Picked up some Mac Baren HH Vintage Syrian from my local B&M. I'm just settling into my first bowl right now. So far, it's very nice. The smell in the bag is a mix of ketchup (like the smell of GLP Cumberland, at least to me) and a bit of smoke, I was expecting a more smokey smell since it's supposed to be pretty heavy on the latakia. It reminds me of a barbecue sauce at City BBQ called brush fire. So overall very nice smelling. Moisture content was perfect. Packed super easy. Right at first light it's a very light pine flavor with a hint of sweetness. So far it's very pleasant, no bite so far. And pretty mild. I'll report back once I get farther down the bowl.

For those who have tried this blend what do you think about it? So far is pretty good so now I'm wondering, what's the situation with Mac Baren's syrian latakia supply? or I might have to go buy all that my B&M has since it seems to be sold out everywhere online.

Ok, so I'm about an hour into this bowl, probably a little over halfway to the bottom. The pine flavor has picked up quite a bit now and the sweetness has fallen back. I have a slight black coffee and a hint of coco thing going on and have picked up a little spice in the back of the mouth. All in all this thing has picked up into a power house. I started to puff a little too fast and it started to bite a little so I've backed off and am keeping it just barely on this side of lit, seems to be where this thing likes it.

While making this post I set the pipe down and it went out so I tipped out the ash on the top. Ash is fine and slightly gray, a pile dumped out without help. What I wasn't expecting was the quick flavor change when I re-lit it just now. I'm running in a nice coffee and coco town right now, with a hint of spice and the pine smoke has taken a backseat for a moment.

This would probably be a great morning smoke with coffee. Right now I'm just drinking water and the water it tasting really sweet. Could only imagine was a nice cup of black coffee would be like. I could see this as a pretty good any time smoke, good stress relieve.

Interesting posts. HH Vintage Syrian has become my staple tobacco. You are right, its good in the morning with a cup of coffee, but I smoke it all day. It gives me my Latakia fix, doesn't bite, burns cools. It isn't a "complex" tobacco, but it has most of what I like and none of the traits I dislike. I smoke a lot of different tobaccos, but HH vintage syrian and Margate are the only ones I buy by the pound.

I just picked up a tin...Sounds like I did OK.

Not my favorite tobacco but not the worst either. I bought this and HH Matured virginia and went through them pretty quicl=k, but dont really remember anything remarkable about it but its a good value

In most pipes this blend leaves me flat, but it produces an abundance of flavor in a decent size pot and has become one of my favorites.

HHVS is horrible, wicked, evil stuff. It sorely grieves me to think that any of my weed brothahs should ever be afflicted by so horrendous a weedage.

And so, as a purely selfless act of civic duty, I hereby volunteer my services to take all of it off yer hands. Simply sent all your HHVS to me, and I'll see to it that the stuff is disposed of properly in a series of ritual burnings.

Yeah, had another bowl of it last night and my opinion slightly changed, it's f-ing great. I think I'm gonna have to go buy the three one pound bags that I left behind

havent tried that one yet, but im intrigued by the 'syrian'.

i absolutely love latakia, who would have thought that? i wouldnt have half a year ago.

the smell of a room afterwards is wonderful to me.

someone really needs to come out with a latakia incense, because i cant smoke that much!

camo

*camoham:

If you aren't already familiar with the difference between Syrian and Cyprian Latweeds, be advised that they're very different beasts. Because of the Syrian, HHVS has an altogether different flavor and aroma compared to any Cyprian Latakia blend. There are some folks who love Latakia (by which they mean Cyprian Latakia) and don't like HHVS. That's for starters. Then too, there's the way the SyriLat shows up in HHVS, which is quite unlike any other Syrian Latakia blend that immediately comes to mind.

For those reasons, you might want to try a tin of HHVS before you jump into actual poundage.

Of course, if you already are familiar with the difference between Syrian and Cyprian, then never mind.

What would be your recommendation for the best Syrian blend that is available in 1 pound bulk? Mars has MB HH Syrian pounds for $34.75. Also Blatter and Blatter carry a blend made for McLintock of Germany called "Syrian Latakia Blend" that is supposed to be available in bulk and very good according to the 12 reviews on TobaccoReviews. Anyone ever tried that?

I'd rather that it is expensive and a truly premium blend than mediocre and cheap.

And nothing that bites. I smoked a Heinrich blend that was fantastic but it bit me.

Thanks!!!

Hey Vito,

What a pleasure to read your post about HH Syrian, evolved from Vitospace in your grand manner!

PM sent.

Although I prefer to get bulk, I'm hearing that the good Syrian blends are more readily available in tins; tin recommendations welcome.