wont learn everything about it from one tin—But why on earth am i saying this when the well is about to run dry? Because i'm not so greedy that i'd want others in the pipe community to miss out on an experience that is going to disappear, likely before Dunhill stops selling tobacco in a year. If anyone buys a tin, dislikes it, please, send it my way. i've never been to this or the other sites i use when the 16oz has been available. i want to cellar as much of this as i can reasonably obtain as YES, this is a daily Tabac for Ol' Trout. im soon launching my YT channel, LOTS about Pipes & the Community & other things of interest—a sort of Flea Market of the senses—such as, i own a recording studio, i'll review guitars & other instruments, i collect vinyl & want everyone else to. i have also been on a quest to find as many of the toys of my childhood as possible(Though that can be spendy). Sorry to go offtopic , but pipes will be featured prominently! i'll post the link when done

This is a really nice smoke but I question how much if any Syrian latakia is in this blend. I can certainly tell the difference between Cypress and Syrian latakia. Folks my taste buds say mostly Cypress with a pinch of Syrian latakia. It's still a very good smoke and if your a lay lover you will love this blend. You just won't get that wonderful baked bread, sweet hay and wood smoke flavor you get with Syrian Latakia.

One of my favourite latakia blends. The virginia gives off a nice, subtle sweetness while the Syrian latakia still gives it that nice smoky flavour. Love this stuff.

Okay, maybe just me, but I swear that McClelland's British Woods does a better job at this!$!I know, totally different build and all that. But for a full-flavor, medium bodied Latakia blend, I think this is well above average but does not shine at the highest levels. If I am wrong in your opinion, you may be right. McC just has the Virginias down to a frickin' science and their spice notes make me not miss the Syrian element in the Latakia. Now the HH Dark Fired ready rubbed bulk; PERFECTION.

Great vintage tobacco character

After prime rib, you want THIS with your cognac or Grappa di Brunello.

.... I discovered the blend I had only imagined in my most ambitious tobacco imagination... HH Vintage Syrian produces the most delectable combination of smokey campfire, pungent blossoms, and sweet earthiness... the wait was worth it because I can fully appreciate the uniqueness of this blend and it's Syrian Latakia foundation.

I've smoked a decent number of cigars, but this was the first full bowl of pipe tobacco I've smoked. Still getting the hang of the technique but the flavor and smell were excellent.

Not for the feint of heart! This is by far the best latakia I've tried. Syrian latakia is amazing! You won't use this everyday. But to treat yourself to something like this is a rare treat! It's very strong and smokey. Worth the price.

Not your mommas everyday use variety!

I absolutely love this stuff! Great VERY robust Lata kit flavor. True Syrian Lata kia is a rare treat. Not your everyday smoke, but for that special occasion ! It's a must!

After smoking a number of Latakia-laden blends, I finally decided to buy and get down on this wondered blend. After talking to many a pipe smoker and hearing them say its a wonderful smoke; I had to get it. I have smoked the close relative: McClelland Syrian Full Balkan, which is a great smoke too. This blend is sweet, smoky but not the typical intense smoke that's associated with Cyprian Lat. A bit sour from the Orientals accompanying it on its journey. Bottom Line: Great smoke that's going to disappear, so buy up or give me what you don't want!

So I'm a fairly new pipe smoker, but I've smoked enough to know that I really like this blend. My very first "quality" tobacco that I ever had was Ashton's Artisan's Blend and ever since I found out that it uses Syrian Latakia instead of the more common Cyprian, I've been looking for another blend with Syrian that I can put into my rotation. My next task for myself is to smoke this side-by-side with another one of my English blends that uses Cyprian so I can better determine the differences between the two leafs, but I can honestly say that the Syrian has a more "incense" quality to it whereas the Cyprian is more campfire and peat smoke. I enjoy them both immensely. But to focus on HHVS, it is a very pleasing smoke that is complex and changes course as you smoke through the bowl. The Orientals come though here and there as a more sour/tang note. The smoke is not a sweet as some other English/Balkan blends, but I think that is because the Syrian is so upfront and the sweetness from the Virginias is there just to balance out the heady Syrian leaf. The Kentucky doesn't hit me at all, but then I don't have a lot of experience with Burleys at all (I'm working on that). I would assume that is contributes to the overall body, but as far as flavor, it is very muted for my palate. This is not what I would call a Lat-bomb, however. The Syrian is the main star, but it is not overwhelming by any stretch. It is a very pleasing and satisfying smoke, but one that I would still relegate to the evening hours as it doesn't mix very well with the hot Florida days. If you like Latakia, you owe it to yourself to try this one.

Not your everyday go to, but if you want one of those "special moments" this is definitely a top choice!

Finest kind! A contemplative smoke, an analytical one. Try it in a meerschaum or gourd calabash. This Syrian is seriously top notch. Try a can while you can.

