Yep. Sounds about right. I had to jar this stuff to keep it from drying out. I think I have most of the tin sitting in that jar still about 6 months later. I am in no rush to get to it. I would give it to a newcomer to the hobby the whole time explaining that there is much more to it but I don't want to overwhelm you. keepin it at 2 stars cuz it doesnt suck it's just not good. lol

Original Review:

Very very mild smoke. Good for when you don't want to focus on the smoke at all. I have a few tins laying around. For some reason I just keep buying a tin of it with my other bulk orders. Not something I would cry about if I was out and could not find any but also something I seem to always have around. Nice easy burn. no bite. 2 stars.

Highly Reccomended * * * * prep

This fine blend has a range of complexity that I have seldom found in a mild to medium smoke. Quite often I find milder blends to be too mild, in fact bland. In this case it's complex and interesting and very well behaved. The tobacco in the tin is the first thing that put a smile on my face since it was not shy for a mild-medium blend. I have actually grabbed the tin and a few pipes and spent the day with this one tobacco while out and about. Moreover, I have lit successive bowlfuls of this without any disappointment.

The mixture is pretty much an American Balkan and the blend is smooth. While the Latakia is reserved it doesn't require a search party. Blending is such a fine art that escapes me but the product of good blending is musical. This is one of those very nice blends. The Burley, I believe is fundamental in temporing this blend yet doens't accomplish it with a bland attribute but rather a mellowness maybe even the word tame comes to mind because many of the fine elements that I look for in the more robust blends are present, just in a very restrained way. There is subtle natural sweetness but not from a dressing. It smokes cool and clean to a medium gray ash with no dottle.

It is in a fine ribbon which lends itself to burning more quickly than some. The melange of tobacco produces a wonderful blend that completely surprised me. It also surprised me that I wouldn't put the first tin down until it was empty.

I enjoy stout balkan blends and a range of VA's that I enjoy too. All of them very complex. Typically I have a method to when I smoke a particular blend of the aforementioned whether it be based on what I ate or drank or likewise anticipated in consuming. Also I have habits (they may be clinical obsessions) about the early morning and late at night. Consummate Gentlemen has made it to a place only 2 other blends have achieved, and that is - Good anytime. It's the kind of smoke, that without fear of boredom, can be my singular blend on a 2 day trip. Bravo, I'm very impressed. Highly recommended for someone looking for a lighter weight but tasty entry to their rotation.

Cheers, VC

It's beautifully presented in the tin. Ribbon cut, the variety of leaf covers a range of brown and reddish hues, plus the jet-black strands of the Latakia. Unlike many English and Balkan blends, this is not a pungent tobacco. Instead, upon opening the tin, one is greeted by the natural fragrance of matured Virginias, the Burley nuttiness, and a slightly sweet whiff from the Maryland leaf. The Latakia is there all right, but in a rather restrained form. The level of moisture was perfect: not too humid, not too dry, but definitely on the drier side. Easy to pack and light, it also has a nice burning rate.

If I had to compare this blend, I would say it's somewhere in between Gawith's Squadron Leader (though far less pungent, as there's less Latakia in CG and no Turkish leaf at all), and Davidoff's Royalty (both, in structure and in price). The first light yields a creamy taste, the Virginias being the most evident flavor, with the Burley smoothing things up. Tasty, lightly piquant, the Latakia hovers in the background, providing density and an incense-carbon aftertaste. The presence of the Maryland leaf is almost an anecdote. As you progress down the bowl, the flavor remains consistent, with the Latakia coming to the fore every now and then, but never overpowering the Virginias.

Absolutely tongue bite free, Consummate Gentleman is never imperious or demanding. There is no mystery, no complex interplay of flavors. Austere, tranquil, you can smoke this blend as a reading or writing companion. It's tasty and smooth enough to enjoy it regularly through out the day. Granted: I wouldn't go out my way to get hold of this blend, but if given the chance to smoke it, don't let it pass you by. For the novice, this may be a wonderful introduction to English and Latakia blends; for the established smoker, this is a quality alternative when not in the mood for a heavy Latakia tasting blend. Nice, composed, polite, but with enough punch.

Two of five stars

p.s. 'consumate' is spelled 'consummate'.

Unlike most Ashton blends, I sorta liked this one. Oh, and this blend's name is spelled correctly on my tin. (-;