Ashton Artisan's Blend
(3.53)
This full bodied English mixture is carefully crafted for the experienced pipe smoker. Virginia and Turkish tobaccos harmonize with Latakia and a touch of perique to create a taste that is resoundingly rich, spicy and satisfying.
Notes: The tin description and website pipesandcigars.com and smokingpipes.com show that Artisan's Blend has Virginia, Turkish tobaccos, Syrian Latakia and a touch of perique.
But according to the Kohlhase & Kopp website, the main ingredient of this spicy mixture is Syrian Latakia, which was rounded off with small amounts of Virginia, fire-cured Kentucky, black cavendish, and perique.
Currently, this blend only contains Cyprian Latakia, as the stock of Syrian Latakia ran out.
Details
| Brand | Ashton |
| Blended By | |
| Manufactured By | Kohlhase & Kopp |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.53 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 21 - 30 of 142 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 05, 2019 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Unnoticeable |
I saw some of this at my local brick and mortar pipe and cigar store and was surprised to see that this blend was made with Syrian Latakia. I had thought it had gone extinct like the dinosaurs. The tin note had a nice sweet smell to it with dark and light brown flakes. The tin also was pretty moist. I am not sure how much Syrian is in this blend but I am pretty confident it does not have any Cyprian at least none that I can detect. This one actually does remind me of HH Vintage Syrian. I ordered 5 tins of this on line and had to cross my fingers because the blend of this has changed to Cyprian vice Syrian according to an online retailer. Luckily, I got the Syrian version. If you come across a new tin of this, look at the new label and see if the word Syrian is omitted. I would like to try the new version and do a comparison. Some reviewers have tried this as a replacement for Night Cap. I have not smoked Night Cap recently but do not see the similarity between the two. I really enjoyed this one so it gets a 4 star from me.
Update 12/02/19: I was at the somewhat local pipe store, 20 miles away and they had one tin of this left with the Cyprian Latakia vice the Syrian since the blenders ran out. Me personally if the recipe changes this blend should have its own review category. Anyway, it is still a very good blend but I can definitely tell the difference. This is a sweeter smoking mixture. It kind of reminds me of the Seattle Pipe Club Plum Pudding. Glad I have about five tins of the Syrian stashed somewhere.
Update 12/02/19: I was at the somewhat local pipe store, 20 miles away and they had one tin of this left with the Cyprian Latakia vice the Syrian since the blenders ran out. Me personally if the recipe changes this blend should have its own review category. Anyway, it is still a very good blend but I can definitely tell the difference. This is a sweeter smoking mixture. It kind of reminds me of the Seattle Pipe Club Plum Pudding. Glad I have about five tins of the Syrian stashed somewhere.
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2019 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
Old dog can't learn new tricks...Artisan's reminds me of Murray's version of Night Cap ..it is good and the Syrian latakia makes flavor profile different from Nigh Cap...these's huge amount of Cyprian plus some wee bit of Syrian...smoky and good. One of my 7 blends that will always end up in my pipes. Commonwealth and Artisan's..good tobaccos...so good that these moronic times won't upset you when you puff these blends.
Pipe Used:
Brebbia&Peterson
PurchasedFrom:
Local shop
Age When Smoked:
Straight from tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 09, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
One of the great English mixtures of all time. Reminiscent of the magnificent blends of the 1970s and 80s. In my opinion the best of the traditional English mixtures still available. I hope it remains on the market for years to come.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Pipesandcigars.com
Age When Smoked:
One yr.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 17, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I'll add my notes to the info here on Artisan's blend. in a phrase, this is a great tobacco. Just a great experience with all kinds of smoky and spicy nuances at play right to the bottom of the bowl. This is probably in my top three favorite tobaccos. AB is quite heavy on Latakia smokiness without being overpowering and still plays nice with the orientals, etc. Nic effect is near perfect for me, very relaxing without leaving me drooling and stumbling. Pack a big bowl an hour before bed and let the experience play out while enjoying the complexity of this blend.
Pipe Used:
briars
PurchasedFrom:
wild bills
Age When Smoked:
????
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 20, 2020 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Top shelf English. The harmony of the Cavendish, Virginia, Orientals, Latakia and Perique is beautifully balanced, incredibly rich but never overwhelming. Spot-on with the nicotine level too.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 21, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Artisan's Blend has been a long standing favourite of mine. It carries all the complexity of a well-blended, high quality mixture with plenty of latakia and a lovely presence of peppery perique that doesn't excessively magnify the nicotine content. I appear to have a fairly low nic tolerance, so this is a real bonus in a blend that can happily be smoked back to back. Superior to both Dunhill and Peterson blends, IMO, it has no ashy taste nor over-reliance on a well-known name to mask declining quality.
