Dunhill Durbar

I'll just ante up tuppence worth on this stuff by saying that this must be the best Dunhill tobac they offer, at least what us folks over here can get our hands on. Quality leaf, nice flavors in the lightly sweet & nutty categories with a subtle sharpness from the VA's. Just good woodsy, leathery, rich English flavor. A refined blend, I, too, prefer this to 965. I have a fondness for many of the Schurch English blends, but Durbar is most assuredly a "gotta keep a tin of this around" kinda tobacco. Personally, I think I could do this all day, but not every day. I like a bit o' variety. Works for me.

I have yet to try a Dunhill blend that was not satisfying and I find Durbar is my favorite. From cracking open the can to dumping out the ash this blend is a pleasure! I concur with my esteemed colleagues above in their most lavish praise.

However, Durbar is a challenge for those with a sweet tooth. If you love aromatics, but want to develop a taste for drier fare I suggest the following: Slice an apple in a few chunks and bite into a piece every once in a while while smoking. The sugar in the palate will take away some of the harshness without actually changing the tobacco's flavor. As you become more accustomed to the blend, fade out the apple. I also like the idea of mixing in a little Frog Morton as someone mentioned above.

A can of Durbar will always have a spot on my shelf!

Durbar is a multi-faceted smoking mixture, full and vibrant, yet gentle, intriguing and intoxicating. I find Durbar has a cascade of flavors, from leathery woodiness to a tentative sweetness. More subtle than 965 and more complex than EMP, Durbar represents the most well rounded english I have tried to date. Dedicate a pipe to this and the puffing transcends cliches. This occupies a good portion of my cellared stock. Wholeheartedly encouraged to those who enjoy goodly amounts of latakia in a mixture.

As a new pipe smoker who had before only tried aromatics, I wanted to sample a "proper" British tobacco and this one was reccomended by my tobacconist.

I found it to be very flavorful and very strong. From the first puff to the bottom of the bowl my mouth was filled with a very rich tobacco taste, hints of sweetness and spiciness abounded. It reminded me of a fine cigar and I could certainly see enjoying this with a hearty meal or a deep red wine. This is a very strong tobacco, however, and must be smoked slowly to avoid getting queasy. If you're looking for a strong, rich pure tobacco taste this is heaven in a bowl, just remember to take it easy! I found it a bit heavy on the latakia though, and would really have to be in the mood for something heavy to buy another tin.

I liked Dubar straight away & really enjoyed the rich Latakia,Oriental & Virginia flavour's.I also love Night Cap & 965. It light's easily & usually doesn't require more than 2 light's & smokes superbly all the way down to the bottom of the bowl.If you like Night Cap,but wan't something dryer,then try this.I'll give it 4 out of 4 star's in it's class.

I think I must just be in the wrong mood or something. I should like this stuff more, but it just seems kind of average somehow. I been through a few of these rather full english blends, and I think I just prefer a little less latakia or oriental and a little more strength. I think I may try introducing various amounts of virginia into this to see if I can figure out what it is that I feel is missing from this. Maybe it has too much oriental for me and not enough latakia or something. Maybe I'm missing a little perique here.

As far as "full" english blends go, this is one of the better ones that I've tried. It burns rather cool, has plenty of flavor, and burns reasonably well (though I find that its a little moist when first opened and needs a slight bit of drying). I don't know what else to say... I'm just not too excited about this one for some reason.

ADDENDUM

I've noticed that smoking this after eating or drinking anything the least bit sweet (even something like rice) seems to really bring out that nasty bitter taste that some have observed. This seems to lessen as one continues to smoke.

I have to agree with Briarlaw, I wanted to like Durbar, but I didn't. It has a funkiness about it that I can't put my finger on. And the taste it left in my mouth was foul.

There are plenty of other oriental blends that really ring a chord with me, but Durbar so far has not been kind to me.

Perhaps some aging on the tins would help. I'm willing to keep an open mind, as they may settle down with time.

This may well be the great, unheralded blend of the Dunhill line.

It has a beautiful balance of sweetness, spice, and earthiness. I like my English blends heavy on the Orientals, and to this end Durbar delivers magnificently, similar to my beloved Caravan. Rich but not cloying, supple yet authoritative, it?s a strong, full flavored blend with great lineage.

As with their Light Flake, Dunhill once again slips a ringer into their portfolio. More satisfying than 965, more approachable than Nitecap, it suits a wide range of applications and ages like a properly made claret.

With its distinguished tin, unassailable Dunhill quality control, very reasonable price, impeccable manners, and money in the bank longevity, it?s a classic all the way.

I read through the reviews of this tobacco and was surprised that some could say "medium" for strength. I guess that's how some people can eat red hot chile peppers while others scream for water.

I don't enjoy eating peppers and I'm not looking for a nicotine high when I smoke.

I'm not a fan of Nightcap either, but compared to Durbar it's a walk in the park.

I really wanted to give this a try but Holy Cow, Batman. The room was spinning. Actually it was the car, so I was anxious to stop smoking right away.

I didn't even want to smell it while it went out in the car ashtray so I put the bowl out the window. Yes I know what happens with forced air and burning, so tried to be careful but sparks flew onto my forearm.

I glanced out to see if I'd knocked the ash out by tamping it against the side of the car. There was a blast furnace going in the pipe. Finally knocked it out.

For days afterwards it tasted like Durbar, until I finally scraped it out carefully with my knife. Blechh.

If you're a light smoker, my advice is stay away from this stuff.