Rattray Dark Fragrant

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.

Ive had a few black stoved virginia blends over the years so I had a general expectation with Dark Fragrant but I was in for more than I realized.

This blend is nearly jet black with a few brown specs here and there. Tin aroma is caramel, sugar, raisins, prunes,and a little bit of that grassiness that bright VA has. It has a very stewed or "cooked" aroma to it.

First light to last puff, this blend is very consistent with notes of caramel, sugary bread and dark stewed fruits, a bright tang and tartness with a back drop of spice and a little earth from the perique. The closer to the bottom of the bowl, a powdery sweetness comes in. Burns cool and clean with no moisture.

I've had many bowls from this 100 g tin and everyone of them are consistent. Consistency is one of the main. Reasons I love black stoved virginia. The perique just helps add a little character. Since getting this tin. I have purchased more. This is and excellent daily smoke. It scratches that McClelland stoved virginia itch that the Sutliff 507s stoved virginia cant and with stronger flavor. I highly recommend.

Tin note of sugared Rasins and spiced bread. Tobacco is black and dark brown ribbon and course cut. Moisture content is good, tough some may need to dry it. Burns slow with few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is mild to medium and mostly consistent, with complex notes of floral, toast, bread, spices, rich savory, sweet, wood, orange peel/zest, ripe dark plum, dry hay, acidic, mildly spicy, citrus, sugar covered Rasin, a tangy stewed fruit background note, and a peppery retro. Stoved Virginia Cavendish is leading with Perique providing minimal supporting. Room note is pleasant, and aftertaste is great.

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.

I found this to be quite a subdued mixture. The VAs were flat, the perique overpowering and the general feel we weakness, timidity, nothing bold about this at all. Sometimes this is okay, but I was In the mood to be grabbed in some way and even if it were to be a mellow day for me there was not much to cling to but the pepper of the perique. I wonder if the idea of cav and perique is even a good idea? Oh well, to each his own...we like what we like. BBMF

Now this takes me back to when I first started drinking green teas after years of black. I kept trying to steep the Dragonwell to make it taste like Assam. You need to appreciate the subdued flavors. That's how DF operates. Disregard the dense black appearance. Yet another contradiction of the pipe. This is to be learned as a base flavor. Dry it a bit and try it in a small bowl. I like it straight up in a Falcon. And why not? Access thy Inner Codger. Button that shirt to the top, lads. Get a Ford Falcon to go with the Falcon and the Fragrant. Now the tin is 100 grams so get creative. I sometimes dry it and add it to Frog Morton on the Town. It adds something sweet without being sugary at all. It does not interfere. Sort of makes the frog taller, a lanky elongated flavor. Try it before you judge. Fragrant Morton on the Dark Town.

Dark rather than fragrant.... in the can it smells of sloes jam and vinegar, once lit it smokes smooth and cool with a mild sweet-sour taste. I don't mind for mildness, at least when there are fine subtelties to caught with patience, but this one is too wispy: just an homeopathic dosage of Perique over a flavourless stoved Virginia, neverless it leaves a fusty sillage in the air and a sour ghost in the pipe. Not really bad, simply yawner.

Need some air before being smoked. It's cool, really cool tobbaco. But let it dry a little bit.

Happy puffin

Appearance is a dark brown ribbon. Tin smells of old coffee and fruitcake. Tastes very lightly sweet.

A rather weak smoke that, while quality, hasn't anything for me to recommend. Lovers of mild fare might enjoy Dark Fragrant.