Peterson Early Morning Pipe

This is a superb blend that is flavorful but not too strong. A mild English blend with rich flavor. And what a glorious aroma! Great for all hours of the day. Doesn't need any special drying. Consistently great flavor,especially good in older English pipes. I've stopped smoking anything else. It gradually builds in strength as you move from the top to the bottom of the bowl, but never is overwhelming. If you like Squadron Leader,Skiff, Rattray's Red Rapparre, 221 Baker street, King Charles and the like, you must try Early Morning: it is the most flavorful of the bunch. Note: this blend is, in my opinion, superior to the old Murray blend: the ingredients are of higher quality and it is much smoother than the older, greatly over-rated blend. The only other blends in it's class are Dunhill's London Mixture, which has too much Latakia for me, and Dunhill's Royal Yacht, which is similar but with added sweetness. p.s. when E.M.P. was unavailable, many other companies tried to replicate it--with very limited success. I've noted some peppery accents in the middle to late bowl. You should go for the original & best.

A fine blend. I like this as a wake up but I would think this might be too strong and maybe too much smokiness( Latakia?) for some in the early morning . I love the stringy cut that makes packing and lighting easy. Immense smoky Oriental flavor with a slight sour lemon background . Although Latakia is not listed , I find this smoky .Allow this to breath some in the tin before you load up or it will steam. No bite, big flavor, smooth, all day anytime smoke.

It's a great "on the go blend" no messing around rubbing it out, charing lights , tamping, just stuff the pipe, hit it with a match and smoke. When packing, I like to roll the tobacco in a tight ball and stuff the one piece into the top of the bowl. This method tends to smoke slower and less ashy.I Always have a tin close at hand.

Do you want something milder but similar, try Germains, King Charles Mixture?

Over the past few months I've gradually progressed from aromatics to light English and Oriental blends and a few flakes. So the time came to order a tin of 'Early Morning Pipe' and see what all the fuss was about.

My first surprise was when I opened the tin and found tobacco cut into such thin little ribbons. When I picked it up it reminded me of RYO tobacco. In fact if I had some papers I could have tried rolling a cigarette.

The second surprise was when I loaded up and smoked. This stuff smoked so fast it disappeared in a flash. Wow - one moment there - the next moment gone. I was so surprised I just stood there wondering what on earth this stuff was. So I tried again, and again it smoked so fast it was gone.

Luckily I'd just bought a slightly larger pipe, so I tried EMP in that and the smoking experience was much better. This is a tobacco that, due to the very light ribbon cut, either needs to be packed expertly or smoked in a larger pipe.

Once the packing and pipe have been sorted, the smoker will be rewarded with a distinctive, pleasurable smoke that has a slightly 'sour' edge. This sourness is something the smoker will either love or hate. For me, EMP has gradually become a regular daily smoke and I find the taste satisfying and moreish.

There's usually a reason why a tobacco becomes a best seller and remains so for a long period of time. In EMP's case it's due to the particular cut which when packed properly produces nice clouds of medium strength slightly sour smoke which leaves many smokers just wanting to load up and smoke it again and again.

Regrettably, I haven't had the opportunity to smoke it when it was still a Dunhill blend, so this review is based on it Peterson-brand version.

It is a very elegant blend, quintessentially English, if you will. Restrained, but packed with flavours. Stronger than I expected for something that is meant for the early morning. Full-bodied and definitely mild, this is an all-day smoke.

The Latakia is barely noticeable and it serves as a condiment, definitely not a Latakia bomb. Orientals really shine, giving the blend a nutty taste, Virginia provides some underlying sweetness, and Latakia adding a bit of smokiness. Very satisfying!

I have no idea why it has been rated so low by some of TobaccoRevievs' luminaries. For me it is a very welcome addition to my rotation.

Try it, it will not disappoint, Definitely a four star tobacco.

UPDATE: I have smoked this blend in a few pipes now. I will be stating the obvious when I say it must (as any other tobacco) be matched with the right pipe. My best match was a Mountbatten pot, with a very generous (broad) bowl. Of course, it might have been the briar quality. Anyway, the difference in taste was substantial, depending on the pipe used. So, please, try it in several pipes before you review.

As one of Dunhill’s most successful tobaccos, I was glad when Peterson brought it back. While not terribly complex, there is something for everyone to like here. Not heavy at all, it’s a blend that lets your mind wander, perfect for reading a book or other task that requires most of your attention. My favorite blend that contains Latakia.

I started smoking EMP in the 70s. It was one of those I most enjoyed. Then AD stopped the production and it is only now that I try it several décades later. Kind of "proustian" attitude in opening the tin and recognizing the smell with the Latakia as dominant. Smoking it is - as in the 70s - a pleasure for those enjoying a not too strong English mixture. It seems to me that nothing has changed and that I am still a young man...

Following the expert advice of a gentle Armenian tobacconist, I first fancied this delicious and elegant smoking experience in 1967, just a couple of months after receiving my college degree. Until then I had only been exposed to aromatic OTC American and Dutch tobaccos.

This was a true awakening experience. I left the store with several tins, including: Balkan Sobranie, Night Cap and 965. I always remember how this gentleman guided me into the latakia and oriental realms.

After decades of sporadic close encounters with this fine product, imposed by my demanding globe trotting profession, two years ago I was most fortunate as my brother got me two tins of this precious ambrosia from an expensive NY outfit. ($20 each).

Today I have just finished one tin. After only few lightning strokes, I am actually enjoying a peaceful early morning smoke while typing this note, but do not feel compelled to engage in any comparisons to discern the nuances with my past experiences. Actually: I do not give a damn! It continues giving me the most gratifying bliss.

Of course: four stars

Mixed feelings about opening the second tin...

I had only smoked aromatics until I read about EMP. I've loved every bowl since! Great tasting and a bit spicy, will awaken your senses. My daily bowl during morning commute

Hi,I have been a pipe smoker for nearly 40 years and I have tried many different kinds of pipe tobacco:aromatics,english,oriental,perique,Belgian Semois tobaccos. After all this time,I only smoke EMP anymore.It is my favourite pipe tobacco. It is not too heavy,nicotinewise,it has a full taste,it is not displeasing to others in the room,it burns well and it is readily available.As someone noted before,there is a reason that this tobacco has a more then 100 year history.I travel a lot and always have my EMP with me.It is true that this tobacco is a great introduction to English tobaccos for new pipe smokers,but my case shows that even seasoned pipe smokers like myself greatly enjoy this ancient product.I see it as my old dependable.