Ashton Smooth Sailing

Ashton - Smooth Sailing.

This gives a good un-lit aroma: very sweet with a nice coconut addition. The first negative for this blend is the ribbon cut, it's not what I would say is even in its sizing of pieces! The mix contains a decent amount of large/chunky Virginia ribbons, that isn't a problem, I just see it as giving aesthetic quality but the problem for me lies with the large twigs in there, a fair few of them so it requires me to spend time picking them out prior to smoking which I find a little inconvenient as if I want to spend time with prep' then I would smoke a flake or plug, I partly pick a mixture for the ease of it! On to problem two: the water content. FAR too moist, it's really imperative to allow some time to let this air, I can feel the dampness with my finger tips!

After a decent airing period I fill up my Meer' and begin. Straight away I ascertain that this is a mild aro'. It says that there are a lot of additives in it but from start to finish the coconut takes the No 1 slot. The next in line is the maple addition: a pleasing sweetness that doesn't dissipate any as the bowl burns down. Inhalation is easy and the nicotine level is the consummate "medium" amount so if you like Lady N then a few inhaled puffs will slake your desire. It doesn't leave a massive ghost, more of a "slight apparition" so if I had taken to this (which I haven't) I would dedicate a pipe to it. I can't say this tastes horrible because it doesn't but tobacco tastes are subjective and the only word I can use to describe my feelings toward this blend is Indifferent.

Two stars.

Not a bad tobacco at all. But it has first seemed very common to me. So common that I have put the tin in a drawer for some months after having smoked only a few pipes of it.

However, when I reopened the tin, this tobacco surprised me (in a good sense) with its discrete chocolate flavour. I have then spent some nice moments smoking it.

Nevertheless, this animal bites the tongue whenever you try to puff too quickly. This is why I would recommend it for long and lonely smokes, when nothing urges.

While recently I've grown to like and mostly smoke non-aromatics or English blends, I haven't forgotten my aromatic smoking days and I'm searching for a good quality aromatic that I can enjoy smoking from time to time and become a companion to the excellent W.O. Larsen Signature. Smooth Sailing was the next in line.

It's pretty much a Danish-style aromatic blend. The smell of the unlit tobacco is very pronounced and has a sweet smell of maple, chocolate and a tiny hint of coconut, though I can barely detect it. In fact, the smell of the unlit tobacco kinda reminds me of Captain Black Regular in a way.

Mechanically, this tobacco was pretty difficult to work with. I left the tobacco to dry for about 30 minutes on the towel and, once the time had come to fill the pipe, it was more on the dry than on the moist side. However, it still tended to burn hot, give a pretty harsh tongue bite and require many relights. That's not good. In fact, the relights get the biggest downvote from me. This tobacco was a real pain to keep lit. I can say that it didn't gurgle, so at least that something.

As far as the actual smoke is concerned, this is a pretty sweet, mellow blend that is unpretentious. I mostly feel maple syrup in the flavor, with a tint of chocolate and some alcohol/rum taste. I can't detect any of the coconut. The casing is not particularly strong and you can still feel a slight taste of tobacco there, though not a lot and it's mild. It's pretty much as the title suggests: smooth.

Really, this is not something out of the ordinary and I believe that if you are an occasional pipe smoker or mostly an aromatic lover, I think you'd like it okay. It's not really bad, but not unlike many other aromatics (Danish style) that I've smoked in the past and that's not enough to impress me and actually recommend it. For me, the search continues. Will I finish the tin? Yes. Will I buy it again? Probably not.

When I opened the tin, I got a bit of a smoky smell in front of the other smells. My nose made me think it wasn't going to taste as mild as the discription of flavors. I hate it when my nose is right. I'm used to aromatics like Cult Blood Red Moon, and Sutliff Chocolate Mousse. To me this seemed like a non-aromatic, which I do like on occasion. I could tell by the hit on my tongue, I was going to have to draw slower then I normally would. It seemed to burn fast. Before not too long, I was down to ash at the bottom of the bowl. I can't say is was the sailing I thought it was going to be, but it wasn't all that bad either.

