Gawith Hoggarth Shag Tobaccos -- Impressions?

[--dante--]

I've long enjoyed Dark Birdseye, and have recently decided to try some of the other GH & Co shags. I really like the Kendal Dark, when I'm in the mood for it, and recently ordered a couple ounces sample of Kendal Kentucky. At this point, I'll probably want to try all five that I know of. They're strong (which I like) and quite flavorful. I enjoy them in small pipes like my clays.

So, while I wait on further samples, I was hoping some folks here could chime in on their impressions of any these (and point out if I'm missing one). Negative comments just as welcome as positive. The blends I'm referring to are:

Dark Birdseye
Kendal Dark
Kendal Kentucky
Kendal Gold
Kendal Mixed

...also, does "Kendal" mean anything, tobacco-wise, or is named after a location (or both -- like 'lakeland')?

Thanks for any input all!

 

[verporchting]

Strong. Easy to light. Gold burns hotter than the sun.

Birdseye is my favorite of the lot. Hope you enjoy them all.

 

[condorlover1]

Kendal Kentucky is a strong tobacco. The only person I know who really like it was Jim Inks.

 

[mingc]

Kendal Kentucky is a strong tobacco. The only person I know who really like it was Jim Inks.

Pipe repairman extraordinaire George Dibos loves the stuff.

 

[hawky454]

Love em. I really enjoy the Kendal Dark Vanilla too.

Kendal doesn’t really have a meaning other than locale. I believe there was a thread about this some years back. But it would hurt to ask @gawithhoggarth

Dark Birdseye & Kentucky are my favorites among the shags.

 

[--dante--]

Strong. Easy to light. Gold burns hotter than the sun.

Birdseye is my favorite of the lot. Hope you enjoy them all.

That makes sense (the hot burn) Gold is all VA

 

[--dante--]

Kendal Kentucky is a strong tobacco. The only person I know who really like it was Jim Inks.

I'm looking forward to trying it -- actually, the strength is one of the qualities I'm looking for (in a small bowl).

 

[--dante--]

Love em. I really enjoy the Kendal Dark Vanilla too.

Kendal doesn’t really have a meaning other than locale. I believe there was a thread about this some years back. But it would hurt to ask @gawithhoggarth

Dark Birdseye & Kentucky are my favorites among the shags.

I'm with you on the Dark Birdseye -- I also like the Kendal Dark (only two I have currently). I suspect the Gold and Mixed have more VA, which I think I wouldn't like as much, but I'm keeping an open mind (and following this thread).

 

[mingc]

I've long enjoyed Dark Birdseye, and have recently decided to try some of the other GH & Co shags. I really like the Kendal Dark, when I'm in the mood for it, and recently ordered a couple ounces sample of Kendal Kentucky. At this point, I'll probably want to try all five that I know of. They're strong (which I like) and quite flavorful. I enjoy them in small pipes like my clays.

So, while I wait on further samples, I was hoping some folks here could chime in on their impressions of any these (and point out if I'm missing one). Negative comments just as welcome as positive. The blends I'm referring to are:

Dark Birdseye
Kendal Dark
Kendal Kentucky
Kendal Gold
Kendal Mixed

...also, does "Kendal" mean anything, tobacco-wise, or is named after a location (or both -- like 'lakeland')?

Thanks for any input all!

Kendal is the town in the Lake District where GH is located.

 

[Toast]

Gold & mixed have a bunch of aromatic variants that I've seen - of those I've tried (quite a few) I'd buy the gold coffee, rum, & coconut again.

Dark Birds Eye & Gold are my favourites - I get through a lot of both. Gold is best a bit wet & has a very undemanding bright slightly citrus flavour - it won't knock your socks off, but I really enjoy it. It's one of the few tobaccos I can smoke more than once in a day.

Mixed is pleasant & undemanding, but a bit boring.

Dark & Kentucky are both good.

 

[hauntedmyst]

I've had Dark Birdseye, Kendal Dark, Kendal Mixed. Mixed was the lightest of the bunch but still excellent. It took a while for me to appreciate Kendal Dark but now I like it nearly a much as DBE.

And I know its out there in left field, but I really want to try Kendal Banana. I hope Laudisi imports it.

 

[sandollars]

Dark Bird's Eye is the bomb! I also like Kendal Dark and Kendal Kentucky.

All three of these are well represented in my cellar.

 

[mingc]

I've had Dark Birdseye, Kendal Dark, Kendal Mixed. Mixed was the lightest of the bunch but still excellent. It took a while for me to appreciate Kendal Dark but now I like it nearly a much as DBE.

And I know its out there in left field, but I really want to try Kendal Banana. I hope Laudisi imports it.

This is the first I've heard of Kendal Banana. The late Portland blender Steve Books once told me that the sauce in Royal Yacht is banana, so now I'm curious about Kendal Banana and whether it tastes like RY.

 

[kcghost]

I really don't like shag cut. Burns way too hot for me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Kendal Gold Banana works for me.

 

[ukbob]

Dark Birds Eye and Dark Kentucky are my favourites.

 

[Toast]

Banana is good. @chasingembers described it really well in another post as being a bit more like banana bread. Coconut is the one I like best though - it goes with the tabacco incredibly well!

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

the defunct Kendal gold green menthol were my second favorite ,the fist place still goes to DBE,if I only could smoke it ,,

 

[karam]

I have a jar of Dark Birdseye at hand, It's an easy uncomplicated, fairly strong and straightforward smoke, but I prefer to use it for mixing to jack up the strength in other, lighter blends.

 

[crashthegrey]

I have not had their shag cuts. I'll be on the lookout. Banana?! I'm not an aro guy but I'd give that a whirl.