Dunhill Three Year Matured Virginia

Had Dunhill built the Edsel, this tobacco would have been their second largest flop. I am very pleased that this was not my first foray into Virginia tobaccos, otherwise it would be difficult, make that nearly impossible, to get me to try another.

I am a fan of Dunhill tobaccos and as such I really wanted to like this stuff. I kept putting the tin away for longer and longer periods of time in hopes that something would happen, it never did.

Rather than spend your hard earned cash on this, cut the grass and load your pipe with the clippings.

Update: I tried this tobacco originally in '02' and had a chance to pick up another tin just a few months ago at what I thought to be a good price. I had hopes that if treated a bit differently it may be a good tobacco. Turns out that there is not a good price for bad tobacco. I can't get this weed to behave no matter what I do.

Notes: I have tried various vintages. In the 1960's (blender: Dunhill), the flavor was superior, but the cut was so stringy it burned unbearbly hot. In the 1990's (blender: Murray's), the flavor was mediocre, but the thicker ribbon cut allowed to burn rather more cool. I found it best in a churchwarden or a tall, thin Danish chimney.

Appearance: A fully rubbed out ribbon, varied thickness depending on the vintage and maker. The color is light tan/green to darker medium brown in mixed proportions.

Aroma: An enticing raspberry/boysenberry topping is prevalent, black cherry, mild hints of frankincense, benzoin, allspice, smoke.

Taste: Of course, there is this berry-flavored topping to deal with, but it is relatively mild, if you can accept its presence. Citrus and berry toppings don't come along too often, so they are a bit disorienting, but if you can accept Royal Yacht, you can deal with this one, too. The berry flavor helps to accentuate the sweetness of the virginias in this blend, and it becomes much less prevalent as the tobacco ages for a few years. Underneath, a decent virginia-oriental mixture. Incense stick, walnuts. The latest iteration is rather dilute in its flavor profile, a bit smoky at times, but for the most part extremely subdued. If you don't pay attention to it, you would say: "It's not good or bad; it's just... there." If you take your time, it is a bit more rewarding. Can certainly burn the tongue if you don't take care.

Comparisons: Not nearly the flavor of the old blend. The bookish, invalid brother of Royal Yacht. The same topping as Dunhill's My Mixture No. 36609, but instead of a rich dark flake, this has a milder oriental-light virginia blend underneath.

Bottom Line: The acme of English-aromatic crossover flavor. For those who find Royal Yacht too strong, but want a mild virginia blend with a berry flavor, this could be ideal. Watch out for tongue bite, though!

I have to say this tobac. tastes a bit harsh to me. It has good flavor and plenty of punch, but pales in comparison to Dunhills' Light Flake. Once again due to the fine cut relative dryness can be an issue. It can go from too wet to too dry in a very short time. When it is in the "zone" it smokes well and has a decent flavor. When it is a little damp or too dry it is closer to a two-star tobac.

I was unduly harsh with this blend the first time I tried it. By the name, I expected a straight Virginia blend. It isn't a bad aromatic, but the folks at Dunhill *really* should name it something else! It has a pretty good nicotine punch, so if you are sensitive to Old Nick, go slowly. I wholeheartedly agree with Tantric's description of it as a "bold change of pace".

I must say that Dunhill threw me a curve ball with this one. I was expecting something so much different. I was shocked by the berry blast that permiated the tin. I love both Dunhill pipes and their tobaccos but, the marketing is really misleading with this line. The name suggests a fine VA with well aged to a level of perfection, so typical of the Dunhill name....but the reality is much different. I must say at first that I'm not really a fan of aromatics or anything heavily cased, yet this blend didn't really yeild an air of disgust. For some reason I found myself unable to make up my mind about this one. It burns well and doesn't bite. The flavor is not nausiating like some aromatics can be. I guess that the best way to put is just as the Recommendation states: "Might try it again, but will not keep it on hand."

A friend of mine gave me a tin of this because he did not care for it. I brought it home and set it on my tobacco shelf in my den and forgot about it for a couple of weeks. One day I was in the mood for a different tobacco and thought that I would give this a try. I was very surprised by this tobacco. Very easy to light and very pleasant to smoke. A nice fruity taste (that I normally don't care for) and a wonderful room note. I felt that it went very well with coffee and Starbucks Frappuccino. So I decided to buy a bulk bag of this at Cup'o Joes and thought it would make a nice fall-winter tobacco. Well, when I recieved the 16 oz bag, I was very dissapointed! The flavor and aroma were very much stronger than the tin that I had previously smoked. I am going to attempt to dry this out a little and see how it goes.

This tobacco used to be one of my favourites until it was discontinued in the UK during the ninteen seventys .Recenty,with a tobacco order from the USA I purchaced two 50g tins. What a let down.This tobacco is more of an aromatic than the great virginia remembered of years gone by I like to smoke an aromatic sometimes for a change of pace but did not like the taste of this.And the aroma!.When I smoked TYM in the pub I got a lot of comments which were not in its favour If you like natural va tobacco this one is not for you.My big regret is that I bought two tins of the stuff

An interesting aromatic of high quality. The fruit topping tastes and smells great. My only reservation is that the flavoring tastes kind of strange with the orientals weaving in and out of the taste.

I have been reluctant to review this blend, but since I just opened a tin I figure, why not? I have smoked it on occasion over the past couple of years. You know, one tin now, another six months later. In the past couple of years I have smoked my share of Virginias. So I think that I can now provide some worthwhile comments about this unusual tobacco. To begin, the tin aroma is strong of mixed fruit. The ribbon cut makes this about the easiest to pack, light, and smoke to the bottom of all the Virginias I know. The first taste is a bit fruity. It quickly changes to a smooth Virginia tobacco flavor. Aged with rich taste and a nicotin kick. It is not my favorite Virginia, but it is far from the bottom of my list. It's a nice change of pace from the English and Balkan blends I usually smoke. I can purchase Three Year Matured locally at a very attractive price. This is a blend that goes very well with a hearty brew. I do not think of TYM as an aromatic, but certainly there is a topping. So when I put it all together, not at all bad.