Peterson Old Dublin

Un tabacco particolare, forse un po’ sottovalutato. Devo dire che apprezzo molto la confezione, una tonalità di blu molto particolare.

Apriamo la latta, il tabacco si presenta molto pressato e, al tatto, di umidità giusta per poter essere immediatamente fumato. Annusato a crudo prevale il Cavendish e il Virginia, dopo si apprezzano sia gli Orientali che il Latakia. La pipa si carica con estrema facilità, merito di un ottimmo ribbon. Accendiamo e assaporiamo gli aromi.

Si può essere sorpresi dalla rotondità e dal gusto, ma addirittura meravigliati per la gentilezza con cui le componenti più rudi (Orientali e Latakia) sanno manifestarsi. Non vuol dire che sono assenti, ci sono, eccome, solo che sono educati, gentili, non prendono mai il sopravvento nella miscela, sono mescolati al punto giusto per essere un cocktail superiore. Non si perde mai una nota delle singole componenti del mix.

La fumata procede con grande regolarità e semplicità, ogni tanto un po’ di pigino e via sereni per godersi questo fumo profondo, ricco e liscio. Al termine della fumata resterà come ricordo una ottima persistenza e una cenere grigia. La note ambientale è buona, ovvio per chi ama i tabacchi naturali.

Come concludere? Innanzitutto diciamo che questo tabacco, di buona reperibilità, sfata la leggenda che non abbiamo buoni tabacchi e si debba sempre emigrare per trovare grandi prodotti. Poi la mescolanza delle componenti davvero buona fa si che possa essere consigliato a chi voglia conoscere il Latakia e le EM senza esserne travolto. Poi il fumatore più navigato e amante del Latakia qui potrà trovare sulla nota di leggerezza che, vivaddio, nell’arco della giornata è necessaria.

La conclusione numerica? 4,9/5 solo per la penalizzazione che noi italici fumatori siamo costretti per il prezzo imposto ai nostri amati tabacchi.

This is an OK blend in its category. A little too far on the mild scale for my tastes. I got this tobacco early on and thought I would enjoy it. For a while I did, but with all things tastes graduate eventually. I am still a big fan of the category it falls in, but lean toward what I consider far better. This would serve as a good intro for folks thinking about trying “English” blends. It’s not going to overwhelm you in any way. I picked this up early in pipe smoking based on the Peterson name and people’s reviews of the brand.

The tobacco comes pretty much ready to smoke. Dry time has changed nothing for me. It lights easy enough and burns well, but needs relights. Because the flavors are so mild, I’m not sure it’s worth venturing into a discussion on them. If you want a taste of the style of blend - I can easily recommend this to a new smoker. In fact, I might encourage new smokers to dip their toes in with this one to see if the subtle hints they are getting are worth further exploring.

So, I can recommend this blend but I think it’s more for new smokers. It’s a bit airy or perhaps a lite beer compared to nice lager when considering other, and better, options available. I will still keep nightcap around, but unlikely to maintain many Peterson blends outside of it. Just personal tastes I suppose.

An English mixture that without making much noise rubs shoulders with some of the emblematic ones. It has a reputation for leaving an overwhelming aroma in the room, and it is true that in that sense it is strong, but if you like latakia you will enjoy that smell like a pig in a puddle. During the smoke it is smoothed and rounded by the Orientals and the Cavendish.

There isn't much flavor going on here with this one, even compared to most English blends, but this blend has a certain meditative effect that I find calming to it. The latakia is the forefront blend here, though I can still make out some of the orientals, but only slightly.

A very smooth "English" that Latakia aroma is immediately noticeable upon opening the tin in fact the tin note is delicious. Virginia leaf lays underneath and the basma finishes the blend beautifully. The different leaf is visible in that fine "Dunhill" now *Peterson" cut. Loading is easy and moisture content is perfect, lights and stays lit straight away with just a light tamp after the charring light to flatten the ash crown and away you go.

Seems pretty well balanced but too strong for my tastes. Slightly strange note that I don't like so much. Recommended if you like strong English with a good balance of lat and orientals.

My first dabble with an english blend.

Having previously only encountered latakia in French cigarettes where the tobacco was pitch black, the room-note lethal and the strength and nic-hit enough to bring a horse to it's knees, I knew I was in for something completely different after being intrigued by the tin being available at the local tobacconist's and a quick look at the blend here at TobaccoReviews (especially the rating) before purchasing.

Opening the tin the pungent aroma of those mediterranean tobaccos and the blacks and darks of the rather fine ribbons further confirmed that this is going to be an experience at least. Packing the pipe with the ribbon was easy and, being semi-dry already from the tin, took to light like tinder and kept burning consistently. The first few puffs immediately brought to mind those black-tobaccoed cigarettes but surprisingly, while the smoke was clearly on the strong side for me, it was also incredibly smooth and easy-going at the same time. Lack of tongue-bite compared to strength of aroma was even more surprising; smoked calmly and carefully, it's almost non-existent. Retrohaling the smoke and the room note and comparing that to the tin note conjured up in my mind an image of a hot sunny summer's day at the yard, with men in blue overalls and hats sitting down on a pile of railway sleepers to take a smoke break while a locomotive slowly hisses out steam nearby. What started as a slight shock of something unusual grew on me extremely quickly and by the end of the first bowl, I was a fan.

To be honest, it's just a tad bit on the strong side to be an all-day smoke for me, but like the combination of a good brandy and a strong coffee, it is truly enjoyable if done occasionally. Will surely be buying again.

PS. Room note is a bit difficult to classify with this one as while I personally enjoy it, I can imagine that most non-smokers don't, therefore, Tolerable to Strong.

I'd held off buying peterson's blend mostly because of the tin aesthetics which don't attract me. But the basma oriental leaf is what caused me to disregard the lacking personality of the tin.

I'm very happy I've made this choice. There's nuance in this blend that is truly satisfying for me. Classic Latakia but not too much. It can be harsh sometimes but only for a brief moment. Sweetness and bread notes unfold and this is quite delightful.

It's probably one of my favourite English blends. The basma alone is worth you try this. It's unique.

This is the first English blend I tried a few years ago and it's the standard to which I measure all other English blends, and so far.... nothing comes close. It's my second favorite tobacco to smoke. Smells like leather straight out of the tin, smooth as butter, with a decent dose of Latakia. and a hint of spice. Peterson nailed this one.

An excellent rotation tobacco.