Some reviews say Red Rapparee is based on Black Mallory. It is the other way round.

My tins have some age (4-6 years), and I've never smoked a "new" batch. A tobacco by which I judge others. My standard and constant friend. Contemplative, rich, satisfying. There are times I wish there were more of everything in this blend, but then it would not be such an easy companion.

Updated9/21/11 : This really benefited from a few months left to breath in a closed tin, drying has really made this easy to pack ( I like the ribbon cut) and stays lit at a sip ( easy to over tamp while smoking and cause a blockage). I still find it spicy during the first 1/3 of the bowl, I don't enjoy that, but the flavor is a great Oriental, creamy not sweet, maybe even a little bitter ( still think Latakie is in there). I think this will continue to improve with more cellaring. I really don't think I'll keep this in my rotation as it is stuck in "no mans land", nothing jumps out, the flavors are somewhat muted. I find myself passing over this tin looking for something else to smoke so I can't give it 3 stars. The best can do is 2 1/2 stars

Updated 12/13/11_ What a change with cellaring , smooth, salty, creamy flavorfull no spicy heat 3 1/2 stars I'll buy more

Updated- 2/20/13 - Wow, I've had this cellared for about 14 months and it is wonderful. Creamy, fruity, intresting spice scent ( like Chinese 5 spice) and smooth ( traces of hot spice gone), yes, still some smokiness. I stocked up on more , this knocked Dunhills London blend out of the rotation , adding to my favorite.

Several reviews have used the word "symphony" and it is an apt analogy, as every element in RRR complements each other.

I HIGHLY reccomend this!

I often pick stronger English & Balkan blends myself. But this little medium blend is a study in balance, and really surprised me with it’s complex, sweet character. All the elements are there, and in the right proportions, maybe a little more strength to everything would be better, maybe it wouldn’t, but this stuff is really great. A new addition to my favorites.

I noticed in some of the reviews, discussion of cigar leaf in this blend. There is none, it’s a fairly straight-forward English blend. I think this confusion comes from the tin description “It burns in the pipe with the spontaneity of a fine cigar.” This simply refers to how slowly and evenly the tobacco will allegedly burn in the pipe.

As a change of pace from my usual tobacco diet - which is almost non-Latakian - I’m working through RR & BM at the same time.

I’m old enough to have met both of them say twenty years ago, at the beginning of the sunset of the UK made brands (BSOM, BS759 and BSVa10 passing from tins to pouches), and they were absolutely top EM’s.

My current tins have been waiting me unsealed almost one whole year. The inner discs are still semi-wet, but tobaccos have just dried out the heck of their exaggerate moisture (the heaven knows how much PG they put in…).

Anyway, they stuffed fine into a couple of Dunhill’s group 5 bents and have to say they light & burn very easily.

They are brothers, out of any doubt.

RR is offering a supremely smooth-like-silk smoke, sweet & spicy & biscuity. The Orientals take the main seat, perfectly accomplished by the Virginias (light & red). Just a trace of Latakia in the very background, and some non-flavoured Black Cavendish to round off the edges. Strength is medium, body a bit over that. Intriguing and savoury, I may completely understand the smoker who chooses RR as his all-day smoke.

Where RR is more Oriental forward, BM is more on the Latakia instead. A drier but still sweet blend, darker, mustier and stronger than RR. More on the interplay between Virginias and Latakia. Again, the Black Cavendish does its job. The room note is of course less acceptable by the wife… In my memory BM used to be a truly fuller EM than nowadays.

The brothers are pleasant and satisfactory, that’s for sure. What retains me from giving 4* is the PG soaking treatment, which causes the smoke being a bit aggressive to my palate.

No need to go for Gl pease when there is Rattray's available. Ready to smoke, never biting, never harsh, smooth and rich. By far superior and less expensive!!!

I wonder how the original Rattray's were like! Heaven!!!

No need to go for Gl pease when there is Rattray's available. Ready to smoke, never biting, never harsh, smooth and rich. By far superior and less expensive!!!

I wonder how the original Rattray's were like! Heaven!!!

Upon opening the tin I'm struck with a slightly fruit and floral aroma. Flavor is mild and makes for an all day or relaxing smoke with VA and orientals working closely together.

Previous reviewers describe a tangy to lemon quality in the taste and I agree. Orientals, though, in the mixture are sedated but they do work well with the VAs.

I would not kick this one out of the rotation but its not a go to smoke; however, I do smoke several bowls one right after the other, when I do smoke this one. Go figure! It will not wear you out or ply you with loads of nicotine and it doesn't bite.

If I had to rank this one among some other blends in my current rotation, I place the Balkan Sasieni first; followed by Old Dublin a distant second, and tight on its heels is Red Rapparee.

BTW, I smoked this in a Peterson's Army #120 and a cob. The Army is a go to pipe and "jack of all trades" briar [dare I say this pipe is kind of beat-up, but it smokes like a champ. Suffered from burn out when I found her, but I repaired that so "she" can stay with me a few more years]. I test the first bowl of a new blend in a Country Gentleman cob and it did very well then moved to the Army.