Milan Tobacconists Chartwell

I added a sample of Chartwell to my last order since the reviews were literally all over the place, some said too much Latakia, others not enough, two said they sense the Plum finish, others said no or didn't mention a topping.... What I find is a light to medium English that has an aged / mature Virginia aroma that could be described as Plummy but not a topping. I do enjoy these medium English type blends (of which there are literally hundreds) and Chartwell is a very good example. I tasted a light Latakia presence that mixed with rich Virginia made Chartwell a fine all day smoke, which I did during my commute and never bit me. All of Milan's blends exude quality and their customer service Is the best in the business. I have wanted to try Brush Creek as mentioned by my colleagues below and will ask David at Milan to recreate it.

Milan has always been a class act, and their customer service cannot be beaten by anyone. When did such integrity in tobacconists become so rare?

The review below by Taste Buds, likening Chartwell (plus 2% Perique) to the late and much-missed Brush Creek got me to try this blend.

I must say that I could not taste the similarity; nevertheless, that is not to say that Chartwell does not have its own worthy charms. This is an outstanding Burley-Latakia mixture.

Slightly sweet, smooth, and top quality, it is a blend any pipe smoker who appreciates quality tobacco can enjoy.

Bag smells like light Latakia, with a sweet aroma. It’s nice. Moisture is perfect, nice ribbons of tobacco and pieces of Latakia. Packs and lights really nice.

The taste is lots of chocolate burley, with a hint of sour orientals, and a little smokey herbal Latakia. The topping isn’t really noticeable but it does add a subtle sweetness to this although this isn’t what I would call a sweet aromatic blend. The blend behaves very well, smokes cool and stays lite. It’s a pretty nice crossover blend although it does get boring for me as I’m not a big burley fan. Left a typical dry burley mouth feel, no bite or harshness rather long but ok aftertaste.

If you’re a fan of burley heavy English blends or cross over blends I would try this for sure.

In my opinion, you need to have a desire to smoke English blends to like this. It lights well, burns steady with few relights needed. It is not as smooth as I would like however, the Latakia makes itself known, in a good way. I can see smoking this after a good meal though.

A commendable crossover blend.

Latakia is dominant in the pouch, but actually plays a very peripheral role in the taste. This blend is delicious. Never chemically or artificial…just sweet deliciousness. Sort of plumy, but with backbone. That flavor is barely detectable at first, but it picks up as you get town the bowl, and makes itself really known in the final half/third.

I was just smoking it in a public market place, tonight, and received rave compliments from passers-by. This is the kind of room-note that leads anti-smokers to pick up pipe-smoking.

I first had this in a cob, and thought it burned way too hot; but, in other bowls, I haven't had the same experience, so it may have been just the cob. It's warmer than I prefer, sure, but not unreasonably so.

This tobacco wants to be sipped gently and slightly. You'll lose the flavor if you just suck on it. Draw in ever so slightly and gently and shortly, and direct the smoke to the back corners of your tongue--like, between the back of the sides of your tonuge and your cheeks, if that makes sense: for some reason, that's where the plumy flavor is best experienced.

Not the world's greatest tobacco, but worthwhile.

P.S. This blend is remarkably similar to Dr. Bradley by Iwan Ries. They strike me as slight variations on the same blend.

This is an excellent introduction for an aromatic smoker looking to get into latakia blends. It has a good, smoky latakia component, which develops with ageing. Ribbon cut, easy to load and smoke to the bottom, mild, almost no bite. The plum topping is very noticeable to an "English" smoker, but is pleasant enough and would be delightful to an "aromatic" smoker. 3 stars as a "crossover" tobacco.

This too shall pass.

This is a new foray into something different. I smoked an once sent in a sampler group. The overwhelming prescence of the Latakia types in this blend sometimes dont agree with me. But, I did enjoy the blend overall, with the Latakia type caveat. So, if you have a taste for a more english blend, this could be a start. Beyond the initial taste, I enjoy the burley and even the latakia. Perhaps the effects of a spiciness is the cause/effect. Whatever. The smoke was good enough to last the bowl, and if it was bad, believe me, that wouldve been dumped quick. Somewhat enjoyed, and something learned. Fair trade.

Chartwell was my first English blend, and it's true what they say: you never forget your first. After some time as an aromatic smoker, I wished to try for something different. David at Milans suggested Chartwell as a good bridge English blend. The leaf lit easily and stayed lit. The Latakita was detectable, but not to any great strength. The smoke was smooth and tasty. Like with most Milan blends, there was no bite. This was a delightful experience that I must recommend others (seasoned and new English blend smokers alike) to try.

An acceptable blend when you want to lay back and ponder the day's work. I notice the Latakia right away, but it does not take away from the blend. I will definitely order more.

An outstanding Medium English that I think should have a bigger audience. Extremely well balanced, cool smoking and just a little extra something - plum after taste to keep things interesting.

I don't really get a rum raisin sweetness that one Reviewer mentioned. And based on flavor I would place this more in the English Camp as opposed to Aromatic or Hybrid.

Also the description says mild - I think this blend's strength has more body than many Medium English blends out there. In a word - Delicious!

How anyone could rate this superlative mixture less than 4 stars is a Mystery to me.