Dunhill Ye Olde Signe (Re-release)
(2.79)
Notes: Ye Olde Signe is a richly fermented, straight Virginia in a fine ribbon cut. The process used to produce the tobacco creates a natural tea-like tin aroma and results in a natural-tasting tobacco that has a mellow sweetness and subtle aroma. In spite of the gentle flavor, this is a very robust blend best enjoyed after a meal. See for yourself why so many longtime Dunhill fans consider this one of their very finest.
Details
| Brand | Dunhill |
| Blended By | |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.79 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 14 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 01, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Advance warning to anyone silly enough to read my reviews... I'll be comparing this mostly to its Dunhill-blended namesake and less to how it stacks up to other, more current blends. That may seem unfair. However, my position has always been that if a blend wants to be called or compared to something, it has to bring as much of those same goods to the table as the original, or come as close as possible. This one does not... not by a long shot.
Light brown ribbons with the old familiar tea scent along with basic tobacco. No fruit or artificial topping. Smells close to the original, which I still have on hand, but not as deep. In the pipe, this performs as a decent Virginia blend, with a light sweetness and tang, although not terribly deep or complex. The trouble is that this is named Ye Olde Signe. Granted the remainder of the tin I have is well aged but the Virginias in this version seem ordinary and bereft of any real jump factor... no depth. This is just not an exciting blend, although it tastes fine. It's something to smoke, but it doesn't do the name Dunhill proud. I may be in the minority when I state that I'm not going to miss Dunhill tobaccos when they are no longer made, as Dunhill hasn't really been "Dunhill" for a long time. This has very little in common with the original, although it is a very smokable blend in its own right. So if you buy this, hopefully you haven't smoked the original because you will likely be supremely disappointed. And yes, this review is biased, so take it for what little it is worth. 1 star for the name, a weak 3 stars overall, so 2 stars is the average. If it wasn't trying to be something it absolutely isn't, I'd have fewer issues with it. Overall this one just doesn't bring anything new to the table, and worse, it doesn't bring something old to the table that it's claiming to bring.
Light brown ribbons with the old familiar tea scent along with basic tobacco. No fruit or artificial topping. Smells close to the original, which I still have on hand, but not as deep. In the pipe, this performs as a decent Virginia blend, with a light sweetness and tang, although not terribly deep or complex. The trouble is that this is named Ye Olde Signe. Granted the remainder of the tin I have is well aged but the Virginias in this version seem ordinary and bereft of any real jump factor... no depth. This is just not an exciting blend, although it tastes fine. It's something to smoke, but it doesn't do the name Dunhill proud. I may be in the minority when I state that I'm not going to miss Dunhill tobaccos when they are no longer made, as Dunhill hasn't really been "Dunhill" for a long time. This has very little in common with the original, although it is a very smokable blend in its own right. So if you buy this, hopefully you haven't smoked the original because you will likely be supremely disappointed. And yes, this review is biased, so take it for what little it is worth. 1 star for the name, a weak 3 stars overall, so 2 stars is the average. If it wasn't trying to be something it absolutely isn't, I'd have fewer issues with it. Overall this one just doesn't bring anything new to the table, and worse, it doesn't bring something old to the table that it's claiming to bring.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 2018 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I have never tried the original one, only this re-release, but from the description of the old version (shag cut dark virginias) and from how ALL the other historical Dunhill blends have been heavily changed, I would bet that this is a completely different beast. It's a decent Virginia, not as dark as I would have expected from the description: actually it's middle of the road in color, not exactly bright or red, but neither a well stoved one. Smell in the tin is great, very fruity, plummy and rich. At the light, it burns well thans to the nice ribbon cut (typical for Dunhill), and it has a taste which has a good balance of sourness, grassiness and sweetness. Overall a decent very average Virginia, but there's a thing that I don't like very much: some sort of "dirty" character, some heaviness on the palate. It has none of the finesse, clean sweetness of Dunhill's Flake, for example. Nor the stimulating acidity and crystal-clear purity of Dunhill's heavier Navy Rolls. It delivers flavour, yes, but somehow it remains "muddy". For me it's OK, but not a memorable blend.
Pipe Used:
Dunhill, Castello, Le Nuvole, Spanu, Ashton
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 08, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Tin Note: It's Spring, you're out on the mower cutting the grass and it starts to rain. That's the tin note. It's a very pleasant odor.
Flavour: A bready, yeasty, matured Virginia with an undertone I can't quite place. It is not complex but it is a straight Virginia.
Mechanics: It's an even ribbon cut that packs and lights well. It tends to smoke hot and bites.
My Thoughts: At the time of this review I've had several bowls, 3 or maybe 5. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. The flavour is good but it's nothing special and the harshness is a big turn off. Other than that there isn't much to say. It is a bit of a disappointment compared to any other Dunhill blends and even more so when compared to Virginias from other manufactures. I've heard recently that this is Elizabethan minus perique, and if that is the case this blend absolutely needs the perique.
Flavour: A bready, yeasty, matured Virginia with an undertone I can't quite place. It is not complex but it is a straight Virginia.
Mechanics: It's an even ribbon cut that packs and lights well. It tends to smoke hot and bites.
