Rattray Black Mallory

I had not written a review of this until I read Reiny's review today.

I have to agree. It was harsh. I like forward Latakia blends, but this was just bitter in a negative way. I tried it in many pipes and with varying degrees of drying- still found it harsh.

Nicotine was not pronounced. I was very much looking forward to this, but if in 6 months I can't make it work, I have to believe its not for me.

I have to say, I love latakia blends, but this one just did not do it for me. The only thing I can chalk it up to is the Black Cavendish. I started pipe smoking on a strict diet of Latakia, Virginias, Orientals, Burley and Perique. My English experiences have all been Lat/VA/Oriental -only. The addition of Cavendish to this blend must be what turned me off.

Out of the tin, it smells wonderful - full, smoky, promises of a wonderful smoke. IT packed well, lit well and smoked nicely. A well-behaved tobacco, to be sure.

However, I just found the flavor "cheapened" somehow by the Cavendish. The latakia was punchy and present, the Orientals (while subtler than to my liking) were also present. I didn't get much from the VA's and the Cavendish somehow brought everything down by rearing it's mundane, indistinct head.

I wanted to like this tobacco and smoked the entire 2oz tin. It improved slightly the longer the tin was open, but honestly, I was disappointed.

I'd heard so much about Rattray's and BM in particular... and it obviously has a following, judging by the reviews. But I won't be revisiting it anytime soon... unremarkable and certainly not as well-made as Gawith, Pease or Esoterica offerings of this type.

Updated 3/30/2015- I've had a tin cellared away for about 3 years, my initial try encountered some hot spice ??? . I allowed the tin to dry and breath over a two month period and I don't want to sound too negative ,but ....., this blend doesn't bring anything, typical muting of flavors with the Cavendish tobacco additions. It packs well and burns well and I don't detect any major bite , but it just says" BLAH". It is light on all components, it's not heavy Latakia, some Orientals and it's not real sweet ( as a matter of fact I detect some bitterness), Red Rap is much more interesting. You want something for mindless smoking while in the garden ? well you could burn this stuff, but it is slightly hard on the tongue .

I totally agree with reviewers ," COCHON74 01/18/2012" & emmbee 4) 2005-10-26

Updated 7/16/12- Another few months in the cellar and more drying and this has improved slightly. This is still spicy and could bite if smoked all day. To me there are some similarites to McC, Ringlow Syrian Reserve, only this is not as smooth. both I find without much sweetness and lacking flavor. Not how I remember this from the 70"s

I find this blend to be very mild, both in flavor and strength. The lite bodied cavendish is quite evident while the latakia component plays a small role. While it is smooth and it is somewhat creamy, there isn't enough flavor for me. If you like a mild english with a pinch of latakia, this might do it for you. I was surprised to find this listed here as medium to full.

This is a nice blend of quality tobaccos and anyone wanting a quality English that is mild in strength, voile'. Out of the tin I found it fairly wet, but I prefer dryer tobacco. I don't sense a topping, yet it has a neutrally sweet component that is probably the Cavendish, yet it is not a problem. I would enjoy a more Oriental presence. I found large-bowled pipes benefit this tobacco and the smoke itself. This tobacco burns as quick as a firecracker fuse, so a small bowl ends before any chance of any smoking rhythm. A large Billiard provided me with the best smoke of this blend. Like Briar Patch, I cut my teeth on Dunhill's and so it lacks in strength in comparison. I like nicotine and it is an integral part of my tobacco enjoyment. I miss my old blends. It's like a Ford man switching to a Chevy, it may not work out.

Hmmmm.... Not sure about this one. Problem I find with this blend is that it coats my tongue, leaving a dusty/waxy sensation.

The smoke is mild to medium, and relatively creamy to be fair. I can taste the orientals and latakia, and would call this a somewhat recommended middle of the road English.

Odd one for me... Maybe a bit of time is required to marry a better relationship of taste and flavours, and to rid me of that damn tongue issue!

Very round, creamy and smooth smoking experience. Spicy (cumin, wood, smoke, leather etc) aromas set on a sweet backdrop. As the smoking process proceeds, the tobacco becomes sweeter and acquires deeper, more complex tones. There is constantly an incense tone to this smoke which I am not sure whether it is produced by the neighboring of smokiness and sweetness in the tobaccos or if it means the presence of flavoring. In any case I find that quite disagreeable.

No bite but not too much strength either. I would have preferred less latakia in it which as it stands determine too much the bouquet in my view. Ideally use a meerschaum for this blend.

Harsh - Hagen has it right here I think. Very heavy cloying properties.

1 star for me. 2 stars for English fans, they seem to like it.

Much better English mixtures out there without that "brassy" taste I get here. I certainly won't pay $$ for this one - lucky I got to try it for free.

If you're into English mixes and hate aromatics - this might be your thing.

Ohterwise, try it only if you can get some for free 😉

simply put: i don't like it. it's not poor quality, perhaps, but having just smoked red rapparee, it's a huge disppointment. i can't imagine this being in any way the same ingredients as charles rattray used for his version. it's quite sweet, with a bit of oriental and latakia fighting for attention, and yet at the same time harsh. no real interplay between the virginia, latakia, turkish and cavendish.

how it could be seen as a strong tobacco by anyone is beyond my comprehension. was it perhaps the harshness of the concoction that did it?