Scored Two Awesome Vintage Tins

[hfearly]

Browsing the back shelves of a smaller B&M over the weekend, I made a really good score.
The first tin is a 2002 J.F. Germain's & Sons "Plum Cake Smoking Mixture".

The second, oh behold!, is a 1993 Dunhill "Durbar"

Oh my gosh, 20 year old Durbar is SO mellow! When I opened the tin I couldn't believe all the sugar crystals/plume that had developed on the tobacco. Instantly made my mouth water Anyway - all the more reasons to visit your local Brick and Mortar stores, because you'll never know which gems they have hidden away.

 

[gray4lines]

Wow!! That is some old stuff. Awesome!

 

[cigrmaster]

Those are two great scores, congrats.

 

[rmbittner]

rothnh:
Except Durbar hasn't been produced since 2006, if I'm remembering correctly. It is a wonderful blend, though, and the years could only do good things to it. And this is a Murray's tin too.
hfearly:
They aren't "sugar crystals," though.

 

[hfearly]

I just had a bowl of the Durbar and I've been blown away. Hands down the best pipe smoke I've EVER had. Oh my gaaawd, my tongue died and went to heaven. I can't believe that I've never tried this blend before.
I mean, when I first tried Penzance, that was a truly outstanding experience. But the first bowl of this Durbar is beyond description. I was actually set to read some research papers and I had to completely quit what I was doing, closed my eyes and sat back in my armchair and went to Nirvana for an hour.
I'm driving back to the B&M tonight to buy the remaining 4 tins the owner has in the humidor. Can't believe tobacco that good exists on earth. :worship:
It's super rich, but unbelievably fragrant, mellow, complex, smooth. Sweet and buttery, and at the same time a little leathery spiciness layered on top of a multitude of fragrant Orientals. The soft smokiness from the aged Latakia paired with the herbal and incense like Balkan tobaccos. Every once in a while a puff you take gives a strong impression of pine resin. This stuff is unreal...

 

[lordwolf]

Just reading this makes me envy you! Awesome score. Now get back to those papers. ^_^

 

[spartan]

Makes me want to transport myself 20 years into the future and live in my furture cellar. Busting at the seems with tasty smokes.
Congrats on the finds.

 

[flyguy]

Congratulations on your tasty score. Enjoy!

 

[rmbittner]

hfearly wrote:

I just had a bowl of the Durbar and I've been blown away.

I've had two pipe-smoking experiences in my life that I can look back on and describe as transcendental. Durbar was one of them. Enjoy!
Bob

 

[judcole]

I enjoyed Durbar - had a couple of tins when it was still being produced. I've had a couple of similar finds - congrats.

 

[dragonslayer]

Great score, good call for grabbing them on vintage alone. Why would you have left 4 tins? Get in the car and go get them! lols.

 

[uberam3rica]

Nice! That Dunbar is from when I was born.

 

[fnord]

What a great story, Nic. And congratulations on a killer score. I love it when stuff like this happens.
Fnord

 

[flmason]

Congratulations on your purchase. I hope you enjoy smoking both tins.

 

[jpberg]

How did you date the tins?

 

[hfearly]

JPBerg: there were date stamps on the import/distributor labels.

 

[hfearly]

Dragonslayer: they were priced at 30 bucks a tin and I had never smoked Durbar before, so I didn't want to spend all the cash ;-) Gladly when I got back they were all still there and are now happy in my cellar right next to the six Murray's era Nightcap tins. It's a Dunhill party!

 

[trailspike48]

I just viited ebay, nu Dunhill Durbar, but it was worth the try. Great score.