Compton's of Galashiels York Full Mixture
(3.59)
A very full English blend. It took us three years to get this blend right. It is over 45% latakia with a heavy helping of Orientals with cavendish and brown Virginias. This blend is so smooth that we were surprised. A number of our customers tell us they find this very similar to Dunhill 965 (Murray's).
Details
| Brand | Compton's of Galashiels |
| Blended By | Maxim Engel |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Cavendish, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 100 grams bag |
| Country | Canada |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.59 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 11 - 20 of 22 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 25, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Very Full | Tolerable |
I ordered this tobacco with a new pipe, combining the orders to save shipping costs. I highly recommend ordering the pipe online at pipes2smoke.com and then ordering the tobacco over the phone, just for the opportunity to chat with Maxim. You'll quickly learn that he's a great representative of the tobacco industry. I ordered the pipe/tobacco four days ago and the box arrived today (Toronto to Minneapolis).
The tobacco arrives sealed in a metalized pouch, similar to that used for premium coffee. When opened the initial scent is that of an extremely high quality tobacco, featuring dark Virginia and Latakia. It's a dark, alluring, fresh musky scent. Spice, campfire, and a slight hint of molasses (though this is not an aromatic). The scent is reminiscent of Dunhill My Mixture 965 but much deeper and far more complex.
The tobacco leaf itself appears thick and the Virginia, Latakia, oriental, and cavendish seem consistent in cut size and volume. I don't recognize this tobacco as that being from any of the major bulk blenders, and I think I've seen most if not all. This stuff just seems extremely well cut. The quality is obvious. I got a good look at it all as I transferred it into four-ounce quilted mason jars, as is my routine. The pouch is rated for 15 years so I don't know why I didn't just leave it in there...
The initial char light was a thoroughly pleasing experience in realizing that this was "it," that grand master tobacco I have been searching for. I've spent a significant amount of money on online tobacco orders from all the major online retailers, in tins and bulk. No other tobacco comes close to this magical tobacco.
The depth, complexity, fullness of flavor is unparalleled. Full flavored tobaccos invariably come with a cost of harshness. Such is not the case with this tobacco. In fact, this full-flavored stuff is as smooth as any tobacco I've tried. The taste is sublime and the aroma is luxurious.
Some have compared this to 965. I guess I can understand that. However, 965 doesn't come close to this stuff in terms of appearance, scent, burn quality, etc. 965, like most of the Dunhill tins, quickly develops an ashy cigarette taste and smell halfway into the bowl. That doesn't happen with this stuff. Virginias usually do have that cig quality. This stuff tasted and smelled like its luxurious, rich, fresh, and complex self all the way to the end.
I'm not sure if it's the Latakia or the oriental, but there's a unique mustiness, or musk, or something... It's intriguing and alluring. I can't explain it. You'll know what I mean.
Best ever. I'm so glad I found this stuff.
The tobacco arrives sealed in a metalized pouch, similar to that used for premium coffee. When opened the initial scent is that of an extremely high quality tobacco, featuring dark Virginia and Latakia. It's a dark, alluring, fresh musky scent. Spice, campfire, and a slight hint of molasses (though this is not an aromatic). The scent is reminiscent of Dunhill My Mixture 965 but much deeper and far more complex.
The tobacco leaf itself appears thick and the Virginia, Latakia, oriental, and cavendish seem consistent in cut size and volume. I don't recognize this tobacco as that being from any of the major bulk blenders, and I think I've seen most if not all. This stuff just seems extremely well cut. The quality is obvious. I got a good look at it all as I transferred it into four-ounce quilted mason jars, as is my routine. The pouch is rated for 15 years so I don't know why I didn't just leave it in there...
The initial char light was a thoroughly pleasing experience in realizing that this was "it," that grand master tobacco I have been searching for. I've spent a significant amount of money on online tobacco orders from all the major online retailers, in tins and bulk. No other tobacco comes close to this magical tobacco.
The depth, complexity, fullness of flavor is unparalleled. Full flavored tobaccos invariably come with a cost of harshness. Such is not the case with this tobacco. In fact, this full-flavored stuff is as smooth as any tobacco I've tried. The taste is sublime and the aroma is luxurious.
Some have compared this to 965. I guess I can understand that. However, 965 doesn't come close to this stuff in terms of appearance, scent, burn quality, etc. 965, like most of the Dunhill tins, quickly develops an ashy cigarette taste and smell halfway into the bowl. That doesn't happen with this stuff. Virginias usually do have that cig quality. This stuff tasted and smelled like its luxurious, rich, fresh, and complex self all the way to the end.
