Trying Out Gawith Blends and Sharing My Impressions

[Sobrbiker]

11 posts of thread derailment, from one newer member finding fault with my comment deeming a state that will hand out needles to junkies, yet not allow pipe tobak as “communist”.
Well played Karen, way to add to the content and context of my thread.

 

[seanv]

It is great to see GH blends in stock these days. It wasn't so long ago that it was a challenge to find your favorites online.

 

[Cloozoe]

11 posts of thread derailment, from one newer member finding fault with my comment deeming a state that will hand out needles to junkies, yet not allow pipe tobak as “communist”.
Well played Karen, way to add to the content and context of my thread.

If you're referring to me, I found no fault with your post and I like this one even *more*. Right on page 372, 3rd paragraph of "Das Kapital", there it is: "Of course the cornerstone of the communist philosophy is the handing out of free needles to junkies." Good catch! And they say people are not as well read as they used to be.

By the way, how'd you know my name was Karen? Well actually it's Katerina Ouspenskya, but I go by Karen since I came to America.

 

[edger]

I'd still love Coniston Cut Plug even if Maxine Waters smoked it.

 

[FurCoat]

It is so true. I am not here to discuss politics. I once made a comment that was not what you would say was coming from the right. It was removed and I was warned. Yet on a near daily basis I will see posts attacking 'wokism'. Like I say, that doesn't bother me, but it is impossible not to notice.

That's because "wokism" is not political, it's a mental disease.

 

[FurCoat]

I don’t think this is true.

Yep

 

[WerewolfOfLondon]

That's because "wokism" is not political, it's a mental disease.

Yeah, that's what a lot of people think about others who don't think like them.

Anyway, I won't contribute another word to derail this thread, and I will apologise to @Sobrbiker for any contributions I have made in that direction thus far. This is one of the better threads for me, I enjoy reading it as I have tried most of the blends so far reviewed and it is interesting to hear the thoughts of someone from the other side of the pond, on what are quintessentially British blends. I am looking forward to the review for Rum Flake, (along with Coniston Cut Plug) my fav G&H blend. Also known as the Christmas blend, I'll be enjoying quite a few bowls of it over the coming weeks.

 

[ThermionicScott]

It is great to see GH blends in stock these days. It wasn't so long ago that it was a challenge to find your favorites online.

Yep! We can argue about year-to-year changes because -- we can get it!

 

[woodsroad]

Yep

Uh huh.

 

[ParkitoATL]

Forgive me if this has already been asked here. Just curious since you're running through the G&H line up any one here know which of their blends is the strongest with the Lakeland essence. I gave Ennerdale a try and loved it and was curious if I would like the essence even stronger. Thanks for any advice

#7 Broken Flake and Bosun Cut Plug are the two most heavily perfumed of the dozen or so GH blends I have tried. BCP was like smoking a rose, utterly intoxicating. The GH toppings all taste so pure and delicious, there is nothing synthetic or artificial about them.

 

[ParkitoATL]

I'd still love Coniston Cut Plug even if Maxine Waters smoked it.

That's the bipartisan Spirit we need!!

 

[eaglebleyes]

Some here are just borderline gross or tobacco creeper etc...I love a good blend myself but some make it sound extremely creepy and gross....Just saying....Tobacco porn lol

 

[Old Millwright]

Politics are boring G&H tobacco discussions are much more fun!!

 

[dublinpiper90]

Squadron Leader is always the blend when I hear Gawith

 

[karam]

‘23 GH&Co Coniston Cut Plug:

Burned to a fine ash, but heated into hard “chunks” along the way.

Hey fellow biker.

I love Coniston Cut Plug, along with Dark Flake Scented, Bosun Cut Plug and the granddaddy 1792. What you wrote is accurate and I've experienced it with many flavoured Gawith blends: they turn to stone before they burn to a fine ash.
What's especially interesting with the above blends is that you can dial what you get out of the blend by regulating your smoking cadence: faster/hotter brings out more tobacco, slower/cooler brings out the scenting.

 

[Gimlet]

Choice of pipe can make a difference as well. I favour a couple of largish billiards for these rich Kendal flakes. One of them, a Chacom, has quite a thick bowl and burns very steadily. I don't get knotty chunks if I've rubbed out well but as it's a deep bowl I do sometimes have to tip the ash out if I'm smoking a fine burner as it holds a lot of tobacco and the ash can build up enough to smother the coal. But it makes a terrific sipping pipe because it keeps going with very little effort.
It'll burn for an hour or more and I particularly enjoy it when I'm driving somewhere peaceful.

I drove from Newcastle to Carlisle yesterday and took the back roads along Hadrian's wall. I only saw about two other cars the whole way and the scenery was magnificent. The Chacom with Coniston cut plug would have been ideal. Didn't have any unfortunately but I managed to achieve a tolerable state of zen with some Solani age burley flake in a savinelli.
I'd solved most of the world's problems by the time I'd got to Brampton. But then I had to reload. The Chacom would have lasted all the way to Carlisle and I'd have plumbed all the mysteries of the universe before hitting the traffic.

 

[woodrow]

Thanks for these write ups and bless the piper who sent you samples. Pipe Men are indeed the best.

 

[Butter Side Down]

GH&Co Happy (Brown) Bogie Twist:
Cut and rubbed out coins, loaded and set overnight (rain came in after prepping). Lit well after charring light, and burned well with a few relights.

Quality dark fired flavor, yet a little leathery and a bit on the acrid side for my taste. I didn’t pick up much if anything for flavoring or casing. Solid medium to strong nicotine level.

I’ll probably enjoy it more sitting and sipping it and a beverage, rather than walking/working the property first thing this morning.

Obvious quality, may not stock up deep, but will probably keep around. 3/4
View attachment 262485

If you generally liked Brown Bogie but thought it was a little much, it might be worth trying Dark Birdseye at some point. I know it's supposed to be the same tobacco, but I find DBE to be a little milder and less cigar-ish. Not that I have anything against heavy, cigar-ish blends. I totally dig Brown Bogie, 1792, and Dark Flake. It's just that most of the time I find them a little too heavy so I don't smoke them often. DBE to me is a perfect mid-point between Dark Flake and HH Old Dark Fired. It does burn pretty fast, but that makes it an ideal choice for times when you don't have a whole lot of time to devote to a bowl.

 

[Sobrbiker]

If you generally liked Brown Bogie but thought it was a little much, it might be worth trying Dark Birdseye at some point. I know it's supposed to be the same tobacco, but I find DBE to be a little milder and less cigar-ish. Not that I have anything against heavy, cigar-ish blends. I totally dig Brown Bogie, 1792, and Dark Flake. It's just that most of the time I find them a little too heavy so I don't smoke them often. DBE to me is a perfect mid-point between Dark Flake and HH Old Dark Fired. It does burn pretty fast, but that makes it an ideal choice for times when you don't have a whole lot of time to devote to a bowl.

It’s on my list! Been wavering on “vintage” vs the regular cut, and I think I’m leaning towards the regular shag.

 

[BenMN]

^ I've enjoyed the shag cut Dark Birds Eye.

Thanks for this thread Sobrbiker.

I've been smoking DBE and Brown Twist in cobs lately, to good effect.