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 1 - 8 of 8 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 25, 2018 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Early on in my pipe smoking I bought a bunch of Sutliff's match 965 because it looked like it was comparable to the real thing that was high up on a lot of people's list as one of the great's. I figured I'd be smart and just smoke the match that was 1/2 the price.
Eventually, I made my way to other blends and even the current 965. After smoking the legitimate 965 for a while I could really tell the similarities and the differences between the two. I definitely prefer the dunhill, but can taste a lot of similarity. The real dunhill is just made from a cleaner, seemingly higher grade leaf than the match. I found this to be the case with other sutliff blends that are said to match a dunhill counterpart. Elizabethan same thing. Like smoking the same mixture out of lower end tobacco.
It could be just the processing technique of the tobacco from Sutliff not being to my preference. Anyway, how does that relate to this Father Dempsey? Well, with the rumors of Dunhill's departure I ordered several blends that were supposed to be similar to 965 and Father Dempsey was on that list.
Well, when I first smoked it, I felt like I was tasting Sutliff tobacco. It just had that same overall sense of taste about it. Then, I compared the two tobacco's since I still had plenty of that match leftover in a mason jar. I can't guarantee, but I think someone is repackaging the Sutliff match maybe as Father Dempsey. The look of the tobacco, cut, taste, and all bears an almost exact similarity on close inspection. Other's who have both in their cellar, I'd like to hear there opinions on why or why not this might be the case.
Eventually, I made my way to other blends and even the current 965. After smoking the legitimate 965 for a while I could really tell the similarities and the differences between the two. I definitely prefer the dunhill, but can taste a lot of similarity. The real dunhill is just made from a cleaner, seemingly higher grade leaf than the match. I found this to be the case with other sutliff blends that are said to match a dunhill counterpart. Elizabethan same thing. Like smoking the same mixture out of lower end tobacco.
It could be just the processing technique of the tobacco from Sutliff not being to my preference. Anyway, how does that relate to this Father Dempsey? Well, with the rumors of Dunhill's departure I ordered several blends that were supposed to be similar to 965 and Father Dempsey was on that list.
Well, when I first smoked it, I felt like I was tasting Sutliff tobacco. It just had that same overall sense of taste about it. Then, I compared the two tobacco's since I still had plenty of that match leftover in a mason jar. I can't guarantee, but I think someone is repackaging the Sutliff match maybe as Father Dempsey. The look of the tobacco, cut, taste, and all bears an almost exact similarity on close inspection. Other's who have both in their cellar, I'd like to hear there opinions on why or why not this might be the case.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 02, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Kramer's Pipe and Tobacco - Father Dempsey.
Note: supplied in bulk.
I can't fault the moisture, but as this was loosely pouched that opinion's superfluous should you buy a tin. The blend's quite coarse, and a mixture of black, brown, and yellow. It sadly contains a fair amount of twigs.
The Latakia dominates the smoke, but I wouldn't call it a bomb. The Orientals sit just behind, with a fragrant, slightly floral, character, and prevent the Lat' monopolizing the smoke. I get very little alacrity from the Virginia, it isn't anywhere near as flavoursome as the other two. The burn from F.D. could be cooler, and it bites me a touch.
Nicotine: medium. Room-note: pleasant.
Father Dempsey isn't the worst, but I don't enjoy it enough for anymore than two stars:
Somewhat recommended.
Note: supplied in bulk.
I can't fault the moisture, but as this was loosely pouched that opinion's superfluous should you buy a tin. The blend's quite coarse, and a mixture of black, brown, and yellow. It sadly contains a fair amount of twigs.
The Latakia dominates the smoke, but I wouldn't call it a bomb. The Orientals sit just behind, with a fragrant, slightly floral, character, and prevent the Lat' monopolizing the smoke. I get very little alacrity from the Virginia, it isn't anywhere near as flavoursome as the other two. The burn from F.D. could be cooler, and it bites me a touch.
Nicotine: medium. Room-note: pleasant.
Father Dempsey isn't the worst, but I don't enjoy it enough for anymore than two stars:
Somewhat recommended.
Pipe Used:
Cob
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
One month
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 05, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Not entirely sure why me reviews sometimes go missing, so I'm resubmitting this simpler one for my own record keeping.
Father Dempsey is another solid creation from Kramer. It is a straight forward English that doesn't 'quite' overpower with Latakia and has enough Oriental to give you a tongue tingle. It has a nice rough cut, great ready to fire moisture, and delivers a dry dose of charcoal taste. I still prefer their Danny Kane mixture with its Irish Mist addition.
This can easily be a 3 star for most, I just happened to be burned out on English smokes for the moment when I reordered this current second batch.
Father Dempsey is another solid creation from Kramer. It is a straight forward English that doesn't 'quite' overpower with Latakia and has enough Oriental to give you a tongue tingle. It has a nice rough cut, great ready to fire moisture, and delivers a dry dose of charcoal taste. I still prefer their Danny Kane mixture with its Irish Mist addition.
This can easily be a 3 star for most, I just happened to be burned out on English smokes for the moment when I reordered this current second batch.
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 09, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I don't love it, I don't hate it. The taste is medium, I don't find it as full as others commented. Mild nic hit. The aftertaste is pleasant. I wish I could call out every leaf in the blend as others have, but I'm not that sophisticated yet 🙂 A good smoking blend though, no moisture, no bite. A bit hard to keep lit though, but that could've been my narrow chamber. Pick up an ounce and see what you think.
Pipe Used:
Rad Davis Cutty
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Fresh bulk
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 06, 2023 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
What I love about this tobacco most is it's classy green packaging.
Apart from that, it always smoked hot for me, unless I dried it out for a whole 24 hours.
The ribbon cut is cute, and the after taste is delicious and lasts a very long time, lingering and giving you a feel good factor to the aftereffect of this smoke
Apart from that, it always smoked hot for me, unless I dried it out for a whole 24 hours.
The ribbon cut is cute, and the after taste is delicious and lasts a very long time, lingering and giving you a feel good factor to the aftereffect of this smoke
PurchasedFrom:
Super Jainsons
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Preparation & Burn: 8/10 Good presentation. Burns well.
Taste: 12/20 Doesn't really make itself special compared to other English blends, I find. It is alright though.
Mildness: 8/10 My idea of a good smoke is a relaxing, low nicotine session. Therefore, the milder the better.
Total: 28/40
Taste: 12/20 Doesn't really make itself special compared to other English blends, I find. It is alright though.
Mildness: 8/10 My idea of a good smoke is a relaxing, low nicotine session. Therefore, the milder the better.
Total: 28/40
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 21, 2021 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I appreciate that this is a quality blend. But it is not for me. It is simply too earthy and too woodsy tasting. To my palate it is thick and earthy and I'm not a fan.
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