Peterson The Royal Yacht

The economics of pipe tobacco production being what they are, I suppose that Dunhill feel they must cover all kinds and conditions, and so produce unspeakably awful crap like Royal Yacht. It goes perfectly with lava lamps, velvet paintings of bosomy mammas, and Mantovani/1001 Strings vinyl LPs.

Traditional British blenders are just not attuned to the world of aromatics (any more that their compatriots understand Haute Cuisine), and should leave such things to the sensible Dutch and Danes, who have been doing it right for ever.

This baby has all the flavourful charm and sweet redolence of slightly gangrenous horse meat.

Ah me - well, the world is heading up that well known creek without a paddle and to top it all off I've just had an argument with the missus. What better time to jot down a few thoughts on Royal Yacht, a tin of which I recently procured in Great Yarmouth along with some Dunhill/Peterson Dark Flake? (No, I can't yet quite bring myself not to write 'Dunhill'.) I much, much prefer the Dark Flake. But more on that another time perhaps.

Royal Yacht : it is a legendary, well-loved blend. That much is certain.

Equally certain : I dislike it. I tried a tin of the Dunhill about six years ago and wasn't keen. For some reason, the other day I sadly decided to give it another punt. I've had a few bowls now and can report that the ambivalence I felt before has developed into something akin to loathing. Strolling along in a pine forest by the sea the other day with friends; a perfect opportunity for a pipe you'd have thought? I pulled out the 707 and packed it nicely. But all I got from this vituperative blend (i.e. it abused my mouth) was grief.

Why anyone would pollute their palate with this concoction beats me.

Yes, it smells good in the tin and has a decent room note, but for Pete's sake - there are so many beautiful blends out there that are a pleasure to smoke.

Unless you are one of those unfortunates whose tongues have turned into an unfeeling stub of charcoal from excessive smoking and you would therefore be unable to perceive the foulness of this rot, I advise you to steer well clear.

I've no doubt that in decades past it was better. Like so much else in this ever further desecrated world of ours.

In sum, a bitter and biting bowl of ghastliness. NOT GOOD.

If J.S. Bach had filled his pipe with this stuff I fear we would have had to endure three centuries of Schoenbergian dissonance by now.

Greetings and salutations to all. God keep you in these dark times.

The Norfolk Pipe

Royal Yacht is not royal at all! Actually, it's not even a yacht. It's a casual fishboat... with a hole in the deck. I cannot understand those delighted reviews - a dry nicotine-bomb, Virginia without any surprise. Maybe good as a background for your own home-made mixtures, but not for that price. Royal Yacht is a typical overrated pipe tobacco. There was a Monty Python's sketch desribing this quite good.

Interviewer (Michael Palin): Good evening. I have with me in the studio tonight one of the country's leading skin specialists - Raymond Luxury Yacht.

Raymond (Graham Chapman): That's not my name!

Interviewer: I'm sorry - Raymond Luxury Yach-t.

Raymond: No, no, no - it's spelt Raymond Luxury Yach-t, but it's pronounced "Throatwobbler Mangrove".

... the same problem is with Dunhill Royal Yacht.

First of all we have to distinguish between natural aromatic tobaccos (only tobacco) and tobaccos with flavoring (tobacco + flavors). In the same way we have to distinguish between tobaccos with natural flavoring (natural flavors) and tobaccos with artificial flavoring (artificial and chemical flavors). Sadly, Dunhill Royal Yacht belong to the last type. It is straight Virginia of course, but there is a lot of casing and it is not a pure tobacco. Moreover it is not only natural flavoring, but also artificial flavoring. Openin the tin the scent is wonderful, the tobacco is nutty, with a white chocolate smell. However this Virginia is very very strong and the real taste is not of pure Virginia. Chemical additives are add, put on top. If you like pure tobacco, this is not for you. I regret, for me is only a star: my mark is 5-.

The first tin, I enjoyed. I bought another and it was too much.

The flavor is enjoyable, but one can get tired of it. The strength can surprise you if you puff too hard.

This seems to be loved or hated - I've felt both ways. So, perhaps one should try it to see...

**UPDATE** AUGUST 2006.

What in the bloody hell has happened to Dunhill-Royal Yacht??? The superb taste and the great quality has "TOTALLY DISAPPEARED"

Murrays produced "PERFECTION" with this blend for Dunhill.

