Rattray Highland Targe

I am smoking this from a 5 year old tin so that may have some effect on my review. The light up of the blend reveals latakia and almost seems to bode well for a heavy latakia blend but that's fairly deceptive. Only a few puffs into the pipe shows that this is certainly a harmonious blend. The virginia, cavendish, latakia and orientals produce a wonderful English/Scottish experience that shows what true harmony tastes like. There are flashes of latakia and hints of sweetness that really round out the flavor. I even get a quick whiff of chocolate that seems to be all the leaves working together. I don't think it's a topping or casing at all since this seems like very high quality leaf and devoid of any of these scents in the tin. I'm beginning to feel that an unsweetened cavendish addition to English blends really helps the fullness and round off the rough edges to produce a wonderful smoke.

Now, it's time for some caveats. There are some people that are hoping for a latakia heavy blend and they aren't going to get that in this blend. It's also a blend you can smoke all day if you like. If you want a heavy late evening smoke then you will find this disappointing. If you want a change of pace "Scottish" smoke that still has fullness and flavor then you'll enjoy this. If you approach it from that angle it's a good blend.

It is difficult to tell what this blend attempts to be. As others have noted, "bland" is an adjective that comes to mind.

The tin aroma is promising, with a variety of fruity tones, slight latakia smokiness, and the hints of virginias and orientals. Visually, there appears to be a good variety of leaf types. My tin has about 4 months of age on it. The blend packs well, has a good moisture level, lights easily and burns well.

In the pipe, though, I find this blend frustratingly mild. The latakia makes itself known sparingly, but there is darn little else. Occasionally, a slight virginia sweetnesss, or perhaps a timid whiff of oriental peeks up, but overall there is exceedingly little in the way of *flavor* - either good or bad - which leads me to a "why bother?" conclusion. Its not unpleasant...it just lacks any kind of personality.

I will put this back on the shelf, and let it age some more, but I am doubtful that it will improve much. It is only my deep admiration for Rattray's OG and MF which prompts me to be patient with HT.

I bought a 100g tin of this, never having tried it before and not knowing anything about it. I have to say I think it's lovely!

The tobacco is a medium ribbon cut, perhaps 50:50 black to brown and tan coloured leaf, with only a few shards of pressed tobacco in the mix. In the tin it smells very nice: yeasty sweet fresh baked bread, sourdough and a touch of spice. Latakia smoke is very much a background note in the newly opened tin, although now I've had it open a while it's become just a little more prominent

It lights up with no trouble and burns evenly without much attention or input needed, providing a soft, complex, gentle smoke. I find it has quite a bready flavour - granary toast with butter. It also offers a delicate sweetness and hay notes from the Virginia and Cavendish, while the soft spice and hint of sour is surely the Orientals which are present in reasonable proportion and to my tastes, most enjoyable. Subtle latakia smoke can be detected throughout, but always in the background.

It's not a big hitter in the nicotine department, so can be enjoyed in a large pipe, in which it satisfies. It can be smoked to a smidgen of ash in some pipes, without much dottle to speak of. It's complex and as such, worth taking some time with. Equally, you can have it on the go when you are on some task, but you'll notice it now and then and it may steal your attention!

In summary, a mild to medium mixture with a bready character, Orientals more prominent than Latakia. I find it mild enough to be a delightful morning pipe, yet full enough to satisfy the taste buds at any time of day: this is a very versatile tobacco.

Mild and flavorful Scottish mixture. Smoky Latakia with a smattering of Virginia and Turkish. The Unsweetened Cavendish brings all the players together for a vetting smoke. This is one of those tobaccos that really comes into its own with age for me. This review is based on a tin that has been aging for over 5 years. Not a Lat bomb if that is what you are seeking. The Latakia is there but in condiment doses. The Turkish plays well bring a bit of sour in spots. The Virginia adds some grassy appeal. All in all a fine blend that I have found myself reaching for most nights as my Smoke with a pot of tea. Solid 3

This smoke is as mild as good. At first I was a bit disappointed, my palate being used to more bold blends in the english/balkan/scottish universe. But once I put away my annoyance and opened my senses to this weed I have found a great companion for those moments when I want a not-overly simple mild blend. The quality of the tobaccos is good, the taste is mild but not flat, even if I would say it is more english than scottish. Once packed in the bowl it burns well without issues, the smoke is not going to irritate eventual spectators. I could understand other reviewers' doubts, but in my opinion this tobacco is good and it comes at a good price: it deserves a chance in an english mixtures enthusiast's rotation.

HT could be an all-day tobacco, a true friend for days at the workshop or even for a smooth hike.

They were found with surprise, after over five years sitting in storage.

After finished 3 100-gram tins, I have to say it's not my blend, too flat, too plain. It might be a more complex blend with oriental & Latakia, but none of them is obviously detected.

Gorgeous tin aroma and nice presentation. Dull, flat flavor. Absollutely nothing sticks out about this. I found it akin to drawing on an empty pipe.

A very nice, light weight mixture. In spite of the description above, it doesn't contain much Latakia - it's more of a Va-Orient. blend with Latakia as an added spice. Clean tasting, if somewhat anonymous with its generic Va. and Orientals, it fits in among the morning blends. Inoffensive. There are, of course, a lot of more interesting blends out there, and this is not one I'll stock up on. Still, I enjoy it for what it is.

This has more Latakia than Accountant's. It is clearly present in the tin aroma.

But it still remains on the light side for an English mixture.

The Orientals are very sweet and nutty. This compensates for the lack of Latakia at first.

But for an old salty dog as myself, well geared up with rich English mixture, this is a bit bland.

This would be perfect for someone seeking a start for an English mixture.