No Really, It's Me, Not You (Davidoff)

[papawhisky]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title - Bob

Full disclosure, new pipe smoker of about 6 weeks. I've been trying out a range of styles to see what I like (for now)... ? So far I like English and Aromatics best.
Anyway, I made a TAD order of a variety of blends, two of which were aromatics: Davidoff Red Mixture and Dobie's four Square Aromatic. Now I love Davidoff Cigars, so I was pretty confident about this one, plus it got many good reviews. No reviews at all on the Dobie's, so I was just taking a gamble.
Tried the Davidoff first and was really disappointed. The tin smelled fantastic, but in the pipe - very soapy at first and artificial tasting, then utterly bland and tasteless. Hard to keep lit. Also, some tongue bite from a supposedly biteless blend according to the reviews. 3 bowls in, and I've learned to REALLY dry this out before smoking - much less bite, but then it's entirely bland and tasteless throughout the bowl.
The Dobie's four square; 180 degrees different! A really wonderful smoke. Nice flavor, no bite, can taste the tobacco along with complimentary vanilla/caramel/apricot notes. Already thinking of ordering another tin to cellar.
That got me curious so I went back through the reviews for the Davidoff. All the positive ones were from 2017 and before. Maybe they changed the blend/formula? Or maybe my palette is not sophisticated enough yet to appreciate it?
Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated!

 

[warren]

Or, possibly, most likely, your palate isn't identical to the various reviewers'. Once you find some blends you like find some reviewers with similar tastes. Now you have a bit of a bench mark.

 

[ashdigger]

^^^ this

 

[papawhisky]

Or, possibly, most likely, your palate isn't identical to the various reviewers'. Once you find some blends you like find some reviewers with similar tastes. Now you have a bit of a bench mark.

Yep, I agree and realize this is a journey and my taste will change along the way. Just hoping anyone who has recently smoked either blend will contribute their experience so I can progress along my path.

 

[dmcmtk]

Try Davidoff Scottish Mixture. I quite liked it, for what that's worth...
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/441/davidoff-scottish-mixture

 

[blackadderlxx]

Try Davidoff Scottish Mixture. I quite liked it, for what that's worth...

Interesting how everyone has different tastes. I was just coming here to say that this specific blend put me off Davidoff. I didn't think it was bad, just expensive for the quality of it. But different strokes...

 

[luigi]

I just tried Davidoff Scottish Mixture again after I had put it in the jar about two years ago. It still has the same flat taste with only a hint of tastiness here and there. I'm glad this is the only blend I had purchased from Davidoff. I'm happy for all of you who like it.

 

[garageboy]

Davidoff cigars are wonderful Henke Kelner blends that are so unique and distinctive

Their pipe tobacco seems to be just whatever off the shelf Orlik tobaccos

 

[danimalia]

Garageboy kind of said what I was going to. Davidoff has a lot more control over their cigars, which are made in their own factories post-Cuba. Their pipe blends are made for them by other manufacturers. That doesn't mean they're bad, as that's the case for most pipe tobacco brands these days, including plenty of highly-regarded tobaccos.

 

[TinCup]

Another fan of the Davidoff Scottish Mix

It may just be placebo or wishful thinking but the tin smell & flavour does remind me of home

 

[BROBS]

Danish mixture and the Flake Medallions are quite good.

 

[cosgringo]

Funny- I found Davidoff's way overpriced on the cigar side when I was a heavy avid cigar smoker. Of course everyone's taste differ on cigars as well but I never felt they warranted the price. I know a lot of folks found them smooth and perfect smokes but I found good Ashtons that were much more friendly to my wallet. I don't see me jumping on the pipe tobacco Davidoff bandwagon due to that.
Still figuring things out myself. About 3-4 months now.