Bob’s Chocolate Flake

[ParkitoATL]

How do y’all like to prep this? I have a hard time getting good flavor out of it sometimes especially if I don’t snork or retrohale? I’m guessing I should rub it out finer? Fold and stuff hasn yielded optimal results for me.

Try cutting the flakes into 1/2" to 3/8" pieces and then rubbing out and few minutes to dry. You end up with a ribbon cut that still has some little chunklets. Last weekend, I smoked some Bosun Cut Plug prepped this way and the Peterson 303 bowl lasted over 90 minutes, just pouring out delicious smoke.

I have tried many different ways, including the herb grinder method, and this seems to work best and give me the most flavor from the exquisite toppings. I could actually taste the BCP as much as smell it.

 

[ParkitoATL]

Wow, just busted out the BCF and had a delicious smoke in my Amadeus bent billiard from Greece. Every Gawith Hoggarth blend is my favorite when I'm smoking it.

 

[DesertDan]

I have been curious about this blend for a while and recently acquired 2 tins.
It is next up in my rotation, looking forward to it.

 

[pinem]

I think Bob was an American? who got them to make up this blend for him on the regular, and he carried it round in a brown paper bag...maybe in the 80s? Please do not quote me. I am not making this up, but I doubt I have the facts all correct. If I read the story on here then someone is bound to correct.

I like it more for the latakia hint and light lakeland vibe, the cocoa is just a tease.

The "Bob" of Bob's Chocolate fame is.... :: Tobacciana History

Bob Lynch, of the Boston area. At the first pipe shows I attended around 1980,a college professor named Tom Colwell was in attendance. In addition to being a wealth of information about obscure pipe manufacturers, Tom had samples of various Gawith & Hoggarth tobaccos that he kept in rolled up...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[anotherbob]

You may very well be right!

you know Bob might not exist. They might have realized that as long as there are people there will be Bobs and that Bobs usually are slightly more interesting then their peers and hence more likely to smoke a pipe. Not a bad plan for creating what they call an old reliable. A product that sells steady just like the name Bob holds steady over generations (seriously it does, most names if graphed for commonness over time have peaks and valleys but Bob has the peaks and valleys of a lake on a calm day.

 

[mingc]

Nope, we have never had a blender called Bob. We have had the same blenders for 30 to 40 years. No idea who "Bob" of Bob's Chocolate Flake is. Will try and remember to ask.

"Bob" was supposedly Bob Lynch, former US and Canada distributor for GH&C who retired in the mid 90s. See, e.g., The "Bob" of Bob's Chocolate fame is.... :: Tobacciana History - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/the-bob-of-bobs-chocolate-fame-is.54133/ and Tobacco Blending - https://groups.google.com/g/alt.smokers.pipes/c/SFwBjerBP5w/m/aO0-C5kftsUJ

 

[mortonbriar]

"Bob" was supposedly Bob Lynch, former US and Canada distributor for GH&C who retired in the mid 90s. See, e.g., The "Bob" of Bob's Chocolate fame is.... :: Tobacciana History - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/the-bob-of-bobs-chocolate-fame-is.54133/ and Tobacco Blending - https://groups.google.com/g/alt.smokers.pipes/c/SFwBjerBP5w/m/aO0-C5kftsUJ

This is what I was half remembering I think...

 

[Jbrewer2002]

I have never tried it but may need to order some. It sounds interesting.

 

[Bbailey324]

I highly recommend it at this point. My 2oz sample was done in 7 to 10 days and I ordered and received 8oz during that period. Great interplay between Va and Latakia flavors and the tonquin and chocolate toppings. Smoked slowly the flavor constantly changes between Va notes, Latakia smokiness, tonquin vanilla and spice notes, chocolate flavors and combinations of all of the above. Near the end of the bowl I sometimes get a flavor of BBQ beef burnt ends with chocolate and post oak smoke notes. Early in the bowl I get a burst of dark roast coffee bean flavor periodically.

 

[Gimlet]

Haven't smoked any for ages but I went to a big tobacconist today for a large consignment and picked up a couple of ounces of Bob's to refresh my memory.

Trying some now and unfortunately, to go against the grain of the thread, I'm can't say I'm all that fussed about it. I'm not getting any chocolate. Tiny bit if Latakia but barely detectable. Mostly I'm getting an old musty suitcase and very little scent from the bowl as it burns.

I'm afraid I have to say, when it comes to Kendal blends, I greatly prefer Coniston cut plug, 1792, Westmorland slices, Ennerdale or Best brown.

 

[condorlover1]

Thats the trouble. Sometimes it's perfect and you love the stuff. Sometime you get a bowl of wet raincoat and meter cupboard.

 

[Gimlet]

Well I've warmed to it a little after a few more bowls. I am getting some chocolate now but the dominant character is still that of the inside of an old suitcase dug out of the attic.
However, it is a smooth, cool and well behaved smoke. But I don't think the scent and taste is a patch on the breezy Coniston cut plug or Best Brown A. I'll finish it but stick to my Lakeland favourites thereafter I think.

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

How do y’all like to prep this? I have a hard time getting good flavor out of it sometimes especially if I don’t snork or retrohale? I’m guessing I should rub it out finer? Fold and stuff hasn yielded optimal results for me.

I find most G&H flakes to be unsuitable for the fold and stuff method. I usually rub them out pretty finely then dry for a bit before packing my pipe lightly. As the other person mentioned you could also get a scissors and cube cut the flakes.

 

[Egg Shen]

I find most G&H flakes to be unsuitable for the fold and stuff method. I usually rub them out pretty finely then dry for a bit before packing my pipe lightly. As the other person mentioned you could also get a scissors and cube cut the flakes.

Thank you. I’ve found satisfaction in giving it a heavy rub. For whatever reason the cube cut wasn’t giving me as flavorful results

 

[geoffs]

I’ve found satisfaction in giving it a heavy rub.

That's what she said.
I'll see myself out.