Dunhill My Mixture BB1938 Baby's Bottom

Firstly, I never had the pleasure of sampling the original version of this blend, so there's no 'rose tinting' over memories of yester-year here: This is a review of the new Dunhill 2015 remake of the infamous 'Baby's Bottom' blend, which has been re-titled as 1938BB. Sadly, gone are the playful reclining infants from the tin face, which is now rather similar to the My Mixture 965 label. I'm informed that historically this blend used to be a bit of a specialist mixture that was only sold in Dunhill's UK stores in London and Oxford.

I've only had a few bowls of this so I won't say too much, as I think it's better to have a few (or a tin or so!) to get a real feel for a new blend. However, first impressions are that this is going to be a very serious rival for EMP in my affections.

Tin note is typically Dunhill; earthy, a good scent of fine Virginia, hints of dried fruit, a good deal of sweetness and a hint of chocolate. A fine ribbon cut [aren't they all] with a lot of dark Latakia, mature Virginia and some bright; giving the blend overall a 'black and tan' type look, packs and lights well straight from the tin. Room note is fairly typically english; it won't make you friends, but won't create new enemies either.

Smoking wise, there's an obvious parallel to EMP. I actually think that this has more Latakia in there, but it's extremely refined and well balanced out by the rest of the flavour; and is in no way a 'Lat Bomb' not as smokey as 965, Nightcap or Squadron Leader types. There seems to be more going on in terms of taste than in EMP though, and the sweetness of the Virginia's seems to shine through especially in the first half of the bowl. As with most Dunhill blends it does get a bit more robust and fuller in texture towards the end of the bowl, but remains tasty and smooth with a complex flavour profile all the way down. Good as it is right now I'd speculate that after a couple of years in the cellar this blend will be really exceptional (the re-release of Durbar seems to be starting to get there now to my palate)

Although I'm a fan of both the recent Dunhill re-releases: Aparitif and Durbar, this one might well be the best, and most versatile, re-release yet - Good all round/all day type tobacco, well worth buying a tin or three if you can get your hands on it 🙂

Dunhill - BB1938.

The smell coming from the mix is a bit like a softer Balkan. All of the usual suspects are present only toned down somewhat. It arrived with a good amount of water in it so I could smoke mine straight away.

The taste is, again, like a relaxed Balkan only even more chilled out than the aroma. There is a very gentle smoky note but by no means expect the standard 'in your face' hit of smokiness that's usually associated with Latakia blends. The flavour from the Virginia really brightens up the mix, it gives the blend a superb freshness. I don't really get much nicotine from this but that's a personal thing so I guess your opinion may differ to mine. I wouldn't say it's stupidly weak but I think mild is an apt description, well to my body it is! I struggle to identify much in the room note: I wouldn't say it's a bad one in any way but most of the character seems quite suppressed.

I honestly could see this one making a good regular smoke. It's very basic (and that's meant in a good way!), very relaxing, very smooth and one of the least biting tobaccos I have had!

Four stars.

Like MisterPaul, I've never had the pleasure of the original, and I've only had about 4 bowls of this so far. It only arrived yesterday. But this blend even with first impressions is going to be exceptionally popular. It fits well in between EMP and 965 for the presence of latakia, but is so amazingly well blended as to give a consistent Virginia taste accompanying the latakia. Little drying time required, burned clean to the heel, and did pick up a bit in strength after a bit of stoving in a deeper bowl. Nice spicy flavor from the red virginias throughout. I love all of the Dunhill blends, but this, excitement at trying a new blend aside, may well be the one I've been waiting for. Enough punch to make it interesting and enough flavor and smoothness to smoke all day long. Woke up today wanting more and I don't see that changing any time soon. This is by far my favorite of the three new re-releases.

This is a very well balanced English mixture. The Latakia is, I think, a little more to the fore than it is in comparable Dunhill offerings (EMP, for instance) but it does not dominate; it allows all the nuances to make their contributions at various times during a bowlful. This is a tobacco that is smooth (it lives up to its name), biteless and full of interest. It behaves itself in a highly civilised fashion all the way to the bottom of the bowl, and leaves nothing but ash behind.

It's a pity that this old blend was reintroduced only to be discontinued again, along with all the other Dunhill blends). Its many devotees will miss it, and understandably so.

The description Baby's Bottom caught my interest of what unique this blend might taste so i had to try it!when you crack the tin you get coals,dark fruits,and grass.the moisture level is perfect ,packs nicelly lights easy and might need some relights.while smoking the flavours are simply great combining some sweet notes,coals and woods from latakia with dark fruits ,grass and some tangyness from the virginias.burns cool and slow pleasing you at every puff.no chance of tongue bite.the nocotine level is medium and the room note is tolerable.i was very curious to see a blend without orientals and it is really well balanced and pleasing.normally i won't recommend it as an all gay smoke but the smoothness makes it ideal for an all day smoking experience!definitelly a must try.

Subtle and satisfying....that pretty much sums this blend up, but I will go on. I find this blend quite similar to Select Mixture from Smokers Haven, it is a light English, but not light in flavor, like EMP, more like you just turned the volume down on a full English blend. I have found Babys Bottom to be a perfect blend for the first pipe of the day, as it is light on the palate, but it still gives me the flavor and more importantly, the complexity I enjoy in my regular blends such as Margate and Black House. Highly Recommended!

LatVa blends are one of my favorites and although this isn't the best of them it is very good and I highly recommend it. The mix is simple, but it does produce some complexity. The contrast between the smoky, woody Latakia and the fruity, sweet Virginias is very appealing. That contrast is what draws me to these blends. I just love it. This smokes quickly, but remains cool. Very pleasant and satisfying.

Medium in body and flavor. Burns very well.

Just opened a tin of the new stuff with ReedSteve It is just great. Fine but sloppy cut, wonderful in the tin. Light & smooth as its namesake. The Golden Age is NOW. EDIT 11/2018: Time in the tin has enhanced this to the smoothest smoke I own. It has also made the spicy sweetness of the Va even better, and rounded out the Lat to a small wood fire aroma. Pleasant as can be.

This tobacco snuck up on me completely. At the top of the bowl, it was "nice, I could smoke more of this". Gradually, while doing other things, I puffed my way down to mid-bowl, thinking, "Dunhill has a recognisable consistency in its tobaccos and flavours - this is good stuff.". The Virginia in this blend reminds me of the one in Elizabethan mixture. Then, at just past mid bowl, my attention was entirely diverted from whatever I was doing, and shifted to the now beautifully melded tastes and perfect consistency and density of the smoke. I am savouring the last 1/3 of the bowl as I write this, trying not to over puff, and just tasting it get better and better as the bowl nears its sadly inevitable end. In retrospect, Elizabethan mixture had the same effect of grabbing my attention mid bowl, but not quite as forcefully as BB 1938.

This was my first bowl ever of this tobacco, but certainly not my last!