Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. - Dark Birdseye pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
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DK	01/13/2010	Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable
Going through a lot of G&H tobaccos lately has shown me just how much that strength is relative to the smoker. Yes, this one is strong, but I found it a lot milder than Kendal Dark or the black ropes, none of which I can smoke. This one reminds me of Kendal Kentucky but does not have the full depth of flavor to my taste buds. This is a rich, bold tobacco but not a head-spinner. This, along with Kendal Kentucky, is what I would offer someone that said that they just wanted to taste tobacco with no soap, florals, leather, wood, spices, etc etc. Just pure tobacco. I did find the faintest trace of lakeland soapiness here but it was SO faint, it may have even been my imagination. I'll keep this one around. It's just so ironic to me that G&H can make the "best" strong tobaccos and the "worst" ones at the same time - IMHO, of course!
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Kerdy	12/23/2009	Strong	Mild	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Let me begin with saying I am an English smoker. Mainly because I love Latakia. The reason I don't enjoy straight Virginia tobaccos is the bite. No matter what pipe I use, loading method, etc., I always get severe bite and my pipe tends to get good and hot risking damage to the pipe. This was a Christmas gift from a friend and came under high recommendation. Such high recommendation the friend offered to take it back and replace it with an English blend if I didn't like it. Well, to my surprise I very much enjoyed this blend! While I can tell if abused this will still deliver the dreaded bite, with attention I had a very enjoyable smoke indeed! It's dark, full and smokey. Things I enjoy in my English blends! I kept catching a hint of cocoa and there seemed to be a spicy element on my tongue. Great aroma for me as well. Of course the wife wouldn't like it, but I am used to that. Very stringy cute and a very springy texture. Stayed ablaze after only the charring light. Nice white/grey ash. Pipe didnt over hear either. Overall, I would recommend this blend to anyone. Even fellow English smokers. I have been searching for a non-English tobacco to put into my rotation and now I have found it. Many thanks to my dear friend for the gift!
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karnevil9	10/22/2009	Strong	None detected	Full	Tolerable
Alot of reviews say this is very strong to too strong. i didnt feel it was. however i like very strong snuff and cigars so i am not a good judge on strength. what a wonderful tobacco. that soapy perfume taste when you first light it up is heaven. also the nicotine hit is huge. This stuff is big and its full tobacco flavor. 5 Brothers is very,very similar, but DBE is far superior. IMO
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Pipemanuk	09/20/2009	Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Top notch stuff this. Very much in the pocket of the ropes, this is a dark, earthy, rather bitter shag cut tobacco. Strong but not overso and as others have said it's important not to have this too dry or it'll burn hot. That's its only drawback really, otherwise recommended unreservedly. Classic British quality, which is the best in the world from the world's best blender G & H.
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BriarPatch	09/19/2009	Very Strong	None detected	Very Full	Tolerable
Dark Birdseye is a big, full tobacco. Rich and satisfying, and being from Lakeland, highest quality. But largely devoid of Lakeland scent or perfumes. Just straight tobacco goodness. If you enjoy the strong Gawith ropes, plugs, and flakes but tire of all the cutting and rubbing, give Birdseye a try. You won't be disappointed. My only complaint is that (in the U.S. at least) it is only available in bulk. The quantity is not the problem (you can get as little as 2oz) but rather the moisture control. I like my tobacco moist, but my bulk Birdseye arrived dry, which then required rehydration. I am sure this would not be the case were it tinned. Update: I went whole hog and ordered 500g, which means that it arrives in the original Gawith Hoggarth packaging. Though it wasn't vacuum sealed, it arrived with perfect moisture content. They package it in a bag that is kind of like the old insulated paper bags you used to get at the grocery store when you bought ice cream. They just fold the top over and tape it, -but it worked! No good for you cellaring fanatics, but as I always maintain, if you buy good tobacco upfront (Lakeland) there's never a need to cellar. My guess is my initial problem resulted from the local tobacconist not being careful when breaking down a bulk pack to sell in smaller quantities. I've been experimenting with keeping bulk tobacco in large canning jars with one of those humidifying gel discs (sold on ebay) under the lid. A bit early yet for a definitive take, but so far the discs seem to be working as advertised.
