Lakeland Aficianados - Please Share Your Knowledge

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RavenBlack

Lurker
Dec 7, 2025
42
829
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mrs. Pickles
Jun 23, 2019
2,263
15,159
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
1,085
19,887
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.
 

BingBong

Lifer
Apr 26, 2024
2,780
12,547
London UK
Mahogany is fairly extreme. I smoked a bowl once, still have the two tins in the cellar, less a bowl.

I can enjoy Ennerdale, though.