Today, I invite you to join me on a nostalgic journey back to WWI as I open a very special tin of pipe tobacco from the greatest name in the tobacco world, Alfred Dunhill.
During WWI (around 1917), Dunhill developed three different temporary wartime pipe tobaccos specifically for the Expeditionary Forces:
- “Campaign” Plug
- “Campaign” Mixture
- Best Scotch Thick Black Twist
There is very little known about these historic blends and their composition.
I managed to acquire the first and only tin of “Campaign” mixture that I have ever seen. The interesting thing is that the can appears to look more recent than the WWI period which might suggest that Dunhill offered it briefly at some other time exclusively in their store. It’s a mystery I have yet to solve.
This Dunhill tobacco, regardless of how old it is just exceptional. I’m no Jim Amash when it comes to having a sophisticated palette, put I’m detecting notes of some sweet matured Virginias, Latakia, Orientals, and perhaps some cavendish. The aroma and taste is of sweet stone fruits, leather with a kiss of incensed smoke and nutty earthiness. I can imagine how any soldier on the fighting front would be elated over a mixture as fine as this long ribbon cut tobacco.
Dunhill also made “Campaign” pipes during the WWI period. Unfortunately I don’t have one of these to feature today. My oldest Dunhill is a cased Shell LB from 1923, so I thought it would be a suitable replacement! I’ve never seen a finer blast on any pipe. The ring grain on this beauty would probably make even J.T. Cooke or Michael Parks blush! It’s amazing to me to experience first hand the quality of the products and the attention to detail back then.
I hope that you enjoy watching this important piece of pipe history. Swell smokes, my friends!
