Compton's of Galashiels Mixture #10

Big, big flavor in CoG's Mixture #10! This fine blend was one that I stumbled on while seeking another one of Compton's blends and I am glad that I did. This is far from a Latakia bomb as the tobacco is so well blended that each leaf sings in perfect harmony. Mixture #10 is billed as a medium English, but I would suggest that it leans more toward full. “Creamy,” as one reviewer called it and that is the best adjective to describe this after dinner smoke that produces large volumes of smoke. I'm a big fan of Dubec and it is well used here. This is an expensive tobacco and IMHO worth the extra cost as IMHO one of the best English blends on the market today. It's a shame that the blender has difficulty bringing it to market as my cellar would be filled with it. Find it, buy it, you will be happy that you did. Very Highly Recommended!

As the latakia lacks the sweetness I generally associate with Cyprian, I’ll say this is Syrian; wine-like, kind of dry, smoky, earthy and woody. It’s a team player with the lightly floral and spicy, mildly creamy sweet and sour, woody, earthy Djubec (Dubek). The tart, lightly spicy and citrusy, woody lemon Virginia and dark fruity, earthy black Virginia form the base of the blend. The sugary black cavendish adds a bare touch of sweetness for a little smoothness. The strength and taste levels are medium. The nic-hit is in between the center of mild to medium and medium. No chance of bite or harshness. Well blended, you’ll notice virtually every aspect of the varietals in every puff. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with a very consistent, moderately rich, mildly spicy sweet and more dry, savory flavor. Leaves virtually no dampness in the bowl. Requires an average number of relights. Has a pleasant, slightly lingering after taste. Can be an all day smoke. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

Plus one on SteelCowboy's review of this one. Mixture #10 packs punch and cream at the same time. Oriental flavors abound even with the Latakia and Virginia. Hard to accomplish but perfectly executed here. Medium in strength but the addition of the unflavored Cavendish will let you know you've had a mouthful of smoke with every puff.

Mixture #10 is fine medium smoke. It's smooth and has an exceptionally balanced, well rounded rich tobacco flavor. Like all Compton blends I've had, it's fine character would be diminished with anxious, impatient puffing. The whole collection of Compton's of Galashiels tobacco blends seem to be an artisan line of unpretentious heirloom quality. Very, very well done.

Compton's Compendium: A tasting journey through each of Maxim Engel's Compton's Blends.

Pouch aroma is exactly what a good Latakia-laden English should be: mildly smoky, earthy, a hint of sweetness, a slight hint of sour – I think from the oriental leaf – and outdoorsy. But also indoorsy, as in a nicely broken-in smoking den with a nice lingering scent of Latakia in the air. This is not a Lat-bomb so it's perfectly suited for either a smoker wanting an intro into English mixtures or those who prefer a medium-weight English blend with emphasis on flavor and not in-your-face-campfire-smokiness.

Flavors, as with the other Compton's blends I've had, are impeccably balanced. Whether or not you think 35% Latakia is a lot probably depends on your personal preferences, but it is certainly not emphasized in this blend. This may be due to the less smoky Syrian Latakia used. At least I think that's what it is. One reviewer on TR said it's Syrian but I can't find any info on Maxim's website that says for sure. This puts it squarely in the “medium English” camp, just as it's billed.

Regardless, it's a beautifully balanced blend that keeps every single ingredient singing in perfect harmony. Seems to be a trend here. This is only the second review in the Compton's Compendium, but I've had three of his blends before and the rule is excellent balance and interplay between all the ingredients.

There are certainly heavier blends in the lineup, so if you're after a Lat bomb, this isn't it. This is a summer English, or an afternoon blend for the winter, perhaps after a light dinner, but it probably won't hold up to a peppered steak or a single malt scotch. Think port or coffee instead.

Either these original recipes that Maxim uncovered are masterful, or his blending skills are exceptional. I think it may be a bit of both. Four stars.

Another superb tobacco from Maxim Engel at Comptons of Galashiels. First class Virginias and orientals; deliciously smooth, spicy and creamy. Excellent during the day, perhaps before moving on to York Full or Macedonian later! Very highly recommended.

From time to time I have received many gifts. This 2008 Easter present from Iordanis was a shock.

Splendid tobacco. It contains 35% Latakia, rare Greek Dubeck, brown, black and lemon Virginia and a twist of black Cavendish. Extremely smooth and calm smoking, which, in my opinion, is due to the Syrian Latakia and an unforgettable natural sweetness. It can become an all day tobacco. No coughing and no smoking of the tongue, ideal to perfect moisture, it does not warm the bowl. Taste it with your coffee in the morning, with your midday ouzo on the beach, with your whiskey in the evening.

It is a bit expensive, but it offers immense pleasure. It is already number one in my list.

I have to be up front and say I have been struggling with Latakia leaving my palate tender, so I was prepared not to like this blend, especially one with 35% of the smoky leaf. But I have to say that this tobacco was well balanced and did not burn my taste buds off. Actually, I found this full of tastes, especially at the beginning, when the Djubec chimed in bringing qualities that were sublime and consequently difficult to write about. This English is how I remember Dunhill's 965 and Balkin Sobrannie of old. The Latakia is there, but its not a Latakia "dump". The interplay between the Oriental, Virginia, Cavendish and Latakia is nice.

For me, this is an after dinner - steak dinner - blend. It burned cool and was just enough in a group 4 size pipe - a well seasoned full bent.

If one is looking for a medium English that reminds one of the type Murry blended in yesteryear, this is one you don't want to pass up, even given its expense.

surprisingly, in spite of 35% latakia this is as smooth as a baby's bottom. it has a clean sweetness from the virginias, a very well behaved latakia, and a aupport of interesting orientals. as with the yenidje in the macedonian mixture, i cannot say what exactly the djubec adds to the whole, as the interesting flavours floating around the virginia and latakia may come from the hint of cavendish as well. what i know is that this is absolutely top notch tobaccos, expertly blended to give you a sweet, smooth and clean tasting "english". i'll have to get hold of a shipload of this for the dark future of our hobby.

most highly recommended.

I like this, but in my opinion, Compton's has better blends. There is an odd flavor, especially in the first half of the bowl, that I struggle to describe. I believe it's the cavendish. The overall flavor is balanced, with adequate spice from the Virginias, and smokiness from the Latakia. It burns perfectly, and doesn't nip. All in all, not bad, but nothing special. Think I'll stick with #14 and Macedonian - two top-notch bends. 3/5 is more accurate to my taste.