I picked up a few tins of Bothy Flake after growing very attached to Lancer Slices. The combo of Virginias and Latakia is very pleasant, and I'll have to look into other similar blend types.
The Latakia in Bothy Flake is less controlling than in Lancer Slices, and it does a better job of melding with the Virginias. Although it is Virginia-forward, the Latakia is constantly there providing a nice smokey support with a hint of spice. The Virginias aren't sweet and citrusy, but more flowery like compost. There's a fruitiness there but it isn't very sweet, more like apricots than peaches. I don't detect much of the whiskey topping, but my palate IQ usually isn't high enough to pick up liquor toppings. I did occasionally pick up a yeasty note that reminded me of something fermenting, but I think that was more from the Virginias than the topping.
The flake itself is sopping wet, like all tinned Gawith flakes. I dried and fully rubbed out the flakes and mostly packed with the Frank method, which worked pretty well. I didn't really notice the nicotine.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable smoke. I dig the Gawith ethos, which seems to be to make excellent blends that aren't overly complex. Once I quit trying to do the novice thing where I try to pick out each of the tobacco flavors and started enjoying the unity of flavors, I started enjoying it much more.
This one gets a 3.5/5 from me. I might order more if it's available stateside, but I don't think I'll be importing any tins.
I obviously have no idea how to do reviews, so here's my subjective scale:
5/5 - One of the big boys. Super Mario Brothers 2 of pipe tobacco.
4/5 - Bretty gud, I'll order some to keep around. Nice.
3/5 - Solid, finished the tin/bag. Probably won't order more. Maybe.
2/5 - Didn't finish tin/bag, but only because I'm a picky spoiled brat.
1/5 - Actually couldn't finish the tin/bag.
The Latakia in Bothy Flake is less controlling than in Lancer Slices, and it does a better job of melding with the Virginias. Although it is Virginia-forward, the Latakia is constantly there providing a nice smokey support with a hint of spice. The Virginias aren't sweet and citrusy, but more flowery like compost. There's a fruitiness there but it isn't very sweet, more like apricots than peaches. I don't detect much of the whiskey topping, but my palate IQ usually isn't high enough to pick up liquor toppings. I did occasionally pick up a yeasty note that reminded me of something fermenting, but I think that was more from the Virginias than the topping.
The flake itself is sopping wet, like all tinned Gawith flakes. I dried and fully rubbed out the flakes and mostly packed with the Frank method, which worked pretty well. I didn't really notice the nicotine.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable smoke. I dig the Gawith ethos, which seems to be to make excellent blends that aren't overly complex. Once I quit trying to do the novice thing where I try to pick out each of the tobacco flavors and started enjoying the unity of flavors, I started enjoying it much more.
This one gets a 3.5/5 from me. I might order more if it's available stateside, but I don't think I'll be importing any tins.
I obviously have no idea how to do reviews, so here's my subjective scale:
5/5 - One of the big boys. Super Mario Brothers 2 of pipe tobacco.
4/5 - Bretty gud, I'll order some to keep around. Nice.
3/5 - Solid, finished the tin/bag. Probably won't order more. Maybe.
2/5 - Didn't finish tin/bag, but only because I'm a picky spoiled brat.
1/5 - Actually couldn't finish the tin/bag.
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