**Orlik** "HAS TOTALLY KILLED OFF ALL THE QUALITY AND TASTE"!!! MURRAYS VERSION FOR DUNHILL "WAS WELL WORTH 10 STARS"

ORLIKS VERSION "NOW GETS MINUS 10 STARS FROM ME" (It's not only bloody dreadful,but it's now pitiful) Infact,I'm angry 🙁



Royal Yaht. June 2004.

First of all,many thank's to Captain Dan,for posting a tin of R/Y to Australia for me. I love and enjoy good quality virginia's without casing's. Royal Yacht contain's splendid virginias's. The flavour which is added is thoroughly delicious,and of very high quality. I believe,aged tins would only enhance and improve this blend. I opened my fresh tin and fluffed the tobacco up and let it air for 12 hour's. R/Y is easy to light and if smoked slowly,all the flavour's come to the fore. Highly enjoyable,and easily smoked,to the bottom of the bowl.Leaving a nice clean grey-white ash,without goop. I have no complaint's what so-ever with my fresh tin. I'm definitely ordering more tin's immediately,to age and smoke.

I'm a lady pipe smoker,and I certainly did not find this to strong,for me.

Pipestud,thankyou,for telling me about (The Nectar of the God's) Highly recommened. 10 out of 10.

Update 1-29-06

I just tried the new Orlick version of this once noble blend. The rich full Va flavor is no more. I found the quality of the leaf to be second-rate, at best. The topping is different too.

As many have noted, this blend has gotten a lot of press on the various message groups. Well, I believe the new blenders have found a way to put a stop to that. There's not much to talk about any more. As much as they have altered the blend, they shouldn't be allowed to put it in the familiar red and yellow tin.

My recommendation has been changed accordingly.

Sadly, Orlick has scuttled the Yacht.

---

I bought a tin of Royal Yacht on a whim. I had to see what all the fuss was about. While this blend has its proponents, it also has its share of detractors. At least in the message board circles in which I travel, both sides are quite vocal, and ?adamant? is an understatement.

When I first opened the tin, I was greeted with a sweet, almost fruity aroma. I found it quite pleasant. The moisture content seemed a bit high, so I let it air out for a while, as I had been advised to do. Later, there was a sweet, natural scent not unlike a freshly mown field.

For the first outing, I only loaded up a half a bowl. To be honest, I expected it to be horrible. To my delight and surprise, this was far from true. I grabbed another pipe, one with a nice big bowl, and loaded it up.

Royal Yacht, is a Virginia blend with a very pleasant casing. The rich Virginias don?t hide behind this ?secret? topping at all. The two complement each other in a very satisfying way. The flavor is much more than I could have hoped for. The casing/tobacco blend is present throughout most of the smoke, but in a way that isn?t at all cloying. Toward the bottom of the bowl the casing has run its course, and the Virginia leaf takes you to the end.

A very cool smoke. This was another happy discovery. The Yacht never tried to bite at all. Being all Virginia AND with a casing, I expected to need a fire extinguisher for my tongue. But this is by far the smoothest all-Virginia tobacco I have ever smoked.

Those who are prone to getting clobbered by nicotine should proceed with extreme caution. I have smoked a few ?heavy hitters? and I have never felt the slightest bit of nicotine. Royal Yacht is the first one that got my attention. It packs a punch. For those without a high tolerance for nicotine, it could well be a knockout punch. Try it in a small bowl first if you think this could be a problem for you.

Wherever you decide to go on the Yacht, you can be assured of smooth sailing.

While this tobacco is probably to the liking of those who enjoy nicotine, it is not for me. The combination of nicotine and plum (which in itself I like, but somehow not in the body) dominates the sweetness and softness of the virginias. I can see how other would like it, but unfortunately it is not my taste.

Note: this concerns the Royal Yacht tobacco as produced by Dunhill, aged for a couple years in a jar.

As an English smoker, the novelty initially sparked enthusiasm. I enjoyed the smell and taste for about two bowls. I quickly lost interest however, and it actually gave me heartburn everytime I smoked it.

On an objective note, it seems like a well balanced aromatic Virginia with plum notes. I find it packs a strong nic hit.