Dunhill Aperitif

Upon opening the tin I was greeted with the wonderful aromas of Latakia and Black Cavendish dominating the tobacco and also a sweet, Maple, perhaps even Treacle-like scent. The tin note conjured up images of bonfire night and dark ale, very autumnal indeed.

The tobacco in the tin was good to smoke from the get-go, it packs easily and lights easily, retaining the flame superbly. Quite a complex blend but not overly so; it doesn't confuse the mind or the senses. For me the Cavendish seemed to be the major player in this mixture with the Virginia being more of a supporting act and the Latakia jumping in here and there to announce it's presence and tease the senses.

From smoking it I can certainly appreciate that it's best enjoyed in the early evening, I'd even go as far as to say that it is best enjoyed on an Autumn evening.

Quite enjoyable, although not tremendously exciting. I found after about 30g of the tin I was getting a bit bored of it. I also found that it dries out quite quickly - and this in turn makes the mixture quite bitey - so I would suggest decanting the tobacco into a jar with a good seal after opening.

A full English Oriental. Smooth but heavy.

Nice ribbons, easy to load, quick burning for a large pipe. Not hot or bitey.

Heavier than Durbar in both Turkish and Latakia but by no means a Latakia bomb. Smoother to me than Crown Achievement. The Turkish dominates the first half of a bowl before the Latakia kicks in to add some spice. I like the dominion the Turkish has over the blend in a new tin. Seldom seen.

This seems to me more loyal to the old Murray formulation (it may have had more Latakia though) than some of the other Orlik products but most are still good to very good.

Very good indeed for an experienced English puffer.

Im a little late reviewing this...like ...well, a number of years. But this blend was one of my all time favorites. Smooth...even...nuanced....really everything I wanted in a Scottish Mixture ( of course, when I was smoking it, I though of it as English or a latakia blend)

I cant speak as to the new Peterson version, but Im going to go get it a spin. I'll let you know the verdict

If I were to design a blend, this could be it: The Dunhill signature perfect ribbon; Solid, rich, quality Virginias; A gentle, consistent Latakia throughout every bowl; Distinctive Orientals peaking occasionally to keep your interest.

This makes for an excellent, well balanced English blend (Scottish, if you prefer) in most pipes but in a smallish, narrow bowl (a Peterson for choice) The Aperitif expresses subtly enhanced Cavendish sweetness which is just barely perceptible in a larger bowl. This makes it distinct from and a class above most English/Scottish blends I have tried.

Add to that just the right Nicotine level and a great smoky, tobacco room-note. Just about perfect, and quite delicious.

The Aperitif is a Dunhill tobacco that fits into their planned schedule for the serious mixture smoker. I think the idea was to start with EMP, smoke 965 or Standard Mixture through the day, Aperitif before dinner and the mighty Nightcap after. As such, Aperitif is on the richer side, but like 965 it's smoothed out with Cavendish.

The appearance in the tin is a mix of browns and blacks, in a ribbon cut that is slightly less even than the usual Dunhill pattern, tending to a little narrower. The tin note does not scream Latakia, although it's very much present, but gives a rich, brooding aroma that is more than the sum of its parts. Rich, sweet, with loam, leaf mould, the sweetness of fresh yeast, smoke, a hint of pine and spice.

It packs with ease, lights with a single match and may need one relight. The flavour is smooth with rounded sweetness, plenty of Oriental spice, and some latakia smoke. Initially the sweetness is prominent, giving a flavour like toasted, buttered malt loaf. As it progresses the sweetness diminishes and smokiness asserts itself, the flavour deepens and it ends on a drier, nutty and charcoal smoke taste: very nice indeed!

Comparison with 965 is obvious: both rest on a bed of rich, sweet, creamy Cavendish, but I think Aperitif has a tad less Latakia and a smidgen more Turkish. Having opened a tin of My Mixture 965, I'll say that the Aperitif has more of both Latakia and Orientals, and is overall a richer more complex and flavoursome blend: given the depth of flavour in 965 that should give you some appreciation for what the Aperitif is about!

In summary, a delicious rich English mixture with real depth of flavour and progression, the sort of thing that really captures my attention, while requiring very little input to smoke. Very relaxing. I've been enjoying it as an aperitif but find it's equally good as a digestif! I can fill a large pipe with this and settle down after dinner for a serious smoke. Highly recommended.

Aperitif is another masterpiece from dunhill. Less latakia than 965, more cavendish, a tad more oriental. Has an almost aromatic quality (not sweet) of fermented fruit. The blend makes me wonder if they added cavendish to london blend to see what would happen, in an attempt to cross 965 with that venerable old blend. Well, it sure created a tasty smoke. I stockpiled a very large amount of it right before it was discontinued, and will enjoy every last pipeful.

A smoke for any time of the day, it is the only english blend with a balance of 25% (in taste) of each tobacco, latakia, virginia, oriental, cavendish, each weaving back and forth.

I will never understand why the best blends cease production over and over. It is maddening. Dunhill needs to sell or give the rights to these blends to a blender which will keep them alive and available.

The comparison to My Mixture 965 is very aptly done. It's a smoke in the same vein, with its own merits. Whilst 965 is very creamy, almost buttery to me, Aperitif is a tad more spicy, yet less intense in aroma.

Typical, perfect Dunhill Ribbon-Cut and the tin note is slightly creamy, decently smoky and a bit ethereal. Condition - as usual with Dunhill - is on spot and can be smoked right away.

In the pipe Aperitif comes along with a smooth, mild creaminess, decent, yet gentle smokiness, mild sweetness and a whiff of etherealness. It's rather mild in strenght and flavorwise on the medium side. By times I get hints of sweet and tart nuts, that harmonizes very well with the earthy, woodsy and smoky-sweet tenor of this blend.

Didn't overwhelm me, but a solid smoke. Yet I find 965 to be better, so this is 3-stars for me. Not outstandingly good imho, but a tasty blend, that can be enjoyed all-day.

Very nice flavour. I'd recommend this one. Burns very nicely and packs super good in the bowl. Smokey undertones and a really relaxing experience. All around goodness.

The tobacco came in a baggie from a friend labeled "2013?" It was a medium ribbon of mixed tan, brown and black. The hydration was slightly on the dry end of what I would term the good smoking range. I smoked it as delivered.

I have been smoking this mostly in pots. I find it to have a nice flavor. It has the smoky latakia and a little spice from the Orientals. There is perhaps some hay from the Virginia, but I don't get any citrus. The Virginia is not much of a note in the signature for me. There is a slight sweet that I claim is a mild topping of some sort. Maybe this is the cavendish or the Virginia.

The smoking experience is pleasant, and it is easily repeatable. It burned cool for me and it was easy to keep lit.

I have one more tin of this waiting for the fullness of time, but I am unlikely to keep this in inventory just as a rule. The price point per ounce for tinned tobacco is a little high, and while this is good, it is not THAT good for me.

This is a solid 3. The tin description is a good one. It is a well-balanced medium mixture. I can easily imagine this being a favorite of someone out there.