Rattray Old Gowrie

Some reviewers describe this as having an "oatish" flavor, and I agree. A slightly sweet, very smooth, and very easy to smoke ready rubbed VA flake that I always have on hand. It smokes well right from the tin and doesn't need any drying out. It has very little tendency to bite and would be a good choice for a beginning VA smoker.

When I don't want any suppress, and just want a good smoke without any fuss, this is one of the first tobaccos I reach for. I'm stocking up to see how it ages.

Highly recommended!

Old Gowrie is an easy smoke, not complex, and, as other reviewers have noted, it does have an ?oatish? flavor, a flavor I found difficult to describe until I read these reviews. So for lack of a better term, ?oatish? it is and it doesn?t waver much from this oat-like flavor. This tobacco doesn?t bite and it would fall into the ?all-day smoke? category for sure. To paraphrase an old TV commercial: The simpler things are, the better I like them. Old Gowrie is simple, I like it??.. a whole lot!

I rate this tobacco 9.9 out of 10.

This offering by Rattray's is an easy one to love...A familiar old friend that asks for little but gives a lot. Medium to full Virginia flavor accompanied by very little bite. Easy to smoke, pleasant room note- a definite must for the Virginia lover.

This is one of my favorite tinned tobaccos. I do not rub it out any furthen when smoking, just load it and light. It burns cleanly and provides nice flavor throughout, never getting acrid or bitter. Care must be taken as overzealous puffing (like when I am sitting in front of my computer working) can lead to some tongue bite. Anyone wanting to try a good, wellbehaved virginia, would be well advised to try this blend.

I don't know why I like Old Gowrie as much as I do. It doesn't stand out in any particular way. Rather, it's virtues are those of an old shoe, comforting and familiar. Perhaps it's a bit mundane, and there is no shortage of competing blends, but Old Gowrie always delivers an honest, straigtforward smoke that is charming in its own right.

Peacehaven is similar in cut and style, if somewhat zippier, and Light Flake (what the hell did they do to that blend recently?) possesses much of the same simple allure.

To say that Old Gowrie offers not much more than already stated may be taken by some as a pejorative, but there's a reason this simple, unflavored Virginia has been around for so long. It may do little to astound and amaze, but it does little wrong.

This has become my regular blend. Although there are other great virginias out there, for me OG has the perfect balance of taste, strength and aroma for an all-day smoke. Not as sweet as Marlin Flake, cooler than Best Brown, and with a better aroma than either. Now if the price would just come down...

Smoking a bowl of Old Gowrie demonstrates why the tobacco trade between England and the Colonies flourished and provided the early economic foundation of our great land. This is pure, smooth, mild Virginia tobacco of the best kind. The tobacco comes in the form of broken flakes, mostly dark in color, with a few lighter shards sprinkled throughout. Aroma from the 100 gram tin is sweet, but not excessively so. Others have described it as "grassy," but I lean more toward a "savory-fruity" impression. There is no trace of added sweetness, which is almost overwhelming in the MacBaren's Virginia No. 1 blend. Packing and lighting are easy, with no relights necessary. When freshly opened, moisture in the tin is high, so some fluffing and airing helps. The flavor is rich, smooth, Virginia all the way. There is no spiciness or tanginess as found in the stronger Virginias, but plenty of flavor here, with cool, velvety smoke. If smoked too fast, this can heat up and be rather sharp on the tongue, so just take your time and enjoy. Down past the half way mark, a very slight peppery note develops, but remains in the backround. The flavor stays rich and mellow right down to the end of the bowl. Ash is mottled gray, and drops from the pipe easily. The bowl smells fresh afterwards. I like to smoke this anytime. Old Gowrie is mild enough for a morning smoke, yet has enough depth to enjoy after dinner. Highly recommended for beginners or for a smoker who wants to try pure tobacco after smoking aromatic blends.

Just poking my head in to add tuppence. I had not smoked this for a time, but after puffing OG again for a while now I have to wonder why I took as long as I did to pick it back up again. This is one of the best VA's to come down the pike along with say...probably McC's Blackwoods Flake or Hal O' the Wynd & Brown Clunee to name a few. As others have stated, this is ONE VERY GOOD REASON to smoke a pipe. It would be surprising to not find OG in any VA smokers top ten list of tobacs. Such a rich, pleasant & tasty smoke. Works for me.

One of the best straight virginias out there. Old Gowrie is smooth, spicey and a real treat. Easy to pack and light. Burns nicely and leaves one wanting more. Exceptional!