Rattray Exotic Orange (a.k.a. Exotic Passion)

A very nice friend gave me this and this is one of his favorite baccas. He also gave me the pipe I smoked this in. A huge thank you to my friend cloudbear.

Black Cavendish, Burley and Virginia as well a very nice topping make up this blend.Opening the bag I was greeted by a excellent combination of wonderful aromas that started with a pleasant orange aroma, mild earthy, light sweet smelling grass with pleasant aromas in the background consisting of mild nuttiness, light vanilla and a very mild floral that really came together perfectly in a wonderful and pleasing combination. This is a ribbon cut that came out just a touch moist, was dried on a paper towel for a half hour, and packed very well. The Charring light was pleasant when the true light came there were very, few re-lights. This burned medium , the smoke was medium and disappeared quickly. There was no tongue bite although if puffed a few rough edges do appear. Burned very consistently with a wonderful flavor that stayed lightly creamy and very consistent till the end, Left moisture in the bowl. Burned to dark ash. Each re-light was full of rich orange flavor. The sweet aftertaste stayed throughout the smoke and for almost an hour after the smoke. Can be an all day smoke. As many warn, this does ghost a pipe a briar!!!

Lighting the bowl the first thing I was greeted by was a rich slightly tangy orange flavor. Very pleasing and refreshing. As I was writing down the flavors I kept thinking this is familiar. Then it dawned on me. This tastes like Orange Pekoe Tea. Sure enough after several sips it was and with the orange pekoe tea were added the following flavors that all dances joyfully in the background of this very light and airy tea with the background flavors of a mild earthy, sweet grassy, light nutty, touch of vanilla, light floral and about a 1/4 of the way into the bowl in danced some very light brown sugar flavor. Along the way I kept getting a hint of coconut, but there is no coconut listed on this but I had this flavor doing a zip dance in and out so I only would get a hint of what it was and it seemed like a hint of coconut. the flavors played well together and made this a wonderful smoking experience. More on the Room note, it is very pleasant with a Orange aroma that smells a lot like Orange Pekoe tea brewing. Very pleasant with a hint of brown sugar and a very, very faint hint of coconut.

I enjoyed this smoke very much. It is a delightful change from the everyday and one comes away refreshed from this smoking adventure. This is complex enough to keep one's attention, but it is very consistent with no flavor changes other than a quick and almost missed appearance of what I believe is a touch of coconut. This is not my style to be an everyday smoke but I like it very much. I will buy it and keep it around for special occasions. This receives a 3.7 stars out of 4 stars. Give it a try for it is a refreshing smoke!