Peterson Nightcap

Nightcap is the king of full English blends. Unlike others that contain ponderous proportions of Latakia in an effort to impart "fullness," Nightcap delivers a melange of flavors in a full bodied, strong smoke that is never bitter or overwrought. In fact, this could be an all-day smoke if you can tolerate the nicotine.

For me, it is a perfect after-dinner smoke that pairs beautifully with an Islay single malt.

This is a tobacco with great balance. It is smooth, rich, and is magic on the palate. Enough complexity that it hooks you from beginning to end. A tobacco to be truly enjoyed by any smoker - unless you have an absolute disdain for latakia. I see why everyone gives kudos to this one. It's truly deserving. If you haven't given this one a try, you really need to give it a shot. It is bound to please with the various nuances it offers. An outstanding smoke.

I need to write a glowing review of this blend now that I've come back to it after a 3 year hiatus and finished a couple of tins - in fact I am having my last bowlful as I am writing this.

First, some history about our relationship. I started pipe smoking with a cherry aromatic which burned my tongue without giving me any sort of flavour, I soldiered on with it until a friend told me his dad used to smoke Dunhill blends. I read a bit, not knowing anything about anything about pipe smoking and ended up getting a tin of Nightcap (that was around 2013 or so). Opening that first tin gave me goosebumps, I vividly recall thinking "THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!". I smoked just Nightcap until production was stopped after which I felt destitute, nothing would hit the spot. I smoked Greek company Wolfway's excellent Pyramid blend (reviewed here) which scratched the itch some, then branched out to VaPers, burleys, Virginias, GOOD aromatics, Gawith ropes, HU, Dan Tobacco, some Cornell and Diehl, got to ordering from several countries until the day and the announcement came that Peterson would revive some of the Dunhill favourites. Of course I had to have Nightcap again so I did, now for the review.

Visually it is not at all as dark as other Latakia blends I had these past couple of years. It is a good mix of black, brown, and bright ribbons, at perfect moisture to light up immediately after opening the tin (though I will come back to that). The smell is Latakia of course, but smoother than other English blends.

The moment for first light was highly anticipated, I was eager to see what it will be like after I'd broadened my palate these couple of years of trying other blend types. Lighting up gave me the goosebumps again, I knew the taste instantly. Three words came to mind again and again: smooth, complex, refined. This tobacco really is perfection for my taste.

It is smooth, no roughness, no discordant notes. It burns cool, relatively fast due to being ribbon, as well as being a tad on the dry side (I opened the tin, shook everything out in a jar and let it air for a couple of hours before sealing it again for a few days before my first smoke). It burns down to the proverbial fine grey ash with very few relights needed, and no moisture.

It is complex, Latakia is the main player, but it does not dominate. There's spice from the Perique and Oriental as well as some incense, and noticeable sweetness from the Virginia. There's also a lot of body and substance but the taste is not too full, as other blends can be. The Latakia is smoky, leathery but does not have the occasional hot tar notes I get from other blends. The exhale brings sweetness, occasional grass, supported by spice, and an unmistakable taste and body I haven't had elsewhere.

Maybe I am boring, and maybe it is cliche, but it doesn't matter to me. It oozes quality, it tastes amazing, it is refined, has impeccable smoking properties, it introduced me to smoking proper pipe tobaccos. I am not saying I could go back to smoking just Nightcap but it takes the last spot of my top 5 tobaccos.

This is a complex, strong and very very English blend. The taste is superb, strong but balanced, with all components behaving like a perfectly aligned team. A must for all friends of English blends, Nightcap is what you want on a dark autumn evening. Having said that, I enjoyed it in the summer, although I would refrain from smoking it on a very hot day. Excellent tobacco, which is my absolute favourite.

Update: I just tried Nightcap which comes under the Peterson brand. And it is as good as it was before, equal to Dunhill’s original, which I have had the opportunity to try, courtesy of a friend who had shared a sample. And that is really good news!

Let me put it this way: If I have to choose between an expensive alcohol drink, a concert, or even a five star three-course dinner, or a Nightcap bowl, I would definitely choose the latter. Yes, it is that good, and definitely ranks among the top English blends ever produced. Moreover, Nightcap is quite an excellent way to overcome any sort of stress or sleeplessness, a title truly deserved.

This blend was my introduction to English blends. Made and instant fan out of me. This tobacco will always be on my shelf and I will recommend it as a must buy blend to any friends who may start smoking pipe. There is a sour vinegar smell in a fresh tin, which I see some comparing to ketchup, but once a tin is opened, it gets better and better. Eventually the blend will mellow and homogenize to a rich, solid, leather smell. This tobacco burns smooth for me. Little re-lighting. The smoke is full, rich, deep, and mouth-watering. Every puff is like chewing on a perfect steak. This really is one of the few blends I smoke that leave me silent and lost in the experience of my pipe. Reviewing this blend is pointless. haha Buy it and smoke it!

My first 'taste' of a Dunhill blend - quality from tin aroma to final puff. I like English and Balkan blends - and Latakia too - and this blend would be on the 'mild side' in terms of latakia for my taste - however, it has exquisite balance, the taste of the Virginias, Perique, and Turkish is nicely balanced by the latakia. It's a relaxing smoke with smooth taste and consistency throughout. If it has potential to bite, I didn't notice, and I truly enjoyed this. Will be a regular part of my rotation and will have me trying additional Dunhill blends that I read so much about on these boards.This is an excellent intro to English blends, and a satisfying smoke to those already 'anglicized'. Everyone should give this a try - quality for the price and a blend I'll often smoke. Very Highly Recommended!

This was the first non aromatic tobacco I purchased. When I first opened the tin I was taken aback by the strong campfire smell which I now know is the latakia. After a couple bowls I began to really enjoy the taste of this stuff. I really enjoy the punch of nicotine that accompanies as well. A stiff drink or strong craft brew and a bowl of Nightcap and I'm about as relaxed as can be. Not something I'd smoke everyday but I'll certainly make sure to always have a tin in my cellar.

This is what I call a "full bodied English blend"! Probably the best of all the good English blends available. Much has been written about this blend, and there is not much I can add. The mouth feel I get is very similar to dark chocolate, I just love it!