Samuel Gawith and Gawith & Hoggarth have lots of products, some of which are similar. For those of you that have extensive experience with their producers, are there any that are basically the same in SG and GH versions? It can be a bit daunting trying to separate out the differences. Examples are SG Best Brown Flake, GH Best Brown #2, all of the twists, dark flakes and shags, etc. Any thoughts appreciated.
Gawith vs. Gawith
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For instance,lets us take this Best Brown nro 2 and compare it to Best Brown by S&G,noticeably, the Best Brown nro 2 by G&H has faint lakeland aroma yet it is sweeter , Next up, Lakeland Dark by S&G in comparison to Dark Flake Unscented by G&H,Bot these seem to be taste pretty much the same but somehow The Dark Flake unscented might be even bolder tasting yet more rich in nicotine
They were competitors for a long time, fighting for the same market with similar products and production methods--so yes, there's a lot of overlap. I haven't compared them all but I'd be surprised if any of the blends are identical.
Yeah, that’s the challenge for me...navigating the broad spectrum of what’s out there. One thing that is helpful is that it seems that SG has substantially narrowed its line in the bulk category but broadened it in newer offerings which clearly differ from GH. There seems to be more unique offerings from each but the murky overlap is still there. I placed and order with KBV and they had Dark Plug and Brown Flake Licorice in stock so I got both of those. I haven’t tried either but I enjoy the brown flakes. I don’t think I’ve smoked the SG version in a long time. Actually, I have some form of Brown Flake in a jar that I bought in bulk going on 20 years ago and foolishly didn’t label it so I don’t know which it is, only that it is unflavored and delicious. I want to say that it is GH Brown Flake but wouldn’t bet on it.
I’m looking forward to getting the chance to explore the Gawith bulk offerings again. Hopefully there will be a reasonable supply so we don’t have to fight with each other over scraps, lol.
Interesting. It would be neat to do a blind side by side. Any idea how the ropes/twists compare? It’s been a long time since I’ve smokeanything that stout but I have a few SG tins sitting around.
I'm more inclined towards SG because I love FVF, Saint James Flake, and Commonwealth. Lakeland phobia keeps me from digging too deep into the GH catalog but I do love several of their ropes, plus Bob's. Dark flake unscented is also good (when you're in the mood).
There’s very little overlap. I think yeah the BBF flakes are similar. #2 has a touch of burley. Dark Flake and LD are different enough to want both. I love both brands.
I love both brands but it’s been a while since I went to the strong side of either. Love SG Balkan Flake, Firedance and Kendal Cream, among others, and Bracken, which is no more. GH Ennerdale is probably in my top 5. Love Bobs Chocolate Flake, haven’t tried square cut. Been awhile since I’ve dug deep into the true Lakeland’s but would like to revisit.
The only one blend that I can think of that tastes almost identical to its counter part is the new exclusive to P&C Samuel Gawith’s Hansom Flake. I think it tastes just like GH&Co’s Louisiana Flake which to me also tastes just like the GH&Co/Pease collaboration, Stonehenge Flake. I don’t like em that much it’s probably the only blend that I don’t like out of all of the Gawith blends. It’s not that it tastes horrible or anything, it’s just not satisfying to me, somewhat dull, it just doesn’t excite my palate, however, these blends do have a lot of fans so I’m not putting down the blends, just not my cup o’ tea. My favorite Vapers from a Gawith are St. James Flake & Cabbies Mixture (SJF being an all time favorite VaPer of mine).
The ropes do taste very similar too but I just stick with GH&Co’s ropes so I don’t have too much experiencing SG’s ropes to compare notes.
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Oh man! I loooooove Bracken Flake, so disappointing that it’s gone! That was one hell of a unique Flake! I’m sitting on just a few more tins from 2011 but I’m holding on to them to smoke as special occasions or celebratory smokes. (Also a huge Kendal Cream fan!)
I smoked Stonehenge from the first run but don’t really remember it. Enjoyed StJ Flake and I have a bunch of tins of Laurel Flake from Tavern Tobacco (The Knox Cogar house label) which SG made. It think this was before StJ Flake was released and people were saying they are the same. Not sure as I have never compared them side by side but I expect it will be delicious 15 years in, either way.
Yeah, I have 1 sealed from 2008 and a partial tin in a jar. Sigh.
It’s funny you mention those two. A member here @ashdigger did a group sampler of the two, SJF & Laurel Flake. I was one of the lucky individuals that got to be part of the taste test. It was all pretty unanimous that they were identical blends. Both were aged, however, Laurel Flake had much more age on it than the St. James Flake, if I remember correctly.
Oh and yes, I think ours was roughly 15 years old and it was delicious! Sounds like you have great taste and you are sitting on some gems!
I have some Bracken Flake from 2003 that I bought recently from a shop here in England. I haven't tried it yet but it sounds right up my alley.
I could be wrong but I thought Gawith stopped making it because they couldn't get a certain type of leaf that went in the blend.
Agreed for the most part. As things evolved, SG developed into a more export oriented line, GG was a larger seller in the UK. Then the merger happened, now I guess six years ago. The supply chains have always been similar, though not always identical.
The last GH Best Brown #2 I smoked was much more “Lakelandy” than the last SG Best Brown I had. IMO. Maybe the leaf, maybe the topping/casing, but I smoked a whole box in fairly short order.
I read the same thing. Someone mentioned that they had a bunch of different formulations but I don’t have enough experience with it to know. The one tin I have opened I opened years ago then forgot about. This year I can upon it and it was bone dry. Rehydrated it and it was amazing!
Thats what I heard too, I’m glad that they have the integrity to axe a blend rather than making an inferior product. Bracken Flake from 2003, I bet that’s gonna be an amazing tin!
It was bulk not a tin and I only got 25g as it was about £18 ($23)?.
I got it for a treat as I hadn't tried it.
Do you live in the UK? Westmorland Slices from GH&Co (not released in the states) has a similar vibe... not identical but definitely similar. I really wish they would release that one here.
Yes I live in England. I've tried Westmorland Slices and really enjoyed it. I've always wondered why Gawith don't sell Westmorland and some of the Plugs in America. Maybe it's because they can't keep up with the demand for the stuff they sell already, without adding new blends?
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