Hearth & Home Ambassador's Blend

I got a complimentary sample from pipesandcigars.com. I admit I didn't have high expectations. Tried some, and all I can say is "Wow". This is a very pleasant, well- balanced, English blend. A versatile, every day smoke. Some people say it came "dry". If that means immediately-smokeable, then I agree. And this is a good thing. There is certainly no harshness in my sample. They've definitely gained a customer for this blend.

A visual inspection reveals dark yellow, brown, and black ribbon cut tobaccos. The moisture level is fluffy dry, not crispy, just right for smoking. The pouch note is an interesting mild to medium sweet Orientals and smoky Latakia. Not overly rich, nor offensive.

I would describe Ambassador’s blend as being silky smooth, refined, and very well behaved. While the Latakia is there from start to finish, the Virginias and Orientals keep the Latakia in balance and prevent it from becoming too overpowering. There is a very mild, almost undetectable, buttery sweetness underlying the smooth quiet smokiness of this expertly blended tobacco.

Ambassador’s blend is so unbelievably well balanced, that it’ll easily lull you into a quiet and relaxing smoking experience.

This is a smooth and flavorful English where the Latakia plays its part yet never overbears. Orientals add buttery citrus high note while the Virginias create a spinal base. There is a muted consistency of strength with a wealth of flavor.

Images evoked include a skeleton breakdancing to trip-hop while wearing a jade monocle.

The deeply rich Cyprian Latakia provides a wealth of earth, wood, smoke, some sweetness, mustiness, herbs, floralness, vegetation along with mild incense and spice as the lead component. The Orientals offer a lot of earth, wood, herbs, vegetation, floralness, some buttery sweetness, spice, and light sourness as a supporting player. The Virginia produces some tart and tangy citrus, grass, bread, sugar, mild floralness, vegetation, and a couple pinches of spice. I’m not sure all the creamy smooth sweetness comes from the varietals, and I suspect a very mild additive is the reason for it. The strength is a step past the medium mark. The nic-hit is a slot below medium. The taste is a rung past the strength level. Won’t bite or get harsh, and doesn’t have any roughness. Deeply rich and rather smooth, it burns cool and clean at a moderate pace with a very consistent smoky sweet, floral, spicy flavor that extends to the lightly lingering, pleasant after taste. The room note is a bit stronger. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Can be an all day smoke for the veteran, and repeatable for the less experienced. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

Amazing mixture! First, it's a medium EM but smooth and mellow right out of new tins. Although it has some spiciness, it won't bite or numb your tongue even in heavy puff. It only took one bowl to make me order more. Finally, it's not in the relatively pricey Marquee series, and comes in 8oz tin and bulk. No need to age because it is already a 4 star in fresh tin. It's as perfect as a Balkan blend can get!

I do believe this is one of the best all around English blends out there. Easy to load and light and delivers a wonderful English flavor and room note. One small issue - it is eather too wet or too dry, mostly dry. This is not a big deal to me, but worth mentioning.

I was surprised at how dry this blend was right out of the pouch, regardless; This blend from Russ lights easily (it's a very dry ribbon cut). It stays lit and it burns cool. Fairly smokey, which I like, and it's taste seems to mellow toward the bottom of the bowl.. Pretty good smoke- I would not say that it's my favorite but English fans will appreciate it..

Tin note of mildly smoky, mildly vinegary, and spices, Tobacco is mostly black, dark brown and a little tan Ribbon cut. Moisture content is good. No drying/prep needed. Burns moderate with few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and mostly consistent, with complex notes of sugar, smoky, spice, smooth, rich leather, creamy, toasted bread, floral, tangy fruit, wood, hay, mildly dry, savory, mildly herbal vegetation, lemon zest, mildly bitter, a mild tart citrus background note, and a smooth retro. Latakia is barely beating Virginias for the lead with Oriental/Turkish supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

This blend tastes exactly like Samuel Gawith's Skiff which has limited availability in the U.S.