Peterson Sherlock Holmes
(2.68)
An old 19th century blend of orange and red smoking leaf, Brazilian burley and Virginia Mysore Indian tobacco.
Notes: From the current Peterson website: A signature Peterson tobacco made with an old Irish recipe dating back to 1889. It is one of the finest tobaccos smoked in the time of Sherlock Holmes. The straight Virginia blend possesses all of the natural flavour associated with a premier Virginia tobacco.
Moderator note: there is a conflict between the tin description and Peterson's website regarding whether or not burley is present. We have elected to use both descriptions for now.
Details
| Brand | Peterson |
| Blended By | Peterson |
| Manufactured By | Scandinavian Tobacco Group |
| Blend Type | Virginia Based |
| Contents | Burley, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Fruit / Citrus |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.68 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 41 - 50 of 262 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 22, 2018 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
OK, first off let’s try to get past the name. Whether it is attractive or stupid or solely to do with marketing or if it is a ploy for sales or to appeal to the American market, does not matter. What the tobacco is like is the only significance.
Real proper almost astringent Virginia aroma from the tin, fruity and quite zesty but with a subtle vanilla sweetness in the background. A fine ribbon cut in shades of golden brown that is easy to pack. Upon lighting and initial draws the taste is towards a good quality cigarette... hmmm, not quite what I was looking for or expecting. I would imagine if smoked fast (my default pace) this would be ok for previous cigarette smokers but this was not what I wanted.
If I had stopped there my review would have been poor, the same as many previously posted here. However, the revelation came when after a few minutes I forced myself to slow down only as I thought I was heading for bite. Forced into ‘sipping' the pipe led to a completely different experience.
The grassy notes were subtle but well defined, fresh and dry and gently sweet, as was a richness that I had not previously perceived. My initial thoughts now were of lemon tea, particularly when exhaling through the nose. So after the false start, so far, so good.
But after 20 minutes things really step up a level with smoky caramel and nutty notes coming through (possibly from the Burley) and then a very distinct and surprising, almost refreshing citrus flavour on the exhale and remaining as a delicious aftertaste. These flavours combined with the perfect level of nicotine and the fact that I was doing nothing but concentrating on the act of smoking left me feeling very mellow and experiencing an almost perfect smoke. This is what I would have missed had I just puffed away as normal.
Sherlock Holmes is a tobacco of subtlety and nuance and does require the investment of time – it is not an all-day smoke, to stuff in the pipe when you are concentrating on something else, it is a treat to be saved for when you have the time to dedicate to doing nothing but smoking. Puff away and you WILL be disappointed but give this tobacco the time and it will handsomely repay. This is very close to the top of my list.
Real proper almost astringent Virginia aroma from the tin, fruity and quite zesty but with a subtle vanilla sweetness in the background. A fine ribbon cut in shades of golden brown that is easy to pack. Upon lighting and initial draws the taste is towards a good quality cigarette... hmmm, not quite what I was looking for or expecting. I would imagine if smoked fast (my default pace) this would be ok for previous cigarette smokers but this was not what I wanted.
If I had stopped there my review would have been poor, the same as many previously posted here. However, the revelation came when after a few minutes I forced myself to slow down only as I thought I was heading for bite. Forced into ‘sipping' the pipe led to a completely different experience.
The grassy notes were subtle but well defined, fresh and dry and gently sweet, as was a richness that I had not previously perceived. My initial thoughts now were of lemon tea, particularly when exhaling through the nose. So after the false start, so far, so good.
But after 20 minutes things really step up a level with smoky caramel and nutty notes coming through (possibly from the Burley) and then a very distinct and surprising, almost refreshing citrus flavour on the exhale and remaining as a delicious aftertaste. These flavours combined with the perfect level of nicotine and the fact that I was doing nothing but concentrating on the act of smoking left me feeling very mellow and experiencing an almost perfect smoke. This is what I would have missed had I just puffed away as normal.
Sherlock Holmes is a tobacco of subtlety and nuance and does require the investment of time – it is not an all-day smoke, to stuff in the pipe when you are concentrating on something else, it is a treat to be saved for when you have the time to dedicate to doing nothing but smoking. Puff away and you WILL be disappointed but give this tobacco the time and it will handsomely repay. This is very close to the top of my list.
