BSA is not "aromatic" in any sense I usually use the term. Sure, you could smell the sweet topping in the tin, but once alight only the tobacco flavors could be detected.

I found this more enjoyable a smoke than other ropes I have tried so far (Brown Bogie and Black XX from Gawith). The reasons are (1) that it burned better, requiring fewer relights, especially as compared to Black XX, and (2) the flavor was more to my liking. It still had the peaty, burned plastic flavor and aroma you get from Black XX, but somewhat more subdued, with some nice spicy, meaty flavors to compliment it.

The only reason Brown Bogie gets a higher rating is because of its status as a rite of passage tobacco. For a smoke I'd want to enjoy, BSA would be better.

G&H Samples Wrap-up:

I've enjoyed these tobaccos, and have learned a thing or two. I'd have to say that the most pleasant surprise was Coniston Cut Plug. But I'd smoke any of these tobaccos again.

The flavourings must be fairly strong to have any noticable effect on this powerful tobacco but they're not strong enough to become overpowering and they're certainly not artificial tasting. They just round off the harsher "engine oil" (see reviews of Black Irish) notes and bring out the natural, pungent, sweetness of the unflavoured version. It also retains the reluctancy to bite that the original displays. The pre-slicing also makes it easier to use.

Don't be put off by the mention of tonquin in the flavouring. I hated cob(1792) flake but loved this.

Like all smokers, I occasionally feel pangs of masochistic experimentalism, I have, however, yet to try this in anything larger than a medium bowl. I just don't hate consciousness enough.

Try it. You might like it.

I am honored to be following up the comments made by the sagacious Pipestud. Really! But unfortunately I have to differ on one point. I did not notice any aromatics in the blend I got from PipesandCigars.com. None. This may have indeed been because as he and the rest of the readers here will agree Black Twist in any form is a strong smoke and any aromatics may have gotten lost in the shuffle so to speak. Nevertheless I did not notice any being a non-aromatics (especially American and some others)smoker and thoroughly enjoyed the blend.

The fact that it is a sort of a string cut with small coins tangled up in it and adding to the flavor(and strength possibly) was a delight to light and burn. The flavor is,of course, robust to say the least but still a rollicking good smoke if respected and paced correctly. I did this having some small experience with the other Gawiths(Both Sam and Hoggarth's) offerings. This blend does indeed smoke like the Black Twist and is a bit milder and less rambunctious than the Brown Twists. It is not a sliced version of Dark Flake though both are admirable in their own ways.Good stong body to the voluminous smoke and very very satisfying-at least for my needs.

Tasty deep and very complex is the way I fill out the suggestion from the side bar of the comments page.I would not ,however reccomend it as an all day smoke or to the inexperienced as much from the price as the strength and robustness of the nicotene and taste/body levels; but it is not a tobacco to be missed and makes a fine evening smoke and for the more "gormandic" smokers (such as myself) it ain't at all bad for the third or fourth pipe in the morning- preferably with a cup of dark French Roast or perhaps even espresso. Yum.

Highly reccommended as a smoke and a repeated buy- You betcha Red Rider!

Update: If you're feeling really ballsey and would like even more flavor and a heavier body rush along with even a more and faster nicotine jolt then put about a healthy pipefull in the coffee bean grinder you absconded with from the kitchen and give this Sliced Black from Gawith and Hoggarth a bit of a whirl in it. No more than three or four seconds worth of a ride and it comes out like a fine cut flake or a dipping snuff (approximately).

Stuff a pipe bowl with it with about medium pressure and light up--- carefully-- don't get it too mad. Then hold on. Definitely not reccomended for the newbies or as a usual method of preparation.It will probably require a re-light or so near the middle or bottom if not allowed to dry our a little.

I know that the twists,ropes.bogies etc have a dual function(possibly) as a dipping snuff but I am just not suicidal yet even though when processed in the Mr.Coffee it looks very very similar I just can't work up the courage to try it that way. Welllll, maybe one day?

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (trippin')

Anyway, the nicotine punch is perfect for me (i.e. strong) and, as you might expect from a heavily stoved Virginia, this black beauty does not bite at all.

The flavor is deep (almost woodsy) with a slightly spicy, ever so semi-sweet undertone that I find to be tongue tingling! I have not tried this as a morning smoke and probably will not as it seems just a smidgen too heavy in flavor to be a first pipe load of the day. On the other hand, I'll bet it's a dandy winter afternoon smoke with a strong cup of coffee. Another plus is the fact that there is no perfume taste or smell in this baby (a complaint I have with other G&H blends). Just pure tobacco pleasure in this offering, folks.

Open wide, oh cellar of mine. Here comes a pound of this delightful weed.

The color is jet black, with an almost oily sheen to it. Looks wicked. Though there was little aroma in the bag, a couple of days in a sealed jar produced a sour vinegary smell, much tarter than the tradmark McClelland odor. I am not really sure what tonquin smells like, but "maple, licorice and other traditional English flavorings" could not be detected.

The flavor on smoking is best described by the smell of burnt popcorn. Any additive aromas are COMPLETELY overwhelmed by the harsh tobacco flavor. Half a small bowl was all I could stomach. THis is strong stuff!

However, in the spirit of exploration I dug out my sample of SG Black Irish Twist (a rope tobacco). I sliced up some BIT and rubbed out to produce as similar a texture to SBA as possible. The main difference was that the BIT was dull, rather than oily in appearence. Plus the sour smell of SBA. Smoking these tobaccos back to back, I could tell no difference. Burnt popcorn, no doubt about it.

If you like rope tobacco, and ONLY if you like rope tobacco, should you give this a try. I will keep my samples for when I have been exceptionally bad and want to punish myself.