My Thoughts: At the time of this review I've had several bowls, 3 or maybe 5. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. The flavour is good but it's nothing special and the harshness is a big turn off. Other than that there isn't much to say. It is a bit of a disappointment compared to any other Dunhill blends and even more so when compared to Virginias from other manufactures. I've heard recently that this is Elizabethan minus perique, and if that is the case this blend absolutely needs the perique.
Pipe Used:
Cob
PurchasedFrom:
P&C
Age When Smoked:
New Tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2018 | Strong | None Detected | Mild | Tolerable |
I'm attempting to try as many Dunhil products as I can before they stop being produced. This one was however, was not my cup of tea and was crossed of my need-to-know list. The tin had a sour odor that did dissipate after airing out a few days, which then opened up to a very light moist earth/hay smell (which is a good thing).
Any subtle sweetness that may of lurked within however, did immediately burn off once lit, leaving a harsh heavy smoke that left a choking nicotine punch. I wouldn't say it was bitter, just not something the Mike team found enjoyable. The one positive was the soft thin ribbon cut that made packing a breeze
Truth be known, I generally don't care for Virginia dominant blends, but there are a few out there I don't mind (Escudo Navy De Luxe being one of the better ones) as they do a better job of delivering a smoother performance. While my enjoyment was at about one star, it didn't seem like a cheap product, so I'm painting 2 stars onto this Olde Signe.
Any subtle sweetness that may of lurked within however, did immediately burn off once lit, leaving a harsh heavy smoke that left a choking nicotine punch. I wouldn't say it was bitter, just not something the Mike team found enjoyable. The one positive was the soft thin ribbon cut that made packing a breeze
Truth be known, I generally don't care for Virginia dominant blends, but there are a few out there I don't mind (Escudo Navy De Luxe being one of the better ones) as they do a better job of delivering a smoother performance. While my enjoyment was at about one star, it didn't seem like a cheap product, so I'm painting 2 stars onto this Olde Signe.
PurchasedFrom:
pipesandcigars.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 18, 2018 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
During the last couple of weeks, I have smoked one tin each of these three blends.
At the end, I’m pretty torn about which is the correct rating they deserve. And will go for the two stars.
All of them have a beautiful cut and the most correct dampness. All of them smoke cool and I’ve not experienced any biting. All of them need a dose of attention, just because the rushed smoke cause some undistinct or even bitter flavour.
These three virginias form a sort of scale, where Ready Rubbed is the mild-to-medium step, TYMV the medium, YOS the medium-to-strong. RR shows a well behaved fruity character. TYMV shows a milder fruit counterbalanced by a spicy tone. YOS shows a drier and mildly woody/cigarish tone. This latter is the one I prefer over the other couple.
I have never smoked their predecessors, and don’t want to sing the same old song of how Dunhill’s were in the days of yore. In my opinion, today the basic elements are just average quality, sure no boutique baccy. If they were sold at average prices, I would for sure smoke them often, because they are easy and pleasant. But that is not, therefore my choice goes elsewhere (Gawiths, just to make one name).
Will the production of Dunhill’s tobaccos cease ? I don’t see what’s to mourn about, but the memory of my smoker’s youth.
At the end, I’m pretty torn about which is the correct rating they deserve. And will go for the two stars.
All of them have a beautiful cut and the most correct dampness. All of them smoke cool and I’ve not experienced any biting. All of them need a dose of attention, just because the rushed smoke cause some undistinct or even bitter flavour.
These three virginias form a sort of scale, where Ready Rubbed is the mild-to-medium step, TYMV the medium, YOS the medium-to-strong. RR shows a well behaved fruity character. TYMV shows a milder fruit counterbalanced by a spicy tone. YOS shows a drier and mildly woody/cigarish tone. This latter is the one I prefer over the other couple.
I have never smoked their predecessors, and don’t want to sing the same old song of how Dunhill’s were in the days of yore. In my opinion, today the basic elements are just average quality, sure no boutique baccy. If they were sold at average prices, I would for sure smoke them often, because they are easy and pleasant. But that is not, therefore my choice goes elsewhere (Gawiths, just to make one name).
Will the production of Dunhill’s tobaccos cease ? I don’t see what’s to mourn about, but the memory of my smoker’s youth.
Pipe Used:
Castello
PurchasedFrom:
Wolsdorff Tobacco, Mannheim DE
Age When Smoked:
fresh from tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 07, 2017 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I find this one a tough one to describe. The tin note is difficult to describe. It is less pronounced than most tin notes I've experienced. Tin note is mild, but not sweet or the usual hay note you'd associate with Virginia. Rather a dry tin note if that makes sense.
Flavour wise, my first impression is that it has some similarities to a blend like 965, but it is not quite as smooth as 965. This one has a bit more of a kick, and that includes a fairly substantial nic-kick. I also find it somewhat bitter.
Overall I'd say this: if you're after something akin to halfway between 965 and Old Dark Fired.
I ended up giving the rest of the tin away. The bitterness is just not my thing, nor the nic-kick.