Pipe Used:
Peterson, Falcon, Carey
PurchasedFrom:
Smoke-King
Age When Smoked:
Less than a year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2016 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Very Pleasant |
I think every smoker has those blends that were instant favorites. 965, Full Virginia Flake, Chelsea Morning... The tobaccos that we panic when we begin to run low. I watched a YouTube review of this tobacco and threw an oz of bulk on my last P&C order. I remember opening the little bag, and taking a whiff. Orange? Lemon? Citrus for sure. I packed this into my trusty tasting cob. And BAM.. A new favorite.
This is not a punch you in the face blend, if that's what you're looking for walk away. This is a nice, mild blend with the faintest of citrus flavoring in the background, and is there even any nicotine in this blend? This tobacco is best suited after a hard days work in the July heat, with a light pilsner playing compliment.
This is not a punch you in the face blend, if that's what you're looking for walk away. This is a nice, mild blend with the faintest of citrus flavoring in the background, and is there even any nicotine in this blend? This tobacco is best suited after a hard days work in the July heat, with a light pilsner playing compliment.
Pipe Used:
Cob
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 29, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This blend burns hot as the temper of a woman from the tropics, flavorless as certain rare poisons culled from exotic flowers, and tastes like papers burnt to cover a crime. That is, when you can keep it lit.
The scent is very unusual but not totally unpleasant. Reminded be of blackberry brandy, though this isn't what I would call a sweet aromatic by any stretch of the imagination. The scent doesn't really make it's way to the flavor at all. After several attempts in different pipes, this is the first tobacco that I just gave up on and gave away. The guy that I gave it to couldn't keep it lit either, but said that it didn't taste bad. Hopefully he wasn't just being polite.
There is an outside chance that this could be your thing. The only thing this blend has going for it as far as I can see is that it's ver unique. If you really want to try an unusual crossover and just feel like taking a gamble, go for it. Otherwise, I'd skip it.
The scent is very unusual but not totally unpleasant. Reminded be of blackberry brandy, though this isn't what I would call a sweet aromatic by any stretch of the imagination. The scent doesn't really make it's way to the flavor at all. After several attempts in different pipes, this is the first tobacco that I just gave up on and gave away. The guy that I gave it to couldn't keep it lit either, but said that it didn't taste bad. Hopefully he wasn't just being polite.
There is an outside chance that this could be your thing. The only thing this blend has going for it as far as I can see is that it's ver unique. If you really want to try an unusual crossover and just feel like taking a gamble, go for it. Otherwise, I'd skip it.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Iwan Ries & Co
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 26, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Peterson's Sherlock Holmes mixture is a pipe tobacco for which the sum is less than the total of its parts. What are its constituents? Several types of Virginias of obvious high quality. And Burley. The Peterson web site currently refers to "the straight Virginia blend," but the tin proclaims "a Virginia and burley leaf blend of great character with a sweet taste and aromatic aroma." And a mild flavoring of a fruit/citrus nature.
Open the tin and you find a ribbon cut of varied gold and brown strands. Upon doing so, the grassy Virginias aroma is matched by the fruity and raisiny flavoring agents which seem somewhat stronger than comes through in the smoking. Is this a semi aromatic or a light aromatic? I vote for light aromatic.
The moisture level is fine for immediate smoking, unlike most tinned blends which benefit from some drying time. It lights easily and seldom requires a relight. The nicotine level registers in a little below medium. The room note is OK, nothing to excite others but also nothing to offend any but the most obnoxious non smokers.
For a primarily Virginia blend the chance of biting is small so long as a gentle puffing rate is observed. As with all Virginia dominant tobaccos, a fast puff regimen creates some problem, especially for sensitive tongues.
I smoke this in my pipes reserved for Virginias or Virginia/periques. But unless you smoke repeated bowls in the same pipe, ghosting should be no problem.
All told, the combination should offer an outstanding smoking experience. For me it is not. There is nothing wrong with Sherlock Holmes, but it lacks the pizzazz that impels me to highly recommend it. Boring? Tedious? Both of those words are far too harsh. Unremarkable? That pretty well sums it up for me.
Open the tin and you find a ribbon cut of varied gold and brown strands. Upon doing so, the grassy Virginias aroma is matched by the fruity and raisiny flavoring agents which seem somewhat stronger than comes through in the smoking. Is this a semi aromatic or a light aromatic? I vote for light aromatic.
The moisture level is fine for immediate smoking, unlike most tinned blends which benefit from some drying time. It lights easily and seldom requires a relight. The nicotine level registers in a little below medium. The room note is OK, nothing to excite others but also nothing to offend any but the most obnoxious non smokers.
