Rattray Red Rapparee

I have seen references comparing this blend to a light version of Old Gowrie, but I can't find much resemblance, if any. In the tin I received, I also can't find any reason to call it 'red', it is just a mixture of very dark oriental and what appears to be standard brown Virginia. To me, it is a good, solid representative of a medium English blend.

As received, RR was a little too moist and had to be dried out in the tin with the lid off for 4-5 days to pack and smoke properly.

The cut is easy to pack and light and after 1 false light, stays lit and burns all the way down without fuss leaving a nice dark, dry ash. Smokes cool and without bite. Leaves no bad after taste in the pipe or on the tongue. Taste, while unexciting, is a very pleasant, ongoing compromise between Virginia and Latakia without either one attempting to dominate. One thing I really like is that the Latakia is not overpowering.

While I can't call RR one of my favorites, I certainly will keep it around and order more when depleted. It is a very friendly smoke and I can't find anything to hold against it. A good, solid, pleasant smoke any time of the day or night.

Upon opening the tin one is hit with a spicy sweet fragrance that deceives the senses. It almost smells like an aromatic. Let it sit a bit! The fruity aroma dissapates a bit. Upon resting a bit one is left with a smooth cool medium English blend. More complex than other fine blends, a medium ribbon cut, well burning and very tasty!

Its a winner!

The sweetness on the Red Virginias combine so flawlwssly with the smoky orientals. This is an unsung hero of the Finest English blends!

I enjoyed this Tobacco in a small Group3 Dunhill EK. When I was halfway through the bowl the luxurious taste of the extra fine Virginias and Latakia really hit me. I loved it the more I smoked it and it was great right down to the bottom of the bowl. The Group3 Dunhill EK usually smokes pretty hot but this blend did not burn hot in my pipe at all. If anything it burned evenly and as I indicated it was tasty right down to the bottom of the bowl. I ordered it because of the many recommendations of past reviewers and because of this I can't thank them enough.

This is one of the finest blends I have smoked; a very tangy/sweet combination, similar to Dunhill's 965. I will be smoking this regularly from now on. VERY smooth, VERY tasty!

Illinois has recently outlawed smoking in bars, so the room-note is based on the reactions of only two people (i) my wife, who loves the scent of RR even in the house, and (ii) a vehemently anti-smoking friend of my sister, whom, at the very moment she exclaimed "what is that [exquisite] smell", was railing against cigarette smoking. The tavern patrons over the last year that I smoked all expressed appreciation. Anyway, such is life. Red Rapparee is the quintessence of an English blend--or Scottish blend, I don't care. It is spicy, smoky and sweet, in that order. I enjoy Old Gowrie, but this blend does not emphasize the "Rattray Virginia" taste of that or similiar blends. Buy a few cans before the anti-freedom persons sell us all out. The cut is rather finer than GLPease or McClelland, which causes the tobacco to stay lit better, IMO. (Though I do like Abingdon and 2035.) If I was not hell-bent on finding *the* *perfect* pipe tobacco, this would probably be it. I give K&K four stars for this exquisite tobacco, and God help them if they discombobulate it.

Like many others, the name is what initially attracted me to this one. Good tin aroma and appearance. Easy to pack.

I really like the tanginess of the orientals in this one. I smoke it in the car on my way home from work. It is a nice way to pass the hour drive.

November 2004

Not really too much I can add on to Noorrmm's review, accept to say I agree with his measure of this blend. This is a blend that I keep an ample supply of. I agree with his statement that there is a slight loss in edge, however, it is still a wonderful smoke. Highly Recommended.