It needs to age a bit because it can bite despite being a dark mixture.

I was a bit disappointed.

The tin aroma shows off the Latakia readily enough, but the BC and VA are also noticeable. I find myself reminded of Poul Ilsted's Own Mixture #88, minus the topping, and that makes for a very favourable comparison IMHO. The cut is a long ribbon, which handles and stuffs easily. Takes to the match readily, needs to be smoked somewhat slowly (because the ribbons are somewhat thin), but even so has a beautiful, sweet&toasty taste.

The room note, of course, is a solipsist experience; I like it, nobody else does, women in general hate it (that's as of the returns of my 10-people survey with this 'baccy over the last month). The taste has a note of good leather, a nice acidity, a goodly amount of sweetness, and of course the Latakia toast in it.

This is not one for the Latakia junkies; it'll be far too "weak" for them, and probably too sweet. This blend does fit my need for Latakia while still being gentle and sweet enough for everyday consumption. The strength is not much; it could be an all-day tobacco. Overall, I could compare this blend to Bull Dog Little Dandy, which is similar in characteristic (but a tad sweeter while being just as toasty) and the already-stated Ilsted's blend; it fits right in and is well worth smoking.

By my definitions, this is a Scottish blend -- meaning it contains VAs, latakia, and black cavendish. And I don't think anyone does this kind of blend better than Rattray's.

A rich, supple smoke that is, as the tin says, "full," with a somewhat higher measure of nicotine than I typically smoke. (Not unbearable by any means. More than Black Mallory, but probably less than Hal o' the Wynd.)

I enjoy this one, but if I were picking a Rattray's Scottish for all-day smoking, this one comes in a bit rich. Black Mallory would be a better choice for that -- and also for a first foray into Rattray's Scottish blends -- as would Jocks Mixture, although Jocks is a somewhat different type of blend.

For several rich and satisfying bowls a day. . . well, Accountants' ticks all the right boxes.

The smell in the tin of all Ratray blens is sublime. The taste, on the other hand tends to be lacking and did I mention hot!!!

IMHO C&D's 3 Friers is a better choice.

The smell is heavy on the Latakia. It smells like quality weed. The smell when lit reminds me of my childhood, when in the fall people would burn pecan leaves. Which meant the beginning of football season.

The taste is just the right amount of earthy, salty, and horse gear leather. Also, there is an astringent taste I have learned to love with this blend.

It packs and burns well right of the can. Burning down to a dark gray ash. This blend can be bought at a very fair price for the quality of this tobacco. I haven't tried any of the other Rattray products. If this is an indication of the brands quality I'm sure they are "mustard".

It is a standard English blend of Virginias and Latakia. This has a rich leathery scent in the tin with a Virginia piquancy, ie, with a slight fermented smell. The Latakia seems to blend well with the Virginias and doesn't dominate.

Packing is easy, but lighting up takes a little more time than I like. The moisture is a tad higher in the tin than I would like, but isn't bad. I punched a small hole in the plastic top to let it breathe over time and the tobacco has dried a bit more to my liking. Just right.

The flavor is pleasant and full with a slight Virginia sweetness showing through. The Latakia is more layed back in this mixture and blends more evenly with the Virginas. Nice change.

As the description states, is is very nice smoked outdoors, but also gives a very pleasant English room aroma indoors that I always find comforting.

My only two real complaints about this blend is that it can smoke a bit hot for me due to the Virginia component, and it at times is a little strong in the nicotine level. But, that's just me. I tend to smoke a little fast at times.

Good blend for a change of pace and for anyone who wants a little less Latakia in their English blends.

Fifes and Drums

For me, it does not equal British Woods as to depth of flavor but it perhaps surpasses BW in the daily use arena. Lights easily, smokes the same top to bottom and puts the "D" in dependable. A can is always on the shelf.

However, I wish it had a better name. Good blend for a new English smoker to try...and stay with.

And I like it. Most of the people in my life are also mild mannered and unremarkable, and so this stuff fits right in.

Not Bad. Not Good. Much better out there.

This is well suited for smoking while doing repetitive tasks or chores. Like crunching numbers, paying bills, writing memorandums, working in the yard or garden, etc. Too bad most of us can't smoke at work any more. Those days are long gone...

This tobacco arrives quite moist, and will benefit from some drying time. Not an exciting blend, but very soothing.

It is a soothing blend, neither strong nor weak. Good Latikia presence with no bite. Sweet and pleasant.

This is a good blend for when you just want to kick back and enjoy a good smoke without being overwhelmed by flavors or the lack thereof. Relaxing and easy.

A good tobacco when one's in need of a Latakia punch, but compared to other great English mixtures, pretty monotone.

My rating is 2.75/4.

I like this tobacco - very soothing.

Again, this delivers a wonderful flavor and pleasant room note rather than the some of the other English styled blends that can be rather astringent. While it does do well outdoors, I confidently reach for Accountant's after a meal and reserve other more rustic coarsley cut blends for outdoor duty.

Accoutant's delivers subtle complexity in a narrower range and my experience is that 90% of the bowl hums a beautiful melody all its own, and for me ... that's the attraction. It's very reliable and consistently excellent quality. It always holds my attention.

This blend, Professinal Mixture and Jocks Blend are the Rattray's trilogy in my rotation. Excellent!

Cheers, VC