Peterson Hyde Park

My review is on the current STG production. This is a new purchase, but the tin already has a little over 4 years of age on it. In general, I find vacuum sealed tins don't age as fast like the pull top C&D tins or just in a Mason jar. At least not within a 5 year period. So I can only say this is a close to fresh I can get.

I haven't found anyone else say anything about it, but there is a apricot topping to this. Also the current STG version is a ribbon cut and not a broken flake like the Gawith and Hoggarth version was. Some people claim the Gawith and Hoggarth version was basically re badged rum flake, but I wouldn't know as I've never had either.

The first 1/3rd of the bowl, I get a mild general tobacco taste with the apricot topping. But athe end of the 1/3rd the apricot dies out and a black pepper spice developes along with light creamy sweetness from the Virginias and nutty almost chocolate note from the burley. The black pepper spice is coming from a combo of the dark fired virginia and air cured indian. Also they add a fullness and strength. Mid bowl, the rum and maple notes come out but not in a aromatic sense. The maple sugar is most dominant with the rum having more of a fruity fermented note. This lasts all the way down to the end of the bowl with the body building all the way down along with leather notes.

Overall, a very nice blend. I was skeptical with the apricot topping as the last time I had a peterson blend with a apricot/cirtus topping I was disappointed in how bland that blend was. Also I was skeptical or it having dark fired virginia as in my opinion, I find it to be alot stronger than dark fired Kentucky.

I would recommend a cup of coffee or maybe a scotch or a port wine as I find it would hold up perfect to this blend. I highly recommend.

2023 DEC 04
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Amazing blend from Peterson. This may be my new favorite edging out UF due to changes I perceive from STG takeover as well as 3P Plug, and I regret waiting so long to order a tin. Part of my hesitation was due to mixed reviews and mention of it being a Lakeland-style blend which I’ve since learned I enjoy. Many reviewers reference it being initially blended by Gawith Hoggarth & Co. and express strong displeasure with this blend as put out by STG. I wish I’d have had an opportunity to try that version and I wonder if anyone who has still enjoys newer tins. I think I may prefer this to GH Rum Flake perhaps due to it being slightly smoother/more balanced or perhaps due to it having better moisture level for me out of the tin and being easier to keep lit.

I’ve smoked quite a few of Peterson’s English blends including some iconic blends coming over from Dunhill. This is probably an all day smoke for veterans as I think most true English blends are a bit gnarly for a new comer so I’ll take that into account with this review. As far as flavor and strength, I rate it a medium, but strong for someone new to the game. The maple and rum are there, but I get a fairly full tobacco flavor as apposed to a cloying sweetness that can come from some toppings like the ones used. I do taste the maple and rum, but they’re well balanced with the quality tobacco. I tend not to like overly flavored blends, so if you’re looking for more maple and rum than tobacco, this one’s probably not for you. This smokes cool and clean with no moisture as I write this. I like this blend and I will buy it again.

Tin note of mild sweet rum, vegetation, and sugar. Tobacco is a Ready Rubbed of light brown, brown and dark brown. Moisture content is great. Larger pieces may need a little attention. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is medium. Flavoring is mild, with notes of Maple, Rum. Both flavors are short lived. Taste is medium to full and very consistent, with notes of maple, mild rum, brown sugar, nutty, spices, toasted bread, savory, sweet tangy fruit, floral, dry, cocoa, wood, zesty, spicy cigar, mildly sour, mildly bitter, earthy, a semi-sweet grassy/vegetation background note, and a very peppery retro. Burley is leading with Virginia, Sun Cured Indian and Flavoring supporting. Dark Fired Virginia is lost somewhere. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

