A noob smokes Red Rapparee

[Phlegmatic]

What is it that gives this blends characteristic flavour? Its dry and a bit stale (best way I can describe it). Someone somewhere described it as "hay flavoured". If I want to be mean I could say its tastes like dry horse manure in a the pipe. I do not like it!

I felt the hints of this flavor in other blends too, like Petersens Luxury blend.

[Madmanamus]

I would guess it is the Orientals.

When I first got into piping, I did a lot of research, and bought a few tins of each variety (genre?) that I thought would do well to represent each camp. Aromatics, VAs, English/Orientals, Drugstore Burlies, etc.

I believe the first English/Oriental I tried was Squadron Leader. It was terrible. I was new to it, and hadn't developed a palate. Wet horse, leather, scorched tongue, etc.

Then I tried Red Rapparee, and a couple others. Same deal. I was feeling as though I'd made a mistake, venturing into this particular tobacco realm.

At last I tried Penzance, and it was an epiphany. Ah! There it was! I finally 'got it.' It's unique composition, whatever the hell they put in it before in turns black and startles you when you open it for the first time, allowed me to know what I was trying to taste in the others.

After a while, continuing to try other tobaccos, I tried Red Rapparee again. It was wonderful! It tasted to me like Penzance with a sweet tooth. Warm, rich, sweet, smokey, everything I liked. I had to keep it on the cool side, as it's no good hot and I have a sensitive tongue, and it gets better after being open for a few months.

I don't know if this will help, but maybe a 'Key' tobacco would offer the right glimpse into the various aspects of this blend. Maybe it's a bad tin, or too fresh, or just not your cup o' tea. I know Old Gowrie doesn't work for me, and most folks rave about it. But I wish you luck, and half the fun is exploring the many and varied flavors on the path to finding the blends you love.

Take care.

Josh

[TheTraveler]

You could go to your local B&M and ask for their mildest bulk blend and smoke that exclusively for a month or two, letting the Red sit forgotten on a shelf. Once you've got the hang of packing, lighting, tamping, smoking slowly, etc. and developed the ability to notice flavors in such a mild blend you might try the Red Rapparee again - after focusing on such a mild blend you'll be surprised at what the premium blends will offer you. Just my .

[Phlegmatic]

Tonite Ive been smoking this tobacco again. And its totally different!!! I started with a cob, and was surprised how different it was, not at all so stale and horse manuere-ish. Instead a soft blueberryish flavour, but w o the sweetness.

Now im smoking it in my Nörding year pipe (199, and its heavenly! Im glad ive got the sense to listen to the old smokers who told me to let it mature! It has truly evolved! But it took two months...

[Kayak_Rat]

Might have been the cob you were tasting. I never got hay from Red Rapparee.

[aldukes]

I thought Red Rapparee was Moo's radio name in the 60's.

[Phlegmatic]

After further investigation I want to change the metaphor from blueberry to plum. This mixture is superb!!!!

[Madmanamus]

Originally Posted by Phlegmatic

After further investigation I want to change the metaphor from blueberry to plum. This mixture is superb!!!!

Glad to hear it all worked out. Time yields its rewards. And if you can't learn it from piping, where can you?

Take care,

Josh