Rattray Hal O' the Wynd
(3.38)
"A pure Virginian tobacco of a most unusual share of strength". This is a strong, sharp aged red Virginia blend that will perk you up quickly.
New tin description: "Hal O' The Wynd" is an unusually strong Virginia-based mixture. Fire-cured Kentucky is added to a base of a variety of Virginias and Perique completes this mixture. It is then pressed and finally rubbed by hand.
Notes: The booklet inside the tin says "A full-bodied Virginia tobacco with a slight sweetness and extremely pleasant smoking characteristics. The name comes from that of the armourer in the novel "The Fair Maid of Perth" - a man who had "a most unusual share of strength". In the German decription is written: "und einem Hauch wurzigem Perique" that means: "and a touch of spicy Perique".
Details
| Brand | Rattray |
| Series | British Collection |
| Blended By | Kohlhase, Kopp und Co. KG |
| Manufactured By | Kohlhase & Kopp |
| Blend Type | Virginia Based |
| Contents | Kentucky, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ready Rubbed |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, 100 grams tin |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium to Strong
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.38 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 51 - 60 of 271 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 07, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This review is current. The ancient text was as follows:
"I expected something else. I have not found the "unusual share of strength" that the package talks about. It is a tobacco that behaves well in the pipe and in the mouth, but its excessive mildness makes me somewhat monotonous. I smoke it when I'm not going to pay much attention to the pipe. It preserves the humidity in its container very well. I am sorry I cannot say anything more, to add that I am surprised by its popularity, which in my opinion is excessive. Maybe the tin I bought was too recent. Unfortunately I cannot see the date. Perhaps aging it improves and it is that great tobacco that connoisseurs say. Or maybe I have not been able to appreciate it in its worth ..."
12/23/2020: For reasons of consistency and because I have this page as my personal Tobaccos diary, I do not like to erase the revisions that I have made even if I consider them to be wrong, but I prefer to make an addition as I am doing now. The reason for this addition is to say that I have continued to smoke this tobacco daily and with pleasure, enjoying its nuances a little more, and although I will keep the three stars that I gave HOTW at the beginning, I can come close to understanding why many people like it so much. I do not rule out trying it again.
13/15/2021: And here I am, a year later, raising a star to this tobacco (in its aged version) after having smoked a 16-year-old can. It really is nothing like the memory I had from the last time I smoked it. I don't know if this is because this is an aged tin or because my palate has changed (probably both). This time it reminded me a bit of Solani's Silver Flake, a tobacco that I love, but in the case of HOTW with the delicious addition of perique. So three stars when young, four when old. Of course, I have gotten several more tins for my cellar, and I have even seriously considered whether I should include it among my favorites.
Think it can be useful for new pipe smokers to observe what can happen when we smoke a tobacco in the beginning, without having enough experience to smoke slowly and not lose the flavors, nor knowledge of many other tobaccos to be able to compare.
"I expected something else. I have not found the "unusual share of strength" that the package talks about. It is a tobacco that behaves well in the pipe and in the mouth, but its excessive mildness makes me somewhat monotonous. I smoke it when I'm not going to pay much attention to the pipe. It preserves the humidity in its container very well. I am sorry I cannot say anything more, to add that I am surprised by its popularity, which in my opinion is excessive. Maybe the tin I bought was too recent. Unfortunately I cannot see the date. Perhaps aging it improves and it is that great tobacco that connoisseurs say. Or maybe I have not been able to appreciate it in its worth ..."
12/23/2020: For reasons of consistency and because I have this page as my personal Tobaccos diary, I do not like to erase the revisions that I have made even if I consider them to be wrong, but I prefer to make an addition as I am doing now. The reason for this addition is to say that I have continued to smoke this tobacco daily and with pleasure, enjoying its nuances a little more, and although I will keep the three stars that I gave HOTW at the beginning, I can come close to understanding why many people like it so much. I do not rule out trying it again.
13/15/2021: And here I am, a year later, raising a star to this tobacco (in its aged version) after having smoked a 16-year-old can. It really is nothing like the memory I had from the last time I smoked it. I don't know if this is because this is an aged tin or because my palate has changed (probably both). This time it reminded me a bit of Solani's Silver Flake, a tobacco that I love, but in the case of HOTW with the delicious addition of perique. So three stars when young, four when old. Of course, I have gotten several more tins for my cellar, and I have even seriously considered whether I should include it among my favorites.
