Peterson Old Dublin

I bought this one from my nearest B&M a couple of weeks back after doing a little research on a Latakia blend I hadn't tried yet. I've always been a Lathead but I had found myself becoming a little bored of them earlier in the year. But I hadn't had one in a while, and I had been wondering if I'd been smoking the same lats so I plumped for something I had never tried, thusly I bought a tin of Old Dublin.

The tin aroma isn't what I expected, not quite sure I can pin it down. Some strange pot pourri perhaps? Some bizarre confectionery that I occasionally come across? It certainly wasn't that the usual creosote smell I would expect from a Latakia, but none the worse for it. The tobacco itself is dark brown ribbons flecked with lighter brown and gold. Packing and lighting are easy. The smoke itself is a good one. While the latakia is well to the fore, it is well supported by the Virginia and the Orientals, and occasionally it seems to throttle back to let the others play on my tongue.

This is one of those tobaccos that it is an absolute delight to smoke. All the tobaccos in it contribute to the overall flavour much like one of those bands where all the members are really good at what they do (one thinks of Rush or Level 42) making the finished song so much better. One reviewer, Gun Smoke I think, said that this is one of the most underrated English blends on the go. I would second that and add that if you are looking for a good English/Lat or even just a good tobacco, this one will fit that bill.

An excellent balance. This was my first true excursion into pipe tobacco. I had read extensively before t decided to put down the cigarettes and reach for a pipe. Unlike many who started for the love of the smell, image, craft, or mystique, I began smoking a pipe out of necessity. I wasn't willing to give up tobacco smoke, as smoke is one of my great comforts, but I could no longer afford the $7.50+ price tag on a comparatively small amount of tobacco in a pack of cigarettes, even my favored American Spirit Blacks. Everyone suggested that I should start with an aromatic and I had actually picked one out to see if a pipe would be a good fit. I smelled the bulk jar of Old Dublin however, and immediately asked the tobacconist to return the cherry blend to its own jar in favor of this one. From that day to this i have never looked back to overly aromatic blends and it has everything in the world to do with this wonderful concoction. It has a heavy room note from my admittedly quite limited experience and so I generally enjoy it outside, but every taste is well balanced and delectable. perfectly smoky smelling even before lighting, the background filled out to roundness but not to the point of losing the front notes, it continues to be my staple evening smoke.

This seems to be the classic gateway into the world of english blends for most novice pipesmokers and/or aromatic smokers. Such is certainly the case for yours truly. I have been a bit apprehensive when considering sampling english blends as many people seem to think the room note is "cigarettish" which is an absolute no-no for me. After lighting up my first bowl of Old Dublin all my worries in that regard were laid to rest. The latakia has a distinct smell, no doubt, but I find it pleasant and not as acrid and sharp as I had feared.

The individual tastes and smells weave in and out of eachother seamlessly and keep me interested throughout the bowl. There is a floral, perfumy sweetness that sneaks up on me and makes me mentally brace for impact as I always expect it to get out of hand and turn the experience into that of smoking pot pourri. It always settles down and never turns into a dominate and overpowering taste for which I am extremely grateful. I assume this is the basma at work.

The tobacco is, as best I can tell, of high quality and provides a cool burn. Relighting was a non-issue for me, not that it really matters, and tongue bite was nonexistant despite greedily puffing away in a shortstem briar.

Well balanced and intriguing would be the best way to summarize. Highly recommended for other novices or generally english-blend-curious pipesmokers.

A good middle of the road English Tobacco. Opening the tin reveals high quality ready to smoke tobacco with no stems to be found. The moisture content seemed fine even at first but I found it is easier to light as you progress through a tin so maybe a little drying right at the start, while not necessary, might not hurt.

The aroma of the tobacco itself is smokey with nutty overtones and is quite pleasant.

I found this to smoke cool and evenly to the end with no bite at all. Good smokey latakia taste but without the pine overtones or sour tang that I find in MM965. Nothing too distinctive but also nothing to offend or to have to get used to.

This tobacco has currently become my "go to" tobacco when I want something a bit stronger in nicotine and with no bite, generally towards the end of the day. The fact that the taste is not overly strong or fancy makes for a nice relaxing, non- distracting smoke.

