Artisans Blend vs. Nightcap vs. HH Latakia Flake

[geopiper]

Thinking of getting some Artisans Blend but I haven't tried it yet. I'm wondering how it compares to HH Latakia Flake and Nightcap. I've had HH latakia flake. I have some nightcap on hand but haven't smoked it yet.

Most English blends with latakia taste very similar to me and I'm wondering if Artisans is nuanced enough to taste different than the rest.

thanks

 

[anotherbob]

yeah. Nothing like latakia flake. Totally different beasts. I haven't smoked Artisans blend but from what I've heard it's way different then latakia flake.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Most English blends with latakia taste very similar to me and I'm wondering if Artisans is nuanced enough to taste different than the rest.

All blends with more that condiment amounts of latakia taste exactly the same to me now.

 

[anotherbob]

All blends with more that condiment amounts of latakia taste exactly the same to me now.

Wow Latakia flake tastes more like latakia then most English blends do. Like all the other stuff in it is only there to effect the latakia taste.

 

[shanez]

I haven't had the HH Latakia Flake.

Between the Nightcap and Artisan's, they're similar enough that I'm happy with either. I think the only reason the Nightcap was ever really discussed at length was because it was a dunhill product that was discontinued. I have about 8 tins of the Nightcap and won't be buying anymore of it. I have 15 tins of the Artisan's and will buy more if I start to run low.

That being said, if Artisan's left the market I actually would buy more of the Nightcap since I like the style of the two.

Neither of them are worth extra money IMO, even with a little age on them.

 

[shanez]

I should also say, I recommend trying both Nightcap and Artisan's to see if you happen to like one more than the other. They're similar enough, and in a vein similar to Embers, that I'm not fanatical enough to I can really find a big difference.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Wow Latakia flake tastes more like latakia then most English blends do. Like all the other stuff in it is only there to effect the latakia taste.

That's all I taste in them anymore. The likes of Penzance and Pirate Kake are exactly the same.

 

[elasmo]

For me, Artisan's was a bit too much, love Nightcap though. I would suggest Ten Russians over Artisans.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Thinking of getting some Artisans Blend but I haven't tried it yet. I'm wondering how it compares to HH Latakia Flake and Nightcap. I've had HH latakia flake. I have some nightcap on hand but haven't smoked it yet.

Most English blends with latakia taste very similar to me and I'm wondering if Artisans is nuanced enough to taste different than the rest.

thanks

Doesn't compare to Latakia Flake in the last. Lots of similarities to Nightcap.

 

[bullet08]

To me, Artisan's Blend has more complexity than Night Cap. Little smoother also. They are not exactly same. There was a lot of talk about Night Cap when Dunhill was going away. Lot of people suggested AB, but good enough people found it different. I think NC is just loved since it's been around so long and smoked by many. Also heard that currently available NC is not as good as one made by previous shops. But, I wouldn't know that.

 

[pantsBoots]

Artisan's Blend is a personal favorite. I find it more complex than Nightcap. Nightcap isn't bad, but I'd take My Mix 965 over it any day. I cellar both Artisan's and 965.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

While, to me, latakia blends can taste vastly different, latakia flakes and Balkan Flakes, I just don't enjoy. They're too homogenized in flavor, IMO. I prefer to get hints of all of the actors in a blend, front liners as well as supporting roles. This winter, I've had three tins of English and Balkans going at a time, and I enjoy the differences in flavors.

I do pick up differences between NightCap and Artisan, but they are definitely in the same genre.

 

[geopiper]

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll forgo an Artisans Blend purchase, especially since it's made with Cyprian these days.

 

[mtwaller]

Artisan’s Blend and HH Latakia Flake are two of my most favorite blends. I find Artisan’s to be much richer, smokier, and meatier than HH Latakia Flake. The HH flake has a certain buttery quality that I’ve never found in any other blend, and I think it’s exquisite. HH Latakia Flake tastes a bit more complex to me, Artisan’s is more of a straightforward powerhouse.

 

[Bigdadz]

I tried artisans blend several years ago and was thoroughly disappointed. It tasted cased to me, like a stronger version of those cross over English blends such as frog Morton. ( I have a sealed tin from 2013 that I would trade in Canada)

If you like a stouter and more traditional English mixture then I would go with Nightcap. But from the Dunhill ( now Peterson) series 965 remains my favourite.

 

[BeardonBoards]

I have a tin of each and did not expect the answers of Artisan's blend to be near Nightcap in strength. Looking forward to trying them both.

 

[FurCoat]

I am not a big fan of NC, it's OK. Never had Artisan's so no opinion there. HH is good imho but remember tastes are subjective. Of the tinned English I perfer MM965. Personally I would recommend LJ Peretti blends (Omega, Royal, Tashkenk) if you're looking for a non lat bomb English. An 8 oz can is $36 so it is much more affordable and I believe a better smoke. If you want a lat bomb I would go with Watch City Cigar (Ahabs Comfort, Nor easter) same value and simply delicious.

 

[troyniss]

MacBaren Latakia Flake is good for when I want something a little sweeter. I find that it has that signature MacBaren taste that I find in some other blends like ODF and BK. Could be the casing they use.

Nightcap is a far different profile. I reach for Nightcap more than I do LF simply because I enjoy English/Balkans with perique in it.

Never had AB.