For a primarily Virginia blend the chance of biting is small so long as a gentle puffing rate is observed. As with all Virginia dominant tobaccos, a fast puff regimen creates some problem, especially for sensitive tongues.
I smoke this in my pipes reserved for Virginias or Virginia/periques. But unless you smoke repeated bowls in the same pipe, ghosting should be no problem.
All told, the combination should offer an outstanding smoking experience. For me it is not. There is nothing wrong with Sherlock Holmes, but it lacks the pizzazz that impels me to highly recommend it. Boring? Tedious? Both of those words are far too harsh. Unremarkable? That pretty well sums it up for me.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2016 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Sherlock Holmes works best as a 'transitional' blend.it is not cased enough to be an aromatic and not straight enough to be considered a natural blend. There are no strong flavours and strangely this tobacco tastes very much like it smells. This tobacco is becoming more & more enjoyable. Overall good stuff, worth to try it.
Pipe Used:
Kaywoodie
PurchasedFrom:
Local tobacconist store
Age When Smoked:
Fresh to 6 month
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 21, 2016 | Very Mild | None Detected | Very Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I am really struggling to think of something positive to say about this particular blend, all I can think is that it packs very easily due to being a ribbon cut.
The smoking experience itself is a very bland one with zero flavour & minimal taste......it really is that bad. Granted, come mid bowl it picks up ever so slightly but still lacks flavour. This is one very dull & boring smoke and not one I feel I could recommend.
The smoking experience itself is a very bland one with zero flavour & minimal taste......it really is that bad. Granted, come mid bowl it picks up ever so slightly but still lacks flavour. This is one very dull & boring smoke and not one I feel I could recommend.
Pipe Used:
Kaywoodie Oom Paul & Barling TVF brandy.
PurchasedFrom:
Harvey's of Redruth, Cornwall.
Age When Smoked:
Fresh.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 09, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Now, as is well known, Sherlock Holmes himself favoured a well-used clay churchwarden in which, according to Watson, he smoked an "evil dark shag" that he kept in an old Persian slipper. As you do.
Peterson's "Sherlock Holmes" is about as far as you can get from an evil dark shag. As the blend description says, it's a blend that's mostly light Virginia with some Burley added in then topped with something clearly related to fruit.
On opening the tin the smell of the topping wafts out, the smell of the tobacco itself being pretty much overwhelmed. I'm not sure what the topping is, sometimes I think there's cherry in it, or maybe blackberries, or perhaps plum.. The tobacco itself is a pretty standard ribbon cut with a few bigger bits of leaf every so often. The moisture level is pretty much smokable straight from the tin, and if you want to dry it to a crisp that doesn't take very long.
Me, I prefer it with a little moisture still present.
Smoking it, the initial taste is a mix of a good quality mild to medium VaBur with the topping clearly there but no longer overwhelming the tobacco. As the bowl progresses the topping recedes pretty quickly, then is present in just enough quantity to add something to the leaf rather than dominate. Similar to how the plum in University Flake adds something without being too forward.
It's a pleasant enough tobacco, though I can see it could bite if puffed vigorously or drawn on too hard. Slow and gentle is the way to treat this blend.
It would make a good, uncomplicated all-day tobacco I think, in fact that's how I've been treating it. The nicotine level is enough to let you know it's there, but quite mild by British/Irish pipe tobacco standards.
Overall, a gently pleasant blend without much in the way of complexity, just good quality leaf and a topping that adds a little interest and works very well without taking things into the realm of "American-style" aromatics.
Peterson's "Sherlock Holmes" is about as far as you can get from an evil dark shag. As the blend description says, it's a blend that's mostly light Virginia with some Burley added in then topped with something clearly related to fruit.
On opening the tin the smell of the topping wafts out, the smell of the tobacco itself being pretty much overwhelmed. I'm not sure what the topping is, sometimes I think there's cherry in it, or maybe blackberries, or perhaps plum.. The tobacco itself is a pretty standard ribbon cut with a few bigger bits of leaf every so often. The moisture level is pretty much smokable straight from the tin, and if you want to dry it to a crisp that doesn't take very long.
Me, I prefer it with a little moisture still present.
Smoking it, the initial taste is a mix of a good quality mild to medium VaBur with the topping clearly there but no longer overwhelming the tobacco. As the bowl progresses the topping recedes pretty quickly, then is present in just enough quantity to add something to the leaf rather than dominate. Similar to how the plum in University Flake adds something without being too forward.
It's a pleasant enough tobacco, though I can see it could bite if puffed vigorously or drawn on too hard. Slow and gentle is the way to treat this blend.
