Gawith & Hoggarth Consistency (or Not): Fluke or Typical?

[kschatey]

As far as flavor consistency is concerned, my understanding from a tobacconist that has toured the SG/GH&Co factory is that it depends on where in the batch the tin was packaged because they don't really clean the equipment when switching from one tobacco blend to another. Therefore, the beginning of the run with have some remnants and flavor crossover from the previous batch and the end of the batch likely won't.

 

[shanez]

I'd switch slices/flake and broken flake on your list. I mean, isn't a broken flake inherently less solid than a flake?

I've always understood flake to mean is just had chunks of a certain size or larger in it. If a flake is the whole thing that I would consider a slice then I don't see a need for the term slice in the first place.

 

[alaskanpiper]

.Flakes will stay flakes damn near forever if the manufacturer uses enough gum Arabic or similar adhesive to hold them together. Dan uses none, so their flakes have some tendency to break up just with time. I have always considered flakes and slices to be synonymous. Not so broken flake and ready rubbed. My expectation would be that a broken Flake blend would be a good bit chunkier than one labeled ready rubbed.

I suppose this is true, I have seen many broken flakes that were less "rubbed out" than ready rubbed. But I have also seen tobacco labeled a broken flake that looks exactly like a ready rubbed tobacco, Old Gowrie and HU LA Broken come to mind. But yeah, I agree there are some broken flakes out there that are considerably more held together than Ready Rubbed, particularly GH ones.

 

[shanez]

Yet another of those areas of pipe tobacco that lack proper definition I guess.

 

[alaskanpiper]

I've always understood flake to mean is just had chunks of a certain size or larger in it. If a flake is the whole thing that I would consider a slice then I don't see a need for the term slice in the first place.

I would agree, I think slice is a redundant term. Like calling a Plug a Brick, or a Rope a Twist, etc. Although I'm sure some terminology geek will quickly arrive to tell me a rope and a twist are not the same, hahaha.

 

[shanez]

I would agree, I think slice is a redundant term. Like calling a Plug a Brick, or a Rope a Twist, etc. Although I'm sure some terminology geek will quickly arrive to tell me a rope and a twist are not the same, hahaha.

And don't get me started on stouts and porters! ???

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

As far as flavor consistency is concerned, my understanding from a tobacconist that has toured the SG/GH&Co factory is that it depends on where in the batch the tin was packaged because they don't really clean the equipment when switching from one tobacco blend to another. Therefore, the beginning of the run with have some remnants and flavor crossover from the previous batch and the end of the batch likely won't.

A very strongly disputed statement.

 

[alaskanpiper]

And don't get me started on stouts and porters! ???

Hahaha, being a former BJCP judge I would have to debate you on that one, but only in principle, since the ingredients in such styles are nearly identical, they are just applied to varying degrees. Where one draws the line between the two is really where it gets vague.

Basically like asking when does a pale ale become an IPA? Noticeably different styles, but the line gets blurred at a certain point.

 

[kschatey]

And don't get me started on stouts and porters! ???

The answer is simply "stout porter."

For a more recent article on the subject, I typically reference this one because it fits my own personal brewing and beer opinions.

 

[rushx9]

I would agree, I think slice is a redundant term. Like calling a Plug a Brick, or a Rope a Twist, etc. Although I'm sure some terminology geek will quickly arrive to tell me a rope and a twist are not the same, hahaha.

Terminology geek to the rescue?!
Gawith ropes are skinny while their twists are fatty!

 

[alaskanpiper]

Terminology geek to the rescue?!
Gawith ropes are skinny while their twists are fatty!

Then I shall make an even larger rope, and I shall call it.......a Curly Block!!!! Oh, wait..........

 

[AuroraSurrealis]

Just visited local B&M here in Finland. I was told about the recent quality issues of SG products, for some reason GHC doesn’t vacuum seal the 50gram tins anymore. As a result, there are large numbers of bone dry SG tins on the market.

 

[hawky454]

Yes, it's still a flake per say. Just the trimmings. Now you know, and knowing's half the battle - GI Joe
View attachment 21941

Mmmmmm, looks delicious to me. Don’t tell anyone but this is one of my favorite GH&Co blends. Put about 5 years of age on those Flakes and you get an amazing sweet and sour smoke, just mouth watering!

 

[mingc]

Just visited local B&M here in Finland. I was told about the recent quality issues of SG products, for some reason GHC doesn’t vacuum seal the 50gram tins anymore. As a result, there are large numbers of bone dry SG tins on the market.

Here's GH&C's explanation regarding the new tins:

https://www.facebook.com/officialgawithhoggarth/posts/141630183979654