D & R Tobacco Ramback Regular

A very nice Turkish blend that will most likely replace S. Gwaith Turkish Blend, since it will be discontinued. I quite enjoy smoking straight Turkish and have so for more than 40 years.

Because it can burn hot, I keep the moisture level a little higher and that seems to make this tobacco "rounder' and more flavorful.

Aroma is pleasant with a fairly natural tobacco taste and while not a complex blend...there are a variety of "nuances", I experience.

Smoked in a group 4 or larger pipe and a worthy tobacco for those who enjoy a straight Oriental.

...a pipe is to be savored...

I recently invested in 2 oz each of the three Ramback blends. And a couple oz of Picayune, too. All four of the blends need the same preface: This is a Pipe Smoker's cigarette tobacco. A cigarette tobacco worthy of the sophisticated, nuanced, and demanding palate of a Pipe Smoker. I used to smoke Camel straights, then switched to a pipe. After sampling all four blends in a pipe, I followed my curiosity and picked up some papers. Wow. They really came alive for me. These tobaccos almost need two reviews, as the difference in experience between pipe and rolled can be that significant.

Preface said, to sum the experience up in two words - sour flower. In one word - delicious. The sourness and floral qualities of the Izmir, along with a touch of spice and earth, are what instantly hit my palate, in full, delicious force. There are the elements of a bit of wood, along with a touch of buttery sweetness to be found on the bottom end, but they play second fiddle to the floral, sour, and spicey/incensey earth aspects. As far as the moisture content, well, I care as little that this is relatively dry as I care that the Black XX Twist (And SG in general) on my shelf is relatively wet. It is how it works best and didn't bother me as much as some others.

If you enjoy this in a pipe, you might even enjoy it more rolled into a cigarette, as did I. With the money you save on the tobacco (I got 2 oz for $4.16), you can pick up a cheap Zig Zag cigarette hand roller and some papers to have on hand for the occasions that you feel like doing something different or you only have 10 minutes for a smoke. There is no need to inhale, just smoke it like a pipe or a mini-cigar. Smoking it rolled in paper mimics the differences one can detect between smoking a tall, smaller diameter bowl and a short, larger diameter bowl. It is a different experience rolled than in a pipe. A very enjoyable one, in which some of the flavors really intensify.

This truly is a dual purpose tobacco (Pipe and RYO), and performs very well in both arenas. I'm not into blending, but if you are, I agree with others concerning this tobacco being a great addition to your shelf to liven up something else, as it brings a very consistent, full Oriental flavor. Turkish at its best.

This is a 100% oriental blend. It can burn hot, so watch out.

The cut borders on shag. It burns exceedingly well with no dottle. "Ramback" is so named because it can ram you back, and the nicotine content is noticeable so plan ahead.

I smoked about 2/3rds of a tin and decided that it was just too much. Orientals make super condiments, and I just love Balkan blends. My favorite is Russ Ouelette's Mount Marcy. But this may be too much of a good thing. So I'm going to use the balance as blending tobacco.

Yes, I plan to buy another couple tins, and probably will smoke it from time to time - especially if I have to work late. But I plan generally to add it to weaker blends to add sparkle and zip.

If you're into Turkish baccy's you owe yourself this one. It came a bit dry, and burned somewhat quickly, but never mind, fire up another bowl. My Ramback came in bulk form, a tin, I assume, would be less dry. This smoke is perfect for me, low on nic, mild, yet very tasty and exquisitely toasty (if this is a RYO I've no problem with that—other than burning faster than I'm used to, this blend, for me at least, worked very well in my pipe). Simply excellent!

This is an excellent, quality blend. You know how with some blends you have to give them time to dry out? Not this one. It is ready right out of the simple, unassuming tin. If you know this is an Oriental, you should already expect a flavor similar to a cigarette. I don’t mind this. It does produce a vague floral scent, which is nice. Seems low on nicotine. This blend burns well to ash, but it burns quickly. It causes little to no bite, which means I tend to puff it quickly. This means, for me, that I have to enjoy it in a larger pipe with a deep bowl. It also means it will crumble if you leave it in a pouch for a few days. This tiny flaw isn’t enough to drop the fourth star for me. I have yet to encounter an “all-day blend” (I envy your job if you can smoke a pipe all day). But this one come as close to it as possible. One of the best Orientals out there. Highly recommended.

This is, to me, a staple for blending. It is awesome if you like Turkish. But, DON'T smoke it straight, and, find a " wetter" blend to mix it with. I would suggest a lighter Virginia, maybe with some Maryland , but even then 20%max in that blend would be more than adequate. I do like to mix blends,and love Turkish, so I easily give this 5 stars. Will add for those of us who smoke RYO, the act of inhaling smoke usually diminishes the taste experience, but NOT with this. In pipe blending,I give it five stars, but for RYO, I would assert that it is crucial to an American blend, and can dress up /tone down even $9/pound stuff.

Laughter ensues. To think this is still as good as it always was, that's understating it. Of course it is - a papery pleasure, the creamy musk of rubbery oil and lacquered flowers, Turkish tobacco is a personal favorite of mine. Ramback is a perfect example, and for me like any other good Izmir - a sweet headache on its own - but with the addition of any grade of Windsail it will levitate. If you mix it with Two Timer you've packed a good lunch (or a good smoke afterward - desert.) This stuff elevates anything you blend it with. A warning: do not blend this with Vengeur and stuff it into a paper tube or someone ought to smack you. You don't eat the napkin at the buffet do you? At least a dirty cob tastes like your last smoke, and if it was good Turkish it'll be delicious - in this seasoned briar I could cry, even the ashes are sugar. Ramback is one of the reasons why I paid $50 for this pipe to begin with.