Rattray - 7 Reserve pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
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hagen	01/29/2009	Mild	None detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
okay, i must rewrite my review almost completely. i wrote the first one about two years ago when i had just started smoking englishes etc., and i had no idea how spicy and interesting they can (and, imo, should) really be. i found the oriental leaf in 7 reserve quite interesting, and that's what they'll probably be to most va or vaper smokers. alas, now that i've tried a lot more of what's available, i find it rather lacking in character and strength. i'm sure it's a fine introduction to the realm of oriental tobaccos. it worked for me.
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mo	01/22/2009	Mild	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
I stumbled upon this blend by accident. I ordered 5 tins of HOTW and somehow Rattray has managed to tin this blend with a HOTW sticker on the tin. Smokingpipes.com stood by their customer and offered to send me my HOTW and said i could keep the tins of this stuff. This blend is probably the perfect example of an all day smoke. Just like it said on the tin. Unlike many other blends i have seen, it does not announce to be anything other than an all day tobacco. For that i give it full marks because it is perfect in that regard. As a relaxing sit down in the evening smoke, this simply is too dull and boring. I taste the Virginia with the Oriental and Latakia popping in and out from time to time. It is not complex and it does not try nor pretend to be anything other than an all day tobacco and should be rated as such. Mo, South Africa
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BriarChef	09/11/2008	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
I must say up front that I do not have an "all day" tobacco. I can handle one tobacco for my first three bowls, which gets me through to lunch, and then feel the need for something different. That being said, 7 Reserve lives up to its tin description of being Red Rapparee's little brother. If there is Latakia lurking hereabouts, it does a great job of hiding. A bit here and there, but not a dominant seasoning. An Oriental-forward smoke, with a very solid Virginia base. Somewhat bitey at first, but only a brief nip. The Virginias are more light and toasty than rich and creamy, and play well with the Turks. I like it, but it gets boring after three bowls and leaves me craving Latakia. And nicotine.
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Pipe	07/02/2008	Mild	Mild	Medium	Tolerable
This stuff isn't too bad, Its a bit nippy on the tongue, Cannot detect much if any Latakia. Low octane Nicotine, moisture content seemed perfect for me, 2 lights , nice burn, tin aroma is fairly mild, not unpleasant, Room note is Ok, won't chase away your freinds, Price was right, won't break the bank, This would be great on a fishing trip or perhaps camping, Should go well with a nice Pilsner or Pale Ale. Probably won't buy it again, but a smoker can do alot worse
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Latakia	06/09/2008	Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
Very nice mild English blend that can be smoked all day. Reminded me of Rattray's Professional Blend (haven't tried Red Rapparee. Can not say what was different than Professional since it was a while back but did detect the similarity from my memory) Very moist when I opened the tin. Very nice burn with a white ash. Did not experience a tongue bit as some reviews indicate. Is a good change from a full latakia when needing a change or when one wants a bit more spice and oriental from a straight Virginian. Can qualify as a regular for me. On my second tin now and decided to add to the review. This is always a delight to smoke. It is a tobacco that qualitifes as an all day smoke. If I had to pick one blend and brand (which I never have to do since I keep a selection for different times,,,the joys of pipe smoking...but if I had to do this and was stranded on an island, this would be the one. I never tire of the taste and nothing sticks out to make it so special...just consistant and nice!
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SmokeKing David	04/06/2008	Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
As mentioned by other reviewers, this blend is not a Latakia powerhouse. Instead, it is a fine mixture with its principle emphasis on Virginia and the Lat used as seasoning. I find this works best in a larger bowl. Govern yourself accordingly! SmokeKing David
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kenneth	02/29/2008	Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
This review should be read in conjunction with my experiences with Red Rapparee. I have taken the liberty of pasting that review with my update for better clarification Somebody on the Red Rapparee page commented on this tobacco as being "like Presbyterian Mixture without the plum taste". They were spot on and to be congratulated, it was the plum note in PM which stopped that tobacco becoming my number one regular smoke. Red Rapparee from Rattray's is the answer to my long search. I have always liked English mixtures, Dunhill 965 was always my regular smoke, until that is, it became unavailable here in the UK. I have tried most of the other Rattray's offerings and find most of them very even tempered, nothing to write home about buy OK. RR is all together different. This is an update- I read reviews on 7 Reserve Medium and as you will note RR has the same constituents as 7 Reserve but 7 Reserve is blended for the all day smoker. I have tried 7 Reserve in the past but although agreeable and mild mannered it lacked something- the solution- blend it 60% 7 Reserve 40% RR. Perfect an all day smoke with a little more oomph. With regard to tongue bite, yes it can bite a bit if smoked thoughtlessly but given due respect I noted no bite, also good room note and decent outdoor performance- very highly recommended
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sentenza	09/14/2007	Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
I think that this tobacco has a perfect balance between orientals and virginias,very easy to smoke and it can be smoked all day long. from my point of wiew it's one of the best rattrays tobaccos. Smoke is cool and tasty
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Ads	08/29/2007	Mild	None detected	Medium	Tolerable

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Xeneize	07/24/2007	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild	Tolerable
It is true that this tobacco is a mild version of Red Rapparee and it actually tastes like it for the first 1/4 bowl. After that, it becomes dull. The high quality Oriental blend turns into a flat English with no body whatsoever. Also, tongue bite is incredibly strong for a non-aromatic. I see no reason for smoking this tobacco with so many great options out there. Probably only good for a corncob when I'm short in time.
