From: ?????????????????
Subject: Submission for next digest

Steve:

Shortly after I started smoking a pipe, I asked the tobacconist (a pipe
smoker of many years) to recommend a nonaromatic, on the theory that real men
only smoke English blends.  He handed me a can of Rattray's Red Raparee.  I
took it home, smoked one bowlful, brought it back to the store and told the
tobbaconist he could have it.  Now, several months later, I have tried it
again (after smoking lots of really sweet stuff in the meantime).  I was
surprised to find that it wasn't as revolting as I remembered, although  I
still can't say it's my favorite (I've taken a real liking to Dunhill's Black
Aromatic--I suppose that's at least semi-respectable.)  What does the group
think of this tobacco?  What are the other Rattray blends (and nonblends, I
guess) like?  How long does it take to get used to these blends?
I was surprised that I didn't like the Raparee the first time I tried it,
because I love full-bodied cigars, like the new Avo series (bloody expensive,
but darned tasty).  The Latakia just seems to have a very different flavor
from anything I'm used to.  By the way, I'm sure they don't cure it with
camel dung anymore, but how do they do it?

My tobacconist also wants to know (I posted this message on alt.pipes and
alt.cigars, but haven't yet checked for answers) if anyone has smoked a blend
from England called "Astley's" or something like that.  He apparently used to
order it by the pound wtih a buddy of his, but it's gotten so expensive he's
had to abandon the practice.

Thanks!     


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