Review: Ashton's Artisan
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2015 8:14 am
Ashton's Artisan's Blend: well named...
Ashton's Artisan's Blend is described at TR as being composed of Syrian Latakia, Turkish/Oriental, Perique and Virginia and scores a dramatic 3.5, even after many, many reviews.
Its aroma is a deep smoky savory, perhaps a bit of raisin, all of which carry through. Even though many reviewers seem to present this as a "full English" and compare Artisan's to Nightcap and 965, for some reason this pipe opened - to me - with the Turkish-Oriental being the first to show up, with a nice background Virginia sweetness over a light peppery/spicy Perique background as mild seasoning. Occasional whiffs of rich and woodsy/tobacco campfire in between puffs.
Apparently most latakias are of the Cyprian variety, which differs from the savory and more sophisticated Syrian of the Artisan's. What is especially provacative about Artisan's Blend is its remarkable balance, with the Syrian latakia and Turkish/Oriental playing the major roles and trading off with one another from moment to moment, over an ever present background of the Virginia and Perique. The Artisan's Blend is not the least bit drying (as one might expect from a "full English"), but actually leaves a lovely savory aftertaste - to me its trademark.
Key words: shifting, balanced, harmonious, savory - all presented with artistic subtlety. Accordingly, I have a real problem calling this simply a "full English", but rather an experience that alternated between more Balkan with English moments. One more note is the importance of sipping and taking the time to reflect on its ever changing presentation. I would add that those who recommend a wider bowl may be right in terms of further exploring this lovely blend.
Summary: brilliant, savory, well-named blend that you should be willing to sip and spend time with, even at the cost of a few relights. Relax. Breathe. Marvel. And enjoy...
Very nice.
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/253 ... sans-blend
Ashton's Artisan's Blend is described at TR as being composed of Syrian Latakia, Turkish/Oriental, Perique and Virginia and scores a dramatic 3.5, even after many, many reviews.
Its aroma is a deep smoky savory, perhaps a bit of raisin, all of which carry through. Even though many reviewers seem to present this as a "full English" and compare Artisan's to Nightcap and 965, for some reason this pipe opened - to me - with the Turkish-Oriental being the first to show up, with a nice background Virginia sweetness over a light peppery/spicy Perique background as mild seasoning. Occasional whiffs of rich and woodsy/tobacco campfire in between puffs.
Apparently most latakias are of the Cyprian variety, which differs from the savory and more sophisticated Syrian of the Artisan's. What is especially provacative about Artisan's Blend is its remarkable balance, with the Syrian latakia and Turkish/Oriental playing the major roles and trading off with one another from moment to moment, over an ever present background of the Virginia and Perique. The Artisan's Blend is not the least bit drying (as one might expect from a "full English"), but actually leaves a lovely savory aftertaste - to me its trademark.
Key words: shifting, balanced, harmonious, savory - all presented with artistic subtlety. Accordingly, I have a real problem calling this simply a "full English", but rather an experience that alternated between more Balkan with English moments. One more note is the importance of sipping and taking the time to reflect on its ever changing presentation. I would add that those who recommend a wider bowl may be right in terms of further exploring this lovely blend.
Summary: brilliant, savory, well-named blend that you should be willing to sip and spend time with, even at the cost of a few relights. Relax. Breathe. Marvel. And enjoy...
Very nice.
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/253 ... sans-blend