Charatan Eventide

I think what should be said first about this is that this is NOT Nightcap, but a new blend which the makers think a Nightcap fan might enjoy. The idea that this was somehow a substitute may have ruined this blend for me, as well as rubbing salt in the wound of Dunhill's demise. Nightcap is no more.

However, the blenders have offered this up for comparison to the mighty Nightcap, and that is what I will do.

So first impressions on opening the tin. The aroma is rich, slightly smokey, malty sweet. There is some of that yeasty fermented rotting leaf smell that was characteristic of many of the Dunhill English mixtures and strongest in Nightcap. Here though, it's only a hint compared to the heady stench a fresh tin of Nightcap would emit. There was also a sharpness to Nightcap that this lacks.

It is visibly a different tobacco, while the ribbon cut and mix of black and brown leaf is similar this blend contains pieces of ready rubbed flake, not found in Nightcap. By this point when I'd first opened the tin I was already disappointed. But I filled up and lit up.

It takes a light easily enough, and offers a milder flavour to start with. It's not overloaded with latakia, and the flavour develops as a malty sweet smokiness. There's a hint of toast, and some spice, and as the bowl progresses the flavour does build, although to my tastes it is at every point milder than Nightcap. It also lacks the unpredictable complexity of the latter, although it's by no means one dimensional.

Towards the end of the bowl, where Nightcap was building to a spicy rich crescendo, Eventide appears to have burnt off most of the smoke of the Latakia, and instead offers a surprising honey sweetness. I mean really very sweet! This isn't unpleasant, but sets it further and further apart from the blend it purportedly emulates.

This blend seems to burn a bit on the hotter side, but lacks the intensity and fiery spice that a bowl of Nightcap would conclude with. I don't think it supplies as much vitamin N as the Velvet Hammer, at any rate it lacks its sedative properties.

In conclusion, this is a fairly good strong English mixture which has unfortunately shot itself in the foot by inviting comparison with one of the best loved and richest of such tobaccos ever made. RIP Dunhill Nightcap, you were splendid.

Tin note of smoky, mild tart spiced fruit, and mildly sour. The tan, medium brown, dark brown and black tobacco is relatively dry, no prep needed. Burns moderate with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and somewhat consistent, with notes of smoky, sweet spice, very woody, earth, very spicy, floral, mildly sour, mildly sweet grass, a citrusy background note, and a very peppery retro. Latakia is supported by Turkish, Perique is supporting from the rear. Virginia is mostly wondering off in the background. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.