Kramer's Pipe and Tobacco Shop Father Dempsey
(3.47)
Though originally blended to match Father Dempsey's own preferred smoke, this full-bodied English mixture is now Kramer's most popular house blend and has been enjoyed by the likes of Cecil B. DeMille, Henry Wilcoxon, Samuel Goldwyn, Gene Barry, Mike Kaplan, Mel Tolkin, Fred McMurray, and many others.
Notes: The good father, an Irish priest, and my father Allen Kramer (who came to American as a child from Russia), may have seemed like an odd duo, but they became fast friends. When Father Dempsey was assigned to the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, right behind our shop, he would always come in for a visit. The Father was used to buying his tobacco at Dunhill, but told my father he'd rather buy from his shop, if he could create a comparable blend. They spread out his blend on the tobacco bar and my father studied it. He was able to identify the different tobaccos, but not the proportions. So they kept trying different formulas until finally Father Dempsey said, "Stop right there! This is better than my old blend ever was." And soon so many of the Father's friends and parishioners were coming in asking for "Father Dempsey's tobacco" that it came to be called just that. My father would say it has the aroma of a campfire burning--a smooth and full-bodied Latakia based blend.
Among those in our rolodex who chose Father Dempsey's blend were Cecil B. DeMille, Henry Wilcoxon, Samuel Goldwyn, Gene Barry, John Conte, Ricardo Cortez, Howard Duff, Herb Edelman, Mel Frank, Mike Kaplan, Jesse Lasky, Sr., Fred MacMurray, Robert Sherman, and Mel Tolkin. Father Dempsey is gone now, but when he passed away he left his statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus and the medal he carried through the battle of Dunkirk to my father--and of course, the legacy of what is Kramers most popular house blend.
Details
Brand | Kramer's Pipe and Tobacco Shop |
Blended By | Allen Kramer |
Manufactured By | Sutliff Tobacco Company |
Blend Type | English |
Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
Flavoring | |
Cut | Ribbon |
Packaging | 2 ounce tin, bulk. |
Country | United States |
Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
3.47 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 31 - 40 of 66 Reviews
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 20, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
After trying quite a few Latakia blends, Father Dempsey is a strong contender for my go-to every-day smoke. Described as 'Full Bodied', but I don't find this blend overpowering. it is a flavourful blend that smokes smooth and cool. All flavours blend together well and occasionally you get a pleasant blast of Latakia. I have never tried the original Dunhill My Mixture 965, but this is apparently a close facsimile of that blend.
Pipe Used:
Parker Knight 395 Parker Jockey-Club 140
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from tin
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 02, 2017 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I don't get the Latakia blast that many of the reviewers get and actually seems light compared to other brands. More Balkan than English. This doesn't do much for me ,bland and mild, I lose interest- 2 star
PS.- I bought my sample as Bulk, I wonder if there is a large difference from the tin? I'm much more in agreement with reviewers "Gentlemen Zombie and TallPuffO'Burley ". Seems that there were more consistent higher Stars 4-5 years ago ???
PS.- I bought my sample as Bulk, I wonder if there is a large difference from the tin? I'm much more in agreement with reviewers "Gentlemen Zombie and TallPuffO'Burley ". Seems that there were more consistent higher Stars 4-5 years ago ???
Pipe Used:
cob
Age When Smoked:
new bulk
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 2017 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
This is a well done blend. I really like what they have done with it. The components of this blend are all blended perfectly. The Virginias stay in the background. Just enough to let you know they are there, but not overpowering. The Orientals/Turkish are just right. You Know they are there...but they but they do not overpower. And the Latakia is just right. All in all it just makes for a perfect blend. I can see why Father Dempsey loved it so much. My hats off to the blenders of this fine tobacco. It's a pleasure to smoke.
Pipe Used:
Peterson No. 3
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking Pipes
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 2012 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Full | Tolerable |
This is a really enjoyable blend. Full, but not overwhelming. Great burning characteristics, too. I don't know that it is a replacement for Dunhill blends, but it is fine in its own right.
Govern Yourself Accordingly.
Govern Yourself Accordingly.
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 17, 2022 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
For many years I smoked BS 759 almost exclusively and still remember going to the Tinder Box and being told it was gone. More recently I find myself more often reaching for a full English mixture. Lately it has been Mississippi River, Westminster, Lagonda and Father Dempsey. This review is based on one can that I went through quite quickly. Of those mentioned, this is the least full to my taste buds, but has the most VA presence. The latakia leads the way with sweet VAs in the background. Every time I smoke this it seems a little different. I cannot recall going through a tin so rapidly lately.
Update 11/11/2022
Be advised that the bulk version appears to have some kind of humectant in it. Cannot get it to dry like I like. The tinned version is better. Now I know.
With my next order I will stock up on this.
Update 11/11/2022
Be advised that the bulk version appears to have some kind of humectant in it. Cannot get it to dry like I like. The tinned version is better. Now I know.
With my next order I will stock up on this.
Pipe Used:
Big uns
PurchasedFrom:
?
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
To give you a hint from where my below impressions are coming from; I favor aromatic blends (vanilla being my favorite), although I am finding I enjoy English/Scottish blends more frequently, which I could not stand when I first started smoking a pipe. I have been trying more of the English/Aromatic combo blends, which I have found being more and more of that I am reaching for for my everyday smoke
Opening the tin the primary note I smelled was the Latakia. Leathery but not overwhelming. I could not smell any of the other tobaccos.
The flavor I tasted was mostly the Latakia, with some of the Orientals in the background. This is very much a mild Latakia blend but medium in the strength, very nicely done.