Think it can be useful for new pipe smokers to observe what can happen when we smoke a tobacco in the beginning, without having enough experience to smoke slowly and not lose the flavors, nor knowledge of many other tobaccos to be able to compare.
Age When Smoked:
Young and 16 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2020 | Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
This is a version o Elizabethan Mixture on steroids. Everything you find on EM you will find on this blend with a depth of its own. Broken flakes, bread and citrus are all present in a much more forward way. Burns well, gorgeous smoke, no bite. Burns to fine white ash. For VA lovers like me it is a blend to keep.
Pipe Used:
Several 9mm
PurchasedFrom:
Local tobacconist - importer
Age When Smoked:
1-2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2020 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
Just reaching the end of a 100g tin, so though it a good time make some notes.
Delightful tobacco. Virginia forward with notes of Red and Bright. Perique noticeable as stewed fruit taste and peppery retrohale, but less present than in Brown Clunee. Can’t say I notice the Kentucky, but the smoke has a good satisfying body and nicotine content.
It’s deceptively wet and can bite. Needs attention to get the best out of it. But I can forgive it that and intend to make this a regular tobacco for me.
Won’t compare to Brown Clunee and Old Gowrie. They each have their quirks which one must experience for oneself and all three are four star blends for me.
Delightful tobacco. Virginia forward with notes of Red and Bright. Perique noticeable as stewed fruit taste and peppery retrohale, but less present than in Brown Clunee. Can’t say I notice the Kentucky, but the smoke has a good satisfying body and nicotine content.
It’s deceptively wet and can bite. Needs attention to get the best out of it. But I can forgive it that and intend to make this a regular tobacco for me.
Won’t compare to Brown Clunee and Old Gowrie. They each have their quirks which one must experience for oneself and all three are four star blends for me.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 23, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
I will begin with a short summary of my other reviews of the Rattray Holy Trinity because I saved this one for last. Marlin Flake I never warmed up to too much and despite the fact that I like its full flavor, its the overall taste I just don't like. As to Old Gowrie, it is one of my regulars and I like the hazelnut nuances of it quite a bit but ultimately it does not offer the complexity I seek in a 4 star tobacco.
And that's exactly where Hal O' the Wynd comes in. Its taste is just more nuanced and multilayered. There's a little bit of earth, there is wood and whereas Old Gowrie for me had nuances of hazelnut, this one has a delicious nuance of caramel. This is a very smooth baccy that does not bite under any circumstances. The taste I consider to be medium to full. What makes HOTW stand out in my humble opinion though is that it has the kind of sweetness that I usually associate with a mild Oriental mixture rather than the sweetness of a straight VA. That's the feature that makes it unique in my book and I will continue to buy this as long as it is produced.
4 out of 4 stars.
And that's exactly where Hal O' the Wynd comes in. Its taste is just more nuanced and multilayered. There's a little bit of earth, there is wood and whereas Old Gowrie for me had nuances of hazelnut, this one has a delicious nuance of caramel. This is a very smooth baccy that does not bite under any circumstances. The taste I consider to be medium to full. What makes HOTW stand out in my humble opinion though is that it has the kind of sweetness that I usually associate with a mild Oriental mixture rather than the sweetness of a straight VA. That's the feature that makes it unique in my book and I will continue to buy this as long as it is produced.
4 out of 4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2019 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This one has an interesting name to it ... I am wondering how they came up with it. I am sure that a native english speaker can bring further light to this. Any road, quite an appreciated blend it seems, and while it is unlikely that I am going to make a dent in the public opinion I am still offering my two pennies, in hope that I can share with the site enthusiasts of what otherwise is quite and excellent blend.
Now I don't know what's up with tobaccoreviews.com as of late, as some blends that were listed as being a certain type have been changed recently over and over - the present blend being the case, Irish Oak being another example that readily comes to mind. Non the less, to me this is more of a Va Per than Virginia based, as the perique is present and persistent through out the smoke, even if it doesn't confer the pregnant peppery taste that a VaPer lover may expect from a blend. The perique, in my opinion, is the discrete ingredient that makes this blend what it is. The nose of the blend is earthy and offers a hint of dry fruit, that is very welcoming. Once lit, the forefront seems citrussy and slightly reminds one of bergamot - but not as much as an Earl Gray tea, since as soon as you puff the taste is suited by a sweetness, associated with the dry fruit - raisin mostly, and a hint of honey. The perique is a key element, adding just a hint of spiciness - pepperyness, while the Kentucky brings robustness in the equation. Overall it is an above medium nicotine content blend, that discourages back to back bowls, but may be a day to day blend should the mood presents itself. I have added another couple of tins to the cellar, just to have in handy.