I've tried Hyde Park for the first time tonight, and I found it to be an enjoyable experience. The aroma from the tin was pretty unique, in my opinion. Initially, I could smell a small hint of rum and a somewhat tea-like scent in the background. Upon first lighting the bowl, I could taste a similar flavor that matched the aroma. The Virginia in this blend seemed to be more sweet rather than tart, as some more mature Virginias taste. The Burley added a nice nuttiness to balance the sweetness of the Virginia. In regards to the flavoring, I did pick up the maple midway through the smoke. I sipped the pipe very gently, and the subtleties of the added flavorings began to reveal themselves. As I concentrated immensely on the flavor, I thought of the sweetness of maple syrup as if it was on a piece of bacon. There is a slight smoky flavor, but you have to really focus on it. I also detected the rum as well, but not as much as I tasted the maple. I used a cob to smoke this blend, so I'm sure that influenced some of the flavors I was picking up. The tobacco itself seemed to be in longer cut ribbons. I rubbed it slightly to pack the bowl. It's burns quite nicely if you puff on it correctly. I didn't get any bite whatsoever, and the tobacco burned cool in the pipe. I smoked it all the way down to ashes, and it tasted pretty good the whole way down. I do recommend this blend, and I'd easily give it a 3 out of 4 stars.

Ok, many of us were a bit drooled by the moniker "English blend" but it is indeed English. Many have stated that it's Lakeland style, but I find it more flowery fragrant than cloyingly soapy( I do like lakelands though)

The initial tin not isn't to boozey, or mapley. It's fragrant and plesent, but rely hard for me to place.

The tin description says it's "mahogany" colored and they are spot on!. Moisture content is just a touch wetter than I like it, but it's not sticky, goopey, or overly sweet

My tobacconist says a lot of that sweet flowery smell comes from the Thai burleys, the same as used in Sherlock Holmes. I definitely could smell a common denominator between these 2 blends.

Loads well and is pretty effortless to smoke. Burns clean, and completely to ash. It's so well behaved that I got to relight my pipe and nothing happens. So I go to get rid of some ash and surprise, it's all gone up in smoke!!!

Solid 2.9 stars out of 4. Would recommend to any one. Even if they don't like lakelands.

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UP DATE ON NOTES.

After it's been jarred up for a few months, and had a bit of time to decant, breath, and shake it's hair out has really made a positive difference to an already nice smoke.

The aroma is less sweet and and more ethereal and flowery perfumes. Burns a touch better and smokes a bit cooler as well.

I'd love to pop a 5 to 10 year old tin.

Up the score to 3.3 stars!!

English tea! Is what comes to mind when you smell and smoke this. Nice mid strength English blend with subtle flavours coming through. Maybe just a hint of sweet, but definitely not a heavy English like nightcap or squadron leader. Nice smoke and better than usual English room notes.

Preparation & Burn: 8/10 It packs easily like ribbon cut. No drying required. Burns cool and at a nice pace.

Taste: 8/20 Slightly lakeland but loses that topping with age. Becomes a bit harsh.

Mildness: 6/10 My idea of a good smoke is a relaxing, low nicotine session. Therefore, the milder the better. Not too much nicotine.

Total: 22/40

Fantastic blend, depending on who you talk to it's a Peterson Aromatic and to others it's a Virginia blend. Either way you describe it, it's one of the best Peterson blend out there.

When you open the tin there is this really noticeable mix of fragrances, from nutty to sweet to slight whisky to fruity... it is really a nice mixture. The tobacco is just the right moisture out of the tin and can be packed and smoked as is. The strength is just right, not too mild or strong, give a nice hit of nicotine without being overpowering.

The flavor and taste are mellow and enjoyable, giving a very tasteful and thick smoke. As for room note, it is tolerable most folks around me say.

Found this tobacco to be easy smoking and requiring only 1 relight in most bowlful. Sometimes 2 when engaged in discussion with friends.

This is a blend I love to smoke as it burns cool all the way to the bottom of the bowl, no dottle left, just a nice grayish white ash and a relaxed feeling of satisfaction.

A favorite among Peterson blends, nicely blended by Hoggarth.