Lakeland Aficianados - Please Share Your Knowledge

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RavenBlack

Lurker
Dec 7, 2025
42
854
I was recently given, and have recently smoked, what I am told is a Lakeland blend - Gawith Hoggarth Dark 'A' Blend Flake (as listed on their site; Dark Flake Aromatic on SmokingPipes.)

I absolutely love this tobacco, especially the cigar-like notes, and the faint floral quality.

I would like to learn more about Lakelands - the ways in which they are similar, and the ways in which they differ.

Where does Dark 'A' fit in on the "scale" of Lakelands? If I like this (my favorite of all the tobaccos I've tried), what else might I like?

I know that Lakeland essence can be a "polarizing" topic, so I'm seeking to hear from those who choose Lakelands. Which do you prefer, and why?

As someone who appreciates the floral and spice nuances which can be present in Indian and Thai cuisines, I'm eager to hear your descriptions of the nuances of various Lakeland blends. Thanks for any info you're willing to share.
 
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Reactions: Mrs. Pickles
Jun 23, 2019
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15,162
I think the 'A' is just to denote it is scented or more specifically a Lakeland aromatic.

Dark Flake comes scented and unscented, there seems to be a lot of variance as to how Gawith label their tobaccos but I don't know that there is an ABCD scale per se.
 
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Reactions: RavenBlack
Sep 13, 2023
1,091
20,018
Long Beach
Great topic! "lakeland" is not a term that the company of Gawith use or even agree with being used to describe their products. I know Rachel gets a bit riled up over the term because it's used by so many pipe smokers who don't know how else to describe the flavors they are experiencing. We see the term "lakeland" being used to describe all of their products even the ones which have very minimal casing let alone any topping. So the term is way to ambiguous.
Dark Flake A is way on the strongest side of GH lineup. I think only Dark Plug is stronger, maybe brown irish X but they aren't what I would call aromatic. The only real way to know about the many awesome and unique blends from them is to try them all. I got samples of an ounce whenever I could and made trades etc to try everything I could. But if you like DFA then I would get some Dark Plug, Bosun Cut plug, Conniston cut plug and some of their ropes to begin. GH is the greatest pipe tobacco ever made in my opinion.
 

gawithhoggarth

Can't Leave
Dec 26, 2019
459
3,418
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Kendal, UK
www.gawithhoggarth.co.uk
I think the 'A' is just to denote it is scented or more specifically a Lakeland aromatic.

Dark Flake comes scented and unscented, there seems to be a lot of variance as to how Gawith label their tobaccos but I don't know that there is an ABCD scale per se.
A just stands for aromatic but we are not allowed to use the term any more under tobacco regulations in the UK/EU

Only variation in labels is for health warnings and because in the UK and EU we are not allowed to use 'food' and flavour terms in the names. Some places don't even allow light, dark, mild, sweet etc....
 

anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
18,501
33,658
47
Central PA a.k.a. State College
A just stands for aromatic but we are not allowed to use the term any more under tobacco regulations in the UK/EU

Only variation in labels is for health warnings and because in the UK and EU we are not allowed to use 'food' and flavour terms in the names. Some places don't even allow light, dark, mild, sweet etc....
got to protect the kids right. Even though it's built on a false premise.
 

edger

Lifer
Dec 9, 2016
3,108
23,053
76
Mayer AZ
A just stands for aromatic but we are not allowed to use the term any more under tobacco regulations in the UK/EU

Only variation in labels is for health warnings and because in the UK and EU we are not allowed to use 'food' and flavour terms in the names. Some places don't even allow light, dark, mild, sweet etc....
Let us give thanks that the British government is inadvertently creating more libertarians.