Omg! This is the mother lode. You don't know Latakia until you have tried this vintage Syrian. I respectfully suggest that you sample this either via meerschaum or gourd calabash for your first time. There is no greater contemplative or analytical smoke I M H O! In over forty years of puffing, I have never had better than this.

I really wanted to love this tobacco. After discovering Penzance and loving it, I thought I'd buy as much Syrian latakia as possible. When I opened this, I thought the smoke was okay, but not spectacular. However, it is getting rave reviews from others so maybe I am judging it unfairly. Just not a fan so far... I ended up dumping it into my "everything in" ziplock bag where I dump all of my "not impressed" tobaccos and mix them all into my own "mix." I know, that must be sacrilege to some, but I am finding it has created a rather unique blend you ain't going to find anywhere else:)

Needs about 6 months of aging. Too much kentucky and the macbite is there also . About 5 bowls into a 3 week old tin . Each bowl is a little better than the last but not by much . Overall not bad , but there are better lat blends for less money

Although I prefer Mcclelland Syrian Full Balkan, it doesn't come in bulk, so this is a nice alternative.

Just about finished with my first tin sample. Can now add my 2 cent comment about the product. How about...amazing, incredible, delicious. Had never tasted a "English" blend before but was introduced recently to a Cyprian Latakia mixture. Thought I'd try the HH blend due to it's use of rare Syrian Latakia. I'm now hooked and about to purchase a full 16 oz. order. This blend is not for everyone, just for the select, discriminating few.

I like a lot of different blends. I watched videos, read reviews, and was so convinced I'd love this, I got the 3.5 oz tin. It smells amazing. I just cannot smoke it. No matter how slowly I puff, this tobacco bites my tongue like nothing else, including Captain Black and Sir Walter Raleigh from back in my college days. I really wanted to like this. For whatever reason, it just didn't work out for me.

This blend is a masterpiece, achieiving what many attempt with Latakia blends, featuring a dominant Latakia that is flavorful, aromatic and intriguing, supported by rich vibrant Virginias. Dark fired adds some gentle body and delicate Orientals come and go throughout making for a complex and very natural tasting Medium blend with a fairly clean finish. Packs and burns prefectly.

Very tasty "Balkan Blend",Mild compared to other blends with Cyprain Latakia but has a smooth and relaxing Quality to the smoke. A very good smoke, get it while ya can before it runs out. Will be buying more myself.

This was truly an enjoyable smoke, I had been told about Syrian latakia and had sampled it in Artisans Blend but the H&H took my enjoyment to the next level, if you enjoy Latakia I think you will REALLY like this blend. I found it to be more subtile than its Cyprian counter part.

Love it. Order a pound for the cache. very smooth and enjoyable smoke.

An outstanding blend which lets the Syrian Latakia shine without stage-stealing. Very well-balanced.

This is great, it really is an interesting taste and even when I smoke outside I can get the incredible aroma as the smoke passes by- this blend has really shown me what people mean by "incense" aroma.

This is an excellent blend of Latakia, Virginia, Dark Fired Kentucky, and Orientals tobaccos that is smooth, tasty and medium bodied. I would definitely recommend this blend for those not familiar with Syrian Latakia, or if you've been turned off by traditional (Cyprian) Latakia blends in the past. I find Syrian Latakia to be much more refined, sweeter, and less harsh than the Cyprian. It's very mellow and smooth tobacco that produces a nice, incense-like room note. Too bad it's becoming rare, given the state of affairs in its country of origin. I found this tobacco smokes best when it's quite dry, so don't be afraid to let it air out. Personally, I opened the tin and let it sit with the lid on for about four days before storing in a mason jar. Smokes cool, dry, and amazingly well now. Highly recommended!

This is an excellent blend of Latakia, Virginia, Dark Fired Kentucky, and Orientals tobaccos that is smooth, tasty and medium bodied. I would definitely recommend this blend for those not familiar with Syrian Latakia, or if you've been turned off by traditional (Cyprian) Latakia blends in the past. I find Syrian Latakia to be much more refined, sweeter, and less harsh than the Cyprian. It's very mellow and smooth tobacco that produces a nice, incense-like room note. Too bad it's becoming rare, given the state of affairs in its country of origin. I found this tobacco smokes best when it's quite dry, so don't be afraid to let it air out. Personally, I opened the tin and let it sit with the lid on for about four days before storing in a mason jar. Smokes cool, dry, and amazingly well now. Highly recommended!

I like the flavor, it takes me back to a time in Izimir, Turkey, when I was there as a young sailor, going through the Grand Bazaar, all the exotic sights and smells, truly evokes some wonderful reminiscence.

The first time I bought this I was not impressed. I think I was expecting something different. Going back to it, it is a very good tobacco. It is complex. The Syrian Latakia is the star, but the Virginias lead a strong supporting cast. Again, very good tobacco.

very good nice subtle room note mild taste