Dunhill Aperitif
(3.28)
A complex blend of Virginias, cavendish, Latakia and Oriental Leaf. The name 'Aperitif' suggests this well balanced medium mixture should be enjoyed prior to dinner.
Details
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.28 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 145 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2015 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Reminds me of nightcap light without the Perique. The blend is good, it just wasn't what I was expecting with the addition of the Cavendish, and I tend to like more Latakia in my English blends. Overall quality of the tobacco was excellent, and the burn characteristics were perfect, leaving a fine white ash at the bottom of the pipe. I have to say that this is a quality smoke and should be enjoyed by any Dunhill fan that likes nightcap, but want to tone it down a bit.
After reading my review of Dunhill Aperitif, I decided that it was only fitting that I rewrite my original review, as it was not very descriptive, and therefore was not very helpful to those that have not tried this blend before. Let’s begin with the tin note of the tobacco. Upon opening the tin of Aperitif, one is greeted with several different aromas. There is a natural sweetness somewhat similar to that of honey that I get from the Virginias, there is a very delicate, slightly floral aroma that I detect that I believe to be the Orientals, and lastly there is the smoky, earthy scent of the rich Latakia. The Latakia in this blend is much milder than Dunhill’s Nightcap, but it is fuller in body or richer than that of Early Morning Pipe. As for the Cavendish, I am really unable to detect any aroma that I can or would associate as belonging to it. The quality of the tobacco is impressive, and one will not likely find any hard, twig like, or woody bits mixed in with the blend. As for cut, the tobacco is composed primarily of a thin, fine ribbon that makes for easy packing of the pipe, which takes and maintains a flame well. Moisture content of the tin that I am reviewing was spot on perfect when I received it, and thus, the tobacco required no drying time whatsoever before being smoked. After packing a bowl into one of my favorite Dunhill pipes, which was only fitting, I put flame to the tobacco. Again, due to the cut and moisture content of the tobacco, lighting took minimal effort. Once lit, the first flavor that I am able to detect comes from the smoky Latakia, however it is mild, smooth, and creamy. The Latakia is followed shortly by the slight sweetness of the Virginia, although I find it hard to describe or compare what this sweetness resembles in flavor. There is a slightly tangy or sour note that I am able to detect, although it does not remain in the flavor profile all of the time, and I suspect that this comes from the Oriental. Lastly, I am able to detect a slightly nutty flavor in the blend, although like the sour note, it is not always present in the flavor profile, and I can only assume that this may be coming from the unsweetened Cavendish which has been mixed in with the blend. As for the burn characteristics of the tobacco, I would have to say that this blend required little to no tending of the pipe, with only the need to tamp and relight somewhere around mid-bowl which may have been more my fault than the tobaccos. The tobacco burned down to a fine white ash that made for easy cleaning of the pipe, only requiring that I run a pipe cleaner through the stem to remove any moisture. I would have to describe the room note of the tobacco as pleasant to tolerable, as my wife made mention that the smoke was rather mild, but smelled like a hardwood fire in the fireplace. Overall, I was very satisfied with Aperitif, as it was a mild and creamy smoke, full of flavor, and very balanced. I would recommend this blend to any fan of English blends that enjoys a more mild mannered tobacco for the first pipe of the morning.
