Gawith, Hoggarth & Co - "Dark Flake"

[deathmetal]

Been puffing on this all day. A little bit goes a long way. Nice, lingering flavor, once the old lady dies and the perfume stops:

Summary: strong dark-fired and air-cured tobaccos balance each other for a rich, earthy smoke with hints of nuttiness.
Although this is the "Unscented" version, it still bears a fair amount of the flowery Lakeland perfume which is either sprayed indiscriminately around the factory or used as a casing. Unwrapping this dark chocolate-colored flake reveals the "Malawi Dark Fired Leaf and Indian dark air-cured leaf" pressed on each other in layers. The resulting flavor is both warm and smoky, with a rich nuttiness and faint sweetness in aftertaste, making for a good extended smoke especially with red wine or black tea.
Thanks to Pipes Magazine forum member "Cosmic" for this sample.
http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/562#review86048

Cosmic sent me, as detailed here, a honkin' generous sample. I'll be happily smoking this for months to come.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

You got a lakeland essence off of that sample? I've been smoking from that same batch, and I don't get anything but straight tobacco flavor. Hmm...

 

[deathmetal]

Yes, but it burns off quickly -- probably on the outside of this flake. Not like the Conniston Cut Plug "Unscented" I got which was drenched in it. Could smell it two rooms away. I had to box it twice and hide it under the bathroom sink.

 

[beastinview]

Interesting! I'm getting more interested in flakes / ropes / plugs. Keep the reviews coming.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

well, it's at least older than the factory move, so at least it doesn't play into that speculation. I'm glad that you're enjoying it. I love the stuff, especially as the weather warms up. I like it with a robust cup of coffee in the evenings, when I would be torn between a pipe and a good dark cigar.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

And its worth a try to sample the DF scented version. It's so rose soapy, that where I dumped it in the yard still wreaks of the crap when the weather gets hot. I can't imagine what sort of man enjoys that stuff.

 

[deathmetal]

It's a lovely smoke: rich, fine and full. I shudder at the thought of a Full Lakeland, but apparently some enjoy it.
@beastinview:

Same here. I find the plugs, ropes and flakes often a bit more intense and designed for the tobacco maniac, as well as often the nicotine maniac...

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Now, I need to get you some Cotton Boll Twist. It'll make all of the rest seam like baby candy, ha ha!

 

[deuce26]

Great tobacco and a nice nic hit.

 

[deathmetal]

Cotton Boll Twist

Excellent suggestion.
You mentioned one of my favorites. I only bought one rope back in the day, and immediately kicked myself for not buying the ten-pack.
This is a nice, strong Burley. Tastes like outside. Nutty on the edge of peaty. Glorious with a pint of stout.
I end up mixing in about 10-30% Hal O' The Wynd which sweetens it and seems to enhance the kick. I can smoke this mix all day. I hope that's not heresy but the flavors complement each other wonderfully.
Right now, I'm smoking a compensation mix for that, which sadly ran out. It's mostly C&D Dark Burley, with finely chopped Brown No. 4, and a flavoring of Straight Grain Flake.
But if you know where I can find Cotton Boll Twist in bulk... it's excellent!

 

[ericusrex]

AFAIK, GH stayed in their facility and SG moved into that facility. So it's SG blends that will be termed pre- or post-merger. Not GH blends.
lilbrown.com sells 12 packs and 144 packs of Cotton Boll.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Unfortunately, no one will ship Cotton Boll into Alabama, so I have to get a third person involved when I buy it. I have about ten twists in jars, which will probably last me a long time, as I only smoke a strong blend once at night, and I like to alternate between options. But, when I do smoke it, I find that strong burleys taste best in my monster sized bowls, really opening up the flavors for me.
You're right ericusrex, I am just getting feeble minded. ::

 

[bonehed]

Love both un- and scented... the scented reminds me of this violet gum.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Bonehed, having never tasted THAT gum, I know that I will never ever in a million years want to even try that gum, ha ha.

 

[danhester]

I got a couple ounces of this as well. I like it. Definitely full and meaty. I don't know if it's a trace of Lakeland or just the tobacco flavors, but it has kind of a nice, fragrant taste. Satisfying, for sure.

 

[bonehed]

Ya, it's not exactly the same... just reminds me of that gum.

 

[londonmake]

Funny, I remember that gum from my high schools days---

not that I liked it or chewed it, just that lots of kids seemed to love it, and the smell was always strong.
I love DF unscented, and recently discovered SG Lakeland Dark. Talk about a manly tobacco... this one will burn the hair off your chest. It's a beautiful black stringy flake.