April 2008 - Dunhill Early Morning Pipe

is a staple for me. I've been smoking this one for 11 years and I love it. Had some today that is about 8 years old and there are few tobaccos I like better.

I had the pleasure of trying my first tin of EMP about a month ago. It is for sure one of my favorite blends. Not only is is great first thing, but it really can be smoked all day long and never get tiresome IMO.

For the TOTM I am working through a 2 oz. bulk sampling. No discernible difference... but more on that later.

Is EP similar in basic taste to Nightcap? I love Nightcap, but have to be in the mood for it. I can't imagine it'll kick you in the gizzard like Nightcap does it?

Danke,

EMP is nowhere near Nightcap. The are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Nightcap is a full blown heavy Latakia punch to the kisser, EMP is soft, slightly sweet and mild. A very nice blend of Orientals and Virginia's.

I could probably continue to make all kinds of comparisons to demonstrate the differences, but I think you get the idea.

Greetings!

I really like EMP, but I have not smoked any in probably two years! I can't believe I've gone so long. EMP is a long-time favorite of mine. I love the spicy orientals mixing with the Virginias!

Regarding its relation to Nightcap, I agree with Eager Beaver, except, again, I find EMP spicy with orientals. Nightcap also has a healthy dose of perique, which provides more nicotine hit.

Enjoy this blend, folks.

Tom Clemons

but that is exactly what I am going to do. I had my first tin about two years ago and thought it harsh and rough on the edge, flavor was strong but unappreciated, thought McCelland O#14 was better and SG Squadron Leader topped the MC. I found it not at all a smooth smoke and was greatly relieved when it was gone.

So, I have a second tin, 1 yr 9 mo old - considering the impression I had on the first tin should I;

a) Give it another shot now?
b) Wait till it hits the 3 yr mark?
c) Trade for something I like
d) Give it away?
e) Ignite it and reduce my oil bill?

If you choose option D, my address if forthcoming. LOL

I don't know what additional age will do for it, although it's predominantly VA's, so it might round it out even more. Your call buddy, I hope it appeals to you though and you have the chance to get the enjoyment out of this blend that I do.

I would give it another shot, who knows, you might like it, and if you don't, there is still option D with the leftover. he he.

This one is a permanent member of my cellar. I don't have years and years of experience with it, but I know it almost as well as I know my OGS. It's a favorite for when the latakia bug bites me, which DOES happen.

At the moment I don't have much of it stored - maybe 10 tins or so.

The only problem I have with this blend is the price - at least the price of it over here. 15 USD for 50 grams. It's a bit steep compared to many other blends available in Denmark.

I just finished a 50g tin and will order a few more or try it in bulk. I did order some P Stokkebye English Luxury, which I'm told is similar but a little more stout than emp. Will report on it when I try it.
Dave

Oops - sorry for forgetting to post the new sidebar :p

I know you have been busy. I figured I could at least start the thread... and anytime I pulled up MPC, I would just tape a picture of EMP on my computer screen, roughly where the sidebar is. Seemed to work fine for me....

I guess I can take the tin off my screen. The 3D effect has been bothersome.

Despite the price, I really should stock more of this. After having reacquainted myself with this excellent blend, I have realized I don't have nearly enough of it stored. Just 6 months of age really makes a difference with the overall taste of EMP.

If so is it a prounounced road tar punch in the face or the mild background latakia with the Orientals/VA up front (a la Squadron Leader). And oh yeah, if OJK were an English Blend it would be called Nightcap. This stuff I like. Good nicotine, a bit of perique and good to smoke.

EMP is mostly orientals and virginia, but there is also latakia in there. I find it very pleasant. Being a huge fan of oriental blends myself, this mixture hits all the right spots. It's not a slap in the face, but you definitely have to be into the spicier leaf to enjoy EMP.

I will echo Lars sentiments, EMP is topnotch, and is at this point #1 or #2 in my rotation. I would say it is a bit softer than Squadron Leader, not as rich, but more on the spicy side. Good stuff, worth a shot. My bet is, if you like SL, you will like EMP.

Hi all,
Put in order for 8oz emp/80z night cap and 8 oz of Admiralty.
This should cover my english moods. Also have over 8 oz of English Luxury which I like alot. I'm suposed to receive some Dunhil 965 and another Dunhil from Timberwolf for a pipe I sent him a month ago. Looking forward to trying them.
Dave

EMP is a joy to my day. I've been pretty day kicking off each day with a bowlful of it for some years now. It is the perfect adjunct to a large cup of coffee & a sunrise. Birdsong is the sweeter for it. I'd rate it a mild English. 965 is my other 'can't do without'. Nightcap just doesn't do it. And it's not the Latakia (I love Penzance)- the blend just doesn't come together for me. Glad to find PS English Luxury finding favour here. I had gone off it a little after my batch seems to have stood a little too close to some of that Lane stuff. The contamination is unmistakable.

I'm struggling with locating a pipe that will handle EMP well. As a result, I have been sampling EMP in a lot of pipes lately. My usual EMP pipe has been dedicated to Balkan 759 some time ago and I don't want to switch, so the hunt is on.

Boy, you can really sense the family resemblence between EMP, London Mixture, and Nightcap. There is definitely some commonality between these three distinctly different but definitely related tobaccos.

For me London Mixture is my English desert island blend. I absolutely love everything about it so it basically is my measuring stick. I found Nightcap too heavy (which makes sense if you're looking to put a finish to a full day of smoking englishes - you'd want to finish off with a strong kick). I find EMP too light. Its good tobac for sure, but I kept hoping for more flavor from the smoke. Something bolder. Something with perhaps a bit more nicotine kick. More, but not as much as Nightcap. I guess I was hoping for London Mixture. Am I disappointed with EMP? No, its just about what I would imagine you might want to start your day off with if you were one that liked englishes enough to smoke them first thing in the AM ... but I smoke in the afternoon and evenings after meals usually - when my palate is already overloaded from the meal and wanting something more.

So, there you have it. It won't replace my beloved London Mixture but I'll sure finish off the tin. And who knows, this was just the first pipe - one dedicated to englishes and well seasoned. Perhaps a different size bowl will do the trick? Maybe a heavier packing? Maybe a bit of drying? I'll work all those angles and report back if my opinion changes. Either way, I'm staying open to this blend because its pretty darn good anyway and so many folks have raved about it ... maybe I'm still missing it.

Overall, I would consider it a light blend for sure. The beauty of EMP, for me anyway, is that in the morning, with a clean palate, the subtle flavors really pop out. I have tried smoking it later in the day, and found it can sometimes be a bit boring, but first thing, with nothing else clouding the taste, it is a damn fine and complex smoke. YMMV

I love to begin the day with a large bowlful of EMP & 2 cups of coffee - it sort of sets me up for the day. Sometimes I'll press the point home by following up later with 965. EMP does less well later in the day - I don't know why. It's like one doesn't smoke Penzance before lunch. BTW, I've grown to appreciate my little stock of Nightcap - it just needed a little time.