Lakeland Aficianados - Please Share Your Knowledge

[RavenBlack]

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.

 

[das3353]

This thread may be helpful.

Lakelands: Let's Build A Sauce Scale :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/lakelands-lets-build-a-sauce-scale.70729/

 

[lukasstrifeson]

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.

 

[RavenBlack]

This thread may be helpful.

Lakelands: Let's Build A Sauce Scale :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/lakelands-lets-build-a-sauce-scale.70729/

That thread is so helpful, thank you!

 

[spearheadbill]

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]

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.

 

[gawithhoggarth]

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]

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.

 

[SourShank]

got to protect the kids right. Even though it's built on a false premise.

My life is a mess and my family goes hungry daily due to my crippling pipe tobacco addiction. If only I wasn't bombarded with candy flavored pipe tobacco advertisements throughout my millennial childhood things would be different.

 

[anotherbob]

My life is a mess and my family goes hungry daily due to my crippling pipe tobacco addiction. If only I wasn't bombarded with candy flavored pipe tobacco advertisements throughout my millennial childhood things would be different.

it's not the tobacco it's the fact kids can read and will think it's candy.

 

[edger]

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.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Let us give thanks that the British government is inadvertently creating more libertarians.

F’in A my friend!

 

[pinem]

Back on topic...I think the dominant flavor in Dark A flake is licorice, so you might be into other blends with that as a dominant topping. I don't get any rose geranium (RG) in this blend, which I would argue is the most polarizing topping used in some of Gawith blends. I'm personally not a big fan of RG, and as such, Dark A flake is one of my favorites too.

Both Bosun and Coniston have RG in them (IRC), so if your like me, I would get a sample first before doubling down on those. As for other Gawith blends with the same flavors, Dark A is kind of unique in thier lineup, so that is a difficult one. For example, I wouldn't say Anise twist is in the same flavor category.

As far as nicotine strength goes, the only thing stronger are the various brown twists, but not by much. Another strong blend I like that is in the same nicotine level department is 1792 flake. That's a Tonquin dominant blend that scratches the same itch as Dark A.

Ennerdale is a melon dominant blend, and is a maybe not as strong nicotine wise, but it's popular for a reason. Others will recommend that blend due to being unique, and I would agree it's worth trying.