Rattray Old Gowrie

The OG is easy to overlook. It is, after all, only a straight, dark Virginia ready rubbed in a little yellow can. Its oaty tobacco flavor is probably no fancier than the shag smoked by our founding fathers. Yet, like a faithful friend, its very ordinariness makes it extraordinary. It's lovely for a contemplative walk in any season. It glows quitely by your side as you read your new book. Guests walk into your room but no one says anything about it. OG is for you alone without drawing praise or complaints from anyone else. And,as the early edition of Rattray advertising claims, it has a strangely tranquilizing effect. You will stray. You will try bolder, more exotic blends, or some burley jacked up with syrups or sugars. And, when you and your tongue are worn out OG will be there, in the yellow can,ready for you.

This tobacco changed the way I feel about pipe smoke. It is the portal to all Virginas, easy to smoke, never biting, natural but composite to your nose, consistant through all the bowl.

The best thing after several tins and pipes, is that the flavour is there from beginning to end. I am not much into Perique, but it IS there and it's great.

Would recommend to fill the bowl and leave it there for a good while before lighting.

Living in the US I have always thought of Rattray’s tobaccos as something fine and rare, and their original, Perth-blended offerings were certainly that. And the current K&K version of Old Gowrie, if less rare, is good enough, IMO, to represent the marque and the genre, as well. To me, the scent from a fresh tin is enough to make me want to smoke it on the spot. While the varietals in the blend are clearly discernable, the lot is also floral, nutty and fruity; downright edible. I find the taste and the scents at the match to be delightful, and drying it out some before smoking it, and taking it slow, sustains this effect all through the smoke. The VAs used are sweet and grassy. The KY is "light" for its ilk, round and nutty before smoky. The Perique is plummy before spicy. Smoking it wet or pulling harder can override the more delicate qualities with bolder tastes that include more piquancy, more tannin and "smoke", and more “pepper”, and, of course, there is a range of scents and tastes to be discovered in between. OG, typical of premium, Old School tobaccos, lights and burns well right from the tin. Strength edges toward strong at tin moisture, and it's medium when it’s dry. Tastes are medium, with delicate side streams. I love the aroma, but don’t underestimate the Perique when considering the room note. Aftertaste is just fine, in good accord with the smoke. There is enough VA in the blend to make it worth aging (if you can stay away from it...).

If anyone were to ask me to recommend a VA/Bur/Per, I would first mention Rattray’s Old Gowrie. IMO, if there is a VA/Bur/Per for the masses, this is it, and it's also a nice intro to KY.

This is a top natural mixture. No casing and an extremely mild top dressing or maybe vice versa. Pay attention: this is not a Virginia/Perique mixture. This is misleading. There is a little bit of Perique and you can taste it but it is not prominent and – anyway - it is not in a leading role. This is a Virginia/Kentucky mixture. The Virginia is predominant at the beginning; subsequently the Kentucky appears with its unmistakable flavor. The taste is an ideal combination between Virginia and Kentucky, a quite perfect marriage with Perique as a witness. In my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 8 and three stars.

The twin brother of 5100 mcclelland but old Gowrie burns better and is less greasy and refined taste.

If you like straight red virginia,go there do not be afraid of Perique or strength kentucky the two are very subtle much softer and less powerful than hal o the wynd. Old Gowrie probably one of the best red virginia easy perique on market

Purchased a 50g tin from a store in Germany.i wish i had purchased more of this miracle blend!the tin discription says .I totally agree!when you crack the tin a sweet,citrusy and spicy smell comes out.the moisture level is a bit high and might need some rubbing.packs ok and lights with some effort.some relights might needed too.while burning OMG!the flavours are very rich and pleasing!sweet fruits,citruses.figs ,spices and some grass notes!i also got some nuts occasionally.burns slow and mediun,very clean to total ash.the nicotine level is medium.leaves no dumbness or moisture at the end of the bowl.the room note is somewhat pleasant to others.has lots of similarities with Hal O ' The Wynd with more tense flavours and tastes.do i recommend it as an all day smoke?definitelly!added to my favourite list!

Old Gowrie sits on top of a pillar in the world of VA+ blends. I love this stuff, and my first experience with it is what made me a confirmed pipe smoker. The glowing reviews are deserved. If I had to pick only one tobacco, this would be it.

I call it and it’s bretheren VA+ blends, as there are other components but they are used in a fashion to support the VA rather than add their own complexity. As a matter of fact, for the first few years I smoked this stuff it didn’t appear to be widely known that the blend contained Perique and DFK, it was something of a debate on the forums with people swearing that Old Gowrie was a straight VA. I was in the latter camp, thinking that it was just the processing and the darker leaf used that gave this blend its spiciness and full body.

Old Gowrie might be the only blend I smoke that with every bowl I think...”man this stuff is good!” It evolves slowly as you smoke, as time goes on becoming spicey and peppery, tingly in the nostrils...but with a solid foundation of sweet VAs that are really in their own camp flavor wise. The Nic is right, just a little past medium in my experience. Very satisfying and a good morning smoke if you need a little blast to get you going.

I find the smoke to be complex enough to constantly discover something new but not so complex that it becomes a bit of a mess...I can smoke Old Gowrie and enjoy the blend as a whole, and also slow down and let myself pick apart some nuances if I’m feeling so inclined. While complexity is definitely a positive attribute, I find that in certain situations it can be a distraction to my smoking experience...sometimes I feel as though I’ve wasted a bowlful as I can’t fully concentrate or give the blend the attention it deserves. Old Gowrie is something of a middle ground for me, I can smoke it while I’m driving as an all day smoke, or sit with a bowlful on the porch and sip slowly, enjoying the woody and spicey nuances to their fullest.

It’s an absolute must try.

I have a jar with about 10 years of age on it, and this stuff ages wonderfully. I also just acquired a tin from 2013 that I’m going to hold on to until my 10 year jar is gone.

At first taste, a milder Hal o' the Wynd; over time it becomes more distinctive. Slightly woodsy over the VA and light Perique, the N might be medium but the taste is still fairly full. The cut seems divided between average and thicker strands. The thinner strands keep it going nicely while the thick strands give this some staying power in the bowl.

This is not a 'wow' blend; this is a solid smoke, easily well-worth repeating if you smoke more than once a day. However, if you only smoke once in a while, you might want something a bit more distinctive. 3 1/2 stars.

Finally ready for a review. I was excited about this tin but the first several bowls were a disappointment. I couldnt figure out what everyone else was liking about it. I put it away to come back to later. I now see how wet this blend is right out of the 3.5 oz tin, and i dont know why i didnt see that before. Its like soggy moss and reminded me of seaweed. I finally had the time to space it out on paper and let it air out all morning. NOW I get it. Great flavor combo of that sweet va rattray flavor with just a touch of per to give it a subtle pop. Slow burning. Tasty. A winner! Im looking forward to future bowls.

March 24, 2014 addition to my review. Old Gowrie has become one of my favorite blends and found a way into my permenant rotation. The unique flavor packs a punch and accompanies a decent nick kick. Love it!