Rattrays Red Rapparee Pipe Tobacco (Tin)

Red Rapparee is a real hidden gem amongst tobaccos and simply oozes quality. The cut is a mixture of shredded ribbon and what looks like broken/cut flake that combine so the pipe almost seems to pack itself, it really is a joy. The moisture is perfect for smoking straight out of the tin and the tobaccos seem to have some age on them compared with the way too young Dunhill offerings of late. As to flavour, I would put it bang in the middle between Dunhill Early Morning Pipe and Gawiths Balkan Mixture, as in it has the quality of EMP but all of the flavours are a little more pronounced and the Cavendish adds a little more depth and body making this suitable for all day smoking. As the bowl burns down the flavour edges towards the Balkan Mixture but for me the finish is not as bold or harsh, just really satisfying. This really is a delightful smoke, the Virginias are quality and the Turkish/Oriental leaf add a sweet spicy tang with the Latkia in the background, never overpowering. All these ingredients seem to remain separate somehow, not in a bad way but in a way that lets each flavour drift in and out, shining in its moment then returning to the background allowing others their go, as such, no two bowls are ever quite the same. Complex, mystifying and very satisfying, what more could you ask for? Also this stuff gets better with age, if you can jar some for a few months/years you will be rewarded with something that can only be described as sublime.

This is wonderful stuff. If you're after that nostalgic old fashioned fireside warming smoke then you're off and running with the Black Mallory it's bob on. I'm a huge fan and more or less by accident . . . The first tin I bought because McConnell's Scottish Blend was out of stock. The Black Mallory arrived instead - as a substitute - and I was indifferent really until I opened the tin. By crikey this is good. It was straight away my favourite (but having said that, my favourite pipe tobacco alters every week, more or less) and I ordered a 100g tin from Cgars without further ado. However, when it arrived it was a only a 50g tin, which was a bit of a shame. 100g tins are hard to come by these days, and there's good reason why. I contacted Liam at Cgars almost immediately and he was very helpful in rectifying the discrepancy, posting a further 50g tin by Special Delivery to arrive on a Saturday. Brilliant customer service without a doubt. I cannot recommend Cgars enough. You cannot fault them, they're as sound as a pound! A rare thing in this day and age. And Black Mallory's a damn good smoke too.

My favourite of all the rattrays range, the tin note is spicy slightly sour, the latakia is bold and instantly evident, get your nose into this! Moisture level is perfect, strength would be medium, lovely rich, warm winter smoke, no tongue bit at all. If you enjoy a full bodied smoke, try this. Lovely stuff!!! Pipe used peterson jeckyll and hide bent dublin.

This is a really good English mixture, I've had a few similar to black Mallory, but this is the smoothest one of them all, a very nice all day tobacco, I've bought a few tins of this, it's a firm favourite.

The careful apportioning of quantities of the seasoning leaf brings about a dark full-bodied mixture. Flavour, far from being absent, makes that subtle contribution. This surprises and delights the palate.