Time for another blend from Davidoff. Today, I’m taking a closer look at their English Mixture, so settle in and enjoy the review.
Just like a few of the blends I’ve covered before, this one came to me as a gift – a gesture I always appreciate, especially when it leads to discovering something new.
The blend I’m reviewing today is a classic English mixture. Ever since I picked up the pipe, autumn has always felt like the perfect season for anything Latakia-forward. I had read quite a bit about this blend beforehand, so finally getting the chance to smoke through a full tin was something I’d been looking forward to.
Now that I’m down to the last bowls and have looked back through the notes I’ve been jotting along the way, it feels like the right moment to share my impressions.
Davidoff English Mixture
As I’ve already mentioned, Davidoff English Mixture is classified as an English blend. It’s made up of Burley, Latakia, Oriental tobaccos, Virginia, and a bit of Perique. The tobacco comes in a 50g tin. According to the manufacturer, it’s presented as a ready-to-pack ribbon cut.
The blend is produced by Orlik Tobacco Company A/S in Denmark.
Manufacturer’s description:
Davidoff pipe tobaccos include classically traditional blends and invitingly elegant flavours. A pipe filled with Davidoff tobacco fills time beautifully. Each selection is curated for the ultimate in sophisticated enjoyment.
A traditional English middle-cut blend of Virginia, Burley and Latakia. A touch of Périque spice tobacco has been added to further enhance the bouquet. A pipe tobacco with an extremely subtle and lasting flavour.
Source: Manufacturer’s website
An English blend with a touch of Perique? Sounds very promising!
Cut and Preparation
As mentioned earlier, the blend comes in a ribbon cut. Once the tin is opened, you’re greeted with a nicely prepared, fairly thin ribbon that looks ideal for packing. This time I didn’t fool myself into thinking I wouldn’t find any stems. I did run into a few here and there, but just like with the previous blends I’ve reviewed – nothing excessive.
Lighter strands are interwoven with darker ones. Overall, it appears on the lighter side, though the darker streaks of Latakia and Perique are clearly visible. The moisture level feels just right for packing. The tobacco doesn’t need any drying time or extra fuss – I simply pop the tin, pull out what I need, pack the bowl, and light up.
Tin Note
The tin note is very pleasant. Right away I pick up the unmistakable smokiness of Latakia. A deeper sniff brings out pepper and wood, with a bit of earthiness underneath. The aroma leans more toward spicy than sweet. There are also some barbecue-like notes in the background.
At one point, when I opened the jar I had transferred the blend into, I caught a distinct dried-plum note, and from that moment on it became a consistent part of the aroma for me.
How does Davidoff English Mixture taste?
The blend is ready to pack straight from the tin. I pack my pipe using the three-step method. Before striking the first match, I lightly moisten my finger and run it around the rim of the bowl. Apparently more people do this than would openly admit it. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again – maybe it’ll make a few pipe smokers feel less embarrassed about it.
With the first match I gently char the surface, level it with a tamper, and then light it properly with the next one. Just like with a cigar, I like to set the pipe down for a moment to let the ember settle. A pipe should smolder, not burn hot.
Right after lighting, I’m greeted by notes of nuts and earth. There’s also a touch of leather and a bit of wood. Only after a moment does the distinctive Latakia smokiness start to come through. Burley takes the lead in the flavor profile – it’s present in every puff. There’s a mild spiciness as well, which I attribute to the Perique. Soon I begin to find the flavors I often pick up in blends that contain Perique: that sharp-sweet raisin-like note. There’s also some earthiness in the background.
Through the nose, the smoke comes across as slightly spicy with hints of wood. The Virginia stays in the background – it never really steps forward. Its presence shows up mostly as a faint tangy note. The smokiness, in turn, is something I pick up mostly in the aftertaste. Interestingly, Latakia doesn’t dominate here – Burley does.
I’d rate the strength of the blend as medium to medium-strong. It’s not a powerhouse, but I definitely wouldn’t reach for it on an empty stomach.
The blend produces a generous amount of thick, aromatic smoke. In the room note I get sweetness, smokiness, and a pleasant nutty touch.
The mixture burns fairly dry, though definitely fast – surprisingly fast, in fact. I noticed this every single time. I often smoked it in a pipe where similar amounts of other tobacco usually last me much longer. It burns down to a beautiful white ash.
A few final thoughts on Davidoff English Mixture
I have to admit, I enjoyed this blend more than Royalty. It’s definitely bolder, more assertive – it has that ‘bite’ I appreciate. While smoking it, you get the sense that it’s fresher, stronger, and more flavorful overall. In my notes I wrote: ‘an English on Burley’ – and that’s exactly what this mixture feels like to me. The noticeable dominance of Burley over Virginia makes for a very interesting experience. If I had to choose between the two Davidoff blends, I would easily go with the one I’m reviewing today.
Compared to other English blends I’ve tried, it holds its own quite well. It’s not quite on the level of my all-time favorite, Nightcap, but it’s still a satisfying smoke and certainly worth a try if you manage to find a tin. The only drawback — depending on where you live — might be the price, as Davidoff blends tend to sit on the higher end of the market.
When I reviewed Davidoff Royalty, I wrote that I ‘honestly recommend it.’ I still stand by that, but I have to say – I recommend English Mixture even more.
This review was made possible thanks to the generosity of the same friend who shared Royalty with me. I’m grateful once again.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
