Packing & Lighting: Packed until it draws with a slight resistance. Not being moist, GM needs one match to burn down to a fine ash.

Taste & Aroma: Initially, harsh, burning as hot as a blast furnace, and bitey. Bottom is mild burnt popcorn. A fast-burning blend, a bowl doesn't last long. Latterly, towards the end of the tin, the tobacco had dried out and only then would I desribe it as scented, to the extent of likening it to light hair spray and could even understand the previously mentioned "urinal cake", but nowhere near the realm of Half and Half.

GM does produce moisture and does not leave the pipe particularly clean.

Nicotine: Medium, but the effects persist

Room Note: Mild burnt popcorn, tolerable

Overall: Although GM was sampled under very windy conditions, subsequent smoking indoors provided confirmation. At least initially, GM does not seem perfumy at all, having one of the most pleasant of all tin aromas; the taste, aroma, and room note have nothing to recommend. Virginia seed, grown in Zimbabwe, is supposed to be a Cadillac of tobacco varietals, like what Jamaica Blue Mountain is to Columbian coffee. In a way, I'm reminded of Orlik's Golden Sliced (red), which promotes a traditional angle and has a very soft floral scent. 2.5 stars, just somewhat recommended.

Concerning the use of chemical additives to blends made in Great Britain, reference "Dating English Tinned Tobacco"; and Meadowfoam Seed Oil(re: Briarabbit) is a natural product.

This is the first lakeland I really didn't like at all. I was hesitant to buy it because the description by the other reviewers didn't make me think this would appeal to me. But if you're going to tour the lakeland, it would be a mistake to skip a blend with such history. As to a certain debate about whether you should review a tobacco in a "genre" you don't like, I do like some aromatics or at least borderline ones (i.e., scented flakes, etc.), so the question would be whether this unique kind of aromatic constitutes its own genre. By reviewing it I assume not.

This is unique, no doubt about it. If I have ever called any other Lakeland "soapy," I take it back. This presents flavors and aromas of perfumed, flowery soap both in the tin and in the smoke which will make you forget the soapiness of anything else I've tried from SG or G&H (note: I haven't tried ennerdale). There is some very basic and very light natural tobacco flavor, mind you. It is toasty and grassy, much like some notes I noticed in Kendal Cream Mixture. That part is ok, but again very light and not really notable enough to bring me back even if it weren't for the unpleasantness of the casing.

Though others have not noted this problem, I found with this tobacco that the afteraffects were worse than any other lakeland I've tried, even the nicotene powerhouses. I'm not taking that into account in this review, but it will keep me personally away from this even more in the future.

In fact, I think of it more as of some last year's swamp grass collected at a Lakeland moor in March. Naturally, it's best to smoke it in April when it's still fresh, so to speak. By May it might already be nauseating.

I must admit I smoked this weed exclusively for a week after opening the tin. Having finished the tin I bought another one to keep in stock, but I doubt I will be returning to Grousemoor earlier than March or April. I believe I should be out of tobacco by that time.

This blend is unashamedly aromatic and boasts a 200 year heritage to back up its claim as a classic. I couldn't agree more! At first light, you'll feel kind of poncy, since the floral sweetness feels sort of foppish and ephemeral. However, as you proceed through midbowl, the floral fragrance and taste gives way to some meaty virginia and there is a hint of pepper at the roof of the mouth, but with NO bite on the tongue or back of the throat. As you make your way to the bottom, the strength of the nicotine and the pure tobacco flavors blend on the tongue with the floral, caramel taste in a precise and pleasant way. This is never harsh, never rude and always genteel. I would say that it's the most noble tobacco I have smoked to date and with its pedigree, I can see why it holds such high rank in the world of tobacco!

If you remember those old Violet candies, with the hint of lavender, this tobacco's initial taste and light overtones are similar to that. It's never cloying or nasty, though. It's also easy on the pipe, burning down to white, dry ash and never fouling the briar. The room note is heavenly and you get the entire gamut of floral complexity through to good tobacco flavor.

