E. Hoffman Company Distinguished Gentleman

I very impetuously ordered the 7oz tin before trying it, based on the first 2 reviews below. After waiting patiently for a month (I am very, very far from the nearest Friendly Tobacconist), I finally heard the mailman approaching. I admit that by this time, I was a bit too overexcited, and nothing less than The Greatest Tobacco Ever Made would have satisfied me.

First impressions: the tin is nice and old-timey, with what I believe is an exact replica of the old label (right down to the tax sticker). Upon opening, I was hit with a wave of "can't-quite-put-my-finger-on-it", which is the only way I can describe the flavour of this blend. Maple syrup? Marshmallows on burnt toast? Marmalade? I don't know. Half sweet, half earthy, half salty. (That's too many halves, I know.) The appearance of the tobacco is very pleasing: gold, black and brown strips.

Packed and lit like a dream, as I had expected. Pre-light draw was quite sweet, but once lit the sweetness dimmed somewhat and the taste had become a little fuller. It's very mild, as mild as I've ever had, which encouraged me to smoke like a chimney, at which point I was bitten lightly. But that was my fault, not the Gentleman's. I didn't quite taste any latakia, except as a kind of lurking presence in the background, as though someone in the neighbourhood was having a camp fire.

Smoked down to grey ash, around one hour and twenty minutes later (in quite a smallish pipe).

I did the room-note test of going out, sniffing some mouthwash, holding my breath, going back into the room, breathing out and then breathing in again. It was that same "can't-quite-put-my-finger-on-it" scent: I don't know what it is, but I think I like it.

I'm not sure I did find it The Greatest Tobacco Ever Made, but I'll be happy to go through the rest of the 7 ounces, and then get more, just to make sure. A wonderful slice of Americana - I smoked it in a 1940s Kaywoodie, to make the illusion complete 🙂

Get some, man.

There is something inherently pleasing to me about vintage blends, and more specifically, "crossover" blends that I can never resist. Going purely off my instincts and the whimsical portrait on the tin, I bought the seven ounce of Hoffman's latest offering. Unlike Spilman, while the components are similar, the tin aroma was much richer--I detected a topping that I could only place as cognac or possibly rum (and please excuse me if I am completely wrong) that was made richer by the latakia. Spilman, a straight tobacco as it is, smelled ripely of latakia, and is another great blend on its own. Either way, the aroma was delightful, and I was eager to load up one of my larger pipes to ensure the ingredients had enough room to breathe. On the top of the bowl, the latakia came through just enough to detect, while the fragrance immediately produced a compliment from a friend of mine who generally detests the smell of any tobacco (although he will smoke aromatics). From what I could tell, the cavendish was prominent, but infused well with the other tobaccos--the latakia seldom surfaced as I progressed through the bowl, but when it did, it was just when I thought I had thoroughly analyzed the blend. If this is considered an aromatic, and I only suggest that because the room note is so pleasant, it is by far the best I have yet to smoke. The tobaccos are not obstructed by the thick fragrance, nor are they singular in dimension. This blend was surprisingly milder than Spilman as I thought they would be very similar. If you enjoy aromatic tobaccos, yet want a blend not completely dominated by cavendish, you will enjoy Distinguished Gentleman. I am eager to compare this to Sillem's Black, which I have yet to try. P.S. It probably would have been easier to draw an arrow pointing at the Distinguished Gentleman himself down below as he gives an excellent review of this unique blend.

Wonderfully fragrant with a well-balanced potpourri of tobaccos. A very flavorful and mildly sweet mixture.
In addition to the listed varietals, I taste a touch of Oriental.
This tastes and smell like the incense of life. Magnificent!

Anyone that has read my reviews knows that I am not above bashing a blender, tobacconist, etc. if they choose to put out a crappy blend or if the blend is misleading in it's description. This blend is both misleading and crappy at the same time. (Sorry Iwan Ries & Shame on You - I foolishly believed a storied tobacconist such as yourself would have been above selling this kind of garbage!!!). This blend is absolutely disgusting. Think cheap cigarettes soaked with imitation vanilla extract. Honestly, I only believe they sprinkled it Latakia in order to save it. What ever they were thinking it should have been tossed and not sold under some hyped up description (greed I suspect). This is truly horrible. I tried to age it. It's now dry as a bone, and still the imitation vanilla lingers. With age it becomes a "stale" cheap cigarette. Truly, this will be one of the few baccys that I will have to dump out. It's that bad.

My wife always jokingly refers to this one as “fancy lad.” This blend would seem to have a mid century modern feel with regards to the ingredients and being an American English aromatic. The Latakia is a backseat occupant speaking rarely and quietly. The topping is detectable in both the smoke and the sidestream. I had no issue with ghosting. If one were to freight train one or three bowls of this daily for months on end, I would assume there would indeed be traces of DG left in your pipe for months if not years to come. I can’t quite place what the topping(s) is but it gives the vague impression of vanilla. Easily an all day blend if American style English blends are your bag.

Spilman Mixture + cavendish. Nice, but I just don't care for cavendish. Well cut, burns well. As a regular Spilman smoker I was given a sample of this to try and, though it was nice, it's just not for me.

I don't know what catagory you would put this stuff in, but I will try. Old time tobacco goodness catagory! The room note is acceptable by my wife. It gives me pleasure and that makes her happy and want to go out with her friends leaving me with my pipe in my hand, oh well see ya later baby. Stay out as late as you want dear. I should never start a review in the middle of a fight with the wife. Back to the tobacco, it is a breath of fresh air, spring time air. This will be a close companion of mine through the warmer months ahead. A rich full tasting tobacco with a wonderfull after tatse. Would be great after BBQing and eating outdoors. I will be suprised if this does not catch like wildfire amongst the brotherhood. I opened the tin and got staight up and got a bigger pipe. After a few puffs went and picked out my next pipe for later. It is that good. Mouth watering good. This I am sure will cellar very well too. Go getchya some!

E. Hoffman Company in my opinion makes some of the best tobacco I have ever smoked. First I smoked the Spillman Mixture for a while till Iwan Ries introduced Distinguished Gentleman. Since it was by E. Hoffman Company I had to try it. The flavors mix well and it doesn't bite much unless your hot boxing it, which you should never do with any tobacco. I believe the most pronounced flavor is the latakia and I really like it. Distinguished Gentleman is now what I smoke everyday.

its namesake just happens to be one of the more prolific reviewers on this site and a favorite patron and customer of iwan ries and company. he's also a dear friend. the tin is nostalgic old chicago like the great shop that sits parallel to the famed and gritty elevated tracks along wabash avenue. it is amazing to think that this is a true family business that has weathered the tests of time, urban renewal and changes in popular opinion about smoking. businesses and institutions have come and gone in all of our great cities, but irc and this tobacco continue to serve as a living reminder that some things deserve to continue and will hopefully be enjoyed by future generations of pipe enthusiasts. the tobacco reminds me of the way blending used to be at irc. theirs were the first non-drugstore blends i ever tried. three star blue used to be one of my all time favorites, but things have changed. luckily, chuck and crew have commissioned this beautiful blend with its forward yet subtle tin aroma, muted but rich flavor and delightful room note. though ingredients are indicated above, it's so good it really wouldn't matter to me. like good food or drink, i prefer to experience and enjoy. it's everything tobacco used to and ought to be. not a bite in the bowl and can be smoked throughout the day and in all seasons. this is a blend worthy of its namesake while it commemorates one of the great meccas of pipes and tobacco in north america!