Mac Baren Virginia No. 1

Virginia No. 1 is a blend Mac Baren introduced in 1955 and counts among its classics. Its contents consist solely of Virginia leaves; it's presented ready-rubbed, so it can be packed directly straight from the tin. Moisture is set to a smoke-ready level, it lights easily, and leaves a light gray ash. Despite being pure Virginia, it carries a honey-and-sugar-based sweetening; this flavoring adds a sweetness distinguishable from the leaf's own natural sugar. Nicotine load is low, flavor intensity limited, and a faintly bitter edge can appear in the first part of the smoke. It's also prone to running hot quickly, so it needs to be smoked slowly.