It arrived semi-wet, with no drying time needed. Was able to light this without issue and minimum relights. I did not have any tongue-bite with this blend.
Opening the tin the primary note I smelled was the Latakia. Leathery but not overwhelming. I could not smell any of the other tobaccos.
The flavor I tasted was mostly the Latakia, with some of the Orientals in the background. This is very much a mild Latakia blend but medium in the strength, very nicely done.
It arrived semi-wet, with no drying time needed. Was able to light this without issue and minimum relights. I did not have any tongue-bite with this blend.
Pipe Used:
Nording Briar Compass
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
new
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 2021 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Sometimes a fancy pedigree is just hype. And sometimes humble roots will knock your socks off.
This blend is budget friendly, and one of the best -if not THE best- English blends I’ve ever tasted. Latakia as a deft condiment. Expertly blended. More oriental forward but wonderfully balanced. I cannot say enough just how impressed I am with the blending skills evident in this tin.
I never get bored when smoking this. It is both rich and complex, without being overbearing. I always think to myself that it’s wonderfully crisp. Voluminous smoke, and flavour for the whole bowl. Amazing.
Zero tongue bite, zero moisture issues. Does burn a tad warm, but is very easy to tame. Tin moisture was high, a plus for me. I’d rather let dry than be faced with tobacco that breaks apart when packing.
This is my desert island tobacco…it’s just that good to me.
This blend is budget friendly, and one of the best -if not THE best- English blends I’ve ever tasted. Latakia as a deft condiment. Expertly blended. More oriental forward but wonderfully balanced. I cannot say enough just how impressed I am with the blending skills evident in this tin.
I never get bored when smoking this. It is both rich and complex, without being overbearing. I always think to myself that it’s wonderfully crisp. Voluminous smoke, and flavour for the whole bowl. Amazing.
Zero tongue bite, zero moisture issues. Does burn a tad warm, but is very easy to tame. Tin moisture was high, a plus for me. I’d rather let dry than be faced with tobacco that breaks apart when packing.
This is my desert island tobacco…it’s just that good to me.
Pipe Used:
Various
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 20, 2020 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
Stumbled upon Kramers old website. Very interesting reading about the old timers from Hollywood. Rolled the dice on a few ounces of bulk with not a high expectation. All I can say is wow. The stuff is really good. Its mild all over, but not too mild to turn me away. Enjoyed this with Dark roast coffee. Looks like C & D has taken over the production. Tins are available and bulk is very affordable. I will order more.
Pipe Used:
Falcon
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
no telling, Its bulk
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
I was firmly committed to Captain Earle's Ten Russians and Pirate Kake before I smoked this blend. Like the aforementioned tobaccos, Father Dempsey should not be smoked by newbies or those entranced by aromatics. This is because it also has a sizeable Latakia kick that some people just won't like. Unlike the Captain and Pirate Kake, it is somewhat milder with Latakia but has a mixture of Virginias and other tobaccos that I am not sophisticated enough to name. It has added the dimension of complexity that other Latakias lack but still has enough Latakia to keep your attention. I could, quite literally, smoke this tobacco all day long without getting bored.
Pipe Used:
Briar and Morato
PurchasedFrom:
Smokin Pipes
Age When Smoked:
New
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 02, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Since it's starting to become a little colder where I live, it means that English season is starting for me. I thought that since I'll be smoking HH Latakia Flake in prep for Wednesdays review I would also smoke some Englishes to cleanse my palate and Father Dempsey came to mind. I bought about 2 oz to try a few months ago and it's been stored away in jars until I felt I was in the mood again.
This is a simple Medium English that you can buy in the 2oz tin like I did, or it's also available in bulk. When you open the tin you smell a wonderful English campfire smell. I can smell some citrus from the Virginias, and some tangyness from the Orientals, and of course some woodsy, earthy and smoky Latakia. Since this is a course cut it is relatively easy to pack, and easy to light. I find an average amount of relights will suffice with this one.
Once lit, the Latakia takes the lead adding smooth creaminess. There is some Virginia citrus and sweetness in the background of this blend. The Orientals are slightly flowery, tangy, and incense like and they meld perfectly with the creaminess of the Latakia. The nice thing about this blend is that I really can taste everything. The taste I'd give a medium-full it isn't as full bodies as a heavy English, but it really does fill your mouth. The strength I'd give this a Medium its nit a cakewalk but it also doesn't force you back in your chair.
This is similar to MM965 and gives a great smoke. It does benefit from aging. It's hard to get this one to burn hot, and it smokes down really well.
This is a simple Medium English that you can buy in the 2oz tin like I did, or it's also available in bulk. When you open the tin you smell a wonderful English campfire smell. I can smell some citrus from the Virginias, and some tangyness from the Orientals, and of course some woodsy, earthy and smoky Latakia. Since this is a course cut it is relatively easy to pack, and easy to light. I find an average amount of relights will suffice with this one.
Once lit, the Latakia takes the lead adding smooth creaminess. There is some Virginia citrus and sweetness in the background of this blend. The Orientals are slightly flowery, tangy, and incense like and they meld perfectly with the creaminess of the Latakia. The nice thing about this blend is that I really can taste everything. The taste I'd give a medium-full it isn't as full bodies as a heavy English, but it really does fill your mouth. The strength I'd give this a Medium its nit a cakewalk but it also doesn't force you back in your chair.
This is similar to MM965 and gives a great smoke. It does benefit from aging. It's hard to get this one to burn hot, and it smokes down really well.
Pipe Used:
Kaywoodie Birkshire Large Panel
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
New