The Turkish is less pronounced than it is in other similar mixtures by Pease and Fred Hanna (see Wilderness), and as such it lacks complexity, but AB still holds its own as a very approachable, satisfying Balkan. It burns beautifully, delivers an abundance of smoke, and is very well behaved even with an aggressive cadence. There's a bit of that usual KK&C sweet topping that purists may rebuff, but to me it adds a pleasant background note, especially during the bottom third of the the bowl.

Worth a try.

High qualities tobaccos blended in a complex mixture. I love the perique of this blend.

Highly recommended.

Opening the tin, you get a very strong smokey aroma, like a good campfire or a very smokey single malt whiskey. The ribbon cut is very dark and quite moisty. There were some dryer harder stems of tobacco which I removed from the tin.

The taste is rich and very spicy. The spicyness can be sometimes too much for me. It is also creamy and leaves a creamy coating in one's mouth. The room note is strong and is not always appreciated. It lingers long in the room after a smoke.

Smokes always dry and leaves no dottle. Produces lots of smoke.

Typical a late evening smoke. Wouldn't smoke more than 1 bowl a day of this.

I think the Latakia proportion of this blend is too high. It simply overhelms. Unfortunately with that much Latakia it was very hard me to detect the sweet Virginia, nor the exotic Oriental. I also am not sure if the Latakia in this blend is a high quality Syrian Latakia, which generally leaves a nice flavor by sticking on the palat and tongue after finishing the bowl, and remains there by inviting you for the next bowl. This one leaves almost nothing like that.

The Perique also dissapears under the Latakia taste invasion. Its lovely spicy and bitter addition to the blends is just a dream with this one.

The Latakia lovers would apreciate this blend, and that's why I've added the second star. Next time I will get some Dunhill for my gentle, strengthful, and elegant English needs. When I'll need some cool and tasty Latakia I'll choose some Balkan flake.

I know that there are sources for some truly fine Balkan blends on the Internet, but with the economy the way it is, I think it's imperative to support the local "brick and mortar" store if they've got something worth buying. This is certainly it!

Although this is an English blend by definition, and lacks the requisite Orientals to make it a true Balkan, it is nonetheless a full-bodied, lusty smoke. In the tin it smells strongly of licorice. It is a nice thin ribbon cut, comes out of the tin with decent moisture content. It will probably work well dried out a bit, as it did fight staying lit about half way through the bowl. It had all of the typical tokens of a good, stout English blend with the tastes of smoky, spicy sweetness and hints of licorice. It did bite a bit at the end, but probably more because I was relighting and am a fast puffer.

As the description on the lid states, it is crafted for the experienced smoker. I will certainly continue snapping tins of this up as my standard English blend.

The Latakia comes thru strongly so it is a must that you enjoy it which I do. Burns steady with few if any relights into a white ash. If you wish to try an English you will pleasantly suprised.

The only down side to this blend is it leaves me with a dry mouth, but thats certainly an acceptable problem and easy to accomidate.

Even if you dont like English blends, you should give this a try just so you know how you feel about it.

Artisan's Blend is a fail. Cavendish & Perique being the culprits. Not being a Perique fan, I am obviously biased. But the Perique is the only thing strong or interesting here, the Cavendish making for a very mild and boring body. Seems to me English is a standard: Virginias, Orientals, & Latakia. You can change on the margins (add Perique = Nightcap)(add Cavendish = 965)(not exactly, but you get the idea...) But if you add Perique AND Cavendish, now we're into un-English territory. Artisans indeed.

Close to Nightcap? Nonsense. Traditional English? No.

Experience required? Hardly. Aromatic smokers inching towards English might wish to experiment here, if you've a taste for Perique.

Both are smooth, creamy, relaxing and I seem to be aquiring tins of both. Now, although Commonwealth more often than not, wins the battle for my attention, this is most likely due to the fact it is easier for me to obtain, but I always make sure that two or three tins of Artisans Blend are within easy reach of my grubby little hand.