After reading my review of Dunhill Aperitif, I decided that it was only fitting that I rewrite my original review, as it was not very descriptive, and therefore was not very helpful to those that have not tried this blend before. Let’s begin with the tin note of the tobacco. Upon opening the tin of Aperitif, one is greeted with several different aromas. There is a natural sweetness somewhat similar to that of honey that I get from the Virginias, there is a very delicate, slightly floral aroma that I detect that I believe to be the Orientals, and lastly there is the smoky, earthy scent of the rich Latakia. The Latakia in this blend is much milder than Dunhill’s Nightcap, but it is fuller in body or richer than that of Early Morning Pipe. As for the Cavendish, I am really unable to detect any aroma that I can or would associate as belonging to it. The quality of the tobacco is impressive, and one will not likely find any hard, twig like, or woody bits mixed in with the blend. As for cut, the tobacco is composed primarily of a thin, fine ribbon that makes for easy packing of the pipe, which takes and maintains a flame well. Moisture content of the tin that I am reviewing was spot on perfect when I received it, and thus, the tobacco required no drying time whatsoever before being smoked. After packing a bowl into one of my favorite Dunhill pipes, which was only fitting, I put flame to the tobacco. Again, due to the cut and moisture content of the tobacco, lighting took minimal effort. Once lit, the first flavor that I am able to detect comes from the smoky Latakia, however it is mild, smooth, and creamy. The Latakia is followed shortly by the slight sweetness of the Virginia, although I find it hard to describe or compare what this sweetness resembles in flavor. There is a slightly tangy or sour note that I am able to detect, although it does not remain in the flavor profile all of the time, and I suspect that this comes from the Oriental. Lastly, I am able to detect a slightly nutty flavor in the blend, although like the sour note, it is not always present in the flavor profile, and I can only assume that this may be coming from the unsweetened Cavendish which has been mixed in with the blend. As for the burn characteristics of the tobacco, I would have to say that this blend required little to no tending of the pipe, with only the need to tamp and relight somewhere around mid-bowl which may have been more my fault than the tobaccos. The tobacco burned down to a fine white ash that made for easy cleaning of the pipe, only requiring that I run a pipe cleaner through the stem to remove any moisture. I would have to describe the room note of the tobacco as pleasant to tolerable, as my wife made mention that the smoke was rather mild, but smelled like a hardwood fire in the fireplace. Overall, I was very satisfied with Aperitif, as it was a mild and creamy smoke, full of flavor, and very balanced. I would recommend this blend to any fan of English blends that enjoys a more mild mannered tobacco for the first pipe of the morning.
Pipe Used:
Various Dunhills
PurchasedFrom:
PipesandCigars.com
Age When Smoked:
New from tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14, 2014 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Dunhill - Aperitif.
The aroma from the blend immediately says "I contain Latakia"! The mixture includes a fair selection of different tobaccos, with a perfect content of moisture. The ribbons lean more towards the slender end of the scale, all very thin with a decent mixture of lengths. It's probably due to the delicate build that this gets lit very simply and once ignited it stays that way; even if you leave it for a little while un-attended it keeps burning.
Despite the aroma from the mix being heavier with Latakia, the flavour from the smoke is VERY even with the different constituents. It's a blend where you can easily pick each of them out without your palate being accosted by just one. Throughout the entire bowl I don't find tongue bite occurring, even if really strained. Aperitif also has a mild sweet addition to it, almost honey like.
Nicotine: medium. Room-note: quite pleasant.
As an aperitif before a hearty meal? Well yes, it would set you up for a feast but I really think instead of 'Aperitif' it could be re-named "Dunhill Any time"! A very steady blend, highly recommended:
Four stars.
The aroma from the blend immediately says "I contain Latakia"! The mixture includes a fair selection of different tobaccos, with a perfect content of moisture. The ribbons lean more towards the slender end of the scale, all very thin with a decent mixture of lengths. It's probably due to the delicate build that this gets lit very simply and once ignited it stays that way; even if you leave it for a little while un-attended it keeps burning.
Despite the aroma from the mix being heavier with Latakia, the flavour from the smoke is VERY even with the different constituents. It's a blend where you can easily pick each of them out without your palate being accosted by just one. Throughout the entire bowl I don't find tongue bite occurring, even if really strained. Aperitif also has a mild sweet addition to it, almost honey like.
Nicotine: medium. Room-note: quite pleasant.
As an aperitif before a hearty meal? Well yes, it would set you up for a feast but I really think instead of 'Aperitif' it could be re-named "Dunhill Any time"! A very steady blend, highly recommended:
Four stars.
Pipe Used:
Peterson
PurchasedFrom:
Smoke King
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 09, 2004 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Like 965, and unlike DURBAR or NIGHTCAP, this has some Cavendish leaf in it.
English Cavendish is not like American Cavendish. American cavendish is made out of Burley, cased. English cavendish is made out of Virginia, pressed, steamed, uncased. It lends a mixture a buffering, velvety element which marries smoothly with the Orientals. Smootheness is of the essence.
965 being a "lotsa latakia" blend, I find the cavendish there a little diconcerting, like putting a bit of sugar into oolong tea. On the other hand, it certainly buffers the possible astringency of some Oriental leaf. This blend has considerably less latakia than 965, and so the cavendish is less surprising.
