CACooper
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2009
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 0
Skip,
Yes, I have tried both MacBaren Vanilla Flake, and the loose cut. Those MacBaren blends are NOTHING like BCA or VBC, both in cut or consistency. They are both Danish style flake, the loose cut being rubbed out. Unfortunately, I find they both tend to bite.
BCA and VBC are both loose, wide ribbon cut, and moist to the touch. They possess a velvety texture, and need no rubbing out.
The closest MacBaren tobacco to BCA/VBC is the new 7 Seas blends, especially the regular (white) label. The flavor and aroma are very close, and the look and feel are virtually identical.
I spoke with Mr. Frank Blews (former Lane General Mgr., now with MacBaren) at the Las Vegas pipe show about the 7 Seas blends. He worked at Lane for decades, and knows Lane's processes and recipes. He's developed the 7 Seas series as competition to Lane's Captain Black line. White, Blue and Gold label, just like CB.
The MacBaren blends do differ in flavor and aroma from the Lane product and are NOT direct copies. But they're real close. And, most important, NO bite!
The 7 Seas white label has vanilla, with a little orange, hazelnut, raisin and chocolate. It's composed of mainly black cavendish, with a small amount of Burley ribbon. Personally, I like it quite a bit. I've haven't tried the blue or gold yet, but will soon.
Frank also informed me that an all black 7 Seas (black label?) will be available soon.
Hope this helps in your quest.
CACooper
Yes, I have tried both MacBaren Vanilla Flake, and the loose cut. Those MacBaren blends are NOTHING like BCA or VBC, both in cut or consistency. They are both Danish style flake, the loose cut being rubbed out. Unfortunately, I find they both tend to bite.
BCA and VBC are both loose, wide ribbon cut, and moist to the touch. They possess a velvety texture, and need no rubbing out.
The closest MacBaren tobacco to BCA/VBC is the new 7 Seas blends, especially the regular (white) label. The flavor and aroma are very close, and the look and feel are virtually identical.
I spoke with Mr. Frank Blews (former Lane General Mgr., now with MacBaren) at the Las Vegas pipe show about the 7 Seas blends. He worked at Lane for decades, and knows Lane's processes and recipes. He's developed the 7 Seas series as competition to Lane's Captain Black line. White, Blue and Gold label, just like CB.
The MacBaren blends do differ in flavor and aroma from the Lane product and are NOT direct copies. But they're real close. And, most important, NO bite!
The 7 Seas white label has vanilla, with a little orange, hazelnut, raisin and chocolate. It's composed of mainly black cavendish, with a small amount of Burley ribbon. Personally, I like it quite a bit. I've haven't tried the blue or gold yet, but will soon.
Frank also informed me that an all black 7 Seas (black label?) will be available soon.
Hope this helps in your quest.
CACooper