Mac Baren Saint-Claude

Saint-Claude is a pipe tobacco with origins tracing back to France. In the 1920s, when the market's Caporal series began being used for roll-your-own cigarettes, the era's French tobacco monopoly had a blend prepared specifically for the pipe; the name comes from the town of Saint-Claude, considered the world's pipe-making center. On the market since 1934, the blend is produced today by Mac Baren following the brand's takeover from Imperial Tobacco. Its composition holds Kentucky, Paraguayan, and Virginia leaves; the cut is a fine ribbon the French call scaferlati, and the tobacco arrives in the pack in block form, quite dry. In the aroma, Paraguay's characteristic tone stands out, with the honey and vanilla topping pulled back. In the smoke, Kentucky's full, faintly bitter, and strong taste is decisive; the smoke isn't flowing, and it doesn't bite the tongue.