Rattray 3 Noggins

I think this blend would be better received if it was not labeled as a full English. I expected something along the lines of Artisan's and was disappointed in that respect, but all in all this is an acceptable medium blend of balanced flavors that smokes well. Unlike others I found no bite in this. I enjoy coming back to it from time to time as a change of pace from Virginias or mixing it about half and half with DaVinci for a very flavorful, cool evening smoke with a brown ale or four.

A bit pricey, but not bad to have on hand.

When I first opened the tin I noticed the exact same aroma as Highland Targe. A faint vanilla smell. There is very little difference in the two but this blend is a bit fuller bodied than HT. Like Highland Targe there is very little latakia, and that component in this blend isn't noticebale. I seperated out some of the black tobaccos and smelled and tasted the black leaf and it's sweet cavendish.

Again, the original had Syrian latakia and Kopp seems to have replaced the latakia components in these blends with sweetened black cavendish. On it's own merit this is a nice tobacco. The virginia is sweet and soft at the beginning and later becomes tangy. The oriental tobaccos are present and add some nice spice about 1/4 of the way into the bowl. It really is a pleasant blend and the quality of the tobacco is very high. I liked this blend and will smoke it occasionally. However, I believe that if they are going to call this "3 Noggins" and use vintage tin art then it should be closer to the original blend and have some of the fragrant properties of latakia present.

This is not the same blend I smoked back in the late nineties. I opened a can I had from 1999 and compared it to a new one, just to make sure, and - trying to set aside aging (!) - it's just not the same tobacco. The newer stuff is more bland and has more bite toward the bottom of the bowl.

It's an interesting blend, but as others (more erudite in smoking terminology) have pointed out, it comes across as somewhat bland (if not full) English and has a bit of tongue bite. I remember it being a smoother, fuller, and sweeter, but not particularly exciting blend. However, it still works well in small bowls. I tend to smoke very large bowls, and 3 Noggins just doesn't continue to please more than half way down. That's when it starts biting. And boring. In a large bowl, packed half way, it's worth the time. But, it will never again be a staple.

Ok, Here we go. I found this particular blend to be rather Jekyl and Hyde, meaning somtimes it was refined, elegant, debonair even, yet other times I found it to be difficult, tempermental, and a bit violent. Has a nice room note, the wife seemed to like it. However, I found this Extremely difficult to get going, with almost instant tounge bite. However, once it got really cooking...LOOK OUT, it actually cooled down. It needed a cronic puffing bordering on manic to get the proper amount of fire going, but once going was hard to put out untill near the end of the bowl. I also find it a rather wet smoke, achieving a gurgling almost from the first match out of about a dozen. There appears to be some sort of preservative mixed in with this blend as well, as it keeps rather moist even after sitting in the pouch for some time. all in all Very wet for an English blend. I for one was surprised, this being my first foray into rattrays. For tast, it's right down the middle of the road, so I sort of like it. But I find It too troublesome to be a regular smoke for me. Others with more time and patience may find it great for an all day. I for one also prefer more latakia. all in all....3 out of 5