Dunhill Standard Mixture Mellow

I'm not a real English blend smoker but I do have a number of tins of various English-style mixtures that I crack open from time to time. Usually I find them overly spicy in the mouth and suffocating but this one is different, seems to me.

Other reviewers have already written about the blend's name change to Standard Mixture Mellow rather than Mild. Whether "mellow" or "mild" this blend suits my taste a little better than some of the heavier blends. The tin aroma is subtly English in character, the taste spicy but not overpowering, and the room note is a nice, warm campfire aroma that doesn't overstay its welcome.

And, I suppose we could all grouse about the loss of the old Murray's days, but there's probably no going back now and we simply have to decide whether we can tolerate the current Dunhill offerings or change to something else. (But, God! Wasn't that Baby's Bottom a treat?)

I like Dunhill mixtures, too. They are all quality tobaccos. SM Mellow is one English blend I will add to my regular rotation.

As a new pipe smoker (long time cigar smoker) I?ve had difficulty with some of the sweeter tobaccos (Virginia blends) I?ve tried. As I?ve also had some difficulty with the stronger English blends as they tend to be more complex than even the strongest or darkest cigars (VSG, ISOM, etc...). This tobacco is the first to become a regular smoke. A light English without an overpowering Latakia and none of the Virginia sweetness. Who knows as my pallet adjusts to the complexities of pipe tobacco i may just find this a little soft, but for now it's almost perfect.

A friend & I smoked this blend as I assisted him in gaining an understanding of how a VERY GOOD, mild, ENGLISH mixture should be presented. We sampled other "High Quality", "Mild", ENGLISH mixtures in comparison to illustrate the method of how to select one. Most experienced connoisseurs might automatically disqualify this blend because it is so mild and vacant of the more standard flavor profile presented in a medium ENGLISH, but Dunhill's Std. Mixture Mellow/Mild is the quintessential model in experiencing a mild ENGLISH. This mixture should be in everyone's stable of tobaccos, particularly for the novice enthusiast.

I've been smoking a pipe seriously (paying attention to what I'm doing)and frequently for only 2 months but casually and infrequently for several years.

Pipe: smooth un-decorated Meerschaum ("Warrior" artist Tekin) Brand new pipe, first bowl.

Tin was 2 weeks old having been opened several times.

Bites a little but not paralyzingly when getting the char going on the way to the initial tamping. And again when re-lighting in the middle of the bowl.

Had to relight 4 times through out.

Mild is, as mild does.

Nutty, bit of fruit(like dried apple), not sweet. A very pleasant, dry and uneventful smoke.

Doesn't demand allot of attention other than keeping it lit so Id probably enjoy this mid day while reading or focused on some distracting activity.

Keeping it in stock.

Alas, I found this perfect allday smoke when it is no longer available. Only Aperitif is nicer in my opinion. Anyone who has this in the cellar and does not like it, please sell it to me!

Tin Aroma: A quite distinct sweet, must odor. Also, this sweet must smell is later present in the dottle.

Tobacco: A very predominant bright, light sand hue, with small amounts of dark-brown and black; lighter in color than SM Medium. Unless my eyes deceived me, by the next day, the overall hue had aged to medium to dark tan. Just the right amount of moisture, being rather light.

Standard Dunhill long thin ribbon cut. One of the key signatures of quality, the ribbon strands are intricately interwoven, producing a thick mat.

Initial: Packed easily enough, after the strands are pulled apart. Took to the match instaneously.

Taste: Mildly sweet VA, not much Latakia, very toasty VA in taste and aroma. Seemed to have a mild nutty honey character mid-bowl. The bottom of the bowl can get hot. Mild tongue bite is a rarity. A nice honey oat quality.

Aroma: Like a drive in the countryside with clover fields in the distance; moderate toasty VA. No Latakia blast, not at all; just a nice, cool honey oat softness.

Nicotine: Very mild, being milder the SM Medium. Still, SM Mild does give a mild buzz.

Room Note: As with other English blends, not extremely fantastic, but natural, like SM Medium, but milder. About as mild a room note as you can get with a traditional English blend, having a moderate toasty VA character.

Overall: Contrary to many others, I like it for the very fact that it *is* so mild, so VA. This is one of the best smokes I've ever had.

I swear this and SM Med act different in the pipe, and taste and smell different, depending on how they are packed. One packing technique gives less taste and more moisture. It seems that half a bowl, well-packed, works best. In a large bowl, there is initially a lack of flavor, and light moisture. Mid-bowl, the flavors and aroma seem to come to fruition.

This could be your all-day smoke.

This might well become that one perfect standard I've always been seeking.

D's SMM (Mild has been replaced by MELLOW) is disappearing from the italian tobacconists. One month ago I grabbed the last tin of the old production (Murray's) and found five of the newer before it's too late. I have "worked" enough on both editions at the same time, and let me say there's not so much difference, the new production is just a little sweeter. I like very much the interplay of toasted virginias, spicy orientals and the latakia is put in fair quantity; the nicotine lever is just OK for me. Like some others said - due to the medium ribbon cut, the right humidity, and the perfect balance between the components - SMM does not require many attentions, and gives you satisfaction as an all-day smoke. I found it fits very well for the hot season, when I cannot make it with more latakia-oriented products. Highly recommended

This blend is beginning to become a particular favorite of mine. I am a big fan of English blends, but most blends seem to have a characteristic that just disgusts me after I smoke it for a while. This blend doesn't. Standard Mixture Mild has a very nice Virginia base, with a sweet wood, creamy flavor coming through with an occasional honey note. The orientals help bring out a nice spiciness to this and add much depth. The quality that probably makes me like this blend so much probably comes from the hint of Latakia in it. It has just enough smoky latakia flavor to round out the taste and make it completely satisfying. This tobacco isn't over-produced and doesn't claim to be anything fantastic. Its name even makes it average "Standard Mixture Mild," but you know what, I don't care. I find it every bit satisfying and don't tire from it like I do most blends. Not to mention that the finish is short and doesn't make you want to scrap your tongue. Good stuff!

This is a very fine light Latakia English. Sweet toasty Virginia, tangy Turkish, and just a whisper of Latakia.

It reminds me a bit of Wilke's No.10, which is also excellent. If your tastebuds are used to heavier blends, you probably won't even notice the Latakia at all.

9/27/05

As Orlik already produces this blend for Dunhill, I don't think the recent shakeup will change this blend a bit.