An organophilic clay gellant having enhanced dispersibility in organic systems is prepared from the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having a cation exchange capacity of at least 0.75 milliequivalents per gram and from 1.00 to less than 1.20 milliequivalents per gram of clay of a methyl benzyl dialkyl ammonium compound, wherein the compound contains 20 to 35% alkyl groups having 16 carbon atoms and 60 to 75% alkyl groups having 18 carbon atoms.