Rattray Accountant's Mixture

I thought I would give this a try since I've read a lot about it.

It is a standard English blend of Virginias and Latakia. This has a rich leathery scent in the tin with a Virginia piquancy, ie, with a slight fermented smell. The Latakia seems to blend well with the Virginias and doesn't dominate.

Packing is easy, but lighting up takes a little more time than I like. The moisture is a tad higher in the tin than I would like, but isn't bad. I punched a small hole in the plastic top to let it breathe over time and the tobacco has dried a bit more to my liking. Just right.

The flavor is pleasant and full with a slight Virginia sweetness showing through. The Latakia is more layed back in this mixture and blends more evenly with the Virginas. Nice change.

As the description states, is is very nice smoked outdoors, but also gives a very pleasant English room aroma indoors that I always find comforting.

My only two real complaints about this blend is that it can smoke a bit hot for me due to the Virginia component, and it at times is a little strong in the nicotine level. But, that's just me. I tend to smoke a little fast at times.

Good blend for a change of pace and for anyone who wants a little less Latakia in their English blends.

Fifes and Drums

Long ribbon, smells of Virginia and Latakia. A little wet, better dry it 20 minutes. Creamy smoke, very soft. It starts with the sweetness of the Virginia and the Cavendish, the Latakia stays in the background. Chocolate notes are appreciated, oriental ?? I do not appreciate them. It does not attack the tongue. It is a smoke that is not boring, smooth and without complications, apt to smoke all day long.

The aroma in the tin is soft and subtle. Latakia and Dark Virginia scents are thoroughly married, each noticeable but melded into a cohesive whole. The balance swings towards the Latakia, and the whole mixture smells sweet and smoky. Leather, brown sugar and caramel (almost burnt sugar), and even buttermilk notes haunt the edges of the mild, delicate aroma.

Packs well, lights easy.

Dark Virginia leaf provides a warm sweetness, Latakia is much lighter than I expected. Old leather, hay lofts, coffee, and a nice light smoky flavor, hover on the edge of perception in the fog of Virginia and Latakia. No serious complexity here, just pleasant and consistent smoking.

Toasty and sweet, softly smoky. What's not to like? I agree with the reviewer who said that this stuff is good to smoke when you're working or busy doing something, it doesn't require much attention to enjoy the simple pleasures of Accountant's Mixture.

3 Stars.

Not bad at all. With only a pinch of Latakia and unsweetened Cavendish, the grassy/citrusy properties of the Virginia leaf it contains really flare up. The moist content is just about right to pack your pipe, light up and get going. This mixture does not produce that creamy and thick smoke other Latakia blends will produce and I am finding it hard time to keep it going without any relights. No tongue bite, but keep an eye on your smoking cadence as you will find yourself wanting to draw harder and harder, so be advised. The tin note is something to die for, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Based on my first impressions I am happy to reward it with 3 stars, but I might come back to this review and upgrade it if I think it is worth it.

According to Kohlhase & Kopp's website, we are in presence of black cavendish, virginia and latakia varieties solely. Yes, this corresponds to a Scottish blend.

If you are looking for a strong latakia taste, you will probably be disappointed with this mixture. What is dominant the first weeks that the tin is opened is the sweetness of the virginias and black cavendish. The latakia is a background player. After those first weeks the Virginia will dominate with the Latakia as runner-up, supplemented by the blcak cavendish.

Not a very complex mixture but still of high quality. Yes it is probably suited for outdoors smoking because it does not require a lot of attention.

Accountant's Mixture is a good start for someone who wishes to gain exposure to the light english blend.

A little smoked and notorios earthy notes. The black cavendish is present all thrue the smoke. A little piece of advise: have food in your belly because you'r going to feel nicotine in your head. Highly recommend this blend

Love Syrian Latakia. Had to give this blend a shot. Well if they are still using Syrian Latakia you could have fooled me. I notice all the tale tell taste of not Syrian but Cypress Latakia. It is a good smoke that any Latakia lover can enjoy but the unique taste of Syrian Latakia is simply not there. It is an enjoyable smoke with a smoky room note. Burns pretty good as well. I have a feeling that most of the blenders can no longer get their hands on Syrian Latakia any longer so if they use some in a blend you better believe it will be a small amount.

Review is based on a 2002 tin, opened November 2009.

By my definitions, this is a Scottish blend -- meaning it contains VAs, latakia, and black cavendish. And I don't think anyone does this kind of blend better than Rattray's.

A rich, supple smoke that is, as the tin says, "full," with a somewhat higher measure of nicotine than I typically smoke. (Not unbearable by any means. More than Black Mallory, but probably less than Hal o' the Wynd.)

I enjoy this one, but if I were picking a Rattray's Scottish for all-day smoking, this one comes in a bit rich. Black Mallory would be a better choice for that -- and also for a first foray into Rattray's Scottish blends -- as would Jocks Mixture, although Jocks is a somewhat different type of blend.

For several rich and satisfying bowls a day. . . well, Accountants' ticks all the right boxes.

Another English-type blend that can easily be smoked every day. Can't agree with it being only an outdoor smoke though.

For me, it does not equal British Woods as to depth of flavor but it perhaps surpasses BW in the daily use arena. Lights easily, smokes the same top to bottom and puts the "D" in dependable. A can is always on the shelf.

However, I wish it had a better name. Good blend for a new English smoker to try...and stay with.