Dunhill Aperitif

Thin ribbon cut, moist with no particular aroma out of the tin. Nice packing with immediate pleasant aroma with the char. Noted this is a new offering of Va, orientals, Latakia and black Cav. Smokingly pleasant as advertised a balanced blend. OK, Whoa! At the half bowl mild N began, but wait, this is a lovely smoke with a great bowl aroma. Finishing the bowl left me feeble for awhile - way to robust for me. 2 Star. I know I can mix this with my wonderful Crown Achievement and gain a four star smoke with less robust.

The arc of my experience with The Aperitif ranged from dislike to pleasure. For some reason, the first half of the Murray's tin I smoked didn't agree with my chemistry and I was nearly prepared to abandon the project. But, after letting it sit for a while, I gave it a second shot and it was like smoking a different tobacco. The Aperitif is a mild English--as its name inplies, suitable as a palate awakener. I like such tobaccos and in that role, it performes admirably. Somewhat milder than EMP in my mind, it is a fine morning smoke or a prelude to sronger after dinner fare. Despite the description, I could not detect the cavendish. The tin art is classic. It is rumored that The Aperitif is going to return along with Elizabethan Mixture--I hope that proves true as it would be in my cellar upon reentry. Now if only Durbar would return....

As the name said, a very goof tobacco to have before a good dinner.

Was gifted a tin of Murray's production last fall and have smoked most of it now. What a stellar blend and the aging process has further enhanced the Virginias and slightly toned down the Latakias. Really wish that Orlik would start production of this again!

Tin of '05 production, which I believe would make it Murray's.

Although the tobacco was a ribbon cut (I think), the topping? casing? had caused it to become a single clump. My first few bowls worth I rubbed loose from the top, then I jarred the rest. Fortunately the tobacco was resting inside of a bit of ruffled paper that pulled right out, so I was able to gently break the cake into something that would crumble into a jar.

Tin note of strong barbecue sauce, slightly unpleasant.

Very smoky and herby, like throwing sage on smoldering hickory charcoal. It might actually be good to smoke around a barbecue, provided that you think it won't clash with the spices of what's on the grill.

Dries my mouth out, but a pickle fixes that right up. Nice aftertaste, which lingers for quite some time; the scent really clings to your clothes, as well.

Room note is nice at first, but a day or so later and it has more of a stale tobacco smoke smell; not as unpleasant as stale cigarette smoke, but still not ideal.

There was nothing special about it.

Very good mixture but nothing distinctive.

A very good friend gave me an unopened tin of this delicious weed recently and from the first bowl it was love at first light. As a newbie to the wonders of the English blends I wish that I had met this one much earlier in life so that my cellar could also be well stocked. You can still find some of this wonderful blend on-line but most likely it will cost you a King's ransom. I will continue to monitor the reviews of others with the hope that someone can suggest a currently available alternative that I should try.

This is the first time I've cracked a Dunhill tin and sampled the wares. This is nice stuff! A full blend that had all of its components working in complete accord, nothing was more overpowering than anything else. "Aperitif" is a term used for something that is a palatte cleanser/ appetizer. This blend did get my appetite up, for more Aperitif.

This used to be a great mixture that lived up to its billing as a before dinner treat. This last version is more like before dinner peat...as in peat moss, and gives Turkish tobacco a bad name. Tin aroma over promises and under delivers what should, and used to be a nice light smoke for late afternoon.

Better as a memory.