D & R Tobacco Raccoon's Delight

The mildly tangy Acadian bright Virginia is processed in the perique style, and is fruity sweet and grassy as a major component. The very sweet blonde and double toasted burleys provide a bit of toast, some earth, nuts, wood, and a touch of spice. The double toasted burley also sports a slight rough edge, and dry sour notes with barely any sweetness. The grassy, tart and tangy citrus, lightly spicy bright Virginia complements, and competes with the burleys for attention. Well blended with some richness and complexity, you’ll notice most of the complexities of this blend in virtually every puff. There’s no topping. The nic-hit is mild to medium. The strength and taste levels are medium, but get a tad stronger after the half way point, as does the nicotine. Won’t bite, but I recommend a little hydration and moderate puffing cadence as the tobacco is fairly dry. Once done, this mixed cut manufacture burns clean at a slightly more than middling pace with a very consistent flavor as it easily burns to ash. Requires few relights, and hardly leaves any dampness in the bowl. The sweet and mildly savory pleasant after taste and stronger room notes will linger. Can be an all day smoke for experienced smokers.

-JimInks

I just had to buy this one due to the tin art and the name. Plus, I really like Mark Ryan's blends as he likes tobaccos with some punch. I'm not an expert, and do not understand the complexities of the special "Perique" style processing of the Virginia leaf, but I do believe it make the leaf a little less deep in flavor but like a dark stoved, added a little more punch. It was smooth, too, and did have a grassy sweet type of flavor. The backbone of the Burley was felt with each puff and I do believe that even humans will like Raccoon's Delight.

The cut ranges from very thin chopped ribbon to large pieces of fish flake. There are some very wide ribbons in the mix. Colors range from light yellowish tan to a dark brown. The pouch note is slightly agricultural. Mine came less dry than the Raccoon Accent, and I smoked it as delivered.

It may be that I have warmed up a little to the perique-processed Virginia, because I enjoyed this off the bat, and it took me a few bowls to appreciate the Accent. I get a little tart fruit from the Virginia and the burley gives a woody foundation. There is a mild spiciness to this and a tickle when snorked. It is fairly light and has a subtle but pleasant taste. Puffing brings out some sour. I would enjoy a little more body with this and a little more strength and flavor.

I think this one works better than the Accent despite my admitted fondness for Orientals. It is different in a good way. I am unlikely to buy more, but if a case of this were on that mythical desert island, I would smoke it with gusto and give thanks it was Delight. It is a 3 in the ratings.

The Acadian Virginias lead here with the Burley in the background. The Virginias are tart, citrusy and mildly spicy with a hint of fermentation. The nutty Burleys are tasty, but a little too far back. While I suppose the idea here was to show off the Acadian, which this ably does, I'd like a little more Burley flavor. Still a very good smoke.

Medium in body and taste. No added flavoring. Burns very well.

A month ago I cracked a tin of Racoon's Delight which had been aging for about seven years. The tin aroma was one of the best I've ever come across. It smelled like a fine red wine.

Bright yellow, thick strips of tobacco. I packed it up and started smoking in my normal fashion. It got lit quickly and stayed lit pretty easily throughout the entire smoke. Very little tongue bite.

The taste is smooth and gentle, but quite delicious. Not intense, but not too light either. The aroma is sweet and strong, but not overpowering.

There is something about the taste that I haven't been able to put my finger on, but I very much enjoy. Throughout the past month I've been thinking about it for this review, and could not put it into words. It finally dawned on me that this really is a unique and incredible blend.

I am honestly hooked and am going to start my search far and wide to acquire more. I thoroughly enjoyed every bowl of this beautiful blend. One of those blends that reminds you how lucky you are to be a pipe smoker.

While I love their Acadian Virginia, this blend didn't do too much for me. Not terrible but just not something to my taste. I prefer the other two in this range.