For me, smoothness is not of the essence. Since I love the natural astringency of NIGHTCAP and DURBAR, I have always tended to leave 965 and APERITIF alone. But they form a very significant flowerbed in the Dunhill garden, and people who like a cushiony, lush latakia~oriental experience will enjoy Apéritif.
English Cavendish is not like American Cavendish. American cavendish is made out of Burley, cased. English cavendish is made out of Virginia, pressed, steamed, uncased. It lends a mixture a buffering, velvety element which marries smoothly with the Orientals. Smootheness is of the essence.
965 being a "lotsa latakia" blend, I find the cavendish there a little diconcerting, like putting a bit of sugar into oolong tea. On the other hand, it certainly buffers the possible astringency of some Oriental leaf. This blend has considerably less latakia than 965, and so the cavendish is less surprising.
For me, smoothness is not of the essence. Since I love the natural astringency of NIGHTCAP and DURBAR, I have always tended to leave 965 and APERITIF alone. But they form a very significant flowerbed in the Dunhill garden, and people who like a cushiony, lush latakia~oriental experience will enjoy Apéritif.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 24, 2015 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This was my father's favorite blend. It's reintroduction was bitter-sweet for me as his last wishes included one last taste of his favorite tobacco - something he had not had for several years. I picked up a single tin of this the next year while on vacation and immediately upon my return home ordered multiple tins for my cellar. I was expecting to be as disappointed with Aperitif as I had been with the current MM965. I could not have been more mistaken.
At first light Aperitif brought to my mind the flavor profile of the 1960's Dunhills (way back when they were packed in 2 and 4 ounce tins, not 50 gram ones). The cavendish here was very similar to the Brown cavendish used back then and the Turkish redolent of the Dubeck (code named Macedonia Bright) which was the Oriental backbone of the original 965. The Latakia, smokey but not heavy handed here.
I was excited at this blend and angered as well. If the current blenders can do so well on this, why did they louse up MM965 so badly? And why so long to bring it back? No matter.
This is one of the finest blends I have ever smoked.
At first light Aperitif brought to my mind the flavor profile of the 1960's Dunhills (way back when they were packed in 2 and 4 ounce tins, not 50 gram ones). The cavendish here was very similar to the Brown cavendish used back then and the Turkish redolent of the Dubeck (code named Macedonia Bright) which was the Oriental backbone of the original 965. The Latakia, smokey but not heavy handed here.
I was excited at this blend and angered as well. If the current blenders can do so well on this, why did they louse up MM965 so badly? And why so long to bring it back? No matter.
This is one of the finest blends I have ever smoked.
Pipe Used:
Large briars
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Current production
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 22, 2002 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
A real bell ringer for this cowboy. I found this blend to be subdued with its Latakia presentation, and a generous amount of oriental leaf was combined with some mighty fine old Virginia. I found the combination to be nothing short of spectacular when I tried one of these old tins a few years back. If you are an oriental fan then buy up all this stuff you can get your hands on. Just unique and truly wonderful!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 26, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Very Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I visited my regular tobacconist - the only specialist tobacconist left in Bristol, the fine Birds of Baldwin Street - intent on buying a tin of Nightcap and a flake of some sort. I'm a bit of a latakia nutcase; it became a bit like a drug, were I was constantly seeking a stronger hit. It started with Dunhill London mixture, and discovering that it was the latakia layer that I especially loved, My Mixture 965 and Nightcap were suggested to me. 965 didn't do it for me; it had the latakia but it didn't have enough 'belly' to hold it up; the way I taste it is that the latakia is a top layer that needs a strong foundation. I had the same complaint with a recent recommendation, Rattray's Black Mallory. Some latakia in there, but the underbelly was thin. Once I'd discovered Nightcap I thought that was it; the quest was over. I like to smoke a good flake too so I soon found the strongest latakia flake available to me, Gawith's Balkan Flake. But due to sometimes having difficulty getting down to this only pipe tobacconist in town, I found myself having to settle for whatever the newsagent had; usually some aromatic such as Clan. But this was actually for the best; dull though it was it cleansed the palate, and made that first bowl of proper tobacco such a pleasure. Experimenting a little I often buy a tin of Gawith's Navy Flake, with its latakia-rum mixture. But now to the Aperitif. Reading the reviews below it seems like this has been around for a while. This is puzzling as I thought uBirds were introducing it as new from Dunhill. (Or perhaps that was the one next to it on the shelf - I may have made a mistake). Anyway, asking for a description, the gentleman opened his own stash to give me a whiff of it - boom. Sold. I hadn't smoked a decent tobacco in about a week (by which I mean an English blend, a Dunhill or Sam Gawith, instead tolerating newsagent fare such as Route 66 and lord forbid Condor, so once outside I was like a kid at Christmas. I'll cut to the chase now: this is even better than Nightcap. This is the finest English Blend I've ever smoked. Now, I need to do a 'pepsi challenge ' next to a Nightcap, but I sense that this has more latakia and a richer foundation on which to layer it. Golly it's a full flavour, and as a result i suffer no tongue bite from 'oversmoking' - (when I find myself charging at a lousy tobacco to try to get a flavour that isn't there, and burning it up in the process). Whether old, new, or re-introduced, what I'm experiencing right now is absolutely the finest, fullest latakia smoke I've come across. The only problem is how to hide the smell from my landlord... Ouch..