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SopwithCamel	12/05/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
I grow weary of reviewers who don't smoke a tobacco on its own merits. If you want Pirate Kake, Penzance, or Nightcap, this is NOT it. However, if you have enough tastebuds left to enjoy a well behaved, tasty, top quality mild English blend, then pick up a tin and give it a whirl. This would make a fine introduction to Latakia, and is an excellent hot weather English. This loses a star because it is just too wet in the tin. For the premium price that is paid, one gets far too little tobacco, and far too much water.
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Mr. Morbid	11/08/2006	Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Unnoticeable
I just sampled a bowl of this blend that I've had sitting around in a mason jar for quite some time... Its an interesting taste... The aroma and taste is similar to that of McClellend 5100 Red Cake... I couldn't determine if this was an aromatic blend or not... I don't think it is... Over all I thought it was pretty good...
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JazzSmoke	04/21/2006	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
Hmmm... The first things I tasted in this blend is it's similarity to Red Rapparee. I think it's an excellent tin description. Similar virginia/oriental English blend but softer and easier to smoke. Red Rapparee and Black Mallory are great complex blends but can smoke hot/harsh. This blend has a character similar to Red Rapparee but is softer smoking and a little more focused on sweet tasting virginias. I really like this blend and will probably smoke two tins a year, which is quite a bit for me given the other tobaccos I smoke. As far as smoking it all day, I think that would scorch your tounge seriously! (So would Red Rapparee for that matter)
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Devonshire	03/19/2006	Medium to Strong	None detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong
This is a classic English tobacco, full and smoky, yet smooth, with no harsh acidic aftertastes. If straight, unflavoured tobaccos are your thing, this could indeed be an all day smoke for you.
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Pipestud	03/19/2006	Mild	None detected	Mild	Tolerable
7 Reserve is, quite simply, a mild English blend suitable for all day puffing as the descriptive states. Personally, I do not find much similarity at all between 7 Reserve and Red Rapparee, which is much stronger and frankly, a little harsh according to my taste buds. I like more strength than 7 Reserve offers (and, more flavor,) but I certainly would suggest this tobacco to anyone who enjoys Latakia in small doses. One final thought, I smoked some 10 year old 7 Reserve a few months ago and then some from a fresh tin a few weeks ago. I noticed a tremendous amount of difference in the moisture content. The recent vintage was practically dripping wet while the moisture content was perfect in the older stuff.
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Pipepundit	01/10/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
A civilized, understated Balkan/English. Comparable to Dunhill's Standard Mixture Mild (now Mellow, I believe). Denuded of any aggression, a pleasant smoke though in the latter part of the day one searches for something a little more assertive.
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Meerschaum Man	01/08/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
This polite English is an excellent introduction for the beginner seeking to cultivate a sense of understated elegance in this catagory of blends. It is also a good go-to blend for the more experienced smoker who wants something with a sense of heritage. Cool burning and sweet, it can be enjoyed anytime of day or nite. The blender's experience shows most notably in the treatment of the Virginia leaf and the restraint used in proportions of Cyprian and Oriental. Age brings an increased smoothness to the quality of this smoking experience. This blend has always been a great standby and comfort to me as I think it should for anyone. Meerschaum Man Smoking an Altinol Smooth Canadian
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Spike	06/23/2005	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable
Burned-out on Latakia? Tired of not being able to taste anything after smoking Penzance or Old Ironsides? Then this may be just what you need. Very smooth and tasty with the different tobaccos passing in review. An all-day smoke for sure.
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DUPE.1512	06/04/2005	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
7 Reserve is just too astringent on the palate. Quality is very unlike Old Gowrie, Marlin Flake or Hal O' the Wynd. Save your money this one is a real stinker.
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bumbum	06/03/2005	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
This tobacco is much nicer than Red Rapparee, though it misses the strength. But it has the flavour of Oriental and a touch of Perique, both of which I like very much. You do not get the Latakia blast as you do from 965, Paul Olsen's Blue Queen, and similar mixtures, but the Latakia is there. The Virginias may seem a little bit too sweet, but still pleasant. A good tobacco for the next steps of the beginner in the Mixutre Fields. Bumbum.
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