This is consistently satisfying with few quality assurance issues - few stalks and nicely mixed. I often have to relight this blend, but the higher lat content probably explains that, along with my desire to spin out each bowl for as long as possible. Smoky in volume as well as taste, it is never harsh and benefits from retrohale. My wife likes the room note, if such considerations are important.
This is consistently satisfying with few quality assurance issues - few stalks and nicely mixed. I often have to relight this blend, but the higher lat content probably explains that, along with my desire to spin out each bowl for as long as possible. Smoky in volume as well as taste, it is never harsh and benefits from retrohale. My wife likes the room note, if such considerations are important.
PurchasedFrom:
Turmeaus, Knutsford
Age When Smoked:
New tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 15, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
A tobacco worthy of its name. A true artisan work. When you first open the tin, you are cordially welcomed by an aroma of Syrian Latakia and orientals.. Followed by a very dark well cut chunks of tobacco. The moisture content is acceptable, though a bit of drying may be your thing. I never needed to, though. It packs easily but preferably in a wide and stout bowl as the chunks of baccy are not quite ribbons but rather square chunks. Once packed it lights with a bit of effort but it stays lit. The first draw is absolutely astounding, with an open bouquet of flavours from the Latakia and Orientals followed by the lovely rich virginia and later a tad of spiciness from the perique. It burns quite cool and is reduced to ash with little dottle, even in briar. No moisture noticed either in briar or Meerschaum. It has a strong room note and those who do not smoke will glare at you for it. But for the pipe smoker, it only provided a beautiful, smooth and quite creamy smoke with a strong, woody, smoky room note. Definitely one of the finest tobaccos out there
Pipe Used:
SMS block Meerschaum hand carved
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Fresh tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 06, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
What can I say - this blend is everything people say it is.
Tin note is an intoxicating melange of spirits, smoke and natural tobacco.
Just a wonderful, smoky flavor bomb of a blend. I would guess that there is some fire-cured Kentucky in it because it seems smokier than what I have experienced with Syrian latakia, and there are flavors there that remind me of it. Which is great, I love that taste. But that Syrian taste is definitely there, no doubt about it. I think the reviewers that mention cognac are on to something... has something subtle that reminds me of it for sure.
In any case, one of my all-time favorites, especially with some age. Fantastic!
Tin note is an intoxicating melange of spirits, smoke and natural tobacco.
Just a wonderful, smoky flavor bomb of a blend. I would guess that there is some fire-cured Kentucky in it because it seems smokier than what I have experienced with Syrian latakia, and there are flavors there that remind me of it. Which is great, I love that taste. But that Syrian taste is definitely there, no doubt about it. I think the reviewers that mention cognac are on to something... has something subtle that reminds me of it for sure.
In any case, one of my all-time favorites, especially with some age. Fantastic!
Pipe Used:
Various
Age When Smoked:
Five years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 27, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Ashton Artisan's blend is a delicious and complex smoke.
Initially on opening the tin I was greeted with a rich earthy, whisky aroma, full of peat and promises. On first light the flavours really bonded into a rich, complicated profile which shifted through the bowl between sweet and smokey.
By the finish i was completely satisfied on both flavour and strength, and would heartily recommend to the lover of an English blend.
Initially on opening the tin I was greeted with a rich earthy, whisky aroma, full of peat and promises. On first light the flavours really bonded into a rich, complicated profile which shifted through the bowl between sweet and smokey.
By the finish i was completely satisfied on both flavour and strength, and would heartily recommend to the lover of an English blend.
Pipe Used:
Viking houston
PurchasedFrom:
Duckworths, Colwyn bay, UK
Age When Smoked:
New tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 14, 2016 | Medium to Strong | Medium | Medium to Full | Unnoticeable |
Well Ashton went and did it, provided a blend that is actually a elevation of another Hall of Fame blend (if its not it is a travesty) and that is Dunhill's NightCap. Upon tin opening, the familiar English note had a sweetness to it that you won't find in Nightcap... although at a slightly lower payoff in nicotine (which some may consider a bonus I guess).
The tobaccos are deftly put together, the moisture is spot on, and in either tall Meers or fat briars Artisan's blend comes across as smooth, slightly sweet, non-acrid in a way that is to me superior to NightCap (the horror :o)
Its going on my favorite list immediately and I do intend to get more tins stocked in place soon. Great stuff!!
The tobaccos are deftly put together, the moisture is spot on, and in either tall Meers or fat briars Artisan's blend comes across as smooth, slightly sweet, non-acrid in a way that is to me superior to NightCap (the horror :o)
Its going on my favorite list immediately and I do intend to get more tins stocked in place soon. Great stuff!!
Pipe Used:
Meers and Briars
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
18 months
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