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 41 - 50 of 66 Reviews
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2019 | Medium to Strong | Mild to Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is one of my favorite go to blends that I was introduced to at the LA PIPE show many years ago. Marsha was there in person and presented it for sampling back in the day. Was able to visit the shop in Beverly Hills many times while up there on business trips to pick up my 2 ounces. I would recommend this to English smokers. Miss going to the store in Beverly Hills has a closed about two years ago still available online enjoy
Pipe Used:
Castello
PurchasedFrom:
Shop
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 20, 2018 | Very Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I can definitely see how this can be compared to My Mixture 965, but at the same time it is different. Never in my life time will I get the chance to try the old 965 so I can't make direct comparisons to it; but it does remind me of my first tin of 965 which was the orlik version. From start to finish it is sweet. The Latakia is more leathery than smoky. It's prominent in the bag aroma and the first half of the bowl. 3/4 of the way down the Turkish starts coming out more and adds some body to the flavor. The last quarter reminded me of sweet tea. It was the same experience as my first tin of 965 but the sweet tea lasted the whole bowl with 965. It burned cool and clean all the way down. No dull spots or harsh spots. Very smooth. I do detect that there is something added to it due to its extra sweetness. Almost like sugar water.
Honestly if this reminds me of any kind of blend it is McClellands 925 which was blended to honor 965. Quite frankly, I enjoyed 925 more than 965 but sadly it is gone. Father Dempsey definitely something I will be keeping on hand.
Update 5-28-19. I recommend smoking this fresh. This blend seems to lose a lot of its complexity as it ages. I find myself chasing the flavors and risking tongue bite to find them. I'm dropping it to 3 stars.
Honestly if this reminds me of any kind of blend it is McClellands 925 which was blended to honor 965. Quite frankly, I enjoyed 925 more than 965 but sadly it is gone. Father Dempsey definitely something I will be keeping on hand.
Update 5-28-19. I recommend smoking this fresh. This blend seems to lose a lot of its complexity as it ages. I find myself chasing the flavors and risking tongue bite to find them. I'm dropping it to 3 stars.
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2018 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Creamy, rich in flavors, sweet, Latakia is dominant. Great tobacco, suitable for smoking all day long. without any tongue bites, Excellent humidity, very nice tin smell.
Highly Recommended, join to my rotation!
Highly Recommended, join to my rotation!
Pipe Used:
Peterson Aran
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2018 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Not much to add here, with all the reviews describing what this blend is. And it is a very good English, indeed. Full-bodied yet not too strong, with a balanced composition of tobaccos that simply delivers. Gets a bit stronger in the last quarter of a bowl. Four stars.
Pipe Used:
Ser Jacopo Picta Picasso (bent Rhodesian)
PurchasedFrom:
sample from a friend
Age When Smoked:
not sure
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 02, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This is one of my long day smoke blend. It is smokey and woodie, I really love it. Perfect Engish for all occasions. You can feel the Latakia driving the bus, the Virginias and Oriental are present and provide an exquisite balance in the blend.
Pipe Used:
Savinelli 320 KS
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
1 year
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 10, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This blend was similar in flavor to MM 965, but milder. The latakia is a bit more understated in this blend allowing the Virginia and (particularly) the Orientals to come through more.
This is nice to smoke while focusing on it, but if smoking while doing something else it won't take your attention away from what you're doing, but it is interesting enough that you won't forget about it.
You can view my video review of this blend here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s6HGozdRmI
This is nice to smoke while focusing on it, but if smoking while doing something else it won't take your attention away from what you're doing, but it is interesting enough that you won't forget about it.
You can view my video review of this blend here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s6HGozdRmI
Pipe Used:
Missouri Meerschaum Bent Diplomat Apple
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking Pipes
Age When Smoked:
7 Weeks
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Excellent bulk blend it's as good as, if not better than Nightcap. I smoked it as soon as it arrived and it's great, no bite and very tasty. As a added bonus it's 20 bucks cheaper per pound.
Pipe Used:
Ser Jacopo Granato, Dunhill Root
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking Pipes
Age When Smoked:
New
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2016 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Very Full | Strong |
Really really good traditional English blend. Not enough orientals for my taste. it has a medium nicotine hit which can be just perfect for the drive home after work. The taste is nice and full but not overbearing. Solid three stars.
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 22, 2011 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Full | Pleasant |
I love this blend. It is full of flavor. My taste buds are not very 'developed' so a lot of English and lighter aeromatics don't really taste like anything to me. Many pipe tobaccos are very subtle. Father Dempsey however has a great, full taste. It has a wonderful natural sweetness to it. It burns well in the pipe and doesn't give much bite even when over smoked, which is something I do. This is probably my favorite blend around. It does pack a bit of a nicotein punch in my opinion. A bit more than I like bt it is a minor thing that is totally offset by the flavor.
I don't get over the hill to Beverly Hills often but this worth the drive to get.
I don't get over the hill to Beverly Hills often but this worth the drive to get.
Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2011 | Medium to Strong | Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
this is a really nice blend and you can get the story of how this came about from there website. I was first introduced to it at a LA pipe show several years ago. It is a really nice blend that has the "965" type pedigree. should try it out by all means if you are in the so cal area. Great old shop in a great neighborhood. Marsha is always ready to whip up a batch of this blend. give it a try . I just recently found my 7 year old bag of this and will give it a try .