Wilke Pipe Tobacco Dummerston

Dummerston is just what I was looking for: a rich, deep and full Virginia that is combined with an aromatic touch of sweetness. Neither outdoes the other. A perfect complement and nice change from cavendish or burley aromatics.

For me, this is perfect evening smoke.

Accompaniment: Brahms violin sonatas.

This is a wonderful, aromatic, Virginia. A broken flake you can rub it out or leave it for a longer burn. Unlike UncleGar, I detected no perique. But I agree with him on the other points of this blend.

It is spicy-sweet, like a good molasses cookie, and the aroma of it burning is pure heaven to me.

I don't usually like aromatics. They are usually hot, wet, and way too sweet. This stuff is so good, I don't care what you call it.

Nobody makes better aromatic blends than Wilke.

This is a mixture of light and red VA, ready rubbed. In the pouch it smells very sweet indeed, it makes me think of maple. I suspect a topping has been added. It arrives moist and I usually allow it to dry off about 15 minutes in low humidity air after rubbing it further. The ribbons tend to run too long otherwise. It packs and lights well. As advertised, it does smoke cool.

On lighting, a most delightful piquant sweet flavor is immediate. I found myself checking again that this is a virginia and not a cased cavendish. It is indeed a VA. The aroma is definitely a pleasant one and includes a hardwood smoke component. It has a delicious taste that is impossible for me to ignore. If it wasn't so distracting, I could do this all day.

The first third is light and spicy-sweet, and a possible perique component nibbles (not bites) playfully. The second third settles in to a rich VA and slight burley flavor, sweetness unabated, spicy like cinnamon but with the original taste. I seldom finish bowls due to harsh, off tastes, but the bottom third is the espresso version of the first, and I smoke it entirely to salt and pepper ash. Yow, I love this stuff. It goes well with wines, coffee, beer, and I'm still trying. The reason being, I have been smoking this exclusively for three days now.

Those who need nicotine for validation will need to look elsewhere. Judging from the lack of tongue numbness and retention of flavor enjoyment, I suspect it is low.

I've never had a VA with these characteristics. If it is an aromatic VA, so be it. It bites when puffed hard but the bite does not remain, again unique. DGT works well with this blend, offering darker ground coffee-like notes upon relighting. P&W is my new favorite for bulk baccy. Get yourself a sampler and double up on this one: vtpipes.com Blessings to Carole!

As I continue to expand my pipe smoking experience, I have focused a bit more on Virginias. I think I will always prefer a fine aromatic, but I am learning that a well prepared quality Virginia blend offers wonderful inherent sweetness to the smoke (something those who enjoy Virginias will understand). I am an avid fan of Pipeworks and Wilke and my Dummerston arrived in the last shipment I will be receiving from Carole. (I wish her the best, and hope the new owners continue the tradition of quality Carole is known for). The tobacco arrived in a light brown, semi-flake, semi-rubbed out state. A tad moist, and a sweet fruity odor. As I write this review, I'm smoking my Dummerston in a Lindner Author pipe. I am struck by how the flavor evolves and changes as I work my way down. No relight needed. The flavor, sweetness, and aroma grow as the pipe is smoked. A thoroughly enjoyable tobacco, and a wonderful crossover blend of Virginias and aromatics. For aromatic smokers looking to expand their horizons, this is a great blend to try. I found it very, very similar to Deep Hollow (another aromatic Virginia I enjoy). I have added it my my regular rotation of tobaccos. Another Pipeworks and Wilke success!