Peterson Hyde Park

As a relative newbie to pipe smoking, and becoming aware of the vast array of potential tobacco styles, never mind individual blends, available, I have been in exploratory mode. Hyde Park piqued my interest. First off, I am born and bred a Londoner and worked in Victoria not far from Hyde Park for many years before emigrating to Toronto, so the name evoked a good feeling in me. Secondly, the description seemed fairly unique (it seemed to be a bit of everything), and third, it got stellar reviews on this site. Unfortunately, it has not been good to me so far. A complex, solid, heavy and very pleasant pouch aroma could be tasted in the first few puffs after lighting but then, for me, the developing niceness was obliterated by what I can only describe as a chemical wave right across my mouth, in the back of my throat and throughout my nasal passages. I understand this may be caused by the smoke becoming "alkaline", and that this can be the result of either a tobacco being low in sugar or burning too hot - and now I think of it, this tobacco can be a struggle to stay lit which requires me to puff hard and that gets it going too hot? Aand the puffing would also cause the generation of hot steam, exacerbating the issue. So A solution may be to use the biggest bowl I can find and take real care to sip the smoke. I will try that and repost if it works but for now, this one gets a thumbs down from me.

Hyde Park is as unique as the clear plastic bag you see when you open this tin. The blend is rich brown and sticky and reminds me of the texture and smell of a pouch of chewing tobacco. I have yet let some see drying time as it didnt strike me so much as being wet but purposely moist and sticky as if Peterson intended it should be.

So in the bowl it went.

This was an unsual experince and not what I was expecting at all. Peterson threw me a change up after all the burning hot ribbon fastballs. Hyde Park is a thick broken flake sticky slow burning experience with a unique flavor.

I have smoked five bowls and honestly I'm still trying to figure out what is going on with this tobacco and what I'm smelling and experiencing. I CAN say I like it but so far HP hasn't wowed me. It's rich, deep, warm, pleasent with a dash of spice (not pepper) and conjures up visions of fine deep red mahogany furniture in a London townhome. I find I must press on with this uniquely tasting blend and see what else happens.

Review Addition: I let the tobacco dry and it brought out the individual flavors letting me distinguish the Rum and the Molasses. This is a delicious and unique flavored tobacco. To me, the taste can be described leather. Though I've now determined it's not a personal favorite or possibly a future purchase. It's a decent blend from Peterson and I do recommend everyone try it at least once.

A quality, slow and cooler burning tobacco that grew on me by the third or fourth bowl, but not enough to win me over.

The Virginia leaf is nuanced and complemented nicely by the burley. It makes for a good combo, for experienced smokers. The maple and rum sugars are hard to notice. It's a pretty straight forward tobacco. Not deep or complex, it disappoints after the first third of the bowl in that it becomes bitter, bitey and harsh, and ashy quicker than most "English blends." (I still don't know what constitutes an English blend, but I'll trust marketing on this one.)

It's worth trying but it won't make my starting rotation and I likely won't buy a second tin. I wanted to like this blend given the apparent quality of the cut of the tobacco. It looks as good as any tinned leaf I've seen.

For reference, my current rotation consists of Comptons York Full, Dunhill Flake, Dunhill EMP, Dunhill 965, GLP Odyssey, GLP Hados Delight, Lane 1Q/BCA 50/50.

The room note received a thumbs up from my wife.

Wow - what a pleasant experience. Room note should please just about anyone. The surprise here is the full tobacco flavor and an unexpected nicotine kick - definitely in the strong category - right up there with Irish Flake. I love the format - broken flake packs nicely and solidly. Quite a combination of flavors. 3 stars for now - to be continued.

Updated review 13/07/2019.

This is quite a difficult tobacco to find as not all well known London based tobacconists stock it.

Since my last review generated over 6 years ago I still think this is a fine tobacco. It has a floral sweet taste, and a smashing aroma. I'm not keen on aromatic tobacco as many are quite chemically tasting. But this is wonderful! Need to sip rather than to draw deeply. Like other reviewers they mention a peppery taste, and I concur. However, this does not detract from an enjoyable smoking experience. The tobacco has a rather unique but superior taste, and would go well with a cup of earl grey tea! The taste notes deepens as you go to the end of the smoke, but it's interesting and goes more rum honey like. When finished the tobacco ash is powdery fine and makes pipe cleaning easy.

Thoroughly recommend for Summer afternoon or evening smoke.

My previous review below (dated 21/04/2013).

This stuff is perhaps the most enjoyable pipe tobacco from Peterson and has become a firm favourite. It has a distinctive, almost hops tasting, flavour. This is splendid and unlike most pipe tobaccos Ive tried. Because of its distinctive aroma and flavour its takes a while to adapt. However this is a quality smoke. You can see from the other reviews how well liked this is. Enjoy!

After reading all the excellent reviews I had to try this for myself. I called my favorite tobacconist in Toronto(Paul at XCENTRIX)to order a tin. Surprisingly, it arrived in only two days and I picked it up this morning. It was a little wet on first light, but still good. I let it sit for a few hours and relit. The taste is very smooth. My first encounter with the Lakeland scent and very agreeable. The rum and maple are in the background but ever present. Cool smoking and very tasty. This is definitely an aromatic in my book, but of the highest order. For me, I prefer to rub it out completely. I also add a pinch of perique for a little spice. Those who say that G&H produced this wonderful blend are probably correct. Besides the great taste and excellent smoking qualities, there is very little after-taste on my tongue. This is a real gem.

Update: I'm lowering my rating to three stars as this blend has not stood the test of time. Still good but not for me.

Pretty unique smoke. English? I missed the boat on that one. I'm surprised not to see more reviews mention the unmistakeable Lakelands floral characteristics that predominate far more than the tin's own description of the flavoring/scent. In any event, after a couple of tins the initial "wow factor" has subsided and it's now more of a tobacco that I enjoy from time to time just like some similar G & H offerings. I enjoy the shaggy cut and the quality and mix of tobaccos but I'm glad I didn't propose marriage at the early stages of courtship. A bit too floral for me.

After a week of pure V, I tried for the first time...second time...etc this one.I must say I'm kind of Peterson fan (only kind of) and I was delighted. Till now (after a week of smoking HP) I didn't change my opinion. Anyway I must say burley is not very present here but in a good way; and the rum flavor is wonderful but in the beginning of the bowl. But that doesn't change the feeling and somewhat joy it brings. I recommend this one still...

Hyde Park is a unique offering from Peterson. It is nothing, by far, close to anything this blender offers. I can't say I detect the maple and rum toppings. The Lakeland soapy aroma dominates the tin note and the smoke but, yes, something sweet emerges here and there.

I did not notice, either, any significant complexification of the smoke as it burned dowm the bowl.

If you like nicotine, Hyde Park is for you. It is almost equal to Irish Flake.

HP burns very well if packed properly. The cut - long and large broken flakes combined with ribbon - is probably what I find most interesting.