Rattray's 1990's?

[JeffDavisfromAltinook]

Hello Everyone

I came upon some very old appearing Rattray's (3.5oz, $24, made in Germany) in Charleston last weekend. From Pipedia, and various internet searches I estimate they are at least 10-20 years old.

My question is this.
Do I open and enjoy these tins?
Are they too old?
Should I hold onto them in the hopes they might improve even further? I'm worried I might be ruining what could be an even greater blend in the future.
I couldn't even estimate what they might be worth, as I can't find anyone with tins this old. Can anyone tell me if I should try to sell them?>

I would appreciate your sage wisdom and greater experience, gentleman.

Kind regards,

 

[jguss]

This is only an indirect answer to your question. I love the McConnell Rattray’s production from the 1970s and 1980s and my personal experience has been that the pop-top tins kept the tobacco fresh and the result was fantastic.

 

[pantsBoots]

If still sealed, that's a great buy - which blend? I just bought a 100g tin of Red Rapparee from 2010 for $40. Have not popped it yet as I'm finishing a tin I have open first.

 

[Jwebb90]

What blends?

 

[briarbuck]

I've smoked really old HOTW and OG (> 20 years) and it's fa-bu-lous.

 

[Jwebb90]

I've smoked really old HOTW and OG and it's fa-bu-lous.

I have some Marlin Flake from ‘03 that is out of this world good.

 

[condorlover1]

I have a bunch of 'cutter top' Rattray tins probably from the 50s/60s since I think the tins we're still being made in the early 1970s in that style. I gave one to a dear friend on here and he said the contents were great since I think he shared it with a group of guys on the forum about three years ago. If the tin hasn't leaked or popped I am sure it will be a wonderful smoke and from my limited understanding will probably improve with age.

 

[JeffDavisfromAltinook]

If still sealed, that's a great buy - which blend? I just bought a 100g tin of Red Rapparee from 2010 for $40. Have not popped it yet as I'm finishing a tin I have open first.

 

[JeffDavisfromAltinook]

So as you can see, its kind of what you find online. I think my main question is should I keep it for a bit longer or not.

Thanks for all the great responses, everyone! Appreciate you.

 

[BROBS]

View attachment 51823View attachment 51824

What makes you think these are from the 90s?

 

[sablebrush52]

Hello Everyone

I came upon some very old appearing Rattray's (3.5oz, $24, made in Germany) in Charleston last weekend. From Pipedia, and various internet searches I estimate they are at least 10-20 years old.

My question is this.
Do I open and enjoy these tins?
Are they too old?
Should I hold onto them in the hopes they might improve even further? I'm worried I might be ruining what could be an even greater blend in the future.
I couldn't even estimate what they might be worth, as I can't find anyone with tins this old. Can anyone tell me if I should try to sell them?>

I would appreciate your sage wisdom and greater experience, gentleman.

Kind regards,

Open them when you feel like smoking them. Virginias will age for decades. Blends with Latakia will likely experience a lessening of the Latakia flavor in the blend. At 10 to 20 years they're certainly ready to be enjoyed.

As for the notion of "improvement" due to aging, that's subjective. Blends change with age. Whether that change constitutes an improvement is up to the individual smoker to decide.

 

[musicman]

I believe that Arango became the US distributor for Rattray's in 2010 or so, so it's likely these tins are newer than that.

As to your question of when to open, I wouldn't concern myself too much with finding the "right time" for the blend to be it's "best." Blends change over time. Many improve with age, some don't, but the best way to put it is that they change. Unless you are familiar with a blend and it's aging properties, it's impossible to guess the exact time when the blend might be at its best for your tastes. So, open it when you feel like it, and don't worry too much about missing out.

 

[JeffDavisfromAltinook]

What makes you think these are from the 90s?

Pipepedia gave some info about the tops and bottoms from then , and the label supposedly gives some indication as well, although I no expert by any means.

 

[BROBS]

I believe that Arango became the US distributor for Rattray's in 2010 or so, so it's likely these tins are newer than that.

As to your question of when to open, I wouldn't concern myself too much with finding the "right time" for the blend to be it's "best." Blends change over time. Many improve with age, some don't, but the best way to put it is that they change. Unless you are familiar with a blend and it's aging properties, it's impossible to guess the exact time when the blend might be at its best for your tastes. So, open it when you feel like it, and don't worry too much about missing out.

That’s what I was thinking. If arrango it’s not from the 90s I don’t believe.

 

[JeffDavisfromAltinook]

I believe that Arango became the US distributor for Rattray's in 2010 or so, so it's likely these tins are newer than that.

As to your question of when to open, I wouldn't concern myself too much with finding the "right time" for the blend to be it's "best." Blends change over time. Many improve with age, some don't, but the best way to put it is that they change. Unless you are familiar with a blend and it's aging properties, it's impossible to guess the exact time when the blend might be at its best for your tastes. So, open it when you feel like it, and don't worry too much about missing out.

Awesome thanks for the feedback, you know I just sort of search things but its hard to say with any certainty how accurate the information is.
Appreciate it.

 

[anotherbob]

I believe that Arango became the US distributor for Rattray's in 2010 or so, so it's likely these tins are newer than that.

As to your question of when to open, I wouldn't concern myself too much with finding the "right time" for the blend to be it's "best." Blends change over time. Many improve with age, some don't, but the best way to put it is that they change. Unless you are familiar with a blend and it's aging properties, it's impossible to guess the exact time when the blend might be at its best for your tastes. So, open it when you feel like it, and don't worry too much about missing out.

yeah the tins look like the ones I saw for sale not too long ago.

 

[JeffDavisfromAltinook]

That’s what I was thinking. If arrango it’s not from the 90s I don’t believe.

Awesome that's helpful. I couldn't find that online anywhere but I don't know a lot about researching these blends.
How do you guys look up stuff about different tobacco's??

 

[BROBS]

Awesome that's helpful. I couldn't find that online anywhere but I don't know a lot about researching these blends.
How do you guys look up stuff about different tobacco's??

google

right here it says Arango took over distribution in 2010

Arango Cigar Co. Acquires XYZ Direct’s Assets and Distribution Rights

Arango Cigar Co. has purchased the assets and distribution rights of XYZ Direct, Ltd. Arango also owns the Wessex brand as part of the agreement. In addition to the entire […]

pipesmagazine.com

so they tins are post 2010.. so at max about 10 years old.

 

[FurCoat]

Smoke it.

 

[lochinvar]

As already stated, those are definitely only 10ish. Until the late 1990's/early 2000's, James B Russell of New Jersey was importer and the label paper was a matte finish with large printing. The tobacco was McConnell's into the 1990's, but some of the last JBR was K&K with a made in Germany stamp. XYZ then took over distributorship, and for a time the identical matte labels as the JBR imported were used, later switching to a slick and shiny label still with the same sized font and artwork. After Arango took over the font and artwork was shrunk, and most recently the Virginia tins art was completely changed.They formerly read "Rattray's, [blend name], Tobacco", surrounded by swirls and arabesques, all atop the "Blended for Charles Rattray, Perth Scotland", to the current which has no decorative swirls and reads "Rattray's, Made by Hand, [blend name], For Gentlemen Only."
Or at least, that's the tale my cellar tells.

Oh yeah, smoke the hell out of it. Highland Targe is excellent.