Rattray Old Gowrie

This is a medium to dark brown ready rubbed flake, with some light and greenish strands. It has a nice moisture content but it needs to be dried properly to avoid tongue bite which can be a bit of a problem when lighting. Opening the tin reveals a tangy woody and freshly cut grass smell, which when the tobacco is dried becomes more earthy. There is a distinct combination of sweet and savoury to the smell and it often reminds me of very pure dark chocolate.

Drying is a bit of a problem with this blend as there is a small window between it being too moist (and bitey) and too dry when it will smoke harsh. You will need to monitor it closely but once you've got it right it's a great smoke. There is a satisfying Virginia tangyness and subtle sweetness that remains down the bowl, and it will constantly change from more earthy to more chocolate flavours. Sometimes I will notice a hint of orange oil coming through. This is a nice tobacco to smoke on an afternoon walk, especially when in a contemplative mood, and just sip on the pipe to enjoy the subtle changes in flavour.

I really like this tobacco. I think I would have taken to VA tobaccos much quicker if I would have smoked this for my first non-aromatic. I don't think there is any added flavoring in this tobacco, it is very natural in taste. I do, however, get a very subtle hint of sweetness when I smoke this, and i'm guessing it has to do with the way it is cured (I know virtually nothing about this process and I could be dead wrong). Lovely tobacco, highly recommended, 4 stars!

If I could have only five tobaccos in my rotation, this would definitely be one of them. OG is a pure, uncomplicated Va. that never grows old. Pure taste, even burning and no bite. Let it age for at least a year and you will be rewarded many times over. The quality is consistent and the price is reasonable.

Old Gomer...Marlin Flake's very own "Mini Me". A light Virginia flake that, for me, is a great early morning eye-opener. Mild in every positive sense of the word. Past mid-morning I tend to want a little more "more" in my smokes and tend to move on to Brown Clunee or something similar. Your mileage may vary, and I can easily see how this could be an all day smoke.

Very nicely done tobacco.

As a relatively novice pipe smoker - I've had excellent good luck with this tobacco- easy to rub out, pack, light and keep lit. And its been well worth the limited effort.. I find this blend creamy, with grass/hay and citrus overtones. Seems much better toward the middle and bottom of the bowl. I will continue to return to this.. Also does not stink up the apartment (much less than a cigarette, for some reason).. Can sneak in a bowl before the girlfriend shows up.