Dan Tobacco Reviews

I. Dan Tobacco’s Sweet Vanilla Honeydew

I should preface this review by saying that I was overwhelmingly biased towards this tobacco before I ever sat down to ponder a bowl on paper. This blend ranks in my top 5 favorites and no matter how long I take between bowlfuls it never loses it appeal. I recently bought an 8oz bag (I’m finding it almost impossible to buy 50g tins of the stuff) and when I was transferring it into the mason jar I stole a few pinches to enjoy in the present. One I smoked in a meerschaum to focus and record my thoughts, the other pinch was layered with Bob’s Chocolate Flake to make a delicious parfait.
Why do I love this stuff so much? Firstly is the consistency, cut, and fragrance when I open the package. The thin ribbons need not be aired out prior to packing, the odor of the tin is mildly sweet and actually quite underwhelming for an aromatic. Once lit this weed comes fully into its own… The flavors are subtle, yet clearly delineated from one another. The honey is most obvious when sipping my pipe, whereas the vanilla tends to come through more with the retrohale. The Virginias are bright and crisp, which can almost distract you from the muted toppings if you choose to just puff away like a locomotive. When I experiment with the smoke I get new experiences such as French inhaling and getting a flavor like a freshly baked sugar cookie. I have no problems with it burning hot or producing tongue bite (though I’ve admitted to smoking it far short of aggressively).
While experimenting with different blends is one of my favorite aspects of pipe smoking, I have to admit that I cannot imagine ever being without a stash of this weed. I especially recommend it to anyone who has had a bad experience with aromatics and is interested in making one more go at them with a more expensive and delicately crafted blend.

II. Dan Midnight Ride

If I didn’t have more respect for the guys that blend all of Dan’s offerings, I would be tempted to accuse them of breaking into the Dunhill file cabinet and stealing the recipe for Nightcap. I’ve heard some people call this a medium strength blend, and Nightcap full strength, but I venture that at least 8 of 10 smokers would not be able to tell them apart in a blind tin note test. Dunhill talks about adding a touch of Perique to finish the blend, and Dan unashamedly mixes it in from the get-go, but I can’t tell the difference. This blend is a nice ribbon cut with a pleasant mixture of grassiness, and a predominant smokiness, that make it like a bonfire after a nightlong field party. It is not as moist as Nightcap when you first crack the tin, but it is still springy when you pack it. Once you light it, the comparisons to Nightcap fall away. The Virginias are bright and a bit lemony and the Latakia is very mild. There is a pleasant sweetness that isn't like refined sugar, but like ripe garden peas. The Perique gives the slightest bit of nose-tickling, but nothing major. It burns well and is bite-free. As usual Dan delivers- a blend that offers a nice change of pace for aro or Virginia smokers who want to take a walk on the English side.

III. Dan Black Velvet

I'm a big fan of Dan, and used to be a big fan of Guinness Stout, so this seemed like a no-brainer. For those unfamiliar with the blend, the blend is made by spraying the tobacco during the pressing stage (I'm assuming by the finished color it is a hot press) with Guinness and champagne. In the tin it looks like a typical Cavendish, but it utilizes a thick ribbon cut. The scent still carries a nice hay not from the Virginias but there is a little extra sweetness and fruity essence that I assume is from the champagne. The thing I like most about this blend is that I can taste the Virginias underneath it all. The mouth feel of the smoke is actually reminiscent of drinking a stout, and the flavor is definitely similar to the hear on a pint. This has latakia in it, but it is less than Bob'S Chocolate Flake, and I only catch it everyone once in a while. The "tang" of sorts in the finish is probably from the champagne, but I'm just guessing there. It is an interesting blend that burns well and doesn't bite...a nice change of pace.

IV. Dan Devil’s Holiday
I like this blend because the tin note is strong in the way of berries, and it isn’t a black Cavendish blend. The Virginias in the mix breathe grassiness into it, and so it is both fruity, and earthy. If I had to pick a berry (pun intended) I would say it smells like blackberries. The consistency is a bit wet out the tine, but the cut is good and with a little drying, it packs nicely. This is a fun blend because it is in not a gooey, sticky aro. The sweetness in the blend is reminiscent of clover honey, and balances well with the slightly tart berry flavor. The Virginias offer a hay like natural toastiness that keeps the blend from being overwhelming. The room note (and mustache note) is exquisite- a great blend for mixed company. I had a little more trouble keeping this lit than I do other Dan blends, but I think I only had about 5 relights through the entire pipe. Overall I think this is a step up from Lane tier berry blends and a good option for guys expanding their aro experiences.

V. Dan Treasures of Ireland - Galway

This blend has a nice vanilla liquor scent in the tin, but still has a foundation of hay- continuing the Dan trend of not producing one dimensional, goopy aros. The sweetness is moderately strong, much like what I would consider a "dessert tobacco". It packs nicely and has an almost caramel flavor when cold drawn through the pipe. This is a decent aro, but I don’t consider it to be in the same class as the ones above, nor Blue Note. It is a little grassy, a spot bitey, and reminds me of an Irish Coffee. There was a slight fruitiness in the second half of the bowl. I thought it burned a bit wet, even when dried out, but it did stay lit pretty easily. Overall, not like a pouch of Captain Black, but not what I would consider a premium offering by Dan’s standards.

Great Reviews Tobias.