I've discovered a few things in my tobacco adventures so far.

You know you like a tobacco when--

* You look in the bottom of the bowl and think, Aww, it's done already?

* You are having a particularly foul day and the blend you selected makes you wonder why you're so upset.

* You notice too much dottle in the ashtray and re-load it back into your pipe so you can have one more go at it.

I also have discovered tobaccos I like are more akin to a three-course meal. You get different flavors, melding and experience at every stage (or perhaps it is just a big stew that you really like, but stays consistent throughout). Some tobacco may be just meat, but no potato. Some skip right to dessert. Some are surf-and-turf, some are a hearty breakfast. In any case, everyone's going to have a favorite, and what food/meal they choose and why. I suppose as I get "better" at testing and trying, my favorites could be added to, change and even become five-course meals because I know what I like, and what to look for. It's not just eating (or smoking)... it's absolutely blissful, decadent savoring.

This is my glowing report of Rattray's Marlin Flake.

Yep, I had a bad day. I don't like the holidays. Never really have. The concept is cool, the actual events are largely a headache for the Western world at large. The best thing I did today was choose Marlin Flake.

Innocent-smelling and very "flake-like" in the bag, it rubs easily into smokable ribbon and chunk. This makes it light perfectly and easy to enjoy throughout the smoke. Starting out mild and toasty, the bowl intensifies in complexity from 3/4 down, giving notes of baked/toasted bread, bell pepper, even with a little red pepper I can only assume is attributed to the proper execution of Perique in the blend--which is good, as you know, Perique and I are very arm's length friends. Two arms, if need be. There is no tarry/rubber aftertaste, and the boldness and satisfaction of this actually mild blend is astonishing. A "full meal," quality, and just enough vitamin "N" to enjoy. Perfection.

Rattray's is quickly becoming one of my favorite blenders at this rate, and this one is at the top of that list.

100% behind this one--as you can tell from my lack of justification and criticism! Also, neener-neener to those that think all I do is hate the stuff I try.

(...thankfully, my Diplomat cob with the half-piece of pipe cleaner was used, because I admit, I totally threw the dottle back in and went for more to satisfy my disappointment at the bowl being done... ....)

(Thanks to Natch, yet again, for supplying me with this tobacco revelation!)

Yup, yer becoming a Ratty convert. Don't resist. The rest is easy. Heh!




Cheers,

RR

The only Rattray's I've tried so far is HOtW. It's a staple in my rotation. Sweet, a little spicy, and rich. Just the way I like em. I like my tobacco like that too.

Heheheh Boxerbuddy needs a red-hot sugarmomma.

Rattray's has had me since my first puff. I had no chance in hell to resist.

"Ratrace." I'll never forget that.

Marlin Flake is probably my favorite blend from Rattray. Delicious from the moment I first tasted it. Now I add a couple tins every now and then to my orders just to be sure I have plenty on hand.

BTW, JRCigars has 100g tins of Rattrays for $12.00.

Ratrace Red Rapparee.

Say that 10 times as fast as you can!

Marlin Flake is my fav VaPer...outstanding.

My revisit to this tobacco tonight in briar brought out an equally enjoyable smoke...a few citrus lemon-like flavors, with a little more "pepper" came out this time...what a great smoke. What a GREAT tobacco!

I am smoking my first bowl of this as I type and I am VERY impressed.

This is what my taste buds have been waiting for. Without doubt the best tobacco I have smoked so far, it is giving me that slight sweetness that I was trying to find in Aromatics but without any of the nasty chemical tang.

Opening the tin I got a hit of raisins, and a background hint of hops. The flake rubs out easily, and out of the tin it seems to have the perfect level of moistness but now that I am smoking it I think it needs a bit of drying out.

Consider me a VaPer convert

Well, to be fair and honest, it's a "VaPer Light." I'm not a Perique fan, and the Perique in this is so thankfully wimpy, I can actually enjoy it.

It's one of my favorite tobacco blends right now, too. I love this stuff!

Just trying my second bowl now. This time in a larger pipe and 12 hours drying time.

Sublime

Kyle,
If you like Virginias, and you haven't tried it yet, wait till you have your first bowl of Red Rapparree And you don't have to "fiddle" with it, just take from the tin , load and light