Peterson Standard Mixture

Known as Standard Mixture, it is very similar to Standard Mixture Mellow... the unique difference is the strength... a very nice english mixture, not so mellow, but a nice one... for sure, worth a try.

This is a review of the red labeled standard mixture tin.

Nice tin aroma, sweet with a nice tang on too. Nothing really sticks out in the flavor, just a cohesive blend of smokey orientals over a solid, sweet base.

Good cut, easy to stuff, light, and keep lit.

Overall a this is a solid, enjoyable smoke.

As you can read from my reviews of London Mixture and My Mixture 965, I am definitely a fan of English blends, especially Dunhill. This is another fine tobacco from the glorious English brand, one that can sit proudly near the aforementioned two. Part of the considerations expressed in those reviews remain valid for this tobacco, too: the fine cut, the burning qualities, the fine choice of leaves, the extremely good balancing. Where do the differences lie? To my palate, the difference is mainly in the reduced latakia content of Standard Medium, replaced by a heavier dose of reddish-brown Virginia. The result is a blend that has a noticeably lighter "smokiness", and which is definitely sweeter and spicier due to the orientals. Its taste (while not stunning) remains constant and doesn't get bad at the end of the bowl. I like it as a change of pace from Latakia-heavy blends, but perhaps at times this sweetness doen't suit me. I also notice that it tends to bite the tongue a bit more than London or 965. On the bonus side, it might be a little more plesant to non-smokers around you. Not in my top-favorite tobaccos, but still a high quality choice!

Sadly, this blend too, like the other Dunhills, has seen a decline in quality over the past two years... Actually, it's now better than Nightcap and 965, which once were superior!!!

2011 update: I am smoking a recent production tin by Orlik now... Well, not bad! It's just what the name says: a STANDARD. Sweet thick Virginia base, plus Latakia and Orientals. No surprises, no thrills of delight, but a solid companion that could be considered an "all days" for those more inclined to stouter blends. It doesn't disappoint. A timeless classic, although there are many more exciting blends around and London Mixture is more refined.

A friend of mine swore this was the ultimate tobacco. Accordingly, every time he would come back from trips either to Europe or the States, he would bring back as many tins as possible and would be kind enough to share some of them with me. Having been already acquainted with other Latakia/Oriental mixtures, all unobtainable in my country, I joined in the enthusiasm.

SMMe is definitely a very good and reliable blend, with a traditional but rather uneventful taste and aroma that, nonetheless, fulfil the requirements of any English blend lover. IMO, of the different Latakia/Oriental/Virginia mixtures, SMMe is more of a working or auto-pilot tobacco than a contemplative, meditative smoke. It has a straight forward aroma, very unambiguous components, and a clear cut English flavour that, combined with its excellent burning rate, provide a satisfying but no so spectacular experience. If smoked too frequently it can reach a point of harshness unknown to me in other Dunhill Latakia blends (My Mixture 965 or London Mixture). It is a cool smoke, good at practically any time of day, but would not recommend it when in hot/humid weather.

The quality of this blend is unmistakeable. Its structure and smoking evolution are quite predictable, and the flavour and burning rate remain consistent throughout the bowl. While comparisons are not always advisable, I find there is a certain degree of correspondence between SMMe and Gawith?s Squadron Leader. Both are solid, traditional, and very English in a that standard sort of way in which G. Orwell defines Englishness.

A bit moist in the tin, but lit well and stayed lit without too much bother. Great flavor; nutty and toasty, with hints of plum and citrus in the background. None of the tobaccos really dominates in this blend; they really work together well. A good, solid English blend. Recommended.

a good introduction to English blends for those wanting to venture. a good value for a tin of name brand. i keep all my tins for a year before cracking open. this one in a milder English with that leather note. a hint of sweetness and a touch of sour. not bad at all but not a go to smoke for me. I do recommend anyone to try all the Peterson blends to get a taste for what they may like because of the value. taste is subjective and that's why there are so many of the same type of blends.

This is not a "Standard" English by contemporary standards in any sense and if you're expecting such you may be a little disappointed by this blend. I know I was.

The good news is that it's ready to smoke out of the tin (almost dry) and the typical "Dunhill" fine ribbon cut packs and smokes extremely well. It also has a nice, powdery white ash.

If you are expecting some Medium amount of Latakia, however, you will be sorely disappointed. There is some Latakia, yes, but it's a small amount (by today's standards).

Here we have the standard Dunhill "VA forwardness" ala EMP closely followed and possibly exceeded by Orientals while the Latakia is in the background.

This is a mild VA/Oriental forward English blend so it's much, much closer to EMP than say, Nightcap.

(Did Dunhill ever have any true medium to strong readily available Latakia blends?! Even Nightcap strikes me as somewhat underwhelming on the Latakia front.)

What prevails is very perfume-y (floral?) notes - almost a Lakeland soap essence. (Perhaps it's exotic Orientals, but I really don't know.) At any rate, there's a distinct, almost cloying perfumey/soapy/floral taste that dominates this blend and it may not be natural.

Again, there's minimal Latakia in the smoke (but it does exist in the tin note).

This is not to say that I find this a bad mixture (because it's rather unique!) but it is definitely NOT a medium or Standard English blend.

UPDATE - July 2022. Well, after some months in the jar, there has been a substantial improvement in the character of this blend. The Latakia is more noticeable and the heavy floral notes I initially experienced have pretty much faded. The VA and Orientals still prevail but the blend is much more balanced now. Some slight sweetness noted. Upgrading to 3 stars!

An excellent middle-of-the-road English mixture, in which none of the elements overpower, but all are very harmoniously balanced. The Latakia is just the right amount to add character and depth, but doesn’t dominate. The sweetness of the Virginias melts evenly into the spice of the Orientals, and the whole is a nearly homogeneous effect - the epitome of a basic English mixture. Forgiving and cool, it doesn’t bite hard when puffed too eagerly and yet lends itself nicely to gentle, slow savoring. It’s the latter that reveals the complexity beneath the balance. When inhaled it’s a bit harsh, and when passed through the nose tends to be a bit sharp.

Compared to Mixture 965 or Stokkebye Oriental Supreme, it’s lighter on Latakia and sharper to the nose.

I used to smoke it when I started pipe smoking, decades ago. At that time it was not my favourite blend from Dunhill, giving preference to EMP or 965. Many years after that first experience I have had a go at Standard Mixture. I must say my impressions are the same: a good smoke, a nice tobacco but slightly disappointing by lack of strength. Their Durbar blend is quite superior. Perhaps for the beginner but not for the experienced smoker.