Peterson Old Dublin

I have avoided this since it was first launched: it contains Latakia, and I rarely go there, but it's the only Perterson blend I've not tried - so here I am:

The blending notes on this page indicate "Greek" Basma Grades and I don't know if this is verified, but I think that strictly speaking 'Basma' is the generic term for Turkish derived leaves -interested to here other views on this!

The interaction between Latakia and Basma is very interesting in this blend and this, in my view, distingishes it from a typical medium English mixture, which of course it's not.

Open the tin and the Latakia slaps you in the face; however, light-up and it's the oriental that takes prominence from offing. The Basma sweetness is there from the start of the smoke and the Latakia just seems to linger in the background almost as though it's a passenger on the journey; the real action is with the oriental's in the driving seat. There is simply too much oriental influence in this blend to classify it as a straight English medium mixture. I have smoked orientals [without Latakia] for more than 30 years, and yet I can live with this blend because the Basma almost, but not entirely, neutralizes the latakia content.

Other reviewers have noted that the latakia is not over-powering and they are absolutely right.

On the practacalities: the blend is very moist and benefits from drying almost to the point where it's toasty in texture. It also 'smarts' the tongue if pushed too quickly - especially in its moist form - allow it to breathe out of the tin before smoking.

Only somewhat recommended (because of the latakia), but I would consider this a short-term alternative, if for some reason, I could not obtain my favourite latakia-free oriental.

First impression: Yuck! But after the tin had been opened for one month, the sweet tinnote had changed to a pleasant natural tobacco smell.

The taste also became quite alright after the tin had been opened for a month, but somehow it took me 3 months to smoke 3/4's of the 50gr tin. it's good but l tend to pick another of my opened tins when choosing what to smoke. No reason for it but there you go.

In short a good EM, but I prefer others, hence the low rating...

My first review on here, so here goes -

I ordered a tin of this as the reviews on here sounded promising. Admitedly I am a fairly new pipe smoker having dabbled for a while whilst trying to give up the cigarettes. I have now devoted myself to the art of pipe smoking and am currently in pursuit of the pipe smokers nirvana.

Sadly I have not found it in this tobacco. I know that many on here praise this tobaccos qualities but maybe my palate has just not acquired the taste for this blend. Whilst I can appreciate the quality of the tobaccos in this, I find it is just not doing it for me. I am not saying that it is bad, it just is not my cup of tea.

On opening the tin there is a promising note of good tobacco with something going on in the background. This you discover is the Latakia which to me is an acquired taste. Somewhat like discovering that Earl Grey tea tastes different from normal tea. Nothing wrong with that its just different.

At the moment, I cannot give chapter and verse as to the merits of each variety of leaf just an overall impression of whether it tastes good and to me as a newbie pipe smoker it is not for me. Maybe in years to come I will revisit this tobacco and change my opinion but it is not one that I shall be ordering again soon. I will finish the tin, as I hate to waste money. I ordered this with a selection of others Old Gowrie, Connoisseurs Choice and Sunset Breeze and so far this is my least favourite. I can only put that down to the Latakia as I know they are all quality tobaccos.

In conclusion, it lights well, burns well, is not too moist out of the tin, burns cool in the pipe but is an acquired taste for the more experienced pipe smoker and not for the new boy. Incidently, it also gave me hiccoughs but maybe thats just my inexperience in smoking too quickly.

two stars for the quality of tobacco but loses two because its not for me.

I'm just continuing to clean my cellar up, and trying to finish some old tins left open.

Old Dublin is something bought five years ago or even more, still the "Made in Ireland" (Murray?) manufacture. About five bowls remaining, I have rehydrate to the minimum extent.

I have immediately realized the reason why I have never come through this again... too much plain and balanced, there is nothing of any importance happening. Oh, the weed is (was?) good quality, but no room enough between the players.

OD may be good for somebody and, if an english mixture can fit in the role of all-day smoke, OD suit the task. But not for me, thank You! Way too much expensive for that.

Not too sure about this one yet. Reminds me a little of Charing Cross with its bitter green pepper taste. Smells like an English in the tin..... but something is lacking in the smoke. Easy to pack. Moist at first, but seems to be drying out properly.

This gives off a sour aroma and flavor that I find very distracting.

All of the Peterson tobaccos I have tried leave a cigarette aftertaste. I prefer Squadron Leader or Nightcap for blends in this vein.

Not bad but not enough latakia if that is what you are looking for. A nice mild smoke preferably one for the first of the day. I like cavenish mixed with latakia. Will smoke a few more bowls before gifing it a final rating...nothing really sticks out.

The first bowl of this Peterson blend was very good. I usually find myself in the Aromatic camp, and this was recommended as a good change of pace. It was that. It's a spicy blend that smokes dry and cool. Very little tongue bite. Unfortunately, each successive bowl has been less and less enjoyable. The "spiciness" has begun to taste remarkably like soap to me. I now wonder whether I'm smoking "Old Dublin" or an old bar of "Irish Spring." Perhaps someday I'll "graduate" from aromatics to the more English styles, but if so, it won't be with this tin. I'll keep it in my rotation until it's gone, but I won't be replacing it.

While smoking Old Dublin, I see myself as a bearded outdoorsman, flannel shirt now ripe after three days in the wild. I've just finished my dinner -- the trout I caught earlier today -- and the crackling open fire complements the aroma of my half-smoked bowl. The sky is clear and the stars are beginning to twinkle. Only a few more days until I'll have to return to the office. The occasional puffs of smoke drift off into a seemingly endless forest . . . .

This just tastes unrefined to me: rough and harsh if you will. It's not that it is a bad tobacco, there are just many latakia/oriental blends that I like much better e.g., McClelland 5125, Penzance, Pirate Kake, etc.

I tried this in a Savinelli Punto Oro and a Peterson Emerald. Perhaps I just have not found the pipe that matches this blend. At times it seemed promising, but then just went flat.

I only smoked this blend on my ride home from work. Maybe the conditions weren't right. But after 18 or 20 bowls, I will pass.

I do not know what it is about this blend that just does not click with me. It seems that the style of curing or some added components do not work well in this blend. It is not very flavorful... all I can taste most of the time is best described as thin. There is no billowing smoke as with many other good Englishes. Yet, it still manages to assault the nose and back of throat. There seems to be a noticeable alcohol-like twang in the two Peterson's I've tried, this and Irish Oak. With Irish Oak it works, here it does not.

I would recommend this to those starting out with latakia, but then again, if others experience the same thing as I did, I would not want it to spoil their first experience with this type of tobacco. 2 of 4 stars.