Pipe Used:
Peterson Kilarney 150 Bulldog straight stem
PurchasedFrom:
Birds of Baldwin Street, Bristol, England
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
This review is based on the Murray's version. It's not quite as well balanced as the description states, but there's a few things going for it. The Cyprian Latakia is smokey, earthy, musty and woodsy sweet, but at times is subdued by the spice, earth, herbalness, floralness, wood from the lightly sweet and rather sour Orientals. There's a natural citrus sweetness from the Virginias along with some grass and hay notes. The cavendish adds a little sweetness, too, but overall, this is not a sweet blend. There's some bitterness, but no harshness or bite. The strength, nic-hit and taste levels are medium. Burns cool and clean at a moderate pace with very consistent, mildly sweet and fairly sour campfire flavor that translates to the pleasantly lingering after taste. Requires few relights, and leaves little moisture in the bowl. Has a potent room note. A change from other English blends, and appealing to Oriental fans. How the new version that's to come will measure up is something I'm interested to learn.
-JimInks
-JimInks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 10, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
Oh wow! Oh wow! Oh wow!. I can't hardly think of anything else to say about this blend. I am not a fan of Latakia, but this blend has just the slightest Latakia edge, that blends with the other flavors rather than taking center-stage. This was coupled with some Orientals, and Cavendish everywhere, wonderfully sweet, not fruity, and silky smooth right to the last puff. The room note was incredible...a little spice, a bit of smokiness, and dark cavendish, mostly. No problems with lighting or burning. It's not real strong, but enough to be very satisfying, certainly better than most aromatics, which to me, mostly feel like flavored air. Absolutely no bite, or any other issues, except that I can only smoke so much at a time. I think I am in love......
Pipe Used:
Missouri Meerschaum Mark Twain Cob
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars.com
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16, 2016 | Strong | Mild | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
I particularly like the picture on the tin label. Open the tin and you find the most perfectly cut and presented tobacco; a feast for your eyes. Perfect moisture, too. All typical Dunhill.
A strong Scottish Mixture, that’s what I would call THE APÉRITIF. Excellent smoking conditions. No tongue-bites. The body of this blend is brown and bright Virginias, donating a few sparkles of grass and hay notes now and then. The amount of Oriental is highly over-pronounced for a Scottish Mixture. On the other hand, Latakia is under-represented. The description mentions “Cavendish”. Yes indeed, but it is English Cavendish (uncased steamed, pressed, dark flue cured Virginia), NOT American/Dutch/Danish Cavendish (sauced, flavoured, steamed, pressed Burley) as my American pipe friends may assume. English Cavendish is always pleasant to have; it rounds up the blend, adds a discreet layer of natural tobacco-sweetness and mellows the blend. Unfortunately, in THE APÉRITIF is some unnecessary, additional, artificial sweetness as a topping, which I am sensitive for and don’t’ like.
Over all I find it a rather heterogeneous mixture. All added tobaccos can easily be identified, but it lacks harmony. For my satisfaction I prefer blends with a more definite, distinct character, on either side. In my view THE APÉRITIF is neither fish nor fowl. If you like pronounced Oriental flavours in a (sweet) Scottish based mixture, then go for it. If you generally love Orientals, Dunhill DURBAR (balanced Orientals) or Dunhill LONDON MIXTURE (spicier Orientals) would be a better choice. If you prefer more Latakia, less Oriental and similar sweetness, Dunhill MY MIXTURE 965 is your blend. You have the choice.
