Rattray Hal O' the Wynd

My favorite Virginia was McClelland Blackwoods Flake. Now it's this. I let a tin age for a year before I opened it, and when I did it was like the skies opening. Gotta taste to believe, Virginias are so great, I don't know why I smoke anything else sometimes. But I won't give up the burleys that's for sure. Anyway, what's the point waggin my fingers over the keys when so much has been said already. Here I am participating in mob mentality I guess. I need to try an obscure tobacco that is great sometime.

The reports of strength are overrated. Its just another quality, stronger that most VA. If you like it natural, and fairly strong, this is for you. i found no real suprises here and for the price there are better.

Well, everyone is allowed their opinion, right? I wrote that to me, Escudo is a holy grail of VaPers, and few would disagree. So now I'll say that HOTW is now added to my list of the very best. When I bought my first Hal, I wasn't much of a VA lover, but the years have changed me. I think I've tried most of the VA's on the market, newer blends and older classics. Some are fine, but I always come back to HOTW. It's my #1 favorite VA, no question. So consistent, packs like a dream, moisture content is excellent out of the can. It cellars magnificently, it's rich, somewhat complex, full-flavored, and a touch strong, but not overpowering. If I was only allowed one VA blend for the rest of my life, this would be it. Four full stars for me.

I ordered a tin of HOTW on the strength of the recommendations here.

I'm used to stoved VA flake, so it was something of a departure to see the bright colored quasi-flake. The tin aroma is lovely - sharp and tangy enough to make your mouth water, with that not-unpleasant metallic overtone that I've come to associate with a freshly opened package of quality cigarettes. The usual vinegary ketchup McClelland odor is thankfully all but nonexistent.

Much too moist out of the tin, but still smokeable without too many problems. It's best dried out for a few days. The semi-rubbed out texture is great because it can just be stuffed into a pipe without having to break up the flake. The first few puffs are a bit reminiscent of the honey casing on MacBaren, but after the first few minutes, this disappears and you are left with a good straightforward Virginia taste. The room note is sweet and enjoyable. It burns well and rarely requires a relight. Potential for tongue bite is moderate, but seems to be tamer than most of what McClelland sells. The last quarter of the pipe tends to turn a bit harsh and loses some flavor.

The nicotine content is slightly greater than I am used to. After a large bowl of this stuff, I am not always completely steady on my feet.

While HOTW doesn't really have a lot of subtle flavor interplay, there are times when this is exactly what I want. I bought eight ounces of Stonehaven at the same time, and I am already halfway through my tin of HOTW. I am definitely going to be stocking up on this wonderful blend.

Just go get some.

Trust me.

OK, OK. A few more details. This is like a slightly milder version of Scottish Cake by McConnell's - and no wonder, it's blended by the same folks (K&K Co). I don't notice much of a nicotine whomp, I mean, it's there, but I've been smoking it out of pretty big bowls and I haven't needed to take a break. I could actually see this as a solid,robust all day smoke... maybe a little too robust for that. Still... that said, while I can see myself smoking this all the time, I wouldn't be against a more robust version flavor-wise (let's see how many times I can slip the word "robust" in here). But then it would be somewhat harder to smoke bowl after bowl after bowl of, so that's such a minor quibble. It beats Old Gowrie in my book, which is also a very solid blend, so that's saying something as far as I'm concerned.

Enjoy!

...

robust.

A nice Virgina, although I didn't find it as tasty as SG Best Brown Flake.

I am a smoker of Latakia blends most of the year, switching to VAs in the warm months. My staple is SG Full Virginia Flake but recently ordered a tin each of Old Gowrie, Marlin and Hal o the Wynd to try. After one month of comparison and letting the tobaccos dry a little, Old Gowrie has my #1 vote, then a tie between Marlin and HOTW. There are strong similarities (dried figs, raisins, oatmeal, brown sugar), and all are very good, and all benefit from time in an opened tin. Marlin tends gets stronger and slightly bitter toward the end, HOTW gets sharper on the tongue, while OG remains very constant right to the end leaving a nice dry ash. It has the oatsy aroma and VA sweetness from start to finish. All three come rubbed out/ broken to varying degrees and I would prefer if these came as solid flakes so I could adjust the burn rates and smoking qualities to suit outside wind, temperature etc. I give all these three very high marks.

STRAIGHTFORWARD UNILATERAL VA TOBACCO FLAVOR

What a great VA. With strength, but no foulness. I would almost say mild on the palate yet full and flavorfull. It remains consistant, I find that unique. (some might find this lack of development boring). I like it, it stays in the toolbox- I really recommend Brown Clunee over it as it is more interesting in that it develops from mild to spicy keeping interest.

BETTER PICK: MCCLELLAND CHRISTMAS CHEER 05' OR 06

After trying, and liking, Old Gowrie and Wessex Brigade Campaign Dark Flake, I decided to try Hal O' The Wind. I wasn't prepared for this delicious blend. From the reviews, I expected Hal O' The Wind to be a strong blend, and maybe not to my liking. What a surprise. I found HOTW to be a mild to medium strength, flavorful blend. This great blend burned clean and dry with no tongue bite, but beware, hasty puffing could possibly lead to "cinder tongue". A good blend for a change of pace smoke for the Latakia lover. Highly recommended to any Virginia smoker.