Now I don't know what's up with tobaccoreviews.com as of late, as some blends that were listed as being a certain type have been changed recently over and over - the present blend being the case, Irish Oak being another example that readily comes to mind. Non the less, to me this is more of a Va Per than Virginia based, as the perique is present and persistent through out the smoke, even if it doesn't confer the pregnant peppery taste that a VaPer lover may expect from a blend. The perique, in my opinion, is the discrete ingredient that makes this blend what it is. The nose of the blend is earthy and offers a hint of dry fruit, that is very welcoming. Once lit, the forefront seems citrussy and slightly reminds one of bergamot - but not as much as an Earl Gray tea, since as soon as you puff the taste is suited by a sweetness, associated with the dry fruit - raisin mostly, and a hint of honey. The perique is a key element, adding just a hint of spiciness - pepperyness, while the Kentucky brings robustness in the equation. Overall it is an above medium nicotine content blend, that discourages back to back bowls, but may be a day to day blend should the mood presents itself. I have added another couple of tins to the cellar, just to have in handy.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 08, 2018 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a very nice VA blend with a whisper of dark fired Kentucky and Perique. The tin note is crisp and inviting, a signature VA tin note: sweet grass and hay with some dark fruit notes perhaps from the perique.
I will say straight away that the perique and dark fired are minor contributors to this blend. The Perique is almost not detectable to my palate and I don't even get the nasal tingle on the retrohale (well I do occasionally but not consistently). The Virginia's are sweet and bready with some grassy and lemony notes. The DFK contributes some woody and nutty flavors and even some earthiness to the blend. From the mid point of the bowl on a toasty quality appears that I really like. I detect some kind of top note, but I am not sure what it is (honey? molasses?) but it is very light and enhances the tobacco flavors. Great VA blend although I do not know why the market it as "strong" I dont' get much of a nicotine hit (thank God) and it is a medium flavored blend with some complexity. Good stuff.
I will say straight away that the perique and dark fired are minor contributors to this blend. The Perique is almost not detectable to my palate and I don't even get the nasal tingle on the retrohale (well I do occasionally but not consistently). The Virginia's are sweet and bready with some grassy and lemony notes. The DFK contributes some woody and nutty flavors and even some earthiness to the blend. From the mid point of the bowl on a toasty quality appears that I really like. I detect some kind of top note, but I am not sure what it is (honey? molasses?) but it is very light and enhances the tobacco flavors. Great VA blend although I do not know why the market it as "strong" I dont' get much of a nicotine hit (thank God) and it is a medium flavored blend with some complexity. Good stuff.
Pipe Used:
Briar's, meerschaum and cobs
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 07, 2017 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Hal o’ the Wynd is an accomplished VA/Per with just enough of the right KY added to make it all the more interesting. In the tin, short-ish, rough ribbons range from red-brown to medium and dark browns. Initial tin note is dark, sweet prune/plum with molasses and brown sugar in the background, over wheat. Moisture is OK right from the tin. It lights with patience then burns down well enough when puffed at optimal cadence, meaning slowly. Drying it some makes it easier to smoke, with no taste penalty. Lit, tastes and scents are soft, mellow, slightly woody, and very aromatic at first, then they sharpen as it’s smoked down. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to the zesty red VAs used in original Red Rapparee, here they are, in the lead along with sweet, substantial and earthy air-cured browns. They are not really sharp, neither are they mellow for the whole bowl, but they are piquant enough at any point to counter balance the plummy Perique, which also features Middle Eastern spices that provide more and more sparkle, and it sours off as HOTW is smoked down. The KY is rich, slightly smoky, earthy, resinous, and piquant, and it’s tannic enough that it might take over, except there isn’t enough KY in the blend for this to happen. As it is, I appreciate both the “butter” and the piquancy, and the way it underlines both the VAs and the Perique, accenting them and tying them together, as it were. I love the bracing, astringent quality that for me is one of the highlights of HOTW, smoking it, as I do, in a group 6 pipe. Strength is medium. Tastes are just over medium. Room note is not bad, also not quite pleasant. Aftertaste is a lingering best of the smoke.
