Rattray Marlin Flake

This is definitely a tobacco that has justly won its 4 stars in this forum after more than 50 reviews and absolutely deserves it's place in the pantheon of All Star Classics. I wouldn't call it a companion to Old Gowrie because for me this is the classic and Old Gowrie is a companion to it. Smells so good in the tin, it could be served on a plate with a fork and a knife. I have smoked it on Viprati, Savinelli and Dunhill pipes and it always delivers this thick bittersweet contemplating smoke with numerous nuances. Much more pleasingly consistent than Old Gowrie in my palate and absolute no bite or overheating. For those who smoke 3 to 5 bowls a day and like a tad over medium strength, could easily make an all day smoke. Has to be aired for a while before loading as it comes rather moist in the tin. I brake the flakes before packing in variable size chunks. Regarding the comments about the difficulty with the technique of smoking it, I have to say that I don't understand where is the difficulty at all, but on the other hand, 90% of the tobacco i smoke is flake tobacco. Pack the pipe lightly, this is quite a dense flake. Read also the excellent review of Noorrmm near the bottom of this page. Very heartily recommended to all fellow pipe smokers

When I think of Marlins, I think of the powerful billfish of sportmens' dreams and lore. Marlin Flake is a like this to me.

I dreamed that it would be magnificently flavorful. It is. I anticipated strength and was not disappointed. I hoped it would be manageable with the right skill. Here it let me down, as it smokes hot and requires a blow torch to keep lit.

The heat and difficulty lighting MF are likely related. Folded or rubbed; small or large pipes, MF speared my tongue.

Yet, in me the hook is set. I will let my stash dry out a bit and reasses my rating. My initial impressions are that the effort and patience will be rewarded. My den will have yet another trophy for display and enjoyment.

P.S. This bears little resemblance to Hal O' the Wynd to me, nor is it much like Old Gowrie.

UPDATE 12/2004: Something must have happened to my tin, because I believe it contained the skin, guts and bones of the great fish. Successfully smoking other flakes that smoke hot by reputation, I can find no combination of aging, pipe, form of leaf or method that makes the pain produced by this blend worth the flavor. It is called Marlin Flake as it is wild, untame and buffeting. Masochists and ascetics apply here.

4/25/2005: After 18 months, this is finally tame enough for me to smoke a small bowl with minimal discomfort. Very flavorful, and I detect a fair amount of tonquin. It is not as much as 1792 flake, but more than Stonehaven (?). It does leave the pipe smelling a bit funky. It remains a chore to light and keep smoldering, but it gains a second star.

One can add few things to what already has been said about Marlin Flake. Magnificent and yet easy to approach, smooth, sweet, with tremendous depth it carries smoking to an almost transcendental level.

Rattray's Marlin Flake is a wonderful looking "Full Dark Virginia Flake" (as the can states). Pulling it out of the can and rubbing it was a joy (as similar experiences usually are). The unlit aroma of this weed is reminiscent of the figs of Italy. In the early days of immigration by Italians to New York, it was a common sight to see fig trees trying to grow in the tiny patch of land outside of industrialised homes. There is something charming in the unlit aroma that also has a hint of chocolate. I thought that I would really like this, but it fell short. Once lit, it became flat and lost any nuance that I imagined it would have had from its raw form. Such a shame--although, admittedly, I am more of a Latakia smoker and never have tried a straight Virginia (Amsterdam aside, but that has nothing to do with tobacco). I am so disappointed in this offering, but there may come a time when I will give it another go (if only for the joy of rubbing).

I've not much to add to what has already been said about this quintessential straight Virginia flake. It looks great in the tin, the aroma is intoxicating, the burn is slow and cool, and the taste is rich, varied, and deep. Every smoker has his or her own ritual preparation of flake tobacco, but the old Marlin just needs to be broken up or crumbled into chunks - no excessive rubbing required. After the day's work is done, a bowl of Marlin is pure pleasure and relaxation.

The missing chapter of the bible written by an old sage states that on the 7th day God created Marlin Flake, the holiest of blends made for the priests of David and to be smoked into the ages by the very wisest of men. I once read that Sidartha found enlightenment as he was smoking Marlin Flake. And I can't leave out that this was the choice tobacco of the entire Senate of Rome under the rule of Marcus Aurelius who passed a law stating that a boy was not a man until he had served in the military and smoked Marlin Flake. Need I say more. Stop looking, there is none better, smoke the other VA weeds to break up the monotony, or when you run out, but for the stapel. The real nuts and bolts of what a perfectly weighed and measured blend should taste like and burn, this is it. Of course that is only my opinion. Cheers.

Its Spring and one of the first days when the sun hs real warmth, so off into the garden filled with daffodils...A favourite Vauen pipe and a new tin of Marlin helped along with a cup of brown Java..This is surely one of the finest "straight" tobaccos available..I can find no fault with it in any respect..it burns nicely without a hint of tongue burn, and although not a blend there is enough variety of flavour as one smokes through the bowl. Like others i break it gently and fill the bowl thus ensuring a slow long smoke. It proves the point that there is no need to dose tobaccos with obnoxious chemical "flavourings" as a good tobacco has everything.

In sport fishing, going for Marlin is the ?Big Time?. Marlin Flake is aptly named.

From the beginning to the end, this Virginia blend delivers a deep, rich, full and natural Virginia flavor.

In a word, Outstanding. I may be ruined.

This is an attractive tobacco in several respects. The loosely packed strands have a deep mixed coloring comprised the respective colors of Bass Ale and Guiness Stout. The tin aroma is sweet, reminiscent of dried fruit. When minimally rubbed and somewhat dry, the burn is steady and cool. The flavor is very subtly complex. While it is unmistakably Virginian, the brightness is complemented by darker undertones and a delicate spiciness. The smoke has a wonderful body and an soft vanilla-like aroma. I find it to be an invigorating blend that is best suited for the daylight hours.