Rattray Highland Targe

I have somewhat mixed feelings about this one. I wanted to like it more than I did. At first, the taste struck me as a bit flat, bland even, but eventually, after only smoking this exclusively for several weeks, the blend grew on me, but only a bit. Overall, I was expecting more from this tobacco. How can all these different tobaccos fall so flat? Perplexing. I tried this because several pipe smokers I know have crowed about the quality of Rattray's blends. I was less impressed. I'm glad I tried it, but would never purchase it again. Oh, and, I never did smoke the entire tin, I gave up on it. I guess I'll have to use the remainder as a blender. I'll give Rattray's one more shot, Black Mallory's up next, whenever next is.

Cheers!

This is the other Oriental I find very palatable amongst the Rattray?s range. A rather moist and pungent mixture, it is however very mild and watery when smoked. The strong Latakia accent imparts a nutty essence, almost mushy, and very penetrating. Non the less it is a very soft and smooth smoke, quite enjoyable outdoors, for example when walking in the woods just after it rains. If 7 Reserve is dry (to the point of almost being harsh), HT is grassy and steamy, with a bitter sweetness that doesn?t tire out the palate.

I did find it difficult to light and to keep lit (maybe I didn?t aired it enough). It initially smoked cool, but by the second half of the bowl it got just a bit goopy, producing some dottle. Set on the lower register flavours, I find it a nice after lunch/mid afternoon smoke. Nothing really extraordinary, but nice and soft.

Kohlhase & Kopp's website says virginias, orientals, latakia and black cavendish for Highland Targe.

The latakia is present in the tin aroma but is not a key player in the taste of the mixture. Some nutty notes - almonds-are also present, making me wonder if there is not some Burley added as well. Mostly, you will savor the dominance of the orientals, black cavendish and virginias. But when a pipeful has a fair quantity of latakia into it, it becomes a delicious and robust smoke.

The tobacco is mostly medium and light brown, some green leaf (the oriental) and a good third of black leaf is also present.

Room note is of pure tobacco, with a tendency to some light sour notes. Very sweet in taste with some nutty presence and the back up of the woodsy latakia.

Short broken ribbons in black, brown and tan with a few olive strands here and there. The tin nose is toasty and sweet, with hints of caramel, brown sugar, and allspice. The mixture most certainly contains a light aromatic topping, but it is anything if not carefully integrated into the flavor profile of the base tobaccos.

According to its current blender, Kohlhase and Kopp, Highland Targe is: “eine Mischung aus hellen Virginiatabaken, Black Cavendish, Orient und würzigem Latakia” (‘a mixture of bright Virginia tobaccos, black Cavendish, Oriental and spicy Latakia'). Thus a Scottish mixture in the full sense of the term – a genre both perfected and popularized by Charles Rattray in any case – Highland Targe is not shy about its identity. Comprised of tobaccos familiar to other mixtures in the line as to many other blends born in the British Isles now produced by the prolific German blender, it offers a pleasant, middle-of-the-road example of the genre.

Mild to medium body with a soft and rounded mouthfeel, Highland Targe offers a core of unsweetened black Cavendish and sweet Virginias augmented by a measured dose of flavorful Orientals and a hint of smoky Latakia. Possessing a tendency to bite if not treated with care, it offers flavors reminiscent of a sugared café au lait topped with a dash of nutmeg. The topping, while lightly applied, is prevalent throughout the bowl. Neither overly sweet nor particularly rich, it possesses a charming brightness which makes it an ideal morning smoke, just bracing enough to clear the head yet light enough to not overwhelm the palate.

While neither the boldest nor most flavorful among the other Scottish mixtures represented in the current incarnation of the famed Rattray's line, Highland Targe is nevertheless a nice diversion for those who enjoy a bit of Cavendished tobaccos along with their Orientals and Latakia. Be warned, however, that as with everything produced by K&K this one is quite heavy on the humectants and, presumably, the cocktail of preservatives normally found in the offerings of the major continental blending houses.

English Mixtures with Latakia is not very common and popular in Denmark. Also very hard to get! Well im one of the "few" person in this country who doesn´t care much for "Danish-style-black-cavendish" and artificial humectants. This blend is smooth and delicate, with just the right amount of Latakia and not too much Oriental. It packs easily and lights up just as easy.

The first 1/3 of the bowl is very refreshing with a slight touch of lightly smoked Latakia Later: The bright VA enters, and almost dominates the smell. I detect only a slight hint of Oriental

This is a very fine blend that reminds me of velvet and oats This could be a nice morning blend for me in the future, as it is almost as refreshing as a cup of coffee. I could use a little more nicotine though.

Jakob Kiilerich, Denmark

I smoke mainly a range of "English/Latakia" blends, and have favorites ranging over many years. One wants some variety in this range. For no good reason I missed Highland Targe until recently. (The Rattray blend I usually buy is 3 Noggins Full.). I am very happy with it. I would classify it as a fresh, mild Scottish blend whose distinctive virtue is that its flavor is consistently pleasing throughout the bowl. Its been around for quite awhile, and when I looked at reviews I was pleased to see that most reviewers had found what I found. Those who rated it lower complained that it is too bland. My response would be, yes it is mild, but the happy flavor I look for is there and it is so throughout the bowl. I notice most of the reviews are pretty old too. So the point of this review is: it's still good, and it might be what you would like for those times when a mild Scottish is right.

more english than scottish. dark and brown leaves are well balanced.you can feel the latakian camp fire scent at the first remarque but not too much. I lit it with ease. no bit no gurgling or any other bad things. A smooth smoke from top to the bottom. Generally this stuff is my morning pleasure. It smokes very cool. In some reviews they said very flat smoke. Maybe but a good compaignon for morning coffee in the front porch.

A good Va spoilt by substandard Latakia and non-existant orientals. This was a weird mis-match and just didn't work for me. I wish i could like it as others here do but each to their own.

It's really an OK Scottish this, slightly sweet, light on the orientals, dare I say it a touch insipid, vapid, vacuous? Not bad at all, good packing/burning qualities, but doesn't do it for me I'm afraid.