September 2008: Rattray's Marlin Flake

Thanks for getting this up. I've had a tin of this on my try-me shelf waiting for this month ... its about 6 months old so it should be yummy. I'll be smoking it later today for sure. Never tried it before.

My tin arrived on Feb 28, so it's precisely 6 months ago. It smells wonderful in the tin but so far first bowls do not impress me. More on this after the following messages.

I smoke this quite a bit. But, I do believe Old Gowrie has the edge.

with Highstump.

Marlin Flake is good, but I like Old Gowrie better.

I like Marlin Flake a lot. For me it definitely benefits from some drying time. This along with Hal O' the Wynd and Old Gowrie are, by far the best offerings from Rattray....IMHO.

I have been limited in my tobacco choices. Israel recommended this flake to me. I have been greatful ever since. Talk about an eye opener. After reading some of these responses, I will definitely try Old Gowrie. I pretty much stick with Rattray now. I also enjoy "Terry Red, Accountants and 3 noggins. But Marlin Flake is Numero Uno.

Imagine my shock when I read that this is a blend of VA / Cavendish / Perique. I hate Cavendish and am not very fond of Perique. But man-o-man do I love Marlin Flake! It doesn't make sense since I don't like the ingredients but its true none the less.

... to be continued

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Ok I've smoked a bunch of this stuff and here is what I've discovered:

As I stated at the onset, this is one super fine tobacco.

I'm an experimenter. I play with tobaccos to find out how I like them best. I smoked it in only group 4 and group 5 size bowls (thats all I have!) so I can't comment on how it smokes in smaller or larger sizes. Sorry guys. I fully rubbed it out, I rubbed it just a little to make it a broken flake, I folded and stuffed, I cut and chunked, I smoked it wet, I smoked it dry. Here is my take on it: its just wonderful no matter what you do with it. I do like it better fully rubbed out than any other method - the flavor is somewhat brighter but not by much. Normally I like my tobacco on the dry side but this blend to me tastes fuller and sweeter when its moist. Moisture level from the freshly opened tin was not all that bad - I noticed many on tobaccoreviews stating it was too wet when new, perhaps that little bit of age mine had on it made the difference. I also noted many said it was a bit 'bitey' ... I never noticed that at all. Again, maybe its the age that has made the difference.

Some comparrissons ... I always like to read A vs B ... helps me put things in perspective.

Marlin Flake vs Old Gowrie: Old Gowrie was pretty ok, but not outstanding. Marlin Flake is the clear winner hands down, no contest, why are we even questioning this?!!! It was that dramatic.

Marlin Flake vs Full VA Flake: This is tough ... I love the tin aroma of aged FVF better and dearly love the flavor of FVF at any age but when put head to head its a toss up. Thats a mighty high recommendation from me as FVF has for years been my top VA. Will Marlin Flake replace FVF in my cellar? No. But it has surely earned a place along side FVF.

Marlin Flake vs all the McClelland VAs I've tried (5100, 22, 2010, 2015, DarkStar) ... hands down the winner is Marlin Flake. The closest competitor is FRESH 2010 but since that stuff bites back when new and ages terribly the nod goes to Marlin Flake.

Marlin Flake vs F&T Cut VA Plug: Marlin Flake makes Cut VA Plug taste like yak. Astounding difference.

Ok, enough comparrissons ... Marlin Flake is awsome.

Future plans: I'd like to see how well this stuff ages. So far I can say that with 6-10 months on the tin its heavenly. I think I'll buy a few more tins and let them get more age on them sampling them at 1 year, 18 mos, and 2 years old. If it passes that test I'll buy tons of this stuff.