Ashton Winding Road

A Jack of All Trades, that can't quite deliver.

I was intrigued by this tobacco. It was the first that I sampled from Ashton’s. Like many others I started with aromatics and then made my way (along a pretty straight road) to english blends. I was intrigued to see what this blend could offer to help with the journey.

I certainly like the idea of this blend. I think that it does not quite deliver for either camp however. I have smoked this with those who predominantly smoke aromatics and they have said that it is too strong! I smoke mostly english and balkan blends and believe that it is so weak there isn’t much going on!

I’m certainly not against lighter blends. Indeed if that is what you’re after I have suggested two in the similar blends section of this review. I do believe however that both suggestions are better tobaccos than Winding Road. They both have playful nuances which flicker through the smoke while I find Winding Road to be a dreary trudge through uninspired woodland, petering out with no discernible conclusion.

What’s more is the promise of the tin note! Like all good aromatics it smells delectable. What’s more, is the solid bass-note of the latakia; how could it all go so wrong? It should be noted that as a rule I am no lover of the aromatic school. And true to form I believe that this blend begins to peter out almost the moment that it is lit and that the warm foundations of the latakia offer nothing by way of compensation.

In conclusion it is a blend that is sniping for two rabbits and ultimately finishes by missing them both. If you like aromatic, find a pleasing aromatic. If you like english (or like the idea of them) then find something with lots of lovely latakia and then find a match.

As a parting shot I think that this blend has taught me something; set your sights on your intended outcome and attempt to fulfil it, don’t be diverted by a seemingly easier half-way-house. Further I am beginning to dispute the idea of starting pipe smoking with aromatics and then ascending to the school of ‘proper’ tobaccos later on. If you want to smoke something then do some research and find the best approximation of your intended school.

Personally I would suggest something like ’Elizabethan Mixture’ from Dunhill as a good starting point, however that may be incidental to this review!

Hmmm, the description says it is a bridge between an aromatic blend and an English blend. Since this has no real characteristics of an English blend, I would have to say this is one of those bridges to nowhere, since it never even gets off the ground on the aromatic side. This is a nice aromatic, but nothing to really write home about. YMMV. I would recommend this one to at least give it a shot, you may just like it. Just not my cup of tea.

My first try of an Ashston blend. It's not horrible.

It doesn't bite.

It doesn't taste of anything very much.

Apricot ? no.

Caramel ? no.

Pretty little tin aroma. Nice gentle smoke.

Almost as tasteless as a Peterson's aromatic.

When this tin is finished I won't be buying another one.

If other Ashton's blends have similar attributes I won't be wasting a tenner on them, either.

Great name by the way.

I was a bit disappointed with this blend. I usually like Ashton's offerings but this was a bit of a let down. It's not bad, but I was expecting more. It's might. Does not produce a heavy smoke. A hint of mild apricot but fairly bland. I had to relight it periodically. It's fair, but kind of bland and not that interesting. I think maybe if it's cellared a year or more, it would improve.

I had a mixed experience with this one. Allow me to elaborate. I like Perique A LOT as well as HUGE pipes... the relevance here is that I smoked this blend in one of my HUGE pipes normally used with much stronger blends; clearly it made it's influence known. This blend was really nice with the left over Perique from my pipe... I say this because I was amazed initially at its flavor... and wallop... So much so that I became suspicious and decided to try it in another lesser smoked pipe. Ah Ha! It was actually pretty nice on it's own as well, but it could really use a dash or Perique to make it what I had the first time. So add some McClelland blending Perique and this one is a real winner, on it's own, not too bad either. I really like it's fruity smell.

Hmm..."So so" is the phrase that comes to mind here. I don't think the whole is more than the sum of its parts with this blend. There are no negative points, but neither are there any outstanding ones. It may well "bridge the gap" as described but perhaps the view from the bridge isn't so very interesting. I found myself wanting far more complexity and taste to come through, its fine as a standby blend, perhaps great for mixing with another, bolder blend, but if the mood strikes you for a good pipe hit I'm sorry to report that Winding Road will probably fail to deliver.

A very good European aromatic. Think of it as the European version of "Evening Stroll". Chocolatey in an odd way. Heavenly aroma and a no brainer to smoke. Great for the neophyte smoker.