Kramer's Pipe and Tobacco Shop Father Dempsey

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 ???

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.