Benjamin Hartwell Chesdin Mixture

I was hesitant to submit my opinion of this stuff on the grounds that I don't know just what the hell I got when I purchased this. But after seeing how inconsistent and all over the board all the other reviews were in their descriptions of Chesdin, I figure my two cents can only add to the ambiguity.

This blend certainly wasn't anything I anticipated. When I asked my tobacconist to try a good English mix, with a bit sweeter, darker profile, but not too heady, this is what he suggested, stating that it's close to McClelland's Frog Morton. I'd have to trust him on word alone, as the tin description was vague to say the least, (and I unfortunately never managed to try FM when it was around) but it sounded good enough. Latakia...Virginia..."Fine Old Recipe..." Call me nuts for expecting English style blending...smoky...leathery...figgy...you know...English?

What I encountered was another beast entirely. A uniform mixture of long, thin, brown and black ribbons of extremely moist leaf, speckled here and there with some light golden flecks. When I say moist, I mean the paper in the tin was disentigrating because of just how wet it was. But the hermetic seal was intact, so I didn't suspect any spoilage, then again, It'd certainly be difficult after being so enraptured by such an alluring smell. It smells like a chocolatier's kitchen-Vanilla, caramel, molasses, cocoa, and a subtle aroma of dried fruit that just sets your mouth watering. I didn't detect much in the way of Latakia or other condimentals, but there is a whiff of some "X" factor that can only be described as "deep and rich smelling," so maybe my sniffer just isn't refined enough.

Despite the saturation of moisture, it takes to the match like a dream. Its flavor is rich, sweet, and creamy. Like espresso and ice cream, but theres another, nutty and woodsy note that rounds this out beautifully. Does smoke a touch wet out of the tin so I'm going to leave it be in the popped tin and see what it does. Maybe the English flavors will become more prominent. I saw some other folks say that they suspect that this may have some Cavendishes or even Burleys...it does have a touch of vanilla casing that is undeniable, but it is not overbearing, and I believe the sweetness in Chesdin Mixture is solely from top notch leaf of high caliber, which was the only congruent theme in all the reviews I read. NOBODY can agree on what exactly comprises the composition in Chesdin Mixture, or how the smoker experiences it, but everyone seems to be of the opinion that regardless of whatever it is, it's crafted from good leaf. This stuff was delicious, and very pleasurable for me and those around me, so I refuse to say that it's bad, even if it wasn't what I was going for.

Nevertheless, it remain confusing, and after lurking on here to see if my confusion was an outlier, I can only conclude that this blend has been enchanted with some kind of black magic or hoodoo sorcery, meant to confound us mortals and leave us pondering and bewildered...but to what end the wizard responsible for this enigmatic spell did so, I haven't the foggiest. Maybe even that element of ambiguity is just part of it, and our unnamed tobacco warlock (What if it was Ben Hartwell himself???) is just some absurdist prankster...or he's just a lunatic. Either way, for whatever it's worth, Chesdin has my endorsement as a quality smoke.

I am always fascinated by polarizing indulgences in the world of consummables...the "love it or hate it" stuff. Weird cheese, weird wines, funky foods that come in jars and cans that are simultaneously adored and reviled...now I can add a tobacco to this list. Try it out for yourself, and see what you think. I'll let you know when I finally figure it out for myself, then again, pipe smoking is all about pondering the bigger questions...maybe that was the intent. Chesdin Mixture certainly has me questioning reality now, and I can't say that it's a bad thing.

Recognizing that this blend is listed here as blended by Sutliff, I agree with reviewers Noorrmm 2005-05-20, Emeritus Account 2006-12-28, Steel Cowboy 2012-04-08, Young Piper 2015-11-30 and all of the others who compared it to Frog Morton; this is a McClelland tinning (as Howard Cosell would have put it) "all-the-way". On opening my tin, I was confronted with an English blend that was damp, dark and sweetly fragrant; just like all of the other McClelland English blends I have opened over the years. How damp was it? I plunked a wad of Chesdin Mixture on the counter top at three o'clock in the afternoon and checked on it at six, nine and midnight. At that point I just gave up and let it sit out all night long until the next morning. It was barely ready to pack and light and I forced the issue by lighting it up. Now, the tin presentation might lead one to believe that we have a stout mixture here: dark in color, some Latakia odor and fairly fragrant - but, not so. I found Chesdin Mixture to be a rather light English that, while not offensive or anything, didn't live up to the tin appearance and failed to satisfy my English cravings. I never lit a second bowl straight out of the tin. I tried blending with it as an English base tobacco but that didn't work too well due to it's lack of strength and everything I mixed it with dominated it in flavor. I can only somewhat recommend Chesdin Mixture to the experienced English smoker and agree with reviewer Jimlnks 2014-03-26 that it might be best for the beginning English smoker - two stars.

