Just finishing my first bowl of Hal o' the Wynd, and I'm impressed. I bought the tin a few months ago at a B&M because the lid was well yellowed and I figured it had a bit of age on it. I'm a big fan of Marlin Flake, so I wanted to try another Rattray Virginia. A lot of the reviews I read suggested it's fairly strong, but I'm not really noticing that, and I think my palate has always been more for lighter blends. It is, however, full flavored. The perique is front and center, but in flavor I get way more fruitiness with the spice on the retrohale and a little zip in the back of my throat. No harshness at all, in fact very smooth. I'm not a fan of too much Kentucky, and in this blend it's maintaining a very well-behaved earthiness. The virginias are sweet and tangy, with plenty of that note from the reds I can only describe as malty. But it's the perique that's really doing it for me with a nice round fruitiness. This pipe has a tall bowl of medium diameter (Savinelli 707 ks), but I think this blend might be better in a pot, so maybe I'll try that later tonight. Oh well, yet another blend to put on the cellar list.
Hal O' The Wynd
- Thread starter krizzose
- Start date
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
After five years and a closet full of different blends I'll probably never finish, Hal o' the Wynd, Escudo and Orlik are the three I've settled on as my go to blends. I prefer HotW in an old Shelldrake bent bulldog I picked up at an antique store. It's bowl dimensions are about identical to a Savinelli 320. I find it brings out a deep richness to the flavor much more than a smaller bowl. Just my humble opinion, though.
Glad you're enjoying it!
Glad you're enjoying it!
It's one of my favourites and I too don't think it's as strong as the description or others suggest. I always have some on standby. If you like that and Marlin Flake give Brown Clunee and Old Gowrie a go.
Forgive me but your title compels me to point out that wynd is not wind. A wynd is a type of narrow path. The title of this stuff could just as easily be Hal of the Narrow Path/Lane. Apologies If you are aware of this but I see this mistake repeatedly when it comes to this blend and its title so I am pointing this out to others who may think wynd refers to the blowing wind. It doesn't.
Edit: I see the title has been changed but will leave this in anyway.
Forgive me but your title compels me to point out that wynd is not wind. A wynd is a type of narrow path. The title of this stuff could just as easily be Hal of the Narrow Path/Lane. Apologies If you are aware of this but I see this mistake repeatedly when it comes to this blend and its title so I am pointing this out to others who may think wynd refers to the blowing wind. It doesn't.
Edit: I see the title has been changed but will leave this in anyway.
HOTW is a favorite blend, though I haven't smoked it for a few years. I realized that I was running through my stash and am letting the remaining cans age. It's good fresh, but it's spectacular with a few years on it.
I enjoy mixing this one with Cotton Boll Twist. It is lovely on its own as well, sort of like a junior partner to the 'Yacht.
I love all of the Rattray's 'famous four', Marlin Flake, Hal 'O The Wynd, Brown Clunee and Old Gowrie. They are very similar in taste to me but of the four I think Marlin Flake just pips the other three...but only just.
Regards,
Jay.
Regards,
Jay.
This thread reminded me that I was out of HoTW and I found it today on tobaccopipes.com. So thanks.
- Status