Maybe an amateur mistake but be warned this is no standard 'unscented' tobacco.

This had almost a burley body and character to it, due to the African variety of dark-fired VA's. Reminded me of a milder version of Dark Flake. The flavor was earthy moreso than sweet. I tested Pipestud's theory of no bite and he is correct. Even heavy puffing failed to elicit the slightest tingle. It did make the flavor overbearing, however. And if Pipestud says it's the stoving that keeps the bite away, I have to believe him!

I enjoyed this, although it's not something I'll probably smoke much of in the future. It failed to excite me as many of the other G&H blends do. But it's a nice, fairly robust blend that won't bully the smoker but will give him a nice clean natural smoke.

The nose tingling "extra" provided by the natural clove is a real plus as it intertwines nicely with the strong Lakeland style Virginia leaf. The tobacco, dry to begin with, can be loaded up right from the pouch and burns dry all the way to the bottom. Too stout in both strength and flavor to be considered an all-day smoke, this tobacco is absolutely terrific as an early evening accompaniment to a stout beer while sitting on the back patio and looking out over the back forty.

Highly recommended stuff!

It is a full, satisfying smoke, with highest quality tobacco (as expected from the Gawith family). The overall impression is spicy, something I have not hitherto encountered. Because of the spiciness one couldn't call it smooth, but harsh it is not. Broken flake, available in the U.S. (as far as I know) in bulk only. Which means it arrived too dry for me, but (despite my many rants) will likely please many. Probably has the best room note of any tobacco that I enjoy, what with the clove scent and all. If you enjoy fuller tobaccos, this is worth exploring. The Lakeland flavor has been around for a couple of hundred years, so I've little doubt that it grows on one. There is a lot of it here.

Beyond the scent(s)/flavoring my only real issue with this is the name. I have trouble with the mental image of a tough and grizzled Bosun smoking anything clove scented...

No, I think the Bosun in question would smoke (or chew) Brown Rope.

First of all folks, do not attempt this blend as your first foray into the lakeland tobaccos. Even though it says that it is "unscented", BCP unscented is full of lakeland scent and flavor. I have three lakeland flakes currently in my lineup, and this one about tore out the little dangly thing in the back of my throat with its raw soapiness.

The tobacco comes as basically a broken flake, but is easily rubbed out to fine strands. However, you do not want to fully rub it out, as this will intensify the astringent quality of the flavor. Just kind of break it up and stuff it into the bowl, gently messaging it in. A few fine crumbles on top to aid in lighting, and thankfully this is accomplished in short order.

On first light, the intense floral/soapy taste and aroma invades your senses. And it is intense. It settles down fairly quickly, though, so I only had to hold my breath for a few seconds. The tobacco very soon developed a slightly spicy/meaty taste, almost like McClelland's Dominican Glory Maduro without the trademark McClelland vinegar aroma. The clove essense did not come through as a clove flavor, simply a nice spiciness.

About midway through the bowl, the floral bouqet was still flirting with my taste buds, and the astringent smell was still hanging over my head. But, the overall sensation of the tobacco was settling into something wonderful. It was meaty, spicy, creamy, sweet, zesty. A lot of intricate interplay of flavors going on here. I was pleased. A little nauseated from the nicotine wallop, but pleased nonetheless.

It finished fairly dry, and down to a nice ash. The taste lingered on my palate for quite awhile, but not in a really invasive manner; just kind of the afterthought of the smoke. The aroma, however, lingered on my coat for quite awhile. This is a strong tobacco, very stout in character, strength, and flavor. Not for the timid. This is what Popeye would have smoked (both the cartoon character and Doyle).

The flowers spring up under fire, but die away pretty quickly. A quarter of the way in, I can really taste the dark-fired. It's sweet, too, and not from flavorings. At the halfway point a nice nicotine (and maybe clove) spice kicks in and, strangely, it gets very creamy. Stays this way to the bottom of the bowl without gurgle or heat. This is nice! A very homogenous and evolving smoke.

Recommended+ (If you like the Lakelands consider it highly recommended. If you're new to the Land, even this 'unscented' variety might be a stiff kick between the peepers)