Well this is definitely not a tobacco that I would recommend for someone’s first ever pipe and it’s not going to win you too many friends if you light this up in a room full of non-smokers. The non-smoker in my life decided that she would find something to do in another part of the house the first time I lit up a pipe filled with this tobacco. However, if you like a nice full Scottish blend, then Hal O’ the Wynd is for you.
This is a coarse-cut Red Virginia with a medium to full taste that will certainly wake you up the first time you try it. If you want to sink into a mellow mood as you smoke then this tobacco is not going to help you achieve that the first time you smoke it because it’s definitely robust and it lets you know all about it.
From the tin it’s quite wet and I certainly like to let it dry just a little before packing it into my pipe and from there on it’s just a matter of sitting back and enjoying all the rich flavors that you might expect from a Red Virginia and it’s not hard to find some malt whiskey hiding away in there too. If you haven’t tried a Virginia before then this is probably not the best one to start with because it just might spoil all the other Virginias for you … but that’s just my humble opinion and your mileage might vary.
Being a Scottish tobacco and already coming with those hints of whiskey it’s probably an ideal tobacco to smoke with a fine single malt. But once again you’re personal taste might vary and I’ve been known to enjoy a pipe or two of Hal O’ the Wynd with a good ale to keep it company.
Brand: Rattray
Blender: Kohlhase, Kopp und Co. KG
Tin Description: This is a strong, sharp aged red Virginia blend that will perk you up quickly.
Country of Origin: Germany
Curing Group: Air Cured
Contents: Virginia
Cut: Coarse Cut
Packaging: 50g Tin, 100g Tin
Strength: Medium to Strong
Flavoring: Extremely Mild
Taste: Medium to Full
Room Note: Somewhat Tolerable
Recommendation: Highly Recommended