I've been a big fan of GH twists such as Sweet Rum Twist, Sweet Whiskey Twist, Sweet Black Cherry Twist. I was particularly fond of Sweet Rum Twist. Unfortunately, recent batches of these twists are just different. They look different, they smell different, they are easier to cut, prepare, dry and smoke, which obviously results in completely different taste and room note. To be fair, some smokers who prefer easier burning tobacco might approve of such changes, but I prefer the older version. What are your thoughts? Did you notice the change in quality as well? It seems like these twists don't sell so well on smokingpipes anymore. Do you think G&H might learn from it and backtrack to old production method or will decide to discontinue production as well as they did with Kendal flake, Bob's square cut, Cherry Cream flake and many other blends?
Changes in GH twists
- Thread starter Whenry
- Start date
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According to the GH spox who frequents these pages, nothing has changed at GH (other than the nomenclature of the cuts) for close to 30,000 years.
I have not noticed any changes in the GH twists myself. Sweet Run and Sweet Whiskey are definitely great twists in my opinion. But like @woodsroad said, I was also under the impression that GH has had the same process since time immemorial.
You will find a group who have smoked them for decades and note no changes. You will find a similar group who loathes the changes. Good luck!
Which is actually half the time they’ve been making pipe tobacco.
No need to bother their damaged goods department, I mean damage control department. I’ll do it.
This is all in your head. It’s exactly the same as it has always been. If you love our company, you’ll bow down and just accept that you’re wrong. Then I will call some random fellow forum member a dumbass.
That’s how it works, right?
This is all in your head. It’s exactly the same as it has always been. If you love our company, you’ll bow down and just accept that you’re wrong. Then I will call some random fellow forum member a dumbass.
That’s how it works, right?
Almost that long.
Watch this, and look around the rooms:
That's a history film, but not a "forgotten past" one... The massive machines you see in it didn't go away, they were just moved to a newer and larger building across town. And they are still in use.
And since the machinery was designed to perform a particular step---serve a specific purpose---in a production process, it's reasonable to assume that the same processes are still being used as well.
The only thing that has changed (of course) is what types, grades, and etc. of tobacco are available in the 21st century to perform those processes on.
Another reasonable assumption is that any company who flipped off the gleaming automated modern world by deliberately choosing to do things the Old Way---the hard way---is a group of enthusiasts who want to make the best products they can, not simply make money.
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My guess is that most people in that film are dead. People, and the knowledge and love they bring to their job, are the most important element of a process like that.
When were you at Gawith Hoggarth, George? That’s cool.
When were you at Gawith Hoggarth, George? That’s cool.
No arguing with that.
But it's been true forever, concerning everything.
Something that's typical of passionate, dedicated people is to pass on what they've learned, too. It's part of how their brain is wired.
I won the 2.3 billion dollar Mega Millions lottery last year, so now zip around the world using a small fleet of private jets, and rang up GH the last time I saw western England out the window. They said sure, no problem, stop by if you're so inclined. I don't recall the exact date, though, because my admin assistant's secretary had a family emergency this morning and I can't work that shiny flat thing she carries around everywhere. Sorry.
I bought and carried off as much Fat Brown Rope and Brone Bowgie (that's what my kid used to call it for fun when he was little, and the name stuck) as the Lear would hold, though. I definitely remember THAT.
"I liked it better when it was impossible to smoke."
Hipsters...
Hipsters...
The facts are these - we are using the same twist machines and presses, these are 150 to 200 years old. The cooking side has changed a bit over the years as steam jacket presses became electric hydraulic presses and as the machinery has to be repaired/renewed.
Of course staff do retire. But we still have the same ladies making twist that have made it for the last 30 to 40 years. And they are now training up the next generation.
The same guys that steam and blend the leaf have been with us for 30 + years but again there is another generation being taught.
Leaf changes from year to year, crop to crop. Not much else changes.
Twist production and distribution around the world has increased massively over the last 3 or 4 years, much of that is to America.
Of course staff do retire. But we still have the same ladies making twist that have made it for the last 30 to 40 years. And they are now training up the next generation.
The same guys that steam and blend the leaf have been with us for 30 + years but again there is another generation being taught.
Leaf changes from year to year, crop to crop. Not much else changes.
Twist production and distribution around the world has increased massively over the last 3 or 4 years, much of that is to America.
I have noticed changes in the brown twist over the last few years. Most of what I am smoking my way through at the moment is legacy tobacco that came from Weezel after his passing which dates from 2019-21. I have not noticed any changes in the Black X Irish twist.
Increased rope production was what I suspected as the reason Smokingpipes could keep them in stock longer.
I have not noticed changes from year to year greater than one would expect from the vagaries of tobacco crops. When I have received tobacco less perfumed than I expected, the culprit has usually been sitting too long on the retailer’s shelf.
A change I have noticed and very much appreciate is better packaging. The sealed trays and 500g bags are far superior to the old zip-seal bags in 500g boxes and the roll top bags for shags and ropes. Thanks for that, @gawithhoggarth!
I do wish @gawithhoggarth would bring Grasmere, Coconut Twist, and Kendal Dark Vanilla back to the US market. They are sorely missed.
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Grasmere you can have if Laudisi order it.
Coconut twist we don't produce any more.
Kendal Dark Vanilla I have never known us do but maybe many years ago. We don't tend to flavour Kendal Dark due to its strength overpowering any flavour. Its mostly Kendal Gold and Mixed that can have flavours.
Coconut twist we don't produce any more.
Kendal Dark Vanilla I have never known us do but maybe many years ago. We don't tend to flavour Kendal Dark due to its strength overpowering any flavour. Its mostly Kendal Gold and Mixed that can have flavours.
Blends are discontinued usually because they do not sell enough and are not worth making. And then of course a while later when no longer available everyone suddenly wants it!! Or occasionally because a certain leaf type etc can't be sourced any more. We don't discontinue blends that sell well, that would make no business sense.
Thank you for that great reply.