Rattray Tobacco Suggestions From Veterans

[Milleniumsmoker]

I got a local dealer here who is shipping (not open for business) that's telling me they have most of the Rattray line in stock.
I have fond memories to this day of the one tin of Marlin Flake I smoked years ago.
Can anyone recommend any other great blends I should try out? They are out of Black Malory sadly, as I tend to be a big English blend guy. I also enjoy the VA's and VA periques. What in their line is really good and what stands out to you all? I'm kind of budgeting these days so will probably only get a couple other ones in addition to Marlin Flake. Thanks!

 

[JimInks]

Since you like Latakia, try Red Rapperee and Jock's Mixture. Hal O' The Wind and Dark Fragrant are two others to consider as well.

 

[mortonbriar]

RED RAPPARREEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

 

[crawdad]

Red Rapparee, Hal O’ The Wind, Old Gowrie.

 

[workman]

Red Rapparee, Hal O’ The Wind, Old Gowrie.

Exactly!

 

[aquadoc]

Black Mallory, Old Gowrie, Exotic Orange

 

[logs]

Red Rapparee is one of their classics. It's edgier and more spicy than Black Mallory, although less of an all day smoke if you ask me. I currently prefer Black Mallory but it depends on one's mood.

Hal O the Wynd is a great one for it's VA flavor. It's not technically a straight VA but the condiment tobaccos are way in the background.

Old Gowrie is their VA/Burley blend and similar in character to Esoterica Tilbury. Although once you've had Tilbury it's hard to go back to Gowrie, which is less flavorful. On the plus side, Gowrie is a lot easier to get your hands on.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Hal O Yhe Wynd and Old Gowrie are outstanding.

 

[pappymac]

Red Rapparee is very good and I enjoyed Stirling Flake which is a Virginia/Burley blend.
If you want to consider a walk on the wild side, try Bagpiper's Dream it's a pretty good aromatic. But to be honest, my favorite Rattray's blends are Exotic Passion (orange) and any of the Winter Blends they made.

 

[BROBS]

I can’t believe so many people like exotic passion. Blech

tastes like strawberry shortcake’s ass crack.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

My absolute favorite is Marlin Flake.
Brown Clunee, Hal O th’wind, and Old Gowrie are all perfectly fine.
I don’t do latakia so that’s the extent of my experience with Rattrays.

 

[brooklynpiper]

The answer is probably whatever you can get your hands on.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Another doff for Old Gowrie and Hal o the Wynd, along with Marlin Flake they are far and away the jewels of Rattray’s. Red Rapparee is also a nice mild english/scottish blend. If you like aromatics Bagpipers Dream is great as well.

 

[BROBS]

Brown Clunee is the best blend they offer IMO.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

HOW and Ole Gowrie work fine always, from dawn to dusk

 

[aquadoc]

I can’t believe so many people like exotic passion. Blech

tastes like strawberry shortcake’s ass crack.

Your point?

 

[dcon]

All good recs. I would add Black VA for a mellow smoke. it is similar to Esoterica Kingsbridge. It is also a good mixer (use in place of a Black Cavendish). I have actually not had a bad Rattrays. Professional Mixture is a decent basic English.

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

Man, thanks everyone! I will have to take these suggestions and try them out! I know for sure I will do Black Malory and Marlin Flake, will have to give Stirling, Old Gowrie, and Red Rap a go. And to be honest probably most of the other recs on here lol. I've been going through a more than usual amount of tobacco these days lol! Thanks again!

 

[americaman]

Shane Ireland popped a tin of Brown Clunee from the 1980s at the West Coast Pipe Show last year. This tin was from back when they still made it in England (or maybe even Scotland). ‘Twas an incredible smoke.

 

[badbriar]

No Love For Highland Targe or 3 Noggins???