Robert McConnell Paddington

Paddington is one of the replacement blends that appeared after Dunhill-branded tobaccos ceased production, offered as a stand-in for Royal Yacht, which Dunhill began producing in 1912. It is made under the Robert McConnell name by the German firm Kohlhase & Kopp. The tin holds neatly cut, reddish-brown ribbon strands with a heavy casing aroma; tin moisture runs high and it benefits from airing out before packing. The flavoring leans toward plum and mixed fruit with a tart edge; an acidic sharpness from the underripe Virginia base shows through in the first bowls. The abundance of burn additives is noted to make it burn fast and leaves it prone to tongue bite; toward the end of the bowl the flavoring recedes and a firm, lightly sweet Virginia taste comes forward.