Peterson Sherlock Holmes?

[Makembake]

Seeking Thoughts & reflections from more experienced pipers.

Hi everyone, I am a relatively new pipe smoker and am a new Pipes Magazine member. As well as adoring pipes and pipe tobacco generally, I am also (as I'm sure many of you are as well) an enthusiastic lover of everything Sherlock Holmes, from the original literary creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, to the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce films and, of course, the peerless depiction of the great detective by the late Jeremy Brett. Given this background, it is probably no surprise that I have taken a great interest in Peterson's Sherlock Holmes blend. I have never tried it before, but am extremely tempted to simply because of the illustrious name-sake. Does this blend live up to its branding, is it a quality tobacco blend? Or is it best left on the shelf? I've heard quite a few people commenting that it's no good, but I'm reluctant to simply dismiss it based purely on hearsay. From what I understand, it's based on a blend first used in the 1890s, which sounds like something worth trying. Any thoughts/reflections on this blend would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

My first pipe was a Peterson SH Rathbone and my first bowl was Wilke No. 515 - so there it is! I bought a tin of Peterson Sherlock Holmes and haven’t ever opened it, so I’ll be interested as well, but when I’m having an “x” pipe problem with a couple of pipes in particular, it is almost always the No. 515. The only exception for one of those two pipes is I’ve tried some well aged McClelland Black Shag 221b and I really liked it but don’t want to use up the two tins I have!

 

[bullet08]

I do have all 14 of available Peterson Sherlock Holmes pipes, some of 'em multiple finishes. But never tried that blend. Not sure why.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Not a fan of Doyle's work but it's a fairly standard aromatic though not a bad one.

 

[judcole]

I enjoy it. I don't smoke a lot of it, but find it a pleasant blend when I do. It's not an aro; any topping is very light, not interfering with the tobacco flavor. I've found that it ages beautifully. I have five tins aging; I'll be opening up one before too long.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It's not an aro; any topping is very light,

Hmmm, mine was like a mango bomb. Even Jim said the toppings somewhat sublimated the tobacco flavor.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Peterson Sherlock Holmes underwent a major blend change some years ago. The current blend has a fair amount of casing or topping.
The original version is one of my all time favorite Virginia ribbons.
Here's some pics of an older tin I opened at this years Columbus pipe show. Don't know the exact year of tinning, but you can see the price tag.

 

[Zero]

I enjoyed the blend when I smoked it years ago, but wasn't so mesmerized that I felt the need to stock up on it. This reminds me that I have a tin tucked away with 5 or more years of age on it. I need to dig it up. As you should know, pipe smoking is a subjective experience; buy 2 tins, one to open and try, and one to age. See if YOU like it. Your choice...and welcome to the forum.

 

[Peter Peachfuzz]

Its a solid blend well worth trying. Will it be a top 3 for you, probably not, but, you certainly won't think you got screwed.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Haha, does this look pretty orange in a fresh tin? I opened a couple and let them sit this afternoon and I may have mixed up the Irish Whiskey and the Sherlock Holmes (never tried either) so my WAYS post may be all wrong! I’ll wait for an answer before possibly making another wrong comment!

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Here are the tins referenced above!

 

[STP]

I picked up a tin when I purchased the pipe, which I enjoyed

 

[dctune]

My two cents… it’s a wonderfully NAMED tobacco. I bought it for the same reason you’re considering it. IMHO, it’s just okay. Was pretty disappointed at first. It grew on me a very little bit. But I still have most of it jarred, and I very rarely reach for it. I noticed some of the replies here mentioning it as an aromatic blend. I feel like it falls well short of that description. I found rather “cigarette-y” in both flavor and room note. But I will say this: the times it has hit the spot for me, it has done so very well.

But all in all, for me, it was a problem of expectation versus reality, which is 100% my fault. I had a very distinct preconceived idea of what I would be smoking. I expected the blend to miraculously mimic the feels I get whilst reading Doyle. Bc of that, I didn’t initially approach it on its own merit.

I say, give it a try. One tin is inexpensive enough if you’re in the US. Maybe it’ll do it for you! And if doesn’t, well then, you’ve learned something about what you do and don’t like.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Based on the reviews I’ve now read and the blend ingredients I’m still guessing (pretty sure now) the tin on the right is the Sherlock?

 

[dino]

HawkeyeLinus, unless you have the older tin, with the illustration of Sherlock, the newer tins have the name of the tobacco on the bottom.

 

[Brendan]

As probably the only dude here who has smoked Irish Whiskey recently...

Irish Whiskey is definitely the darker tin, on the left, in your photo @HawkeyeLinus

 

[judcole]

Peterson Sherlock Holmes underwent a major blend change some years ago. The current blend has a fair amount of casing or topping.
The original version is one of my all time favorite Virginia ribbons.

Hmmm, mine was like a mango bomb. Even Jim said the toppings somewhat sublimated the tobacco flavor.

The fact that it changed may have something to do with my experience. I've been smoking older tins. I've picked up a couple of tins more recently that I just set aside to age. I probably should smoke one of those before I buy any more.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

HawkeyeLinus, unless you have the older tin, with the illustration of Sherlock, the newer tins have the name of the tobacco on the bottom.

LOL, yes they do! Thanks for the reminder! Now where is that thread on the most moronic thing you've ever done (or at least this week).

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

As probably the only dude here who has smoked Irish Whiskey recently...

Irish Whiskey is definitely the darker tin, on the left, in your photo @HawkeyeLinus

Other than me! It's not for the faint of heart, IMO.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Now enjoying the actual Peterson Sherlock Holmes blend after yesterday's silly mishap. It is apparently intended to replicate a blend from the mid-19th century as something Holmes could have smoked, but not anything remotely English. Citrus (almost Grousemoor grassy in the tin to me) and getting less aro and more straight but smooth (and not a bite in sight) Virginia for flavor for the first 1/3 of the bowl. This is what my inexperienced tobacco palate calls "an easy going smoke" and something I can easily just sit and relax with and honestly not give much thought to while I enjoy it. And I know he got it, but just in case, I am the moron referenced above, not @dino!