Flavour wise, my first impression is that it has some similarities to a blend like 965, but it is not quite as smooth as 965. This one has a bit more of a kick, and that includes a fairly substantial nic-kick. I also find it somewhat bitter.
Overall I'd say this: if you're after something akin to halfway between 965 and Old Dark Fired.
I ended up giving the rest of the tin away. The bitterness is just not my thing, nor the nic-kick.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 16, 2017 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Ye Old Sign- This isn't bad. It's got a sweet and sour flavor with more high notes than base. It holds its taste on cold relights and will not bite at any cadence. It's got that easy to work with Dunhill ribbon cut ,but this one doesn't seem to want to overheat or get bitter. Keeps my interest, no dull spots, easy to work with. However,,,,, I'm just not into the flavor, Tea???
I get the "Tea" taste that many talk about, I do get the bready taste and some faint Burley earthiness at times. It does remind me of a milder Royal Yacht without any topping. Now, is this as good as McClelland Virginias ? No, McClelland's Virginias are the best!
I get the "Tea" taste that many talk about, I do get the bready taste and some faint Burley earthiness at times. It does remind me of a milder Royal Yacht without any topping. Now, is this as good as McClelland Virginias ? No, McClelland's Virginias are the best!
Pipe Used:
cob
Age When Smoked:
fresh tin open 2 weeks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 09, 2020 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Ok, so this has come and gone again, well I won't shed any years. Not the worst red Virginia I've ever come across, but not the best either, I'm just finishing the one and only tin I bought a couple of Christmasses ago. Had it been a bit stronger in the flavour dept, along with the vitamin N, then I would have stocked up a bit. As things are, I got the one tin, which I don't regret, but neither shall I lament it's passing.
Pipe Used:
Various briars
PurchasedFrom:
GQ
Age When Smoked:
New to 2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 2019 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
A straight virginia that is earthy, spicy and only slightly sweet. In the tin it smells like tea, a little moldering leaves, and that standard fruity virginia sweetness. It is strong in nicotine. A little spicy on the tongue and very spicy in the nose. Even with three years of age it has not smoothed or mellowed out much. I imagine some would call it a little rough.
The flavor is earthy and tea like with just a touch of sweetness. No breadiness. Full tobacco flavor. Almost definitely has a propylene glycol and sugar casing like all Dunhill blends. Maybe there is an additional flavoring as some have mentioned but I cannot detect anything. Hard to imagine there is no perique given the amount of spiciness, but who knows. Maybe it's just not my style, or maybe it's the quality(or lack there of) of the leaves, but either way this is not a blend I enjoy.
The flavor is earthy and tea like with just a touch of sweetness. No breadiness. Full tobacco flavor. Almost definitely has a propylene glycol and sugar casing like all Dunhill blends. Maybe there is an additional flavoring as some have mentioned but I cannot detect anything. Hard to imagine there is no perique given the amount of spiciness, but who knows. Maybe it's just not my style, or maybe it's the quality(or lack there of) of the leaves, but either way this is not a blend I enjoy.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 24, 2019 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I never tried Ye Old Sign before Dunhill deleted it for the first time, so I can't compare this version with the original.
Dunhill called YOS a dark Virginia blend - my tins have a lot of lemon Virginia in the mix and overall I'd say this is about as "dark" if flavour and mouth feel as Samuel Gawith's Medium Flake/Golden Glow (which are the same thing, just named differently in different markets), which is a pretty light flake.
It also reminds me of Golden Glow in flavour and aroma, except YOS has much less inclination to bite and has a lemon/citrus component the Gawith doesn't. YOS also has a slightly sweet and sour taste and a hint of dry, tea-like tannins. It makes me think of Dunhill's Va cigarettes from many years ago. I can't detect any added flavourings. It's fairly mild in the nicotine department and might make a "light it and forget it" all day blend.
The moisture level in the tin is a little damp, but still fine for smoking it straight away.
Overall it's good but nothing marvellous. Neither Charatan nor Peterson have revived it at the time I write this, I'm curious see if they do. If they don't there are plenty of other Va blends that, if not quite the same, are similar.
Dunhill called YOS a dark Virginia blend - my tins have a lot of lemon Virginia in the mix and overall I'd say this is about as "dark" if flavour and mouth feel as Samuel Gawith's Medium Flake/Golden Glow (which are the same thing, just named differently in different markets), which is a pretty light flake.
It also reminds me of Golden Glow in flavour and aroma, except YOS has much less inclination to bite and has a lemon/citrus component the Gawith doesn't. YOS also has a slightly sweet and sour taste and a hint of dry, tea-like tannins. It makes me think of Dunhill's Va cigarettes from many years ago. I can't detect any added flavourings. It's fairly mild in the nicotine department and might make a "light it and forget it" all day blend.
The moisture level in the tin is a little damp, but still fine for smoking it straight away.
Overall it's good but nothing marvellous. Neither Charatan nor Peterson have revived it at the time I write this, I'm curious see if they do. If they don't there are plenty of other Va blends that, if not quite the same, are similar.
Pipe Used:
Various.
PurchasedFrom:
mysmokingshop.co.uk
Age When Smoked:
new tins from Dunhill's final batch.
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