Highly recommended for aromatic smokers. Those English afficionados are better off trying a sample of this in a corncob or meerschaum. Those with fire-blasted tongues and smoke-clogged noses (the drugstore smoker team) will thank the gods of tobacco for bringing them salvation in a tin!

Excellent work!

Well, this is something entirely different. The tobaccos used are first class, of course, but the topping is (I'm guessing) the same honeydew of Cannon, just Much less heavily applied. The result is pretty good. It's sweet, mild, incensey, but it does bite a little. (A lot in the wrong pipe). This isn't something I'll buy a lot of, because it wasn't what I wanted exactly, but it is a quality scented smoke. I can see this having a very loyal following like some other weirdly flavored tobaccos. (Royal Yacht and Lamb Cake Slices come to mind.)

If you thought about trying Cannon plug, try this first. Even if it's not the same topping, it will give you an idea.... (Just kick it to the 10th power.)

Strangely, I do love a good salmon burger, so maybe I'll try and make me a tunadog. Thanks Jaybee!

Despite being called an aromatic, this is NOT sweet tasting in the typical sense one might expect in this category of tobacco. Think of it as a lightly flavored Virginia blend. This stuff DOES taste like tobacco, and the casing is is just barely there in a way that reminds me of a MacBaren blend like Navy Flake rather than an in your face cloyingly sweet bulk brand. The closest analogy I can come up with is this: take Peterson's Irish Oak, remove the Perique and Cavendish and replace them with a light, flowery casing and you have Grousemoor. The tin smells of these two blends are oddly similar (perhaps due to the fact they both have African tobacco?).

It burns well straight out if the tin. Perhaps because of the high Virginia content, it get bite a little if pushed, so take your time and enjoy it slowly.

ALSO: The room note will likely get you compliments from those who tolerate aromatics. Since it isn't really a "sweet" aromatic it might be a good one for those who want to satisfy others around you but do not want the taste of vanilla, fruits, liquorice or other confections in your tobacco.

Not surprisingly his stuff pairs GREAT with herbal tea, like chamomile or "bed-time" tea. I recommended giving it a try if you like Virginias and feel adventurous.

I couldn't have this all the time, but it worth the price if only for its uniqueness and plus, it's fun to think that some guy wearing a powdered wig 200 years ago may have smoked this same blend - it's like smoking history.

If you do smoke this weed, I would suggest confining it to one pipe.

I simply love this blend. It is unique among aromatics as many here have observed previously. A blend like this reminds me of why I like pipe smoking.

I was very excited about trying this English Aromatic since I learned that England, some years ago, outlawed artificial ingredients to be added to their pipe tobaccos (I praphrase here and deffer to our friends form England if I have misquoted the law).

The initial tin aroma is that of a floral essence. Lavender, rose petals etc? I don't know but I do know I like it and it tastes like it smells, rare in my experience with aromatics.

This VA aromatic is true and natural, definitely to be appreciated by naturalists and outdoorsmen, which I fancy myself to be. Knowing the ingredients are natural and not synthetic adds some character to the smoke which I enjoy, as it does with foods that I know are natural (organic) and free of artificial additives.

The flavors/aromas: I detect the classic VA grassiness, but it is subtle along with a very pleasant nutty texture that compliments the topping very well. A personal habit of mine is to smell the "bowl aroma" occasionally between puffs. This one smells wholesome, nutty, rich and creamy in the lit bowl. Always a good sign. If I smell charcoal or "chimney flue" in a bowl aroma - it usually gets dumped, and with good reason.

Several things I have learned I recommend you try that will improve the experience of Grousemoor to a 4 star smoke.......

1) Pack loosely, as loosely as your packing habits will allow you to do without "grimacing" as you pack. Then, GENTLY re-tamp as you will after the first lighting.

2) Use a butane lighter (bic style). The blend is so delicate in flavor that you will taste your match or Zippo lighter fluid on lighting and subsequent draws. I am a wood match fanatic and use them on almost every blend and pipe I own, but Grousemoor appreciates the tastelessness of a clean butane flame.