I'm not sure if it's the Latakia or the oriental, but there's a unique mustiness, or musk, or something... It's intriguing and alluring. I can't explain it. You'll know what I mean.
Best ever. I'm so glad I found this stuff.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2012 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Very Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Another stellar blend from Canadian blending concern Compton's. Mr. Engels is conjuring up some of the best blends I've ever had, I tip my hat to you sir. If Pease is 7 on my Marshall head, Compton's is 11 . . . these go to 11 !
Very full and rich but never overwhelming. Great texture and mouth-feel, creamy and somewhat mouthwatering. Burns like like a dream, cool with a whispery grey almost white ash, virtually no dottle and nary a pipe cleaner needed between bowls.
Ever so slightly reminiscent of Dunhill 965 (early Murray's and Duke street) mostly in delivery and balance, not so much on the palate. This blend is excellent and most enjoyable; however, it does seem a bit fussy with the briar, for me a nice wide chamber works especially well, have fun and see.
Well worth the expense and often the wait too. Care and quality cannot be rushed, artisan pipe tobacco at its finest. I'd pack my pipe with this stuff any day of the week when compared to Pease, McClelland, Esoterica/JF Germain, Sam Gawith, and so forth. A real treat and luxury tobacco, at least to me.
Very full and rich but never overwhelming. Great texture and mouth-feel, creamy and somewhat mouthwatering. Burns like like a dream, cool with a whispery grey almost white ash, virtually no dottle and nary a pipe cleaner needed between bowls.
Ever so slightly reminiscent of Dunhill 965 (early Murray's and Duke street) mostly in delivery and balance, not so much on the palate. This blend is excellent and most enjoyable; however, it does seem a bit fussy with the briar, for me a nice wide chamber works especially well, have fun and see.
Well worth the expense and often the wait too. Care and quality cannot be rushed, artisan pipe tobacco at its finest. I'd pack my pipe with this stuff any day of the week when compared to Pease, McClelland, Esoterica/JF Germain, Sam Gawith, and so forth. A real treat and luxury tobacco, at least to me.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2011 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
Being a "yes man" is sometimes a good thing. This superior blend deserves four stars, and now that I have ordered some of Maxim's blends yet again all I want to add is that THEY ARE ALL WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY AS WELL AS THE WAIT.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 13, 2010 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
What else can I say except that I have to join the band wagon on this one and concur with the rest of the reviewers. The strength is more medium than full at best.
People compare this to the Dunhill 965. I just became an avid fan of the Dunhill My Mixture 965 since I got a hold of the re-released Dunhills. Although the YMF is a great smoke, it is however, not similar to the Dunhill 965. It's a good tobacco, and it can definitely be considered a good ALTERNATIVE for the Dunhill 965.
One major drawback of this tobacco is it price. It is cost prohibitive. There are others out there that are good alternatives at a fraction of the cost. For that, I'm giving this a solid 3 out of 4 stars.
People compare this to the Dunhill 965. I just became an avid fan of the Dunhill My Mixture 965 since I got a hold of the re-released Dunhills. Although the YMF is a great smoke, it is however, not similar to the Dunhill 965. It's a good tobacco, and it can definitely be considered a good ALTERNATIVE for the Dunhill 965.
One major drawback of this tobacco is it price. It is cost prohibitive. There are others out there that are good alternatives at a fraction of the cost. For that, I'm giving this a solid 3 out of 4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 26, 2010 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I am an avid cigar smoker for many years. This past year, I discovered a wonderful “hobby” – collecting pipes and pipe smoking. I am one of those “newbees” trying to find his footing. I am, in what one might call, the “experimentation” stage.
What can one say about the York Mixture Full? Well, I've had the opportunity to smoke this tobacco at one of our club meetings. Mind you, I'm not one to be persuaded by ads or testimonials of others. As a lover of English tobacco, I must proclaim that this is one of the best I've smoked (considering my limited experience). The cut was perfect and the aroma both pre-lit and lit were intoxicating (in a very good way). Contrary to some reviews, I did find this to be Medium in strength with very little, if no bite to it. Some reviewers rate this close to Dunhill's 965. Unfortunately, I yet have to try the “965” to make an intelligent comparison. I will leave that comparison to the more experienced smokers.
I would like to try other Compton's blend as it is being touted as one of the best tobaccos in the market today. As far as York Mixture Full is concerned, it will most certainly be included in my rotation. It will definitely have its place in my cellar.
