Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Nessmuk Navy Flake

As this is a flake version of the plug, I'm essentially reposting that review with a few edits to reflect the slight differences I noticed.

The Virginias sport a deep dark fruit sweetness with a lot of earth, and a light floral vegetativeness. It also has a minor grassiness. In an ever present supporting role, the burleys offer a a deep earthy nuttiness, and a little molasses. Here and there I got a very minor sense of cocoa from the burleys, too. The sweetness of both varietals do not quite have the fermented sweetness that the plug has. The rum has a deep sweet richness, and only mildly sublimates the tobaccos, though here again, I notice it’s slightly less obvious in the flake version. The nic-hit is mild to medium as the rum does tone it down just a mite, maybe a little more than it does in the plug. Won’t bite even if you try. The flake is easy to prepare to suit your cutting preference. It may need a light dry time, though I did not find that necessary. Burns slow, cool, clean, with a very smooth, consistent flavor. Has no dull or harsh spots. It does require some relights. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and you may need to stir up the tobacco in the last quarter if you are a wet smoker. Has a very pleasant after taste that lingers a little and the room note is pleasant. It has a fair amount of strength (a fraction less than the plug version), but you may find yourself smoking it several times a day if this fits your flavor profile.

-JimInks

Gawith Hoggarth - Nessmuk Navy Flake.

This has, as expected, a strong smell of rum. The flakes aren't too thick either so if you choose to rub (which I do) it's a doddle. As the tobacco's not from a sealed tin the flakes aren't too wet, they're just right.

When I take the first few puffs I don't get as much of the rum flavour as I anticipated I would, maybe it's just teething problems as after a very short while it comes through clearly. Although it's a fairly strong flavour, it's not harsh nor bitter, it's more of a comfortable addition on my palate that works well.

Once this is lit the burn's good and to be fair it is easy to get the initial burn going.

The nicotine is just below medium in this. It needs quite a hefty puff to get appreciated.

I find, often as not, heavily cased blends can bite like hell but even though this has been given somewhat of a full topping it still doesn't bite me.

The room note has a good rum addition but it doesn't make plume after plume of smoke in the room. A nice fragrance without lots of smog!

This is a good smoke. It has a good flavour without seeming too sticky or tacky.

Highly recommended.

My first plug, prepared by thinly slicing, allowing to dry and then rubbing out. Lit well with slightly longer flame than I would normally use and I got a small amount of bite during the first few moments. The rum came through nicely after this, with good strength of flavour mid bowl to the end with good notes all the way through.

I think the initial bite may have been due to a bit of inexperience in preparation and starting off.