Rattray Old Gowrie

Old Gowrie as a VA-PER is a quality and extremely good choice. I find it complex, sweet, and with just the right amount of perique to cool off this wonderful blend. There is not much else that I can say that has not already been said. All of the reviews that place this blend at the top of the smoker's list are correct. If you enjoy Escudo or Elizabethan definitely pick up 3 or 4 tins of this.

A very fine and rich ready-rubbed Virginia flake. Not as full as Marlin Flake but quite full bodied, none the less.

Tin note is a nice yeasty bready sweetness.

Dry it out some and pack it light. It expands as it burns.

Rich and sweet, though not overly so, with a hint of spice. Give it a try.

I read all the raving reviews here only after smoking part of the tin of this tobacco, so my expectations were quite blank: well, I don't completely agree with the comments posted. It's certainly a quality Virginia, with a tin aroma that is more reminiscent of McClelland than of other Rattrays, but it leaves me a bit flat. It's good, balanced and not too heavy, and bites less than other Virginias (but it still does a little)... but I prefer the more marked woodsiness of Hal O' The Wynd or the incredible sweetness of Marlin Flake. I can't find some really bad things to say about this tobacco, but I'll simply leave it to those with more delicate tastes than mine. There's an exception: I smoked this tobacco in a new Peterson pipe, and the sweet notes were delicious. Probably it is due to the pipe more than to the tobacco (I'll try other Virginias in it and see if the sweetness is amplified with them, too), but it was a pleasant experience. If you want to try it, please let it dry quite a bit: it is full of humectants!

Summary: tamed Virginias with a light Perique influence produce a "raisin bread" flavor with medium strength.

For centuries, humans have sought to tame bright Virginias, reducing their acidity and sugar so that they do not burn hot and make the tongue tingle. "Old Gowrie" pounds those Virginias into a vinegary, breadlike flavor with just a hint of the tingly citrus acidity, then add Perique which makes the mixture further mild and adds a bit of spicy fruit flavor. My sample came out of a jar at the Briar Shoppe, so lacked any moisture problems, and took to the match immediately, bringing forth a flavor not unlike Turkish Delight, those little cubes of pureed dates, raisins, and other fruits covered in confectioner's sugar. Over time the whole grain flavor of the Virginias melded with that, and then the natural sweetness of the leaf caramelized to deliver a wine-like finishing note. While this is only medium in nicotine, it leaves behind a reasonably pleasant room note, does not bite, and can be smoked all-day without fatigue or nicotine overdose.

Man, what a smoke this is. This has been a favorite of mine for a while, but 5 years ago, I put aside some tins of Old Gowrie for aging. And while this blend is excellent fresh, it is absolutely sublime with some age on it.

Opening the tin, the smell is just out of this world. Tones of earth, figs, and a slight sour tone. Absolutely delicious tin note, which thankfully translates into the actual smoke as well.

This is a full bodied Va/Per. It can smoke a bit hot due to the sweet Virginia's, but if you take your time with it its fine. It needs to be treated with respect, as this is masterfully blended. Nice thick smoke, just bursting with flavor. Sweet Virginia's, nice tangy Perique, and Kentucky which provides just the right amount of body and strength.

One of my all time favorites. Simply superb.

This is an extremely pleasant and balanced blend. It is never wearisome. The broken flake is not difficult to light up. The room note is quite pleasant. It does not hurt the stomach neither the throat. Absolutely recommended.

After 5 years I may add something more. You will not find many nuances in this blend. It is a bit flat. The Kentucky gives an earthy note, but otherwise it is a robust Virginia. Perique is not so evident. However it is a honest tobacco that can be smoked round the clock. Nicotine is visible but not strong. I still like it, but eventually the 4 stars are too optimistic. But you will not get tired of it.

In the tin this tobacco looks and smells just like it's cousin, Hal O' the Wynd. The flavor profile when smoking it is quite a bit different though. It's not as sweet as HOtW and contains more spice and is more savory. There are quite a few plum/raisin hints in the smoke as well. The kentucky and perique take center stage, unlike HOtW which is more VA balanced by kentucky and perique. The virginia flavor is present in the smoke, but its more subdued. It smokes beautifully down to white ash and behaves very well. Quite a tasty VaPer that has a bit more of a nic kick than HOtW.

Here is my review of HoTW just for comparison.

"Mellow and creamy flavorful smoke with absolutely no bite or harshness whatsoever. Gorgeous broken flake of medium brown and red virginias with a few light specs here and there. Its a bit wet right from the tin, but still ready to go. Lighting takes a bit to get it rolling, but behaves wonderfully after that. Flavors of sweet red virginia take full and center stage. Not overly complex flavors and doesn't take a lot of contemplation. Flavors of bread, sweet but subdued fruit, dark and rich sweetness but not cloying, along with slight hints of hay and tangy tartness come through. Not much if any spice at all with a few citrus notes."

A great deal has already been said about this tobacco so I'm going to keep it brief. It is good quality, it's tasty and interesting. I think there might just be a little latakia added if you ask me. The perique content is light but there for sure. The Virginia's are sweet. It's too moist in the tin and will need some drying. Too dry and it becomes somewhat harsh in my opinion. I like it and many others do too. It's a legend of a tobacco. It's not my favourite but was for a while. It's worth the money and should be tried if you haven't already. No bite and easy to smoke.

I associate myself in the most part with what the four star reviewers have said about Old Gowrie. The first few smokes I had in various pipes did not seem to bring out the best in it until recently when I loaded it into an old rustic Bruyere pipe which I've had in my collection for over 30 years.

It was smooth and quite sweetish, which l like. Actually, quite sweet. The tin note IMO reminded me of a brand of Tea, like some kind of Celonese Tea. But that's where the similarity ended. Tea can't be loaded into a pipe (well, who knows) but Old Gowrie (OG) can and it sure lived up to its billing.

Wait a minute though, I did not taste the Perique - which OG is touted to have, for most of the smoke unless it exists in a very very limited dose. For me, this seemed like a straight Virginia.