A strong Scottish Mixture, that’s what I would call THE APÉRITIF. Excellent smoking conditions. No tongue-bites. The body of this blend is brown and bright Virginias, donating a few sparkles of grass and hay notes now and then. The amount of Oriental is highly over-pronounced for a Scottish Mixture. On the other hand, Latakia is under-represented. The description mentions “Cavendish”. Yes indeed, but it is English Cavendish (uncased steamed, pressed, dark flue cured Virginia), NOT American/Dutch/Danish Cavendish (sauced, flavoured, steamed, pressed Burley) as my American pipe friends may assume. English Cavendish is always pleasant to have; it rounds up the blend, adds a discreet layer of natural tobacco-sweetness and mellows the blend. Unfortunately, in THE APÉRITIF is some unnecessary, additional, artificial sweetness as a topping, which I am sensitive for and don’t’ like.
Over all I find it a rather heterogeneous mixture. All added tobaccos can easily be identified, but it lacks harmony. For my satisfaction I prefer blends with a more definite, distinct character, on either side. In my view THE APÉRITIF is neither fish nor fowl. If you like pronounced Oriental flavours in a (sweet) Scottish based mixture, then go for it. If you generally love Orientals, Dunhill DURBAR (balanced Orientals) or Dunhill LONDON MIXTURE (spicier Orientals) would be a better choice. If you prefer more Latakia, less Oriental and similar sweetness, Dunhill MY MIXTURE 965 is your blend. You have the choice.
PurchasedFrom:
Internet, www.smokingpipes.com, USA.
Age When Smoked:
New, out of the tin.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 30, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
“It probably isn’t that great, I just want to say I tried all the Dunhill’s” – Me
I can’t say a single bad thing about Aperitif. In fact, I can only say great things: Creamy Latakia taste, smoky campfire and leathery flavor, spicy and flavorful Oriental’s that stimulate your taste buds, quality Cavendish to balance it all out, and a taste that never gets boring from start to finish. Aperitif goes great before or after a meal, during morning coffee, or having a beer or whisky towards the evening (one in the morning is fine as well, hell I won’t judge).
But see, that’s the point I am trying to make: As the title ‘Aperitif’ suggests, this tobacco is best paired alongside a meal or drink; it really does stimulate the appetite, at least for me anyways. Either that or I am a complete dope to autosuggestion from the name of the tin.
It is a shame Aperitif gets overlooked by other Dunhill blends, since it is definitely better than ‘Good Morning Pipe’ and right on par with My Mixture 965. Sometimes the most favorited and highest rated aren't always the winners *cough* Hillary *cough*; and it takes a 'high-energy' underdog like Aperitif to take center stage and make Dunhill great again.
I can’t say a single bad thing about Aperitif. In fact, I can only say great things: Creamy Latakia taste, smoky campfire and leathery flavor, spicy and flavorful Oriental’s that stimulate your taste buds, quality Cavendish to balance it all out, and a taste that never gets boring from start to finish. Aperitif goes great before or after a meal, during morning coffee, or having a beer or whisky towards the evening (one in the morning is fine as well, hell I won’t judge).
But see, that’s the point I am trying to make: As the title ‘Aperitif’ suggests, this tobacco is best paired alongside a meal or drink; it really does stimulate the appetite, at least for me anyways. Either that or I am a complete dope to autosuggestion from the name of the tin.
It is a shame Aperitif gets overlooked by other Dunhill blends, since it is definitely better than ‘Good Morning Pipe’ and right on par with My Mixture 965. Sometimes the most favorited and highest rated aren't always the winners *cough* Hillary *cough*; and it takes a 'high-energy' underdog like Aperitif to take center stage and make Dunhill great again.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 22, 2009 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
When I first tried Aperitif, I was smoking 965 and Nightcap almost exclusively. This blend blew me away. It seemed to be a sweeter version of 965. That sounds very simplistic, and I am sure there was more going on than that, but I was a new smoker. I have smoked some Balkans that have a similar taste. It was as close to dessert blend as I enjoyed then. Toward the bottom of the bowl it almost had a very mild maple flavor. It was delicious. I hope to smoke it again one day. It made a great rotation blend. Of course the quality of the weed, was something Dunhill was famous for.
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