Rattray Highland Targe

Very nice, smooth, mellow, yet tantalizing on the palate. I could smoke this all day, or at night before bed. It's mild enough to be refreshing, yet pleasant enough in aroma that it's not going to offend anyone. It makes me think of what a high end tobacco shop would smell like. Another good turn out for Rattray's!! Keep them coming! I've tried a few of the blends and haven't run into one I didn't like yet.

Well, now that I have finished a considerable amount of HT I will now add it to my favorites and declare it is in the daily rotation as well as three other Rattray's offerings, Jocks, Accountants and Professional. I have not bothered to rate the Aromatic Rattrays that I've sampled - which I did not like at all - because I didn't buy them nor would I. To that end, my review of a blend that I would not buy after sampling, doesn't seem adequate or cricket. I also won't review a tobacco that I haven't spent considerable time getting to know.

To my palate, Highland Targe is a Scottish Blend wihtout any topping. The Orientals are very subtle and there seems to be a mild blending of some Red VA and Bright VA. In addition to what I taste and smell as Syrian Latakia in condimental proportions, there appears and tastes to be some unflavored Black Cav.

The tin aroma is intoxicating and a very sweet tea aroma not dominated by any single component. Likewise, the cut is a fine short ribbon that packs easily, and as another reviewer pointed out, tends to knit the ash in such a way that it doesn't easily sputter about, particular when one tends to park the pipe in the corner of one's mouth. (I often do, and have had to involuntarilly attend the lecture series on my dangerous habit and its effects on my wardrobe)

While the overall strength of the blend is reserved, the flavor is right there in the middle of the taste scale. There is a subtle VA sweetness that is accompanied by a piquant presence of the Orientals. I am again amazed at the harmony of components created with such mildness. If I were to compare this to another Rattray's Blend I would suggest that this has more in common with Jocks, with the distinct difference being that this is centered around the orientals, while Jocks is centered around the VA Cavendish, however they are of similar range of strength and intensity of flavor; yet they exhibit a very nice room note. For this reason, Highland Targe is a smoke for earlier in the day and doesn't require a meal to precede it. Additionally I submit that this blend is somewhat like McClelland Bombay Court, although the components of HT seem to be of a higher quality and more maturity.

Cheers, VC

This is a great Latakia soft enough to be an "all day" smoke. Great rich taste without overloading the palatte or taste buds.

A wonderfully subtle blend. A nice all-day smoke or a smooth introdution to blends that include Latakia. Try this first thing in the morning. Not for the strong coffee drinker but is a fine companion for a large mug of English tea. If you like your flavors big and bold steer clear of this mixture.

This is one of those blends that I always seem to pick up another can of when I visit my tobacconist in Boston. I find it to be a smooth and comforting tobacco that is light enough to let you know it is there without becoming over- bearing if one picks up their puffing pace. I find it be a delightful, "Hello, how are you?", kind of smoke. The beauty of this blend is in it's simplicity.

I went out in search of a latakia mixture that wouldn't send me to the Betty Ford Clinic for latakia overdose. I took the risk, at the encouragement of a cigar store owner friend of mine, to try Highland Targe. The description states that the latakia has a robust flavor. With that warning clearly in my mind I closed both eyes and pulled firmly on the opener tab at the top of the tin. I opened one eye as the latakia fragrance rose to my olfactory sensors and was suprised to find the mixture lighter in appearnace than I expected. The cut is in long thin strands. I like this because if you bend over with your pipe in your mouth the strands kind of knit together and keep ash from falling out on your shirt or whatever. The dominant ingredient in this mixture is the VA and not the latakia. Is this a contradiction of the description on the label??? So, I lit my McCranie's bulldog packed with HT and waited for the "pronounced flavor". What I got, instead of the expected latakia laden "holy cow thatsa lotta latakia" was a greatly flavorful and yet gentle caress across my palate. The latakia is obviously robust in nature because the volume is much less than expected but it holds it's own very well. The VA is sweet but not overpowering. I found this to be a great smoke, not at all monochromatic, but not for the latakia addicted. Take this from a guy who loves 3 Noggins and Red Rapparree, both much stronger mixtures. If you are looking for a latakia mixture that will allow you to keep your socks on your feet, this is a good choice.