Smokeybears Tobacco Journal Entry and Review: Rattray's - Hal O' The Wind

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smokeybear

Lifer
Dec 21, 2012
2,199
25
Brampton,Ontario,Canada
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Rattray's - Hal O' The Wind
Just to let you know I tried to smoke this blend with only 30min dry time and it wasn't good as in it smoked really wet so i stopped and left some baccy out over night approx. 10hrs to dry and then it was a little too crisp but i did the review based on the crisp tobacco.
Tin Note: The Sample bag smelt like a dark chocolate mixed with, well, Tobacco. It actually smelt like cigarette tobacco in some way. 2 out of 4
Initial Light: Took 2 charring lights to get this pipe lit it was burning really well.It started with a very mild flavor that leaned towards the spicy side more then sweet. 3 out of 4
Mid-Smoke: The mid bowl was an okay smoke it wasn't bad just very 1 dimensional and rarely any change in the smokes flavor, however it was nice thick smokes from light sips. If it maintained this consistency then it would make for a decent smoke for when you just want to mindlessly puff away at a pipe. 3 out of 4
Bottom of the Bowl: Pipe began to smoke really hot again and the consistency disappeared into a harsher smoke but the spice was still there. about mid way through the bottom it began dripping out juice from the stem and became rather difficult to continue smoking. 1 out of 4
Room Note: It was a tolerable room not. 2 out of 4
Dottle: Left behind a clumpy ash with lots of moister accumulated near the draft hole.
Smoking Duration: 45min
Overall: As for Va/pers go, this blend started off good with a nice mild spiciness but as you progressed it was taken over by heat and moister and it seemed the smoke worked against you rather then along side you. The Kentucky and perique are the most noticeable while the Virginia is undetectable. I will not be cellering this blend simply because there are way more enjoyable choices out there for a good va/per's. 10 out of 20.
Recommendations:
1) Min 5hrs dry time.

2) Smoke slow with this one as it heats up quickly.

3) Pack lightly 3 step method is good.

 

smokeybear

Lifer
Dec 21, 2012
2,199
25
Brampton,Ontario,Canada
At the initial light and mid bowl i was enjoying it and did expect it to get better because it burned rather well after the dry time. But i just cant handle pipe juice the moment that happens to me i hate it because i know that the taste it going to sit in my mouth for a few hours after even after brushing my teeth. And i could work on improving my preparation of this blend but there are so many blends that already smoke well for me with less prep so i don't care to go through it. YMMV of course.

 

sablebrush52

The Bard Of Barlings
Jun 15, 2013
21,181
51,241
Southern Oregon
jrs457.wixsite.com
Hi Smokeybear,
Thanks for the review!
As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, I've come to appreciate this blend quite a lot. It's finicky to smoke, but so far all Virginia blends I've tried seem to have that characteristic. I wouldn't say that this is a blend to mindlessly smoke as it can get hot very quickly and deliver a harsh flavor. When I'm paying it some attention, I get a nicely sweet citrus smoke, with the citrus delivered when I exhale through my nose. I do experience variations in the flavor of the spice, probably due to variations in the composition of the blend undergoing immolation at that moment. The tin I'm using was first opened either late last year, or early this year, so it's had some time to sit. At the time that I first opened the tin and tried out this blend I didn't much care for it. My impression has certainly changed. Light pack does work well. I have to relight a couple of times due to the extremely slow cadence I'm using and I suspect that I'll eventually get the hang of smoking this blend. Frankly, having to relight is no big thing. Beats heat and harshness.

 

smokeybear

Lifer
Dec 21, 2012
2,199
25
Brampton,Ontario,Canada
sablebrush52 First off thank you for your input on the blend.
Let me just be clear that when i said mindlessly smoke, it was during the mid bowl where i was actually enjoying the consistency of the smoke. I meant it as a no fuss smoke during that time of the experience, however as you mentioned it does have a tendency to get hot it you don't focus on your puffing for sure.
I agree if i spent the time to try and force myself to enjoy this blend i would most likely be successful in doing so. However the main reason i started doing these reviews was for me to pin point the blends i would most enjoy and be able to cellar. My experiences smoking these blends may be similar to others but at the same time completely opposite. I post my experiences because i enjoy doing it and some others may find it helpful.
But for that reason i welcome those who don't agree or have tips to help make the smoke better because my review would only cover a portion of peoples preferences where as further discussion into it would cover the rest.
So thank you guys and i will of course revisit this blend so i am noting all your recommendations. I just feel i have to be a bit picky on my first go around because there are way to many blends to smoke and so little time.

 
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