After trying Evening Stroll I decided to try this English blend and once again I was quite pleased with what I smoked. It is not overly strong and will not make the smoker new to an English blend woozy. I have been told that there is some type of flavoring but I can't find it. A nice light English I would be able to smoke all day

I purchased a tin of this about 6 months ago and it sat in my cabinet until last week. I finally, curious as to what it might be, cracked the tin and loaded a pipe for the drive into work. First reaction: an incredibly exquisite Latakia based blend. Second opinion, later into the bowl: is that all there is? The Virginias seemed AWOL.

Yes, it reminded very much of Frogmorton (which I gave a 4 star -actually a 3.5), but it was still somewhat different. It seemed to share the same Latakia, seemed very, very close, but still different. The following day, a day 0ff from work with ample leisure time to experiment, I compared my open tins of the Frog and CM. Tin aroma was very close but the CM, my sample at least, seemed sweeter. Appearance was identical. Was I imagining a difference in the pipe? I loaded up one of my favorite Custombilt bulldogs and puffed away on the CM. Same experience as the day before. Two hours later (resting my palate some) I loaded another, identical pipe - both newly cleaned- and smoked the Frog. Very similar as my memory guessed BUT a discernible difference nonetheless. The Va components came through with the Frog where I tasted little if none in the CM. Edge to the Frog - more depth of favor. I could smoke Frogmorton everyday (but not all day) whereas I couldn't see my smoking CM except occasionally. Was the difference I tasted only a variance in two tins of the same blend. Obviously we're dealing with an agricultural product with all its variabilities. So, is CM the Frog? I've no idea. Based on my very subjective sampling I must knock a star off my frog rating for CM...down to three. Then comes PRICE. CM is the most expensive blend I own and I can't justify its price (perhaps from a double layer of markup being a contracted blend). Down another star.

07062008 This blend, while very good from the fresh tin, is even better with age. I recently opened a tin that had been in my "cellar" for over a year, and I was greatly impressed. I now have 7 tins ageing and am smoking another. For me, IMHO, this is the perfect end-of-the-day blend, calming, relaxing.

06242007 Chesdin Mixture is a blend I go for when I want something mild. Being a lover of heavier english blends and the occasional VA, I wanted something that didn't demand a lot of attention at times, and Chesdin Mixture fills the bill. CM loaded easily in any size pipe I tried it in. It took the flame well, burned cleanly and smoked cooly throught the bowl with only the occasional tamp. No gurgle, no tongue bite, a clean, dry pipe. Could be an all day smoke for some. Certainly a good starting blend for someone wishing to experience English blends. 4 stars for this Benjamin Hartwell blend.

Not too bad. Too bad better tobacco can be bought in bulk cheaper though. Try mclelland 5110 if you like this and don't mind sweet.

I could smoke this again though, really a pretty decent english style latakia blend.

I have a feeling like many others this is a copy of the Frog Morton blend... the only difference that I can distinguish is that the black Cavendish is a sweeter than I remember Froggie being. The VA. in this blend is quite nice and contrasts the dark leaves very well. Overall a nice blend I just think the blend could tone down on the sweetness a bit.

I love all McClelland products that are made for other companies! This is no exception. A very nice variation of "FROG MORTON ON THE TOWN". Not at all the same, but in that vein. Lightly cased with Vanilla, a rather pleasant smoke while cooking or doing laundry. Better priced than the "Frogs" and a little different. Don't rush to buy it , walk slowly to get it and I think you'll be more satisfied.Good Stuff.

I enjoyed smoking this tobacco. It's a wonderful latakia blend and not so expensive as tinned tobaccos go. Smooth smoking, rich aroma and elegant label adds to this tobacco as a sophisticated latakia blend.