Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Deluxe Twist XXX

Gawith Hoggarth - Deluxe Twist.

I have been really looking forward to getting some of this in my pipe! My first impression is " oh my, now that's what I call a thick twist"! By no means would you confuse this with a Pigtail or Bogie, it makes them appear as thin as cotton!

My initial surprise aside I start the preparation by slicing coins with a good knife, sadly I imminently realize that due to the thickness of the twist it is still a little moist inside, once I have sliced the coins I put them aside to allow the water to diminish and after a few hours it's ready to go. The smell coming from the twist is a very straight Virginia, not flash, not bland, just Virginia!

Lighting up Deluxe Twist is relatively simple, mine is quite large rubbings/cuttings and it still takes to the flame well. The flavour is like the aroma, a very full Virginia one. To be fair, I know this contains a touch of Dark Fired Virginia but I can't really detect that, what I do get is a MASSIVE grassy Virginia taste, a very pure flavour. I personally find the nicotine amount to be great, it's not at all weak which I find agreeable, definitely one to satisfy nicotine lovers! The room note is again a straight V' one, it really is a very basic note. Towards the end of the smoke I realize how little this has required a re-light, very rarely and always caused by me neglecting my puffing! All the way along I have received no tongue bite, the only slight negative is the temperature of the smoke, I wouldn't say that it's a scorcher but it can become a little too warm if strained too hard. Other than that I can't find a negative.

Four stars.

I recently got this as part of an internet order along with some Curly Cut Deluxe. I didn't realise until I checked back later on the same website that these are one in the same back, just with different cuts, ie. this one isn't, the other one is. Given that I adored the CCD, I had no real fear when approaching this one as I expected more of the same. Big mistake!

Yes, this is a thick one. I thought a delivery from an oil pipeline manufacturer had got mixed up with my order. Nevermind, it looked like baccy, so I thought I'd darn well smoke it. The aroma is a queer one, it was almost of a fruity medicated throat lozenge, possibly blackcurrant? Getting stuck in, it slices easily and packs much the same. I couldn't be bothered drying it out so I whammied it straight in the pipe. It took a little lighting - that's what you get for not drying it out - but it did stay lit once it got going. From there on in, it's a veritable journey through the lurid and the bizarre. It starts off with a mild meaty or umami flavour, akin to those found in Revor Plug or Black Bogie, but less strong. There's then a dash of something sweet and then the queer earthiness that CCD gave me. It then begins to cycle through these flavours before developing into something deeper and more earthy. I'd have sank to the core of the earth if I'd wished with this stuff. It's reasonably strong, but I'm getting used to such matters so I'm not really sure I'm the best one to judge on such matters.

This is definitely an "old codger's" tobacco and probably not one for those new to the whole pipe smoking shebang. It's not Wow! or Flash! It's deep, it's reserved, it's earthy, it's pure virginia, it's pure Gawith Hoggarth. To compare it to anything else would be like comparing Edgar Allan Poe to the Twilight Saga. One is for savouring the other is for pulping. Tobacco at it's best.

A twist that is both good in the nicotine level and pure in the Virginia flavor department. Tangy, it becomes grassy and slightly musky with an occasional dry fig flavor. As with all rope/ twist tobacco, it requires some preparation, nothing better than to put you in a pipe smoking mood! While the strength is slightly stronger than the flavor, I cannot give it a medium to strong rating. The Lakeland scent is present even if advertised as not having any flavoring.

The twist form mellows the flavor but at the same time reveals it better to the palate. The moisture level is important to fully enjoy it. If on the moist side, expect more relights and a bit of a sharper smoke. Slightly dry and you hit the spot. For experienced pipe smokers or adventuresome beginners.

Virginia lover