What can one say about the York Mixture Full? Well, I've had the opportunity to smoke this tobacco at one of our club meetings. Mind you, I'm not one to be persuaded by ads or testimonials of others. As a lover of English tobacco, I must proclaim that this is one of the best I've smoked (considering my limited experience). The cut was perfect and the aroma both pre-lit and lit were intoxicating (in a very good way). Contrary to some reviews, I did find this to be Medium in strength with very little, if no bite to it. Some reviewers rate this close to Dunhill's 965. Unfortunately, I yet have to try the “965” to make an intelligent comparison. I will leave that comparison to the more experienced smokers.
I would like to try other Compton's blend as it is being touted as one of the best tobaccos in the market today. As far as York Mixture Full is concerned, it will most certainly be included in my rotation. It will definitely have its place in my cellar.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 06, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Very Full | Pleasant |
This is my first review -- and I have chosen York Mixture Full because I think Maxim Engel has done a great service for people who, like me, are very fond of English and Balkan mixtures. I hope this site encourages others to try the Compton's of Galashiels range!
The cut, moisture content and burning properties of this mixture are all excellent -- as, indeed, they are for the other Compton's blends I have tried (Macedonian Mixture and Number 10). The tobaccos are clearly of first-rate quality. On lighting one is rewarded with clouds of deliciously spicy smoke; the taste is nutty, creamy, smokey and spicy by turns, with a little sweetness from the Virginia base, with the Cavendish very nicely, as hagen notes, offsetting the high notes of the Orientals.
Dunhill's 965 was the tobacco which introduced me to pipe smoking (and Dunhill blends more generally) several years ago -- and I was lucky enough to go to one tobacco tasting at Dunhill's London shop before they closed down their tobacco business here. While there are clear resemblances between York Mixture Full and the old 965 I remember, I don't think YMF is a copy of 965. Rather, it's another excellent blend in the same tradition. I enjoy it greatly, and recommend it highly.
The cut, moisture content and burning properties of this mixture are all excellent -- as, indeed, they are for the other Compton's blends I have tried (Macedonian Mixture and Number 10). The tobaccos are clearly of first-rate quality. On lighting one is rewarded with clouds of deliciously spicy smoke; the taste is nutty, creamy, smokey and spicy by turns, with a little sweetness from the Virginia base, with the Cavendish very nicely, as hagen notes, offsetting the high notes of the Orientals.
Dunhill's 965 was the tobacco which introduced me to pipe smoking (and Dunhill blends more generally) several years ago -- and I was lucky enough to go to one tobacco tasting at Dunhill's London shop before they closed down their tobacco business here. While there are clear resemblances between York Mixture Full and the old 965 I remember, I don't think YMF is a copy of 965. Rather, it's another excellent blend in the same tradition. I enjoy it greatly, and recommend it highly.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 28, 2009 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
first whiff out of the jar is latakia and the cavendish (mind you, not the modern caramel horrors, but old-fashioned english-style, with a slightly woodsy and sweetened taste, expertly used to balance the high notes of the oriental tobaccos). in the background you sense the sun cured orientals. the virginias don't make themselves much noticed. perfect humidity and texture. no need to dry this one out.
the taste and flavour: as the tin description says, it's smooth. i don't know how this can be, as most other full englishes/balkans seem to be quite bitter/acrid, nightcap being a noteworthy exception. may be the quite powerfull virginias and cavendish, or it may be that the latakia is superb quality. whatever the reason, this is full taste, but with no attack on your throat. the orientals are obvious, too (and as with all compton's blends, with a wonderfull fragrancy), and beautifully balanced with the other ingredients. there's sweetness here, too, not only from the cavendish but certainly also from the virginias. bass as well as treble. to enjoy the full spectrum, sip it slowly and lovingly. puffing will make it smoke wet, and you'll lose all the subtleties. take your time. relax.
for me, this is absolutely not a morning smoke, or one for a short break during work, but it's great in the evening. not every evening, though: there are other compton's blends that beg to be smoked late in the day! and though it's not my absolute favourite among the splendid compton's blend, it's very very fine quality, and perfect when i want a powerfull and refined dose of oriental tobaccos.
it's really not an "english mixture" in the modern sense - "full scottish" would be less misleading as category - but very much recommended indeed.
the taste and flavour: as the tin description says, it's smooth. i don't know how this can be, as most other full englishes/balkans seem to be quite bitter/acrid, nightcap being a noteworthy exception. may be the quite powerfull virginias and cavendish, or it may be that the latakia is superb quality. whatever the reason, this is full taste, but with no attack on your throat. the orientals are obvious, too (and as with all compton's blends, with a wonderfull fragrancy), and beautifully balanced with the other ingredients. there's sweetness here, too, not only from the cavendish but certainly also from the virginias. bass as well as treble. to enjoy the full spectrum, sip it slowly and lovingly. puffing will make it smoke wet, and you'll lose all the subtleties. take your time. relax.
