A New MacBaren Limited Release Drops Tomorrow, Hill Of Slane
Mar 9, 2023 19:54:46 GMT -5
Ronv69, Zach, and 1 more like this
Post by trailboss on Mar 9, 2023 19:54:46 GMT -5
Coming to a Retailer Near You
Friday, March 10th at 6:00 PM EST


In 433 AD, the Hill of Slane is told to be the place that St. Patrick chose to proclaim Christianity and help the druids overcome their “heathen” ways. The Celtic High King - King Laoghaire. Renowned for his brute strength and ferocity, King Laoghaire had lit a fire on the Hill of Tara, a cultic center where people worshiped the Celtic god of the sun, Lugh, to celebrate the Feast of Tara, the time of the Beltaine Festival during the Spring Equinox. The King warned that no other fire was to be lit or seen during the time of the festival.
However, St. Patrick was not intimidated by the King and outwardly defied the Kings orders by bravely, and boldly lighting and blessing the Paschal fire on the Hill of Slane, which was easily seen from the Hill of Tara. The King Loegaire and the druids had planned to kill St. Patrick but, the King was so impressed by St. Patrick’s devotion to his beliefs and his convincing and persuasive ways, he actually allowed St. Patrick to continue his missionary work in his kingdom. To this day, a statue of St. Patrick is displayed prominently at the front of the ruins.
So, it is in honor of the courage, bravery and tenacity that St. Patrick imbued that we celebrate with a blend we feel encompasses his spirit: Hill of Slane is fragrant and fills the room with warmth yet is mellow so as not to be overpowering. It burns cool and doesn’t overheat but burns long to allow the smoker time to slowly enjoy the gifts of the blend. And it is welcoming and inviting to all those around so they too can enjoy the sweet nuances of traditional Irish Cream. This unique and satisfying blend of air and flu-cured tobaccos of Virginia and Burley, has been expertly blended so we can relax, reflect and remember that:
"A little fire that warms is better than a big fire that burns!"

One very lucky Duine (person) is going to purchase the special tin. Inside that tin will be a Gold Coin and instructions on how to reedem the precious gift! Will you be the lucky one?
“Wherever you go, whatever you do,
may the luck of the Irish be there with you!”

The various grades of Virginias provide light tart and tangy citrus, grass, bread, sugar and floralness as the lead component. The nutty, earthy, woody burley is a supporting player. The sweet Irish Cream offers mild vanilla, a few nuts, and a light, bitter cocoa note. It tones down the tobaccos quite a bit, but doesn’t totally drown them out. The strength and nic-hit are mild. The taste falls a step short of the center of mild to medium. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. Has a few very light rough notes. Burns cool, clean and slightly slow with a very consistent creamy, tangy, mildly fruity, nutty, lightly bitter flavor that extends to the moderately lingering, pleasant after taste. Has a pleasant room note, too. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl, and requires a couple more than an average number of relights. A fairly easy going all day smoke. Three stars.
-Jim

Not long ago Sutliff revealed they had sighted a little rascal in and around the factory, turns out it’s Henri a rather rowdy and impish sprite known in the tobacco world to know his leaf. But like most sprites ( the Irish call them Elves and Fairies) he is fond of a drop or two of spirits especially considering he’s been known to hang with the odd Leprechaun…believe me they can be odd…where he picked up a habit for finding fine liquor and for hiding surprises and little treasures here and there. Rumor has it not only did he get his Spritely hands into this blend of leaf and liquor but that he also snuck a special coin into one tine that can be exchanged for a special gift so good luck! He even imposed his image dressed as leprechaun on the label!!!
Well Henri and the folks at Sutliff have put some fine stuff in all the tins so really, coin or not, every tin is a treat. They started off with some very good Virginias that give a bit of tang and tart citrus sweetness, hay, bread and a light flowery note. Then they put in some lovely burley to add its nutty robustness along with a loamy, woody flavors and of course being burley it thickens the smoke and adds to the mouth feel which is pretty good. Now when I opened the tin I noticed a few things, one the above tobacco is cut into thin soft fluffy ribbons that pack well and a smell of liquor and at what at first my nose thought was cinnamon but turns out that some fine vanilla to make up the Irish Cream flavor. Now that flavor is a mix of liquor, cream, vanilla, a touch of cocoa or chocolate and sweetness. The topping does vie for the lead with the tobacco but they have decided to cooperate in to a very pleasant tasting balanced blend. Taste is mild to medium, with no chance of a bite. Nicotine wise it is light and much the same in strength.
Those soft ribbons pack well and burn cool and smooth yielding a pretty steady creamy, sweet, tangy, nutty and slightly fruitiness and touch of bitterness from the cocoa. The taste lingers a bit and like the room note both are pleasant. In a cob it leaves no noticeable moisture but may in a briar it might. Lights well and relights are needed a bit more often than some blends. It’s a very enjoyable blend and goes really well with a coffee for a sort of Irish coffee mashup and it could easily be enjoyed all day. I am leaning for 3-1/2 stars as it’s a nice aromatic.
Dave da Dragon
Friday, March 10th at 6:00 PM EST


