Dunhill Durbar

It's not the Murray made Durbar, which was a Balkan to me. This version is a middle of the road English. They should have called it Alfred's Legacy no.1 or something. Now that being said, it's a quality mixture with the characteristics of an old school Dunhill, whatever that may mean to anybody else but me, a cool smoke with a balanced flavor along with some surprise nuance that intervenes once in a while. The smell in the tin is exotic and inviting, it lights easy and burns to a white ash. A no fuss Latakia mixture to be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Virginia lover

I smoked Murray's version years ago and had some left recently. It was a little fuller and was oriental (other than Latakia) forward. This re-release is a different take on the oriental subject IMO. It is more Virginia forward.

It is creamier than before and has a mild but sweet fragrance and taste from the Virginia I presume. (I don't know of a Turkish leaf that is both creamy and sweeet as opposed to herbal.) The light spicy and added depth from the orientals (I taste just tendrils of Latakia) kicks in at the bottom half of the bowl, but the Virginia still holds its own to the end.

It's smooth and cool smoking.

So different from before but still very good and maybe better suited to a wider range of English and Virginia smokers. I smoked a full tin and have several in cellar aging (but good now).

Without question, this is my favorite Dunhill. Durbar is different and delicious.

Upon opening the tin, you're greeted with an interesting aroma. The Orientals make their presence known, but there is just something different about Durbar when you first crack the tin. It gets your attention and you begin to wonder what it could be. Then, when you light up the bowl, Durbar really begins to shine. There really is an incense like quality to it like others have noted. It's that incense like quality that the Orientals deliver to the mix that elevates this blend to its lofty level. It's divine. I love the way the smoke lingers and perfumes the air. This is what pipe smoking is all about. The aftertaste is very nice and I like the scent it leaves in the room or outside and the scent in my beard. Odd, I know, but I like it.

The nicotine hit is a tad over a medium. Wonderful tasting blend with a nice nicotine hit. Not too strong, but enough to satisfy and provide that pleasant mellowing reward at the end.

Again, this is my favorite Dunhill, followed by London Mixture and then The Aperitif. I'm amazed that more haven't sung its praises yet, but that is OK because it allows me to buy more to cellar for later.

Enjoy!

Durbar is an interesting tobacco. I smoked my first bowl and maybe I was just confused with what it was supposed to be. I then kicked nomenclature to the curb and just tried to enjoy it for what it is, and what it is, is a damn good blend. Others note how well Dunhill blends pack and light, this is no exception. Tin note is Oriental with a touch of Latakia. The smoke is woody, nutty and toasty. Like toasted hazlenuts. There is some smokiness from the Latakia and just enough sweetness from the Virginia to round out the experience. Moderate in nicotine, so not a pipe with coffee first thing in the a.m. for me. Burns to ash and if smoked with attention won't need a relight. If you are looking for an Oriental experience this is a good go to tobacco.

To me, Durbar as part of the Vintage Blends series is Dunhill's Balkan mixture, if nothing else because the blend is dominated by its content of almost black Latakia and dark brown Oriental leaf. The lighter Virginias are dispersed evenly among those.

The Latakia is also what you notice first, when you open the tin and take in the spicy scent, before you notice the smell of incense from the Orientals.

Filling your pipe is quite uncomplicated, just as lighting. You can even pack this tobacco a little more tightly in order to get a steady burning. From time to time you need to tamp and level out the ashes.

Durbar will give you a tart and tangy smoke dominated by the smooth Oriental leafs and the peaty Latakia, and topped off by the sweet Virginias. This is a full bodied, creamy, balanced smoke mellowed by a distinguished floral incense note. A re-light is seldom required. As long as you don't draw too eagerly on your pipe, it'll burn down coolly to some light gray ash.

The room note is rich and spicy, yet tolerable.

This Orlik version is very good, an oriental forward medium bodied English. Not the same as Murray's, but still a quality mixture with the signature leathery, spicy & buttery dunhill characteristics.

Had a good experience with this blend. Familiar with the Murray's version. Likely will improve with 2-3 years aging. I'll keep working through the tin, see if it opens up a bit.

Not that I am a 40 year veteran but I see nothing wrong with this tobacco

As with some people, thinking of something nice to say can occasionally be a challenge. So it is with Durbar.

I have no idea what the intent of the blender was with this stuff. I smoke it and it tastes like tobacco. No subtle this, no nuanced that, no smokey Latakia, no papery nutty Orientals. It just tastes like dry, woody tobacco.

I have nothing else to say. This blend leaves me perplexed. And I love Oriental-forward blends. But this just tastes like cheap cigar filler.

I just can't find anything good to say about it.

[EDIT - April 2018]

I'm not sure what changed--my tastes, or perhaps the tobacco left to "aerate."

I love this stuff. Amazing. It's like Aperitif without the Cavendish. The Virginias are redolent of oats and hay with just the slightest hint of coconut on the nose. I wish I were joking, but I'm not. I feel somewhat guilty I gave it such a tepid review earlier.

Another thing--you can really "push" this tobacco. It has different flavor and aroma profiles to offer when sipped or smoked aggressively. And the "room note" (I waft the smoke from the bowl to my nose) is amazing too.

Great stuff!

Durbar reminds me of Mixture 965 with it's deep fruit and earth displayed by the dark Virginias. The light addition of yellow Virginia adds a bit of citrus and hay. The blend of fragrant Orientals add spicy tang and deliver a balancing quality that harmonizes with the moderate smokey touch of sweet woodsy Cyprian Latakia. Rich and smooth as it burns to a white ash I notice a violet-like floral note at times from the orientals. Medium in strength. Leaves little moisture in the bowl and may not need a relight. A pleasant room note and satisfying aftertaste. Improves well with jar time.