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

An absolutely stellar aromatic by Rattray's. The tin I purchased is labeled Exotic Orange although it came with a paper insert describing the name of the blend as being Exotic Passion. The rich smelling tin note is a cocktail of honey, maple, sweet orange, citrus blossom and a hint of a treatment that is nearly identical to cognac scent of Bagpiper's Dream.

The tobacco is a variegated mix of mostly tan and brown course cut pieces accented with a small amount of dark Black Cavendish. The moisture content is near perfect, although I prefer to set it out to dry for about 15 minutes. It’s easy to pack, burns slow and stays lit with very few relights.

The beginning of each bowl is sweet but not cloying. The topping is noticeable but it does not get in the way of the grassy, lemony taste of the Virginias. The biggest surprise comes along further into the bowl where Exotic Orange settles into a groove where the taste of the tobaccos come into focus with the flavorings coming through balanced to perfection in the side stream. Each puff finishes with a light lingering spice and a delicate, fruity floral note.

The experience of smoking Exotic Orange reminds me of often overlooked tobaccos like Davidoff's Danish Mixture and Mac Baren’s Mixture Modern, which taste entirely different but are designed to let you know that you're actually smoking tobacco despite the added flavor enhancements and the pleasant room note.

This is an excellent blend for aromatic smokers and for pipers like myself who tend to prefer more natural mixtures but like to dabble in well made aromatics.

I admit. I don't think highly of aromatics, but was curious since this has attracted much attention. I hate to say it, but I simply adore this aro. It's beautiful beyond discription. The tin note, construction, moisture content.. everything. I have zero complaints ☹️ Please, don't tell anyone.

Warning- will ghost a briar! (As others have said.) This is an amazing blend. Pure quality from packaging to cut to smoke. I have gifted this to 3 pipe smoker friends to Rave Reviews! The nose is intense and rich. Orange blossoms is what it reminds me of. This is a treat, not an everyday smoke. Something to be enjoyed, like an aperitif. Highly recommended.

For the last year this blend has been extremely hard to find. I had mine shipped from Germany to the USA using eBay. I picked one up at a local tobacconist in Minneapolis and could not find it at any of the major retailers, hence going to ebay. If you have this treasure it!

This is a wonderful smoke, the orange flavor lasts through the entire bowl, but never tastes overwhelming. The Virginia tobacco flavor is dominant and the orange flavor gives a nice push throughout the smoke. This is not your average aromatic, no goopy tobacco here, this is an excellent smoke and heartily recommended....if you can find it.

This stuff can be hard to find. I was fortunate enough to receive some from a friend in Portugal since it's readily available in the EU. If you catch a Rattrays drop early you can find it from SmokingPipes or TobaccoPipes. Be aware, it sells out as quick or quicker than Hal O' the Wynd.

This​ blend is an absolutely wonderful aromatic. I do not find myself smoking aros very often, but when I get the itch, this stuff is what I reach for. The top note is a wonderful mix of tea, orange, citrus florals, and maybe a little booze. It's not goopy or sopping wet like some aros and like everything from K&K/Rattrays it is made with top notch leaf.

I'm not aware of any other aromatic (aside from Lakelands) that retains its top note on the sidestream or retrohale as well as this blend. It actually tastes like it smells while still retaining some tobacco flavor.

It does lack a little strength for me and nicotine as well. I've taken to mixing it with Haddo's Delight at a close to even ratio. Those two together become a truly wonderful experience.

WARNING: This Will Ghost A Briar! I have a dedicated pipe for the blend. The pipe on it's own now smells heavenly. haha

Orange blossoms and honey. Intoxicating in it's strength with some nice virginia and quality burley under it all.

The flavour is very rich and will stay with you in mouth, beard, and clothes all day. The orange blossom is foremost, followed by the sweet honey/maple flavour, and the mango is noticeable later when the orange wanes slightly. From first light till the embers die, this is a dreamscape of flavour. This is the one aro to rule them all.

You're room will also smell like heaven. I almost get a little wet around the eyes because it reminds me of my grandmother's perfume from when I was very young. She and grandpa getting all dressed up and taking the Lincoln into town. haha What a pair.

This is a must smoke tobacco for aro lovers and a must try for any pipe smoker.

This one seems to be a "love it or hate it" blend. I love it! I was intrigued by the concept of an orange blend - so after a year of searching, I found a tin and ordered it. A very complex blend that smokes with a consistent taste to the bottom of the bowl. The orange and floral are the primary elements of the taste, but I also detected mango and a touch of vanilla. The Virginia's are a fine host to the toppings. The tobacco slowly burns to a fine ash with no moisture in the bowl. An all-day smoke. I have heeded the advice of other reviews and dedicated a pipe (a Forseti with an orange stem) to this to negate ghosting

Ahhh this is a great aromatic! A kaleidoscope of aromas reaches your nose as you smell the tin and a festival of mainly fruity flavors stimulate your taste buds as you smoke it, but you can also taste a bit the tabacco underlying the topping. A bowl of this tobacco is really a joy for my soul and the obvious orange flavor makes me remind of the winter time and the Christmas Eve... Wonderful and highly recommended!

Exotic Orange is one of the best aromatic blends that I have smoked. I can taste both the tobacco and the topping. I really like the mixture of orange with a little maple syrupy sweetness. It is a unique blend and bites less than the run-of-the-mill aromatic.