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Bottom Line: A good solid English Blend; pleasant smokey flavor but without the sour tang seen in My Mixture 965, nothing exciting and so perfect for the times when you are not looking for exciting

I've decided to edit my original review (2003). I've been smoking quite a bit of this tobacco lately and it has really grown on me. This is a fine English mixture, with the added bit of what I believe is unsweetened black cavendish, so it may also be thought of as a Scottish mixture. It is very refined, not all abrasive, slow burning, and very palatable. I find it an excellent tobacco for the evening. Unlike Balkans, this is not as strong in the Oriental/Latakia department (no Ismir or Yenidje here). The balance between Orientals, Latakia and Virginia is admirable, and the black Cavendish remains in the background, just to round things up. Where I bought it is almost five dollars cheaper than similar Dunhills. A very nice, elegant and satisfying English/Scottish mixture.

An incredibly pleasant tobacco in classic "english" style. Straight from the tin it is not to wet but easily catches the flame, no matter if match or lighter. The tobacco looks like any loose cut with Virginias and Latakia giving a vivid colouring.

The smell in the tin is strong, smokey and intense. It reminds me a lot of Talisker. To the surprise of the inexperienced smoker the tobacco tastes mild and very pleasant. The unflavoured mixture gives a true tobacco taste with the Latakia always present but nicely incorporated in the complete aroma profile. It burns without any problems. The taste gets to more deep and earthly aromas, from the fresh, crisp almost grassy taste of the first draughts, at the second third of the pipes filling. But it remains clear and hones throughout. A great tobacco indeed and a recommendation for the beginner, since it burns without any problems and tastes like tobacco. Give it a try. I surely did not regret it.

A staple in my rotation to this day, this is the first English I ever smoked, my introduction to sweet Lady Latakia that made me fall in love with pipe smoking all those years ago. Very creamy and smooth, consistent, tasty, deep and rich. While there is perfect balance between the Virginia, Latakia, Orientals and Cavendish, what makes this blend so unique and delicious is the synergy between the Latakia and Basma Orientals. Cool burn, no bite. Great smoke. A classic that still conjures up memories of times long ago and all the decades together.

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What could I say bout this that hasn't been said?

My second lat blend. First being 965 and that rang my bell (my first nirvana smoke) so my tobacconist suggested this as something diff than that. Well not a bell ringer I could tell even as novice I was that OD is Quality w a capital Q.

Smells great, packs and burns like a tobacco should.. with no fuss. Smokes to ash no problem. As a matter of fact it smokes so we'll towards the bottom of the bowl that I don't realize it's almost finished till my tamper bottoms out in the bowl.

Will always have this on hand as as my go to English (it's pretty close to being an ALL DAY ENGLISH

This is a classic english blend, and when I say classic english I mean a serious, top quality tobacco, with enough latakia and oriental. When I say classic english blend, I think of blends like Dunhill Nightcap, Dunhill MM964, Dunhill Aperitif, Peterson Wild Atlantic, Ashton Consummate Gentleman and Artisan’s Blend, Samuel Gawith Commonwealth Mixture and Squadron Leader etc. It’s in the same league with these bad boys.

Now, first things first... Tin note is smoky, woody, tangy and fermented tobacco.

Moisture is good, but will require some drying time before packing.

Presents itself as beautifully cut ribbons of medium size, with lots of gold, brown and black leaves.

First bowl I’ve had slapped me in the face for some reason. It was harsh, strong, imposing. It somehow reminded me of Dunhill’s Durbar. However, this mellowed down.

Good amount of latakia and oriental. It’s mostly smoky and spicy with just a little sweetness from the black cavendish and virginia, at times it’s harsh and other times it’s soft. Tastes very natural and you can easily detect all the different tobaccos. The taste is medium to full. If there is any added flavoring, it’s too little and the natural flavors of the tobacco are overtaking the added flavor. Also, since I’ve mentioned black cavendish, it will not be noticeable like in other blends, it’s barely noticeble. Great balance of the tobaccos, though latakia and orientals are dominant (as it should in an english). Very good quality tobacco. Don’t dry this one too much. It’s spicy enough from the orientals, if it’s too dry you’ll feel like smoking a big amount of perique.

As a heavy cigarette smoker, I always need to take a break from smoking a pipe and light up a cigarette to give myself the needed dose of nicotine which I don’t usually get from pipe smoking (I rarely inhale from the pipe). The only pipe tobacco blends that didn’t require cigarettes were from Peterson (ex. 3P’s or University Flake), and the same is with Old Dublin. A good amount of nicotine.

Burns extremely well, with no need or relights, no tonguebite, no hot smoke. Delivers only a cool and thick smoke.

Another great english from Peterson, along with Wild Atlantic. I’ll have to test more of their english blends.

Medium room note with lots of smoky incense smell.