John Aylesbury Scottish Blend

Scottish Blend is an interesting tobacco that responds exactly to Eulenburg's contention in the sense that Scottish mixtures are basically Latakia based English blends with added Black Cavendish. In this case John Aylesbury offers a mild blend of top grade leaf which, unlike its English Mixture, it includes Oriental and Latakia leaf.

Rough cut and rather dry in the tin, the blend is natural tasting, but the presence of the Eastern tobaccos is almost anecdotical. Mild and easy burning, it unfortunately lacks in strength and density, even if measured by the lightest Latakia/Oriental blends (think of S. Gawith's Skiff). On the other hand, the presence of the Black Cavendish is not intrusive at all or annoyingly sweet. On the contrary, it is this leaf, rather than the Orientals, the one that provides some body and structure to the blend. Room aroma is not that heavy and I think it would be feasible to smoke it in public with no mayor consequences.

This could be a nice introduction to natural tasting tobaccos, as well as very polite way of getting acquainted with Latakia and Oriental tobaccos. But if you are already used to blends such as Squadron Leader, Early Morning or even Larsen's Selected Blend No 20?not to mention My Mixture 965 or 7 Reserve? this Scottish concoction will not do much for your palate.

The rather musty Cyprian Latakia offers an abundance smoke, earth, wood, floralness, some incense, sweetness, and mild spice as it takes a very small lead. The tangy Orientals provide a wealth of earth, wood, fragrant incense-like floralness, plenty of spice, vegetation, sourness, some buttery sweetness, and smoke as a competitive second lead. The creamy, sugary black cavendish sits in the third slot as it tames some of the rough edges. The aspects of the bright Virginia are some tart and tangy citrus, grass, vegetation, bread, sugar, floralness, spice and slight acidity. They are a couple of steps above the condiment line. The dark Virginia produces light tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, sugar, and touches of spice and floralness. It’s a slot below the bright Va. The strength and nic-hit are medium. The taste is a notch past that mark. Won’t get harsh or bite, although I recommend a slow puffing cadence due to the tongue tingly spice content. Has a few rough edges. Burns clean and slightly warm at a moderate pace with a mostly consistent sweet and sour, spicy, floral flavor that extends to the mildly lingering, pleasant after taste. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Not an all day smoke due to the spice, but it is repeatable. Two and a half stars.

-JimInks

A mild and light blend. The Lat leads with the Orientals not far behind. There is a nice sweetness from the Black Cav. The Virginias are hidden to me. It's a pleasant smoke, but lacks complexity. This really needs the Virginias to show, but they refuse to.

Mild to medium in body and taste. No added flavorings. Burns very well.

John Aylesbury - Scottish Blend.

Another blend from my pal Gentleman Zombie, thanks Franck.

A medium sized, medium brown, ribbon, with a few black and yellow specks. Like all the other John A' blends he's sent me, he's put it in a loose pouch, so it's not too damp.

This gets a mixed reaction, here on Tobacco Reviews, but I'm with the higher ratings. The flavour, although quite heavy with Latakia and Oriental, is quite smooth; from start to finish, a bowl has little fluctuation in flavour, there's no rough/coarse spots, really. The Cavendish only gives a touch of sweetness, the majority of the flavour's this laid-back Lat/Oriental. The Virginia's present throughout, but nothing remarkable; it forms the backbone of the smoke.

The nicotine's mild to medium, and the room-note's quite heavy.

Like I said earlier, I'm with the folks who find this more enjoyable. I don't 'adore' it, but it could be a regular smoke.

Franck, cheers mate, three stars.

Recommended.

I put JA Blends in the following hierarchy: English-brut and smoky, Virginia-strong, sweet and smoky and Scottish-smooth and sweet. I have to say this was a pleasant surprise and very rewarding experience. I was turned off by the Mac's Scottish Mixture, but JASB has to one of their crown jewels. Well balanced, no bite and similar to its brother blends but with something more. This is excellent all the way around. If you're use to watered down aromatics, this may not be for you. However, if you want to branch out to non-aros this is a great starting point. The virginias take center stage. The burley gives a well-rounded nutiness, the Orientals a slight butteriness and the Black Cavendish gives the blend depth. And the room note is just heavenly. Four stars in my book.

I would have to say that John Aylesbury’s Scottish blend is an Oriental forward blend. The tin note for me is predominantly Oriental. The flavor of the Oriental leaf is also quite present while smoking this Scottish blend.

The Latakia is mild compared to some other Latakia blends. Even though the Latakia takes a backseat to the other Orientals, it is still a very important part in both the tin note and the smoking flavor.

I'm pretty sure the "Black Cavendish" in this blend is of the English variety where Bright Virginia tobaccos are steamed and subjected to pressure without any flavorings or casing added.

The Virginias; yellow, red, and English style Black Cavendish, all combine to give this blend body and depth. For me it’s difficult to pick out any one of these Virginias as having a dominant presence.

The flavor of the Oriental tobacco reminds me of Peter Stokkebye 313 Oriental, which is a Macedonian Oriental tobacco, although I'm sure there is probably more than just one type of Oriental tobacco in John Aylesbury's Scottish blend.

If you enjoy the flavor of Oriental tobaccos accenting a mélange of Virginias where Latakia takes a backseat then John Aylesbury-Scottish Blend could be a worthwhile endeavor.

All in agreement with what Tantric wrote and Lustra seconded, please raise your hand.

(Pipestud's hand is raised high.)

I concur wholeheartedly with Tantric's review. Pass this one by...