Compton's of Galashiels York Full Mixture

Based on a 5-bowl sample, which is more than I ever thought I'd get! Thanks to the internet buddy that sent it. This is a "full English color scheme" of blonde to black with a rich and luxurious nose of latakia and supporting tobaccos. My sample came from a fresh pouch and was sufficiently dry but not too dry.

I got a hint of the 965 reference but this doesn't taste like an attempt at a clone... more of an attempt to offer an alternative to a blend no longer made by Murrays. It is more medium tasting to me than full, with the latakia rulingd but not in despotic fashion. The supporting tobaccos have a clear role as well, although the latakia took over in the last quarter bowl. It's a rich tasting blend, full of flavor, but didn't wear me out even using the large bowls I prefer. There are a ton of English mixtures out there but, like those from GL Pease, this one doesn't seem like an also ran in a crowded field. It stands out like the old ones by John Cotton and Dunhill did back in the day. Excellent mixture. Loses a star because of availability and Maxim's idea of customer service. I've waited 15 months for my bag of this and have long since grown weary of the constant follow up that resolves nothing. If you have the patience of Job and are lucky enough to finally score this, you will be amply rewarded.

York Full lives up to its name as it is one full tasting English blend. Even the pouch scent lets you know that it is going to be a complex blend. It seems to burn a little slower for me than similar blends. It is hard to believe that there is 45% Latakia in York as it is balanced and the Orientals are top shelf. As the pouch scent indicated, it has a lot of complexity in the smoke. I still would have to give the edge to Macedonian Mixture from the same blender in terms of my favorite. I am lucky enough to still have a fair amount of Murray's 965 and I don't see the comparison. As others have noted, the COG blends do cost more, but IMHO the quality is worth the extra coin. I do drop a half star for availability. I don't mind waiting, but it's too long too often so York ends up being a treat for me rather than part of any rotation. Recommended!

There is nothing fruity or exotic about this blend, just first quality tobaccos artfully blended and simply presented. YFM is, as one might well suspect, Lat-forward, but it is similar to GOG's Balkan blend in that the Lat never gets up on its hind legs to over saturate one's mouth and/or eclipse the other tobaccos in the blend. According to Max, this blend swaps his Balkan's Turkish for some Cavendish, and I think the Cavendish factors in taming the Latakia, like the Turkish do/es in the Balkan. Meanwhile, the Virginias act as expected, underpinning the blend and rising up to put some sugar and a little edge that I like on the aroma and taste, if I puff it hard enough to keep it lit. Despite this, it never burns my mouth, and I am left with a very nice, "smoky" aftertaste, mostly satisfied. Plenty of tobacco-lover smoke, too - if you keep it going.

The English League is tough to play in these days. While I enjoy this blend, and there is nothing about it I don't like, it is not distinguished enough for 4 stars.

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.

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.

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.