2 ounces of the scented version arrived in a zip lock baggie and although damp to the touch but not wet; very pliable as a flake. The bag aroma was strong on something (which I smelled through the closed baggie) - Russell called it myrrh and he may be right in that. Overall it had a strong presence of forest - pine but not pine - with a faint sweetness. Admittedly, as a scent it was a bit off-putting. I ripped a chunk off an end of two flakes that were stuck together and loaded a slim billiard I use for new blends that I am not sure whether or not I will like. Pre-draw revealed more of the myrrh and I thought, "Oh, no. What have I gotten into here!"

Surprisingly, this was tasty in a way never before experienced by me. It certainly wasn't Lakeland in the traditional sense, meaning it wasn't perfumy or floral. It was more incense-like and quite enjoyable. Very hard to categorize for me in this regard. I, too, could not detect the tonquin. However, it had a persistent sweetness which was from time to time reminiscent of vanilla, but I feel it was more of the maple. I think the licorice in this is what I am calling myrrh since the taste of it while smoking is reminiscent of Sen Sen gum which is licorice-based and has a similar taste. When you have this many flavorings in a tobacco, you have to have an expert blender behind it otherwise it would become intolerable. It smoked cool and considering the casings, there was no moisture buildup in the bowl or goop left over. I can't say at this early stage that BFS would ever become an everyday smoke for me, or a favorite, but it was very good. The room note was excellent and the smoke only got better as it progressed to the where there was no tobacco left to smoke - plus great for DGT! A nice sweetness throughout and never cloying. Nothing remotely ashy about this one. If G&H had a flake named Irish Flake, to me, this would be it. A very high quality offering from G&H that deserves nothing less than a highly recommended with 5 stars!

UPDATE 3-8-13: After only two days, this stuff can grow on you in a way that I wouldn't have thought from my initial reaction to the aroma eminating from the baggie it was contained in. The flavor is so good that you will find yourself at times smoking fast to get more of it, resulting in your being hard pressed to get a tongue nibble let alone bite! As I reconsider this becoming an everyday smoke for me? A resounding YES and another 5 star favorite!!

Reminds me of a milder version of those dark brown virginia plugs flavored with myrrh, grade C maple syrup, and lots of castoreum you used to be able to get at various farmer's markets. The unscented version of brown flake is great for topping yourself with that mixture.

If this has any tonka bean extract in it, it is applied 1 drop per pound, to a piece of paper on the other side of the room. I have a lot of the beans macerating in spirits for my own blends, and would recognize the scent instantly. Not even remotely like dark flake scented, or Samuel Gawith's 1792 flake.

No florals in this one, just 99% more flavor than in most other blends on the market, and one you must get pounds of before it is banned for being too tasty.

*Update* I have been smoking this for only a month now, but brown flake aromatic/scented has become my all-time favorite tobacco, ousting blends I have enjoyed for over a decade in my preference. It not only has more flavour than anything else I have ever tried, the aroma is so pleasant to others that everyone is constantly asking what it is.

I find the Dark flake scented tastes much better.