Blossom Temptation is a Cherry to Pick

Let me blunt. In my opinion, Rattray’s makes some of the finest tobacco blends available. A large percentage of their blends have earned three- or four-star ratings on tobaccoreviews.com. I have enjoyed many a bowl of Red Rapparee, Hal O’ the Wynd, Bagpiper’s Dream, Exotic Orange and the Rattray’s Winter Editions.

Now comes a blend I’ve never knew existed – Blossom Temptation. I won’t say I found it by accident. I was perusing the German website of an on-line retailer for blends not readily available in the United States. What really intrigued me, was that there was no reviews of Blossom Temptation on tobaccoreviews.com. (I discovered later that there are many other blends not made for the U.S. market, but that’s another story.) So, going by the website description only, I included a 100g tin in my order.

What I found…

Blossom Temptation is a Golden Virginia/Broken Flake/Black Cavendish based blend flavored with Cherry and Black Currant. It comes in the 100g, “jewelry box” tin and the tobacco is in a cellophane bag. While these type tins are beautiful to look at, the tobacco dries out over time. Where with most aromatic you can grab a pinch and it clumps together, Blossom Temptation (and other Rattray’s packaged this way) doesn’t stick together.

My experience with Exotic Passion (formerly known as “Exotic Orange”) is a strong aroma of honeyed orange when I open the package (or jar). What I find with Blossom Temptation, is a subtle cherry note reminiscent of a crushed ripe black cherry with an undertone of black currant. The aromatic notes seem to mingle well with the base tobaccos – neither overpowers the other.

Looking for a good peach?

My first two bowls were in a German clay pipe to set the baseline for when I smoked Blossom Temptation in a briar or meerschaum. When taking an unlit draw, my impression was almost the same as when I smelled the blend in the package – subtle. The first few puffs after lighting was surprising in that I got more tobacco taste than fruit. The flavoring became more apparent as I smoked it but never reached a point where it hid the tobacco. The flavoring did disappear as I got to the bottom of the bowl.

Pack Lighter

Blossom Temptation is easier to light if packed somewhat loose. I packed it too tight they first bowl and it made the draw difficult. After dumping the bowl on a paper towel and then repacking it more lightly, it was easier to light. Once I figured out the packing, I was able to smoke the entire bowl without relighting. The low moisture level also meant I found no goop in the bottom of the bowl.

When I compare Blossom Temptation to other cherry blends I’ve smoked, I find it to be not as “in your face” as CAO Cherry Bomb or Gawith Top Black Cherry.  I did find it reminded me of Bjarne Viking Erik the Red in that it didn’t leave me with a chemical aftertaste.

I will add this to my list of blends to buy when the opportunity presents itself.