Rattray Marlin Flake

Not much more to be said regarding this quintessential flake. The accolades here are all well written and quite deserved. Much of the MF on the market is getting bought up since the mysterious demise of JB Russell...rumor has it a distributor out of Georgia has picked up the Rattray line. I'm patiently crossing my fingers that this matured VA doesn't go the way of classics like St. Bruno Flake and 3 Nuns... So smoke it if ya got it and if you don't--find some!

I absolutely love this tobacco, even though it is a little tricky getting used to packing. still can't seem to pack it the same way twice :(. other than that I don't have any complaints. Very pleasant aroma would highly recommend it.

What the HAY? Yes folks, the tin aroma upon opening smelled like the fortified hay I used to feed the cows in ol'granpa's farm in Mexico. I was a little cautious but at least the flakes were beautifully folded in the tin and the moisture was perfect. I tried three different ways of packing (stuffing the flakes, stuffing with top third rubbed out, and completely rubbed-out). I preferred the flavor nuances in the stuffed procedure best(p.s.this blend is not sensitive to pipe size). Lighting was 2-3 lights (normal). Initial flavor it delicious Virginia with just a light tang. Mid-bowl: Flavor mellows with a hint of oatishness and subtle sweetness. Bottom third: Mellow, sweet, and rich Virginia. This is what all Virginia blends should aspire to.I have to say that this is the best VA blend I have ever smoked. Tongue-bite can be provoked, but you don't need to draw hard to get flavor. Strength is not too strong and I find some days I can smoke 3-4 bowls with nary a bite. I don't know what else to add but to say: "go get some tins now!" The only draw backs to this blend are that I can't enjoy my other VA blends anymore, they just leave me wanting what MF has to offer and this blend is a little pricey. Rating: 5 out of 5 points

Of my recent endeavors into dark, stoved virginias, Marlin Flake is one of the best, but falls behind Dark Star and Stonehaven because it seems to burn hot for me. The flavor is very good and I certainly like it, but it just seems to overheat. I commonly have this problem with various virginias because I typically smoke English blends that smoke somewhat cooler.

If you smoke more slowly than I do, Marlin Flake is a very good choice amongst dark, stoved virginias.

Marlin Flake is my go-to flake for virginias. I ordered it a year or so ago, and did not seem to hit it off with this product at the time. A few months ago I gave it another whirl and was taken by its gentle and sweet fruitiness. Maybe it was the aging, but probably more that I was in a mood more receptive MF's subtle nuances. It does not seem to have the citrusy-tartness of several other virginias which is OK by me.

My tin of Marlin Flake, mail-ordered from JR, came as 100 g "soup can", rather than the 50 g shoe-polish tin shown in the picture.Some of the flakes were doubled over twice to fit the can, making them at least 9" long. Pretty cool, but also ungainly to work with. I have tried several rubbing out strategies. Now, I rip off a chunk, wad it up, stuff it, and smoke it. Once successfully lit it seems to burn at a smolder for ever. I have had medium-sized bowls last a good 90 min. IMHO, this tobacco must be smoked gently and coolly in order to appreciate the huge range of flavors available.

Lately, during the "dog days" of summer (which in coastal Alaska are VERY long but not too doggy) I have taken to a late evening smoke consisting of a half-bowl of MF topped with a well-rubbed out curl of Escudo. The perique tanginess of the Escudo slowly morphs into the fruitiness of MF. Kind of the virginia equivalent of a Bach prelude and fugue, so to speak. Interrelated, but still distinct.

Anyone who is a fan of the subtleties of virginias owes it to themself to give Marlin Flake a serious consideration.

A must-try for anyone who hasn't, and likely a staple in the rotation for any Va lover, yes? Well it is for me. Along with Old Gowrie and HOTW, I pretty much always have Marlin Flake open or in the cellar. These are three of my favourite Va's, all variations on a theme. That theme is? Beautiful, elegant, non-biting natural Virginia that is smooth and graceful to the last ash. I find Marlin develops more than the other two Rattray's mentioned here, but I truly admire them more for their steadfastness and poise than for their fireworks. Marlin Flake is fresh, full-bodied without being too strong or powerful, handsomely cut, very easy to smoke...the superlatives seem endless, need I say more? On the desert island list for sure...