This is good aromatic, but of course, that means you can’t puff it like there is no tomorrow, if can is too wet.
It must have right amount of moisture.

The outcome is all right —an emergence of sweetness and fragrance that played tenderly on the palate, delivering a mellow experience. It now finds its place as my morning companion alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee, but not all day smoke.

Household members are pleased with aroma.
A pleasant revelation indeed. A delightful interplay of Cavendish and golden Virginia, kissed with the essence of Cocoa and Chocolate and a gentle hint of honey. A quality aromatic blend that doesn

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't skimp on refinement, shunning the use of cheap wrappings. Initially, it dances with the temptation to singe the tongue, but with a serene smoking cadence, you come to understand that it

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's a matter of rhythm—both for the bowl and the palate. A technique of serene puffing unveils the velvety symphony the creator intended. The Cavendish reveals its virtuosity

Embrace an unhurried pace—let each breath be an andante, a musical exhale of enjoyment, puff it slowly, retrohaling it.

Like the keys of a piano, the smoke will weave its melody. But beware, haste will bring forth the beastly bite. Only those pipe enthusiasts who have cultivated the art of composed indulgence shall unlock the true magic held within this pleasing leaf.

UPDATE: i reduce from three to two and a half. It really has to be thoroughly dried

I am in a Christmas mood and that means aromatic blends.my first choise for this year is Ashtons Smooth Sailing.once the tin opens a wonderful aroma consisted of coconut,rum and maple comes out.a deeper smell provides some chocolate notes.the blend is consisted of bright,brown virginias and lots of black cavendish.the tin moisture is high and some airing time is needed.packing isn't great neither lighting.several relights are needed afterwards.while smoking you instantly realize this is a typical Danish style blend.virginias are mostly fruity and citrusy.the cavendish are creamy providing lots of nuts and chocolate notes.the topping is pleasant from the beginning till the end offering coconut,rum and maple notes.generally the flavours combine well with the topping giving a nice result from the beginning till the end.burns quick and medium hot to ash with unburned tobacco.nicotine level is almost medium with a lot moisture being created at the filter.aftertaste is pleasant and the room note is very pleasant.no tongue bite present.an all day smoke.generally this is a decent blend but not something unique.

Didn't work for me. All those flavors listed in the description simply did not manifest at all. It's a shame because I tried other Ashton blends and enjoyed them. Oh well, 2 stars for my 2 cents.

I like the the flavoring combination and the tin note is suprb. But when light, this tobacco has a very mild taste. Too bad I was really looking forward to a heavier flavor. Man does this stuff bite! I tried it several different pipes including a full-bent Savanelli with a dry filter system and it still bit the hell out of my tounge.

Some reviewrs like this blend while others don't and I gues this is just one of those tobaccos that you either like or hate. I'd like this tobacco more if the tast was stronger and the smoke was cooler.

After reading reviews I picked up a tin of this from a local b&m. I wanted something smooth and tasty for the first pipe of the day. This is an extremely light tobacco. I smoke it on the front porch as the weather begins to chill and feel as though I am smoking nothing. For now this tin will go to cellar until the weather warms back up and I will revisit it then. Perhaps it will be better without the crisp morning air. If things change I will edit review accordingly. Perhaps it fares better in a warm indoor environment but this I cannot test. Have smoked 5 pipes giving it a fair chance and have come to the same conclusion each time. Too light.

I have had no problems with relights with this tobacco and it does burn all the way down to a nice ash. I have had no problems smoking it right from the tin as well with no need to air it out in order to dry it prior to smoking. The aroma is very pleasant and warm feeling.

This may be for you. It is just not for me. If you're thinking about trying it give it a shot as my taste may differ from yours. It is just much much to light of a smoke experience for my likings.

Happy smoking.