In 433 AD, the Hill of Slane is told to be the place that St. Patrick chose to proclaim Christianity and help the druids overcome their “heathen” ways. The Celtic High King - King Laoghaire. Renowned for his brute strength and ferocity, King Laoghaire had lit a fire on the Hill of Tara, a cultic center where people worshiped the Celtic god of the sun, Lugh, to celebrate the Feast of Tara, the time of the Beltaine Festival during the Spring Equinox. The King warned that no other fire was to be lit or seen during the time of the festival.
However, St. Patrick was not intimidated by the King and outwardly defied the Kings orders by bravely, and boldly lighting and blessing the Paschal fire on the Hill of Slane, which was easily seen from the Hill of Tara. The King Loegaire and the druids had planned to kill St. Patrick but, the King was so impressed by St. Patrick’s devotion to his beliefs and his convincing and persuasive ways, he actually allowed St. Patrick to continue his missionary work in his kingdom. To this day, a statue of St. Patrick is displayed prominently at the front of the ruins.
So, it is in honor of the courage, bravery and tenacity that St. Patrick imbued that we celebrate with a blend we feel encompasses his spirit: Hill of Slane is fragrant and fills the room with warmth yet is mellow so as not to be overpowering. It burns cool and doesn’t overheat but burns long to allow the smoker time to slowly enjoy the gifts of the blend. And it is welcoming and inviting to all those around so they too can enjoy the sweet nuances of traditional Irish Cream. This unique and satisfying blend of air and flu-cured tobaccos of Virginia and Burley, has been expertly blended so we can relax, reflect and remember that:
"A little fire that warms is better than a big fire that burns!"

One very lucky Duine (person) is going to purchase the special tin. Inside that tin will be a Gold Coin and instructions on how to reedem the precious gift! Will you be the lucky one?
“Wherever you go, whatever you do,
may the luck of the Irish be there with you!”

The various grades of Virginias provide light tart and tangy citrus, grass, bread, sugar and floralness as the lead component. The nutty, earthy, woody burley is a supporting player. The sweet Irish Cream offers mild vanilla, a few nuts, and a light, bitter cocoa note. It tones down the tobaccos quite a bit, but doesn’t totally drown them out. The strength and nic-hit are mild. The taste falls a step short of the center of mild to medium. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. Has a few very light rough notes. Burns cool, clean and slightly slow with a very consistent creamy, tangy, mildly fruity, nutty, lightly bitter flavor that extends to the moderately lingering, pleasant after taste. Has a pleasant room note, too. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl, and requires a couple more than an average number of relights. A fairly easy going all day smoke. Three stars.
-Jim

Not long ago Sutliff revealed they had sighted a little rascal in and around the factory, turns out it’s Henri a rather rowdy and impish sprite known in the tobacco world to know his leaf. But like most sprites ( the Irish call them Elves and Fairies) he is fond of a drop or two of spirits especially considering he’s been known to hang with the odd Leprechaun…believe me they can be odd…where he picked up a habit for finding fine liquor and for hiding surprises and little treasures here and there. Rumor has it not only did he get his Spritely hands into this blend of leaf and liquor but that he also snuck a special coin into one tine that can be exchanged for a special gift so good luck! He even imposed his image dressed as leprechaun on the label!!!
Well Henri and the folks at Sutliff have put some fine stuff in all the tins so really, coin or not, every tin is a treat. They started off with some very good Virginias that give a bit of tang and tart citrus sweetness, hay, bread and a light flowery note. Then they put in some lovely burley to add its nutty robustness along with a loamy, woody flavors and of course being burley it thickens the smoke and adds to the mouth feel which is pretty good. Now when I opened the tin I noticed a few things, one the above tobacco is cut into thin soft fluffy ribbons that pack well and a smell of liquor and at what at first my nose thought was cinnamon but turns out that some fine vanilla to make up the Irish Cream flavor. Now that flavor is a mix of liquor, cream, vanilla, a touch of cocoa or chocolate and sweetness. The topping does vie for the lead with the tobacco but they have decided to cooperate in to a very pleasant tasting balanced blend. Taste is mild to medium, with no chance of a bite. Nicotine wise it is light and much the same in strength.
Those soft ribbons pack well and burn cool and smooth yielding a pretty steady creamy, sweet, tangy, nutty and slightly fruitiness and touch of bitterness from the cocoa. The taste lingers a bit and like the room note both are pleasant. In a cob it leaves no noticeable moisture but may in a briar it might. Lights well and relights are needed a bit more often than some blends. It’s a very enjoyable blend and goes really well with a coffee for a sort of Irish coffee mashup and it could easily be enjoyed all day. I am leaning for 3-1/2 stars as it’s a nice aromatic.
Dave da Dragon