Dunhill Navy Deluxe vs Escudo

[cigrmaster]

Since I am a huge fan of Escudo, I had to of course try the Dunhill Navy Deluxe. When I first joined this site, I read this article http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/kevins-blog/dunhill-escudo-navy-de-luxe-the-verdict/, so I went out to see for myself if I could tell the difference. When I do a side by side comparison, the discs look the exact same, the size, thickness, colors all look the same. When I smoke them, there were times when I thought the Dunhill was a tad sweeter, but then other times they tasted the same. I will attribute the difference in maybe my taste buds were off a little or the pipe I chose was smoking sweeter. I did smoke them in the same pipes numerous times and I did go back to back a couple of times, and honestly I cannot tell them apart. If someone were to blind fold me I do not think I could pick out which one was Escudo and I have been smoking it for a dozen years. So has anyone else tried this experiment or does anyone think they are different blends, and if so what differences can you taste?

 

[admin]

That was actually a really fun article to do. I had forgotten about it. Thanks for bringing it up again Harris.
This can be fun if we get a handful of guys to do their own experiment and report back.

 

[cigrmaster]

Kevin, my pleasure, it was fun doing my own side by side. it is interesting to note that the Dunhill is 4 bucks more per tin than the Escudo. I was thinking about taking advantage of smokingpipes, 20 percent off sale but even with the discount the Escudo from them works out cheaper.

 

[cigrmaster]

Dave, I did the test with 2 new tins, the Escudo was August and the Dunhill September.
HappyJacks, I smoke Escudo probably 4-5 times a week. What do you think the differences are? I am very curious to hear coming from someone who smokes Escudo as much as you do.

 

[JimInks]

I haven't tried the new Dunhill Navy Rolls, but I was smoking them quite often in the late '90s and early 2000s when Dunhill stopped making it. I found that version to be a little sweeter and a tad fuller than Escudo, which always seemed to smoke and taste a little dryer. Luckily, I still have a stash of DNR from that time period, and when I smoke down some of my many open tins and baggies, I'll revisit.

 

[igloo]

I think they are the same . I could not tell the differance . You should also try the PS Luxury Bullseye and the Luxury Navy Flake or as I like to refer to them as the poor mans Escudo .

 

[cigrmaster]

igloo, I have all three Stokkebye flakes in stock and over the last few months they have become unsmokeable for me. It must be the red virginia's because I get bit every time I try smoking them. They never used to bother me, my body chemistry has changed and not for the better.
Happy, the times I thought they were different was when the Dunhill seemed to be sweeter. Since they are made in the same factory, I would say they are the same. I have 11 year old Escudo to compare but that is not a fair test, I think the ac peterson is different from the orlick, but smokingpipes say they are the same blend. Who knows, I do know I love them all.

 

[JimInks]

I think the AC Peterson is slightly better than the Orlik version, and a virtual dead ringer for the DNR. The Orlik version is a little dryer, and slightly more floral, a shade less sweeter, too. I like it, it's certainly worth the money, but without having tried the latest DNR, I can't say what, if any difference there currently is. If the price disparity conflicts with your budget, you might as well stay with Escudo, because it's close enough to be a twin.

 

[cigrmaster]

Happy, all my stokkebye flakes are aged and when new they didn't bite me. It sucks because I really like them and they are one of the best deals price wise on the market. I am hoping with time I will be able to go back to them.
Another thing to consider is that unless Orlick is stock piling tons of tobacco each batch has to be a little different. When you think about the raw materials, virginia tobacco from 2006 is going to be different than tobacco from 2010 and so on. They would have to be working off the exact same raw ingredients for years to be able to get an exact match, don't you think?

 

[mp31guitar]

This is interesting. I have some Dunhill Navy Deluxe I haven't tried yet. I guess when I do smoke it, I can mark Escudo off the list too.

 

[ssjones]

I like Escudo for an occasional change of pace but haven't yet tried the Dunhill Navy Deluxe. A gentleman from the Baltimore Pipe Club was talking about the two Saturday at Boswells. He likened the Escudo to dinner and the Dunhill Navy Deluxe as dessert, from these comments, that seems like an apt comparison. I'll have to pick up a tin.

 

[cigrmaster]

happy, next time I expect a response within 8 hours, try not to be late next time. lol
I just opened a tin of Escudo the other day and it was very dark, it had no reddish hues left in it so it had to be older. I bought it in June of 2012, but if I had to guess, it was at least a couple years old. It wasn't black like my 11 year old tins but it was definitely aged.