Rattray Black Mallory

Ah, the mightily oceanic Black Mallory. In many ways this is the big brother to Red Rapparee. Whilst the later may be likened to a small pleasure boat out on an afternoons cruise, Black Mallory is a pirate ship bristling with guns, swash and buckle. The big difference between the two is of course the latakia. For my money, I can't even detect it in Red Rapparee (this may be because my palate had become jaded by one to many latakia bombs) but it's here in spades in Black Mallory. Dense white smoke, oily and heavy with tar. Leather notes too, yes, and certainly a saltiness that keeps one thinking of the sea. A perfect smoke for a foggy or rainy afternoon inside by the fireside with a cup of sweet tea or an Islay malt whiskey. Delicious with a decent dose of vitamin N. Avast! Sip this fine smoke like nectar, and dream of the oceans deep.

UPDATE September 2017. With the days getting shorter my interest in all things pipe has been rekindled and I have returned, like an old friend, to the mighty Mallory. I have decided to bump this blend up a star as it is as close to perfection as you can get. It may burn a little moist straight out of the tin but this is nothing a little air curing won't resolve. For some reason Dunhill My Mixture 965 has fallen a bit out of favour of late, lacking the enormous complexity of this blend. I think it is the Black Cavendish that really works its magic with the latakia and the orientals. Light a bowl and set sail for a paradise isle, where, surrounded by mermaids and sirens you can reflect on a burnished coral throne, and dream of the ocean deep....

This rich and complex blend is my standby. It is without peer. It has an exotic, rich taste and a heavy smoke. This is a perfect example of a Scottish mixture (sweeter and heavier than an English, not so heavy and strong as a Balkan). The Virginias Latakia and Orientals come together with great style and flavor. The black cavendish (what makes it Scottish rather than an English or Balkan) gives it a hint of sweetness that gels the whole blend. This blend is of Edwardian opulence. I always keep at least 10 tins in my cellar just in case of a pinch in oriental supply or (horror) the brand should go like so many before it. If you have never tried Black Mallory you have never lived.

I am new in the English department. I love Presbyterian, Highland Targe and my Mixture 965. Black Mallory, though, is far more interesting than the former ones.

The mixture is dominated by black leaf. Judging from the smell, I think there is quite alot unsweetened Cavendish in it, The Latakia is not very present. When lit the Latakia comes to its right; very robust.

All components in BM are so well balanced, that I have not seen or tried anything like it before. BM is friendly to the palate, nose, friends, wives etc., and people around me are asking: "what is this lovely tobacco you are smoking, Jakob"

I am normally not a Latakia-man, but BM has made me want to try other Latakia/Oriental-blends. I have stashed several tins, and now I am off to discover the famous Nightcap.

Outstanding!

Jakob Kiilerich, Denmark

Half way through the tin and I love the stuff, top quality english, plenty of taste and sweetness, it's a classic. I'm reviewing it because I'm amazed more people haven't given it four stars. It should have five.

Surprised I haven't reviewed this one yet.....Black Mallory and Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture were my first two Latakia smokes, and I've smoked copious amounts of both. I shared a 100 gram tin of this with my Father recently and wondered why I don't smoke it more often. Well, it's hard to get in Austria, maybe that's why.

Anyway, on with the review. There isn't as much latakia as some blend I smoke nowadays, like, say, Margate or Balkan Flake, and certainly not as much as Pirate Kake or Commonwealth mixture. This is fairly sweet, owing, I think to the black cavendish and virginia, and pretty smoky, despite it's lack of massive Latakia content. I really enjoy the (I don't like this word) interplay between the turkish and cavendish, though I normally don't care much for black cav. (even unsweetened)

Having never smoked Red Rapparee, I can't compare the two. But, it's other companion, 7 reserve, is certainly several notches lower on the smoke-enjoyment scale. 7 reserve, while passable, is nothing to write home about. Black Mallory is something to keep on hand at all times. Another fine smoke from Rattray.

What a pipeful of pleasure this one was! Very different from the other Latakia blends I have tried. More spicey, smoother, and less smokey. The aroma from this blend has an incense like quality to me.

The cavendish is apparently toasted, and is scrumptious, without being cloyingly sweet. Although this is a fairly potent blend, I find it to be very relaxing and completely satisfying. It is a little heavy for the warm weather months, but it is pure heaven when the weather turns cool.

This is the third blend from Rattray I have tried, and the quality is impeccable. A fine tobacco.

Ahhh...the Black Mallory. First smoked this in 1971. Love it then, love it now. The descriptions preceeding me are accurate as to the tobaccos present, but this is a must try for everyone. To me, its one of the great blends. Dont smoke it all day, but in the evening with a pint, or a dram ..ahhh, true enjoyment.

Rattray Black Mallory- I would say it is a full bodied blend but the Latakia is definitely not overpowering. but is the lead component . It is fairly sweet from the bright Virginias. I like a lot of Oriental - Turkish flavor in my Latakia blends and this has just enough for me and they are fragrant and buttery and a little spicy and savory and not real sour .The cavendish is very noticeable with a nutty quality and it seems to smooth out the usual earthiness of the Virginias and Orientals . BM is full flavored but very smooth with hardly any rough edges. Good to enjoy on a summer night after the sun goes down .A fine mixture indeed and and expertly blended . 4

A notable tobacco indeed. I came to this looking for a substitute for my favorite McClelland blends (Legends, English Woods, Balkan Blue, etc.), and it did not disappoint.

Dry it out, and it smokes very well, with a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet. Ages well too, as I am coming back to this after a break, smoking from a three year old tin, and it is very, very nice.