Rattray Dark Fragrant

I really like this blend. It is a bit carmally like a toasted nut with a nice tang. That tang from the Virginia's starts right away and keeps on going till slightly past the half-way point, then the flavor rounds out a bit as the perique settles and the tobacco takes on a less piquant flavor. Like any Virginia, this tobacco should be smoked slowly and you may want to keep in mind it is rather mild, giving way to overzealous puffing which dark fragrant will then bite. But with moderate attention this can and will be avoided. The Virginia tang tends to dissipate when you're on the last third of the bowl and unfortunately the tobacco flavor goes with it.

Despite its mild strength and light body dark fragrant has a slight pungent room note which is a bit organic in a straight raisin way. The tin note also reminds me of sharp raisins and a fruity edge that is very inviting. I just wish more happened during the smoke and a fuller bodied smoke would develop. Overall, a nice blend and worth trying. 2.5 stars from me, but I'll round up and give it a solid 3 stars.

Sorry to burst some bubbles but, THERE IS NO ORIENTAL LEAF IN THIS TOBACCO! AND, it sure as heck isn't shag cut like someone mentioned. Who ever wrote the description needs more research on this blend. Did anyone actually taste any oriental leaf? Of course you didn't,cause there is none.

This tobacco is stoved Virginia, sweetened a tiny bit, and perique added.There is even a small description on the bottom of the tin that will tell you this. The taste is pure mellow Virginia. It has hardly any bite, as the harsh bite that Virginia posseses has been baked out. For optimum enjoyment let the tin dry out,just not all the way. DF is just right,and I'll probaly buy more of this tobacco on down the road.

Excellent original smoking mixture: Black Cavendish and Perique. This is a natural aromatic blend. No flavoring at all. Black Cavendish is pretty natural, toasted, unflavored. Only sugar is added with probably a very light casing. All in all it can be considered a natural unflavored Black Cavendish, tipically Scottish. Perique is strongly present and not only a pinch. There is a lot of Perique in the blend and you can taste it from the beginning to the end. Properly this mixture could also be considered a Perique mixture. Original idea, original taste, original mixture. Just right. I would say almost perfect (maybe adding a touch of Virginia?). Finally, in my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 9 and three and a half stars .

If you associate maduro or black tobacco with strong flavors and a nicotine hit, then think again regarding Dark Fragrant. This is a very mild and smooth smoke, perhaps too mild for those looking for the robust flavors of a VaPer blend. Although not an aromatic like many “black tobaccos” on the market today, this does have a nice aroma of raisins and spice in the tin. On opening I find the contents too moist for my liking, and a day of drying improves DF in my opinion. It is a short and wide ribbon cut which packs easily and stays lit nicely, burning to a dry grey ash. DF is cool, smooth and never bites. It has very mild flavors of raisin, spice, and a very subtle sweetness. Clearly DF is for the sensitive palette. It is not very complex, but in my experience a “top shelf” tobacco. A unique mixture and smoke!

Update: I smoked several bowls prior to this update in large bowl pipes. Today I tried it in a smaller group #4 size and I found DF more flavorful. I am not sure pipe bowl size is a factor, but is something to be aware of.

The tin aroma is at first like sweet, warm prune Danish. The aromas of green hay, toasted flavors (coffee), sweet & sour notes, whole wheat toast, dried fruit, and autumn leaves. The sparsely used Perique adds a ghostly, distant, earthy scent all but lost behind the other prevailing aromas The aroma is rounded, soft and balanced. Very pleasant indeed.

Easy packing, lights and burns very well.

Less complex on the palate, but still nicely balanced. Warm Virginia flavors, nutty toasted notes, dry piles of leaves, and black pepper. The Perique, even in this small measure, plays a small (but noticeable) part of the whole. Light but rich tobacco, quality leaf is obvious, no flavoring just “dark, fragrant” stoved Virginia with a pinch of Perique.

Delicious toasty Virginias, warm edible flavors. Perhaps a bit too subtle, but stoved tobaccos are by nature lighter and milder. I think this blend speaks of quality, masterful blending, and wonderful flavors, unfortunately it just doesn't speak quite loud enough. I really like this stuff, an easy smoke, but it could definitely benefit from a little more gusto - flavor-wise.

3½ Stars

This is quality stuff. Naturally sweet Virginia taste ( from the Black Cavendish ?) , mellow, no bite, no gurgle, burns slow, I like it. I don't find the Perique or Orientals and I don't know why it's called "Fragrant". Don't think you are getting an aromatic, just that good old time tobacco scent. I noticed this mellowed out even more after opening the tin and letting it rest a few weeks. I'll keep this around, nice in a cob. Update: If you want to taste any Perique you need to stoke it up, slow sip it and it's hard to taste the Perique. Also, keep this well tamped or it will go out.

Updated 9/24/11- I'm on my second tin of this and it has an occasional place in my rotation. I remains very mild with NO bite. I actually like something stronger for my initial hit of "N" in the morning, but it can work. I find it a great "on the go" tobacco, where you don't have the time to sit and contemplate the complexity, which there isn't any. I also like it later in the day when maybe I've abused my tongue, this one will get you through the smoke. That said, it provides a very natural sweet smoke with a very pleasant aroma, without clouds of smoke, I think this would be a good choice for smoking in public ( not cloying).

Updated 11/15/11 -Ok, call me crazy, or maybe my taste is shot but I was smoking a bowl of some SG's FVF and as I slow sipped the first 1/3 of the bowl I thought I had loaded the wrong tobacco. The FVF tasted exactly like Rattrays D&F, I know, it's not even the same makeup but I couldn't tell them apart. The FVF went on to develop into a much different smoke but I had to put this out there. I understand the references also to McC's Dark Star, flavors are similar. I have really grown to like D&F.

A dark Virginia blend with a touch of very pleasant sweetness. Light orientals and maybe a tiny perique? It IS unique and it smokes very nicely when dried properly. I don't smoke stoved Virginia much but when I do, I will reach for this pleasant blend. I have several tins stashed but it's smokes very cool and fragrant from a new tin.

The first few times that I smoked Dark Fragrant were unremarkable. Tonight was different. As I sat back and slowly savored the tobacco, the taste came through. It was subtle, but distinct. I enjoyed a Cavandish like flavor, but it was tobacco. It was not overly sweet, but seemed to be just right. It burned and smoked effortlessly. There wasn't a single unpleasant moment in the smoke. This is one of my favorite Rattray blends and it can be ranked in the company of some pretty fine and well respected tobaccos. It's not for everyone, but it is a Virginia/Oriental blend that is completely enjoyable. I have so many tobaccos that seem too similar. This one is different in the best sense.

3rdguy

Rich in flavor and smooth in body is an apt description by Rattray’s. A nice toasted marshmallow flavor is what I get from this tobacco, it remains consistent and is very one dimensional. The perique is there but far in the background. Lights and burns easily to a nice white ash.

It is a nice relaxing smoke but now that I have finished a tin of it I don’t see reaching for it often. Marlin Flake is similar in flavor but has a lot more going for it throughout the bowl. Solid smoke but not worthy to me of a deep cellar item.