All I can say is wow after reading this letter:
Dear Chris
This is indeed one of our tobaccos – and what a lovely surprise to see one of our pouches from the past
The name is “MacRaes” and the pouch originally held 2 ounces (the writing is that of my late father David Simmonds). It is an English mixture with Virginia, Turkish and Latakia
Judging by the pouch and the imperial measure I would estimate that this tobacco is from the early to mid 1990’s at the latest, so 15 years old at least
We do in fact still sell this house blend along with many others. We do not list tobacco on our website (too many problems with advertising regulations etc) but still stock a large range of hand blended tobaccos in our shop alongside pipes & accessories
I have listed the loose tobaccos below along with descriptions (including of course the MacRaes)
Kind regards
Matthew Simmonds
Matthew Simmonds
Harrison & Simmonds Ltd (established 1928)
80 High Street
Bedford
MK40 1NN
Tel / Fax UK :01234 266711 or Tel 01234 300777
Tel / Fax Int :+44 1234 266711
Mailto:matt@h-s.co.uk
Website: http://www.h-s.co.uk
http://home.btconnect.com/h-s/
VAT Number: GB 196 2674 24
Harrison & Simmonds Limited is a company registered
in England and Wales with company number 5411286
TOBACCOS
MacRaes
A good honest traditional mixture with a fairly generous proportion of Latakia-broad cut, medium strength modestly priced
Old Superb
A plug like tobacco with a very full flavour. Recommended for experienced smokers only
Coniston
An unscented version od Old Superb
Southdown Flake
Medium to strong, slow burning, and most suitable for smoking where the “Downland breezes blow”
Countryman’s
Mixture
As the name suggests this is a splendid smoke for the outdoor man. Composed of chopped flakes and a rich blending, it is cool, slow and satisfying. No latakia
Commander’s Flake
This is a luxurious tobacco, very cool and dry
Golden Flake
A light, mild unscented flake that is surprisingly cool smoking and long lasting
Crown Mixture
A mild to medium blend, delightfully delicate. A little Latakia incorporated
Sussex Punch
100% Virginia, slowly darkened by a long cooking process. Sinister looking but sweet smoking
Benbow’s Bar
Sweet and slow-burning. Medium in strength, it compares extremely favourably with proprietary
brands of this type
Oliver Twist
Traditional black pigtail twist-strong and cool. Well-known tobacco of old which has survived
generations
Great Scott
For many years a favourite of many happy pipemen. An honest economical brown Virginia
flake giving satisfaction and contentment
Cuttle & Scott
Evolved by public demand-a blend of Cpt Cuttle with Great Scott which results in a slightly
fuller version of Cpt Cuttle
Scrooge
A unique mixture of a secret recipe of Virginia and Latakia tobaccos with a generous
proportion of Turkish-blended on the premises for many years. Rich, distinctive and recognisable aroma. Broad-cut, medium strength.
Capt Cuttle
A master blend of Three Flakes, slow-burning, cool and satisfying, a secret recipe blended on the premises for several decades-the perfect balance-when found make a note of
Micawber
A very palatable mild, slightly sweetened broken flake of an excellent texture with a touch
of rum and maple to stimulate the brain and uplift the heart
Kentucky Nougat
Blended from superior Golden African Virginias, Burleys and mild Black Cavendish Tobaccos. Unique nut and vanilla flavours, mild.
Cherry & Vanilla
Red Burleys with Cavendished Virginias, cased and top dressed. Highly aromatic and mild
Black Cordial
Steam sweated fire-cured black Cavendish. An aromatic blend with fine blackcurrant flavour for
full, fruity taste. Exceptionally smooth and mild
Black Cherry
Toasted Black Cavendish forms the base for this blend with bright Cavendish and Virginia added.
A subtle cherry flavour is applied for sweetness
Cherry Cavendish
A blend of Cavendish tobaccos flavoured with cherry. full aromatic and full-bodied yet remarkably
gentle. Guaranteed Mild
Black Spice
A cinnamon and nutmeg flavoured all black Cavendish consisting of fire cured tobaccos. Steam
sweated for mildness and smoothness. Ideal for blending
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