3) When and if your pipe gets too hot to be comfortably held for a few seconds, put it down and let it go out, maybe a 3-5 min break. If your pipe doesn't do this puff away to the bottom of the bowl and enjoy.

4) Dedicate a pipe to this blend that has had a mild non-aromatic smoked through it recently. Preferably a VA or VA blend without perique. The flavor of other aromatics will interfere with Grousemoor on the first few bowls if you use a pipe that has recently smoked aromatics. 3-5 bowls full in the same pipe without smoking other blends are necessary for you to get the feel and spirit of Grousemoor, and for it to mesh flavors with your dedicated pipe.

5) Dry your portion on a paper plate for 10-15 min before smoking. Grousemoor is a bit moist out of the tin, but I like that. I'd rather have a little extra moisture than try to remediate a dry tobacco - it takes too long and is risky for mold. Drying is easy. Outside drying on a clear day is best and fastest. Inside will take longer.

This blend burns evenly and with the least residual moisture of any blend I have yet tried. Grousemoor leaves essentially a dry bowl. Not one single gurgle after several bowls in my Chacom Canadian (10"). Absolutely no bite! I think I'm in love.

A 200 year old blend that is still a success? I can see why. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Grousemoor is now in my daily rotation - and hopefully will be for a long time to come. Try Grousemoor, you will be pleased you did. It is truly a pleasure to smoke.

Thanks,

Ethan

I would love to give this tobacco a higher rating, since I am generally quite fond of Samuel Gawith tobaccos. I really believe this to be a high quality aromatic tobacco. The added flavour does mask the tobacco, however. Since I find it hard to develop a real liking for this flavour, however, I cannot rate it higher than 2 stars.

If you are looking for a high quality tobacco with lots of added zest, this may be for you. It is a high quality tobacco-and if you like aromatics, it may be a great favourite. Perhaps a good transition for those wanting to get away from the chemical based American aromatics as well!

If you want pure tobacco enjoyment in your pipe, stick with Samuel Gawith favourites, like Squadron Leader or Full Virginia Flake. They will provide lots of unadulterated flavour.

Grousemoor has the most distinctive tin aroma I have experienced. Intensely floral, almost like perfume. This stuff is clearly from a long gone era. Because of this dainty smell, don?t open the tin for the first time when surrounded by your hunting buddies (even though the label shows a hunting scene) unless your hunting buddies are members of the British House of Lords and are wearing powdered wigs whilst carrying their ?fowling? guns. Instead, take your tin home and sneak away to a private place, pop it open, and give it a good sniff. If your immediate reaction is ?awful?, toss the stuff or give it to a needy pipe man. It doesn?t really get any better. If, however, the aroma intrigues you, you are in good company. Pipe smokers have been enjoying Grousemoor for 200 years. A mildly eccentric friend of mine likes to walk around with an unlit pipe of this stuff just to inhale the aroma. If you find the aroma is charming, but too darn strong, put the tin away and let this tobacco rest for a few weeks and most of the tin aroma will dissipate. This tobacco dramatically mellows with age. In fact, like all Gawith flakes, it smokes better if opened and left to dry for a few days.

I smoke this on occasion. Like Earl Grey tea, this is not for everyday. Rather it is best for special occasions. When I am feeling particularly contemplative, I fill a big bent bulldog with this tobacco that has been enjoyed since Britain's glorious 19th century and slowly puff while imagining myself serving in Nelson?s navy, or running a tobacco farm in Rhodesia, or conducting a business meeting around a teak table in a Hong Kong tea house, or keeping the grounds at Lady Chattersly?s estate. As I approach the end of the bowl, I imagine receiving a knighthood from Queen Victoria for dedicated service to the Empire, then puffing on my pipe while enjoying High Tea at Buckingham Palace. Then, usually, as the pipe smoulders out, I am awakened from my revery when my wife calls to me to take out the garbage.