It would make a good, uncomplicated all-day tobacco I think, in fact that's how I've been treating it. The nicotine level is enough to let you know it's there, but quite mild by British/Irish pipe tobacco standards.
Overall, a gently pleasant blend without much in the way of complexity, just good quality leaf and a topping that adds a little interest and works very well without taking things into the realm of "American-style" aromatics.
Pipe Used:
A variety of briars
PurchasedFrom:
www.mysmokingshop.co.uk
Age When Smoked:
New tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 08, 2016 | Mild | Mild | Mild to Medium | Unnoticeable |
I bought this one at my local b&m, wanting to try a simple tobacco and Peterson I had not had before. This one seemed to fit the bill.
The tine note I found to be one of cherries. Very nice. Packing and lighting are easy. The initial smoke was one of hay, much like a milder version of SG Golden Glow, something which nicely impressed me. As the smoke progressed, the topping began to kick in, something fruity, possibly those cherries again, though no citrus availed itself on my tongue. As I have progressed down the tin, the topping has kicked in earlier and has combined very nicely with the hay of the virginia. I have found a little tonguebite in the first third of the bowl or so, even when I ease off with the smoking, but the flavour so nicely dallies over the top of it, it seems to be more of a beauty spot than a wart.
In summary, this is a very nice, mild aromatic that plays nicely on the tastes buds and combines well a good virginia with what is perhaps a hint of burley with an excellent, restrained topping. In this case, both the tobacco and the topping complement rather than obscure each other. It reminds me a little of Dunhill 3 Year Matured Virginia, a well blended baccy, only this does burn hotter and bites a little more. That's no real biggy though, an all round good tobacco that will go back to time after time.
The tine note I found to be one of cherries. Very nice. Packing and lighting are easy. The initial smoke was one of hay, much like a milder version of SG Golden Glow, something which nicely impressed me. As the smoke progressed, the topping began to kick in, something fruity, possibly those cherries again, though no citrus availed itself on my tongue. As I have progressed down the tin, the topping has kicked in earlier and has combined very nicely with the hay of the virginia. I have found a little tonguebite in the first third of the bowl or so, even when I ease off with the smoking, but the flavour so nicely dallies over the top of it, it seems to be more of a beauty spot than a wart.
In summary, this is a very nice, mild aromatic that plays nicely on the tastes buds and combines well a good virginia with what is perhaps a hint of burley with an excellent, restrained topping. In this case, both the tobacco and the topping complement rather than obscure each other. It reminds me a little of Dunhill 3 Year Matured Virginia, a well blended baccy, only this does burn hotter and bites a little more. That's no real biggy though, an all round good tobacco that will go back to time after time.
Pipe Used:
Rogers Standard Algerian Briar
PurchasedFrom:
Cuban Cigar Club
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from the tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 21, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Medium to Strong | Mild to Medium | Very Strong |
I did not get on well with this blend.
Nice tin note, very moist, well presented.
Dried some out and fired it up. Lights very easy, packs and lights well.
Then it all goes horribly wrong. It tastes like low grade cheap and nasty cigarettes. The smoke is sharp and harsh, the aroma bitter and cheap, the aro elements just make the bowl burn incredibly hot.
Gave it a few bowls in a few different pipes. Every time I tried it the same result. It actually stings my nostrils, leaves me with a film of crud on my palate which I cannot seem to get rid of, and each time I feel like a teenager who just tried a cigarette for the first time.
How on Earth Peterson produce this at the same time as the Irish Flake and Irish Whiskey is beyond me.
Give it a wide birth.
Nice tin note, very moist, well presented.
Dried some out and fired it up. Lights very easy, packs and lights well.
Then it all goes horribly wrong. It tastes like low grade cheap and nasty cigarettes. The smoke is sharp and harsh, the aroma bitter and cheap, the aro elements just make the bowl burn incredibly hot.
Gave it a few bowls in a few different pipes. Every time I tried it the same result. It actually stings my nostrils, leaves me with a film of crud on my palate which I cannot seem to get rid of, and each time I feel like a teenager who just tried a cigarette for the first time.
How on Earth Peterson produce this at the same time as the Irish Flake and Irish Whiskey is beyond me.
Give it a wide birth.
Pipe Used:
A now ruined WDC billiard
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 05, 2016 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
If you think this stuff is a treat then you may also like to smoke a citrus scented pile of barber shop hair 👎🏻 Not a fan at all
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