The good Chef was kind enough to bless me with a sample of this stuff on my last order. I will be ordering at least an ounce of it with my next. I’ll be honest, the first time I tried it, it tasted identical to the Nocturne, but without the smoky Latakia. It’s a strange thing, though, how walking outside into the fresh air can reveal dimensions in a snuff that I had not previously noticed. The first time I experienced this was with Spanish Gem. Oh, Spanish Gem… Anyhoo, with Rat Bastard, the first thing I noticed was a tasty confluence of honey (golden?) Virginias and unidentified citrus of some kind. Not sweet like a fresh orange, but more akin to the dried fruit in my favorite trail mix. Maybe some Black Cherry too. About five minutes later when I walked outside though I tasted a whole new flavor set… think currants or lingonberries. My guess would be Rosehips. Fresh, sticky Rosehips. Absolutely delicious! I would still say this is in the same aromatic spectrum as Nocturne, but as much different as it is the same. Where I look at Nocturne as a relaxing snuff for late evenings while getting the kids (and myself) ready for bed, Rat Bastard would serve more as a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up! Has anyone else tried it yet? What were your thoughts? Also, does anyone know who to get ahold of to get this snuff added to the list for reviewing at the WordPress site? I’m not sure who moderates that, but I would assume they’re in our community as well.
my first impression was of cherry, too, but not in it, though it was pressed between planks of cherry. Naturally, I love it.
Lol… the tittle of this thread gave me a little scare…
I am just glad it is not called mouse bastard.
@Mouse good call 
BTW thanks for the heads up in the WIYN thread and putting this deliciousness on my radar, so I could put it in my face.
I make my own bitters and the one in Rat Bastard is made from Meyer Lemon, Blood Orange and Grapefruit zest along with some Gentian, Rose Hips, cinnamon and Wild Cherry Bark infused into Everclear 190 proof. Good stuff in an Elder Fashioned cocktail. It goes on the leaf and more is poured onto the toasted cherry planks. Glad you like it. It has a tobacco bill nearly identical to Nocturne, minus the Latakia and some stoved Virginia that’s borderline Cavendish. Ooops. There’s also rosewood in the bitters.
Wow. Cannot wait to try it! Thanks.
I make my own bitters…
Daniel, I’m thinking there’s some potential in yet another side venture. I like to make my own soft drinks, omitting the sugars and sometimes-but-not-always alcohol, and bitters combined with seltzer often make for some terrific beverages (I am a voracious hydrator, but water’s boring). However, as a component of cocktails, the right bitters can raise a mediocre drink to the top shelf.
Take Five sounds incredible. Will definitely have to try that and the Ivory Toast (which, based on the tobacco bill, will probably be wall-meltingly high in N).
@idbowman If the initial test chew is any indication, this one is an ass kicker of epic proportions. Simple, but good because of this great tobacco and butter. Not much longer if the weather holds like it is now.
^ with the Old Mill Rat Bastard Snuff logo on them? Betcha they’d be popular. Damn, wrong thread again. Should be in the shopping cart thread.
@chefdaniel I was just looking at your menu (again) - when will Antebellum be ready? I was planning to grab some more Old Mill soon, and would be VERY interested in adding it to the order.
@idbowman It’s next up in the mill. Should be ready in a week or less.
I really must try some Old Mill products. These discussions make Chef Daniel sound like a cross between Sherlock Holmes (and his monographs of 100 kinds of cigarette ash), Marie Curie in her lab and…well…a chef!
@chefdaniel I was just looking at your menu (again) - when will Antebellum be ready? I was planning to grab some more Old Mill soon, and would be VERY interested in adding it to the order.
Antebellum and Olde English Toast 2015 (The Balkan) are both ready for release today, Tuesday March 31, 2015. If ya’ll are interested, just shoot me an email.
Just placed an order: Rat Bastard, Olde English Balkan 2015 & Equinox Spring 2015. Each member of this little band of Musketeers sounds so completely different…yet should form a solid defense three pronged against the evils of the world. Due to Daniel’s astonishing customer service I should have 'em by Easter!
Antebellum is fresh off the mill and ready to go. I just had a nice big spooner…it could use a little tin time, will age nicely, but is ready to indulge in now.