UPDATE: October 2004. After a couple more years smoking this wonderful tobacco, it seems to have reached beyond the "One of my favorites..." category; it's one of the best tobaccos out there. Now, be careful comparing Brown Rope #4's aroma to other tobaccos with a more standard "pipe-like" aroma. Keep an open mind; this rope's aroma doesn't fool around with any artificial flavorings or fruit extracts, etc. but just give's one an honest to goodness strong natural smoke. It provides another aspect to consider when defining the wonderful art of pipe smoking.

Samuel Gawith has done a wonderful job with this tobacco.

Gluttons for punishment, delight!

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I know that we are not supposed to comment on the reviews of others, so I hope no one takes offense at what I'm about to say. I had to scour the data base to come up with the most ghastly comments ascribed to any tobacco on this site, for certainly this blend deserves no less a description.

The esteemed Mr. Eulenberg, whose educated palate and prose make him one of the wonders of this site, described Dunhill's Royal Yacht as possessing "all the flavourful charm and sweet redolence of slightly gangrenous horse meat". I would suggest that he sample this abomination. By comparison, Royal Yacht would make a worthy wedding present to a dear friend.

It's a big world, and there is room for all manner of styles and tastes. Yet I cannot for a moment imagine anyone enjoying this. It is downright brutal in its assault on the senses, and brings shame to our gentle art.

I'll describe it nonetheless. An oily, pitch black rope, only slightly foul smelling, it brings nothing but nicotine to the table. The world of wine has Thunderbird, and, well, we have this. Shredding the tough leaves into a manageable form is a chore unrewarded with anything closely resembling smoking pleasure. It looks like used cigar butts, and probably tastes about the same.

The anti-smoking zealots should use this as exhibit A.

Surely there must be uses for such a product. Perhaps the Brits used it to force the evacuation of landing crafts at Normandy. I know I'd rather face enemy fire than this. It may also make a good noose.

I have to go and salt my pipe now, as well as every other pipe in my house, and possibly the tri-state area. Someone should salt the earth where they grow this stuff, as well.

*************Finally! I have found an appropriate application for this foul weed. It's, it's..............Halloween!

There is a refreshingly woody taste to this tobacco that intrigues me and keeps me coming back for more. It reminds me of the smell of freshly stripped Cedar bark in its incense-like qualities. I've found that some of the best tobacco is subtle in flavor, and SG Brown Rope #4 is a great example of this. While it may not be as obvious or multifaceted as some more accessible blends, there is an immense depth to this tobacco, with many layers of smokiness, spiciness and woodiness present or absent at any given time. I attribute this to the interplay between the wrapper and the varieties of Virginia leaf present in the rope.

I've never been one to agree with the critics of "empire" leaf, I find that they have a unique, if subdued, character that makes them just as rewarding to the smoker as their esteemed American cousins. This 'Finest Kendal Twist' is a most enjoyable composition of these dark-fired Virginas; one that will amply reward those with the patience and constitution to sit back and examine this noble weed's less obvious treasures, which are indeed many.

Rating: 8.5/10

I cut this rope into thin slices then rub several out to assist in the lighting. As an ending note, this is not a tobacco I would puff on an empty stomach.

Tin presentation is nice -- if not funny. Tin aroma was that of fresh cedar and cigar leaf. I used a cigar cutter to knock off some slices, which I then rubbed out fully. Some have suggested leaving the slices intact will deliver more flavor. The light and burn were fine. Where the rope lost me was in the flavor/nicotine ratio.

The nicotine is off the charts, but the flavor is nearly absent for most of the bowl. Top third was plain and boring. The mid-bowl gave what flavor it could, which reminded me of baking a loaf of cinnamon bread inside someone's walk-in cigar humidor. Even then, I had to struggle to find these notes. It was around this time that I noticed the nicotine in a big way. I should have put the pipe down for a few hours, but I pressed on -- determined to find some depth of flavor.

End bowl was as forgettable as the top. By this point, I was feeling the effects of the nicotine. I didn't get the spins; nor did I get sick. I just felt uneasy overall and very lightheaded. I pretty much had to lay down and sleep it off.

I gave this tobacco the "Might try it again, but will not keep it on hand" rating because I still have some left in the tin. I will revisit this rope as long as I have it and try smoking MUCH less of it in a sitting, whether in a large or small pipe. I'll also try leaving it sliced, in case that really does bring out the flavors.

This piece of tobacco's yesteryear was interesting, but there are far better full-bodied smokes out there.

I mostly smoke this layered in with other blends. I just smoked this with Cornell and Diehl "Winchester" and it hit the spot. It can overwhelm the blend rather than enhance it so I use it sparingly when blending. I've also blended this with some aromatics to kick them up and I haven't been disappointed! It's taste isn't as interesting as 1792 Flake (which is great too!) but I actually prefer it as a blend enhancer.

I find the Gawith tobaccos to be more difficult to smoke than C&D and other more traditional blends, but it is very much worth it. I have matured as a smoker a great deal by trying these blends. If you are looking for something strong and a bit different than the norm, give these a try. Be warned though; it is a rich smoke in nearly every sense of the word.

This is brutally strong, nastily-scented stuff. A few of the stoutest pipesters might like this, but the strength is so overpowering that the tobacco flavor is undetectable. Smoke in the tiniest bowl you own if you must try it - and remember, I warned you.