for me, this is absolutely not a morning smoke, or one for a short break during work, but it's great in the evening. not every evening, though: there are other compton's blends that beg to be smoked late in the day! and though it's not my absolute favourite among the splendid compton's blend, it's very very fine quality, and perfect when i want a powerfull and refined dose of oriental tobaccos.
it's really not an "english mixture" in the modern sense - "full scottish" would be less misleading as category - but very much recommended indeed.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 14, 2009 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
In my search for a replacement for the now gone Dunhill blends, I decided to try Compton's. I'm so glad I did.
York Full Mixture is akin to eighteen year single malt, in that it's smooth, but potent. The Virginias provide a sweetness that's complimented by the orientals and latakia. The different tobaccos pass in and out of the spotlight, each giving their solo and drifting back to accompany another during their solo. This is no sharp, harsh English, but a silky creamy blend that leaves the smoker wanting more.
Quality of leaf and unparalleled taste are hallmarks of Compton's. For the lover of English blends, I can give no higher stamp of approval than to urge one to try it and prepare to an experience like no other.
York Full Mixture is akin to eighteen year single malt, in that it's smooth, but potent. The Virginias provide a sweetness that's complimented by the orientals and latakia. The different tobaccos pass in and out of the spotlight, each giving their solo and drifting back to accompany another during their solo. This is no sharp, harsh English, but a silky creamy blend that leaves the smoker wanting more.
Quality of leaf and unparalleled taste are hallmarks of Compton's. For the lover of English blends, I can give no higher stamp of approval than to urge one to try it and prepare to an experience like no other.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 12, 2008 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
I recently added York Full to my collection of Maxim's mixtures, and I like this one the best. The others being #10, Viceroy, Macedonian, and Scottish Mixture. This is a big mixture and appears to be more a broken flake than a ribbon cut. It packs easily and stays lit. Pretty user friendly. The cut is rougher than most ribbons and prevents to a certain degree getting too hot with my steam locomotive rate of smoking. It smoked cool and dry all the way down to the bottom of the bowl and is intensely flavourful. I would describe it as an English, not a Balkan, even though it has a lot of Latakia in the mix. The smoke is full and has a lot of interesting twists and turns, although not as much as a G L Pease mixture. Slightly sweet at times, it is very well balanced and has that "just right" combination of elements that propelled me to the computer to order a whole pound for future enjoyment and aging. It had none of those bitter aspects some mixtures have with major Oriental components. I think the cavendish leaf adds a subtle characteristic that one can only get from well processed unsweetened Virginia Cavendish leaf. This will be a blessing to those of you who remember the old Dunhill mixtures before they were mucked up by the Continentals. Shipping to California from Canada takes forever, it seems, and sometimes a shipment gets lost (stolen) , but Maxim will replace it gladly. Very highly recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 01, 2007 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Very Strong |
This mixture right out of the bag is quite on the dry side, and this is the way it should be smoked to get its full flavor.
Upon lightning, it reminds me of Odyssey. A Balcan plenty of Latakia and nicely backed up by Orientals and Virginias. The Cavendish is not at all apparent, and I never get to detect it throughout the bowl.
Through the second third of the bowl the Latakia recedes, giving way to strong Orientals that make a sharper, almost jarring smoke.
The last third of the bowl is when Virginias get their full flavor and start playing an important role. I enjoy all English and Balkan mixtures in big bowls, but this one really excels in 0.75+ in³ bowls.
I really couldn't find any similitude with My Mixture 965, but this is a very enjoyable smoke by itself.
Due to its relatively high price, it lies somewhere between 2 and 3 stars.
Upon lightning, it reminds me of Odyssey. A Balcan plenty of Latakia and nicely backed up by Orientals and Virginias. The Cavendish is not at all apparent, and I never get to detect it throughout the bowl.
Through the second third of the bowl the Latakia recedes, giving way to strong Orientals that make a sharper, almost jarring smoke.
The last third of the bowl is when Virginias get their full flavor and start playing an important role. I enjoy all English and Balkan mixtures in big bowls, but this one really excels in 0.75+ in³ bowls.
I really couldn't find any similitude with My Mixture 965, but this is a very enjoyable smoke by itself.
Due to its relatively high price, it lies somewhere between 2 and 3 stars.
target="_blank"