Of the 3 blends Rattray’s offers in this “series”, (HOTW, Old Gowrie, and Marlin Flake), HOTW is the VA/Per, and it’s a good one, along the lines of GLP’s Triple Play, though not so strong. Of the 3 siblings, OG has less piquant VAs, more KY, and less Perique. MF is darker, fruitier and sweeter, with generally darker VAs, plumier Perique, and dark Cavendish in lieu of KY. IMO, you can’t go wrong with any of these blends. Four Stars.
Of the 3 blends Rattray’s offers in this “series”, (HOTW, Old Gowrie, and Marlin Flake), HOTW is the VA/Per, and it’s a good one, along the lines of GLP’s Triple Play, though not so strong. Of the 3 siblings, OG has less piquant VAs, more KY, and less Perique. MF is darker, fruitier and sweeter, with generally darker VAs, plumier Perique, and dark Cavendish in lieu of KY. IMO, you can’t go wrong with any of these blends. Four Stars.
Pipe Used:
various briars; #6 preferred
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins
Age When Smoked:
fresh to aged in jars
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 23, 2017 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Old Gowrie and Hal O’ The Wynd are two very similar blends, with the same characteristics. Not so for Marlin Flake that is completely another mixture. Here I want to speak about the differences between these two blends, from the point of view of Hal O’ The Wynd compared to Old Gowrie. First of all they have the same ingredients (Virginia, Kentucky, Perique) without any casing. But there are three essential differences: 1) HOTW is stronger than OG. It is a more robust smoke. 2) HOTW has more Kentucky and less Virginia compared to OG. Kentucky is really leading. 3) HOTW has more Perique than OG. Both are Virginia based mixtures, but HOTW could also be considered a Perique mixture (not so OG where above all Virginia but also Kentucky are leading and Perique is really a “bit player”). Personally I prefer HOTW but it’s just a matter of taste. Finally, in my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 9 and three and a half stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 25, 2017 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Conclusion: This is good! Complex and easy going at the same time, I whole heartedly recommend this.
Taste: A sugary sweetness fills my mouth with hints of raisins, honey and dried apricot. The sweetness lingers on the finish for a long time. There is a touch of wheat, freshly baked bread. Now and then I pick up a taste of almonds, marzipan. Further in, a discrete note of leather and cedar tree enters the mix and mingles with the rest as the sweetness recedes slightly, also notes of pepper appear in the nose. The sensation of this blend is so full and round that it almost makes me want to chew the smoke! There is no bitterness here, no harshness, just a silky smooth smoke. Last third of the bowl offers up some increased pepper heat and an absolutely magnificent pinch of salt, wich blends naturally like flakes of sea salt on a chocolate creme brulee. This is a slow smoke, and even though the the first pipe I had was one with a medium sized bowl the transitions were many and very pronounced. Accessible is a suitable term for this blend. It is very rewarding without being challenging.
Mechanics: A ready rubbed flake that comes pretty wet out of the tin. Takes to the flame easily and stays lit, burning at a slow pace. Never tried to bite me. Medium to strong nicotine content.
Taste: A sugary sweetness fills my mouth with hints of raisins, honey and dried apricot. The sweetness lingers on the finish for a long time. There is a touch of wheat, freshly baked bread. Now and then I pick up a taste of almonds, marzipan. Further in, a discrete note of leather and cedar tree enters the mix and mingles with the rest as the sweetness recedes slightly, also notes of pepper appear in the nose. The sensation of this blend is so full and round that it almost makes me want to chew the smoke! There is no bitterness here, no harshness, just a silky smooth smoke. Last third of the bowl offers up some increased pepper heat and an absolutely magnificent pinch of salt, wich blends naturally like flakes of sea salt on a chocolate creme brulee. This is a slow smoke, and even though the the first pipe I had was one with a medium sized bowl the transitions were many and very pronounced. Accessible is a suitable term for this blend. It is very rewarding without being challenging.
Mechanics: A ready rubbed flake that comes pretty wet out of the tin. Takes to the flame easily and stays lit, burning at a slow pace. Never tried to bite me. Medium to strong nicotine content.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
This is my go to tobacco. Suitable as an all day smoke but in no way is it boring or bland. The nic hit is a touch over medium in fact. There may be no better tasting virginias than you find in K&K blends (Reiners golden flake comes to mind). And this blend is perfect with the addition of just the right amount of Perique. Modest burley effect. Smokes cool start to finish. Just first rate stuff.
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