Rattray Marlin Flake

I am a smoker of Latakia blends most of the year, swithing 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.

I hate to rain on this four star parade but I found the stuff in this tin harsh, bitter with not much flavor and a little bite. Probably will improve with age but I'm sticking with Old Gowrie for now...maybe just too strong for me

dunhill grp 3

I'm afraid I have to join the limited list of detractors regarding this tobacco. While I can appreciate the delicate high notes and the other characteristics purported to be of this blend, I fail to enjoy it. My experience is that it is harsh, bitey and singular in nature to the point of why bother.

If there weren't other VA's out there that ring my bell, I wouldn't bother sounding off, but since tastes are very subjective, I have found great blends that suit my tastes because of less favorable reviews here; and the fact that I just reviewed another VA that has complexity and depth IMO and gave that a high recommendation.

Cheers, VC

Again, something was lost when there was no more 'blended by' to be had, but do not let that discourage you from burning this to the bottom of the bowl. The fragrance from the tin makes promises of pleasure that are kept indeed for this is fine example of long burning, sweet Virginia tobacs that will keep you returning for more. I've found that it's best not to rush matters, so that the soft notes are not undetected. This is a wonderful treatment of tobaccos - worth the coin and consideration.

Meerschaum Man Smoking an Altinok Canadian Smooth

Having tried a fair share of Virgina blends, the esteem in which I hold Rattray's blends is unwavering. In my opinion, it is simply the best line of Virginas on the market. Some people complain that the current incarnations pale in comparison to the originals. This makes me wonder just HOW good they were in days of yore, as today's versions are quite excellent in my opinion. Old Gowrie, Brown Clunee, Hal O' The Wynd, Black VA and what many consider to be their masterpiece, Marlin Flake. This tobacco is indeed a masterpiece, from the swirling sweet-potato pie tin aroma to the fine ash left at the completion of a bowl. Along with its squire, Old Gowrie, Marlin Flake is my staple tobacco. I keep Old Gowrie with me in my pouch throughout the day and after dinner the first thing I reach for is my Becker chimney and Marlin Flake, the apex of a day's smoking enjoyment. Bold yet elegant, this dark Virgina flake is what tobacco is supposed to be.

I am disapointed...Tin aroma is nice,the tobacco is to moist,it bites and you must try very hard to burn it!!!

Notes: Having smoked quite a bit of this now in several pipes, I thought I ought to write a review. I enjoyed this most in a tall, thin billiard Ashton I have. It can nip the tongue a bit, especially when fresh.

Appearance: Dark brown with light brown streaks, comes as a foot-long loosely pressed flake folded in the can.

Aroma: Red wine vinegar, cognac, prunes, sharp but sweet, fresh Mission figs, soy sauce, baked bread, a pungent note of sweet chocolate, rather pronounced but I don't think this is a topping.

Taste: Quite nice, mellow strength. Smooth, sweet, figs, and fresh-cut hay, spicy fresh Virginia tobacco flavor. Full and naturally sweet.

Comparisons: Not as nutty as Samuel Gawith's Full Virginia Flake or Best Brown Flake, but it has a full sweetness that the others lack. On the spectrum of nutty-sweet, Marlin Flake is on the sweet end, a few steps past Hal O' the Wynd.

Bottom Line: For natural Virginia flake devotees who are seeking a sweet rather than a nutty Virginia flavor, especially those who are planning to set their tins aside for a year or more, this may be a blend for you.

I can't improve on aj and pipeline's reviews. Great name, great legacy, average tobacco...

[301103] My first foray into the world of the straight Va just finished. This one's great in the tin, aroma's strong, baked bread, raisins. Flake has a nice composition, didn't seem to need much rubbing out. Loaded my thick-walled Lorenzo Elba bull moose and lit away...

Initial light fine, had some trouble getting (and keeping) the thing going.

Tasty, yes. Not overwhelming in any way, just stronger than most mixtures I smoke, had a feeling or a flashback to that robusto I smoked the night before last at xmas party.

Balanced, somehow quite a pure taste. The same way I guess, that a single malt is pure compared to a blended scotch. That raisiny smell did come through at times, a nice surprise. Otherwise alternatingly mellow and spicy, quite cool (though definitely gets hot if puffing too quick).

All in all, a great, strong tobacco. Will keep this in rotation and lets see how my taste develops 😉 (updates a'coming)

UPDATE: After half a year on&off with Marlin Flake, it's a keeper. (Upgraded rating to "favorite".) Excellent, truly excellent choice after dinner, with a glass or two of whiskey or just by itself, watching the Summer sunset. This is truly very, very good. I could heartily recommend this to any pipesmoker.

[190705] I can't get enough of this. It seems to suit any mood, any place and any time of day. After more experience with this baccy is cooler, there is more variance in the smoke as you progress through the bowl and the lovely "stoved but fresh" taste is something to truly hunger for. It does benefit from a cooler weather, but I'd never spit on it indoors or on a summer's day, either.

If I were to vote for the best Va. Marlin Flake would get my vote.