Ashton Consummate Gentleman

Because I'm far from being one, Consummate Gentleman came in as a nice surprise. Firstly, because it was part of an early Christmas gift; secondly, because this is not at all a bad blend. From the onset: this blend does not aspire to be a Balkan or a Scottish mixture. It's a middle of the road English in all the extension of the term: straight Virginias, Burley, some Maryland, and a pinch of (enough) Latakia to spice things up.

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.

Ashton- Consummate Gentlemen

I am revisiting this blend today as I recently cleared out some jars I had buried in my cabinet this Jar is dated 28Feb19. I don’t remember why I purchased this but this was early in my pipe smoking hobby. I think this was my purchased in some confusion as I’m sure I was looking for artisan blend instead.

This English blend has a sweet and smokey dynamic, the sweetness from the Va’s and what I can only surmise is also from the Maryland’s. This is an easy to pack ribbon, with no pronounced topping or flavoring added, it has the same taste profile as a SPC plum pudding.

This blend which goes for $10 dollars a tin is a great value buy, not something I will stock up on but if I get a craving I will not let this sit on the shelf again and smoke it again.

Consummate Gentleman was the first English Latakia blend I've ever smoked. After years of smoking mostly aromatics and trying a few non-aromatics from brands such as Peterson or Robert McConnell, I've decided to finally sample an English Latakia, so I've picked up a tin of Consummate Gentleman, together with a tin of Artisan's Blend (actually, these were the only Englishes available in my local tobacco store).

The unlit tobacco presents itself pretty attractively in the tin. You have the golden and brown nuances from the Virginia and Burley, plus the black pieces of Latakia. In the tin note, you can definitely sense that classical Latakia smell, but it's not overpowering and it's complemented by a slight sweet, almost tea-like smell. It comes pretty wet in the tin, but a 20 minute drying time on a paper towel should be enough before packing.

Mechanically, the smoking goes pretty smoothly. Lights well, doesn't require a lot of relights, tends to smoke a bit hot if you smoke it too quickly. As far as flavors are concerned, the Latakia is definitely there, but it's not as heavy as in Artisan's Blend. It's mainly added as a condiment to spice up the sweet, grassy, almost wine-like taste of the Virginias and that slightly chocolate hint from the Burleys. The chocolate note from the Burleys blends perfectly with the Latakia and it contributes to the overall velvet quality of the smoke.

Personally, I think that this is an excellent English Latakia tobacco, bit on the milder side. While Artisan's Blend goes well as an evening blend, Consummate Gentleman can go fine as an afternoon or even morning blend. Very good quality tobacco, which has become part of my rotation.

This is an excellent all day English blend. A little bit less flavor than Frog Morton (hence why just recommended). Not strong but still gives enough flavor.

A classic Latakia mixture balanced in all aspects. There is Virginia, Black Cavendish and of course Latakia as per K&k website description. A good after dinner smoke for the occasional Latakia mixture smoker or for an all day smoke. The Latakia is very good tasting, different and interesting. There is some sweetness in this blend and it tastes kind of "dry" which I like. Overall a very serviceable blend that deserves attention.

Virginia lover

This was surprisingly a very nice change of pace. A lightweight balkan blend that isn't bland or boring. I say surprinsingly because I had been forwarned that Ashton is now the product of another manufacturer, different country, different tin (which I love) ... blah blah blah. I've learned to not have any preconcived notions about where. I'm strictly about whether I like it or not.

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

I bought this tin on a whim and when I first smoked it, I couldn't notice any difference between this and other English blends, but at that time I was really new to smoking English blends. So, not wanting to waste it, I jarred it and forgot about it. I opened it up after 5 months and 1 year, and this has become one of my go to's for English blends.

Opening the jar the Latakia gives this blend a very mellow smell, which I find to be quite pleasant. This comes in a ribbon cut which to me is a big longer than the perfect cut I've experienced with the Peterson blends but it still packs well. It lights well and stays lit throughout, I can leave the bowl for 5 minutes and it is still alight.

In smoking I find a very soft leathery aroma, that makes the experience almost creamy, it has a little peppery note and is satisfying as you puff away. Burns to a fine white ash.

I have popped a tin of Ashton's consummate gentleman for the first time in a year and a half, and let me say this is a breath of fresh air. After smoking a long series of latakia heavy English blends, I finally remembered this little fellow and suddenly remembered that a latakia light version of an English exists. It also seems very burley forward, with a significant sweet side. I am not sure what this Maryland tobacco might be, in fact I think this is the only blend I have smoked containing this, but I am blaming it for quite a unique note. Overall, I stick to my guns - this blend is very very underappreciated and unique in its own sense for an English. In fact, I have experimented so deep down the English latakia path that I got to the point where I could only distinguish the various blends in accord to the latakia content, hardly focusing on anything else. Or in other words, I have valued English blends in relation to the latakia content and how that affected the whole story as a main character. This is a totally different ball game, and it offered me huge satisfaction tonight upon smoking. Taking the latakia out of an English, or better yet - toning it down, opens the door to an entirely new level of complexity. Still an English, but a particular type of English that brings forward the burley and virginia that is so often strangled by the rich latakia flavor.

Enough has been said about this excellent tobacco here. I agree wholeheartedly with all those who like this blend, so there is no need to repeat their reviews. This is as balanced and tasteful English as they get, similar to SG Squadron leader but without the spiciness. Mellow, satisfying, an excellent tobacco. Enjoy it as I have.