Rattray Caribbean Dream

Rattray's-Caribbean Dream.

I've smoked quite a few aromatics lately, normally I prefer plain/straight blends but fancied a touch of excitement! So here we have Caribbean Dream, judging by the description it's a full-on aromatic!

The nose from the blend is mainly exotic fruit with a slightly herby touch. I can't identify much coconut but as far as I'm aware coconut doesn't have much of a smell?!

There's an even selection of the tobaccos, it's not primarily just one variety, the tobaccos are evenly distributed.

Bare in mind this was from a sample bag. The moisture is perfect albeit I can't comment on a sealed tins hydration.

Once lit the coconut is far more conspicuous than in the un-lit note. It isn't what I'd call strong but it's easier to pick out.

The fruits on the other hand are a lot stronger, I can't argue with the description where it says "exotic taste", it really is vibrant!

Vanilla? Well I don't even get the slightest inkling of vanilla, there can't be any included!

The nicotine is of a medium amount, satiating yet not head spinning!

All well but sadly that's going to change now as this bites bad. No matter what technique I employ it still leaves my tongue nearly ruined!

The room note is exotic and fruity but it seems too false for my preferences.

All this has done is make me realise why I'm better off sticking with my usual simple blends. The taste is too busy and my tongue hurts from it!

Not recommended.

When arriving back at my local pipe shop,(Edinburgh pipe shop),for the second time in one day,had asked the young gent if I could nose this blend,well I was overwhelmed with the tropical notes of the Caribbean,also the cavendish and the Virginias,so good,the smoke is heaven,if you like your aromatics ,well you must try this you won't be disappointed.

What a disapointment! Since I am a huge fan of Rattray´s summer editions I thought I couldn´t go wrong with Caribbean Dream. I was wrong! Nice looking mixture composed of golden, brown and black with a slightly artificial smell of cocos. The smoke fills my mouth with taste of cocos and only after midbowl there shimmers a little nuttines in it. And that´s pritty all I can say about taste. No fruitiness detected. What stays in mind is the extra harsh bite it delivers and what makes this blend unsmokable for me! Never suffered anything comparable before or after! Terrible!

I can only assume that this blend has changed since the previous reviews are four to five years old. The dominant aroma to the tin note, in my opinion, is coconut and vanilla. I couldn't pick out what tropical fruits was used except for a suggestion of mango.

While smoking, the coconut occasionally says, "Here I am." while the sweetness of the vanilla and fruit is present throughout. I will say the coconut stays noticeable longer in the clay, cob and meerschaum than it does in the briar. It lit easy and burned nicely, leaving only a small amount of dottle. I could also detect the Virginias and a little of the burley throughout the smoke. This is a well balanced blend to my palate.

I really like the dryness of Caribbean Dream. Where with most aromatics, you can pinch a ball with your thumb and forefinger and it will stay clumped together, that doesn't happen with Caribbean Dream.

The tobacco comes wrapped in cellophane which does nothing for keeping it moist. That's not a bad thing, as I found it to be perfect for smoking as soon as I opened it. I did transfer most of it to a jar for storage and the rest to a tobacco jar for smoking now.

I have not found this blend for sale in the United States.