Rattray Black Mallory

I bought this about a year ago when I was sampling different Latakia blends. Now that its a year later and I'm a little better at picking out different tastes, I really am enjoying this blend. Its not too powerful and gives a great Latakia forward aroma. I love the way it smells, although its probably not for everyone. I didn't pick up much spice, but it is smokey and somewhat dry. Overall I like it and am enjoying a lot more Rattray's blends which so far all seem to be first shelf.

Wow. The first time I tried this I was amazed. Simply put, this is what I remember Plum Pudding tasting like. I don’t know what happened with Plum Pudding, but I haven’t had another tin yet that tasted like my first tin. This makes up for that.

Upon opening the tin you get smacked with the standard latakia smokiness but also some spicy, zesty, and herbal orientals. The Virginias are in the background. The black cavendish is also in the background.

Lighting it up, that’s when the magic happens. The first few puffs when lighting are filled with that magic, cologne-y, musky, sweet smokiness. It’s like a Christmas party. You have your fireplace going, people wearing colognes and perfumes are mingling and having fun, some food is cooking in the kitchen, and there’s a dessert table filled with treats. Bunch that all together and that’s what it tastes like when lighting. After it gets going, it develops into a more earthy, woody, and spicy flavor, while still retaining some of that smoky sweetness and a slight floral note. There is also a creaminess and an occasional pleasant herbal quality. The orientals in this will definitely leave your tongue with a little tingle. On the finish I get anise and the Virginia fruit sweetness. You get all of this flavor without it ever being heavy. The latakia never gets too dark or muddy, yet it never gets light. It’s just perfectly balanced. Sweet, savory, and spicy.

Compared to Red Rapparee, it’s definitely more latakia foreword as opposed to Virginia foreword. If you’re looking for a sweet (not sugary, but fragrantly sweet) latakia foreword English, I can’t think of a better blend. I agree with Pipestud; if I had to pick one latakia blend to smoke the rest of my life, this might be it (although GL Pease Westminster and the Sutliff Balkan Sobranie Match are also up there).

I find this to be a very relaxing blend. You can light it up and not need to pay attention to it, but simply enjoy it.

The tin aroma is just sweet, sugary and wonderful. The cold draw on the pipe before lighting is equally heavenly. I can draw on it all day.

On lighting, it has a sweet and creamy flavor, with a medium to full body on the palate.

The room note is pleasant, in contrast to the pungency of most blends with Latakia.

The nicotine hit is mild, and I can smoke it all day. No chance of tongue bite even if pushed.

A fine English blend in the tradition of Dunhill blends.

Very fine smokable second bowl in the late evening, especially in the summer, together with a glass of reasonable priced primitivo or nero d'avola. The Latakia has mellowed over the years, but is still there. I bought this 100 g tin about 18 years ago, and forgot it completely... A couple of weeks ago, when it got warm here, i thought about looking over my tobacco stash and discovered this old tin. It is very mellow, sweet and useful for me to recapitulate the past day and planning ahead for tomorrow... Nothing fancy, nothing wild, just the perfect last evening bowl. Very pleasing.

Versione "appesantita" del Red Rapparee. Troppo Black Cavendish con conseguente tendenza a scaldare eccessivamente la pipa. Buona combustibilità. Contenuto nicotinico significativo. Non adatto a fumatori inesperti.

I spent a few bowls till i noticed how complex is this blend. At first moment wasnt exactly what i was expecting, little too fermented and saltyness, the smell reminded me smth like pickles or vinegar and even olives came thru my mind. After a week or so smoking it everyday, it started showing me another nuances that made it instantly entered on my top 3 list of best tobacco. I feel like more i smoke it, more i get from, simply amazing. i´d recommend following a sweet and fresh drink.

Black Mallory. Tin evokes a good smoked bacon from Kolozsvár. Black colors dominate the mix, this is definitely Latakia! Other ingredients doesn’t “distract” us everything supports the smoky flavor. Approx has 35% latakia in it, but it is not harsh , rather rounded, but at the same time the taste is a bit monotonous. It stays steady all the way through, however it burns a little fast. Nicotine level is mild to medium. Smoke volume is rich even without paying much attention. So, if you ignite it in a non-foggy-humid weather, this tobacco can generate easily your own aura of smoke. It is a decent smoke, but there are more interesting blends on the market. Somewhat recommended.

Inmagine Squadron leader but a bit stronger sweeter and very creamy. Flavors os leadher, figs and incense. Burns cool and on the slow side. Very nice indeed.

This is a blend that I really have to be in the mood for to appreciate. The full character of Rattray's treatment of the Virginia leaf is the sweet and commanding theme of this dark leaf mxiture. Cyprian leaf and Orientals provide support and added strength for a smoke that must be a participant event to be fully enjoyed. This is an English blend for the experienced smoker that can have quite a bite if not smoked slowly. Age brings a smoother character to this so letting it sit in the cellar might not be a bad thing.

Meerschaum Man Smoking an Altinok Smooth Canadian