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AnalogMoz	08/07/2009	Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable
I purchased eight ounces of this from Mars Cigars in hopes that this would be my Sherlockian Shag; it very well may be, perhaps I am not the man he was and cannot tolerate a tobacco this strong, at least before breakfast. On researching this legendary tobacco I read that some thought that this resembled Drum rolling tobacco. The product I received is certainly not Drum: it is a broader shag and not the same long, stringy cut as the aforementioned cigarette tobacco. The scent of the unburnt tobacco is earthy, brown. As a Virginia smoker I find it possible that there is some burley in here, perhaps as Kentucky. Don't quote me. I really am not a master. Loads very easily, as you'd expect from the cut. Upon lighting you are made blatantly aware that this is no-nonsense tobacco. I smoke a fair amount of strong tobacco: Peterson Irish Flake, SG Bracken Flake, GH Sweet Rum Twist, etc. but this one hits me the hardest. The smoke is voluminous and creamy, with some woody notes. It tended to dry my mouth out a little and I was grateful for my tea pot sitting by. It burns well, leaving little moisture and minimal dottle. However, I am slightly afraid of this stuff. It's cool-burning and full-tasting and reliable, but I think I found my superior in strength. I used to think I was capable of smoking the most mighty of offerings. Perhaps I am not Holmesian enough to fully "get" this. It is obviously of amazing quality--don't mistake me--but I may not be entirely up to the challenge. Those fishermen were surely men that lived a harder life than mine! If you are curious about trying this, by all means do so. It is unique in the field of pipe tobacco. It is also slightly ancient in its preparation, which allows a certain reference to our modern times. This isn't a PG-soaked wad of near-tobacco. This is pretty much the real thing. One really should try this once, and, if you're a better man than I, enjoy this in quantity. I, for one, would be impressed. BTW: If you were looking for real Edwardian pipe shag and bought McClelland's Black Shag and were wondering, "Really?", then this very well might guide you into the dingy rooms of 221B a bit better than McClelland's. UPDATE 09/26/2009: A few months of aging in a Mason jar does wonders to this tobacco! Being timid of Dark Bird's Eye, I canned my supply for 4 months in two separate jars. Growing curious about DBE again I opened one jar and discovered a sweet Virginia scent in the jar I never noticed in the original bulk plastic bag...and the sweetness was noticeable also in the tobacco itself- very balanced and easy-smoking, more fragrant and easy to smoke. I now more fully understand the miracle of aging Virginia tobaccos. So, to sum up: if you found this a touch rough and unpleasant, seal it in glass for a few months and viola! great tobacco.
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7formy1911	07/30/2009	Strong	None detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Update 1/15/10 I'm going to have to drop this a star. Still a very good blend but a slight salsa like effect on my tongue has become distracting and unpleasant. If you can get past it, or enjoy it, then I heartily recommend this blend. Original Review: I received a sample of DBE in a trade for some Kendal Kentucky and had been wanting to try it for some time but had been unable to locate any. The sample I received was a little dry but a tiny bit of distilled water moistened it right up. Due to the shag cut it soaked the tiny amount of distilled water right up. After this I took a deep breath of some of the most fragrant, wonderful smelling tobacco I have ever had the pleasure of sniffing. The aroma is reminiscent of figs, earthiness and pure tobacco. No top note or casing was detectable at all. Since I've read the reviews on here as to the strength I chose a small pipe to begin my test. A Stanwell featherweight lovat to be exact. Since this shag cut can easily be packed too tightly then I decided to use a light hand in the packing. Once match touched the soft bed of shag I was in heaven. The taste was exactly like the aroma. As far as I can tell this is a virginia based blend. I don't detect any burley or kentucky in the taste. No bitterness or nuttiness here just a subdued sweetness and earthiness you find in the darker virginias like FVF. The taste didn't waiver at all and remained the same throughout the bowl. If you're looking for complexity then look elsewhere. If you're looking for a smooth, strong smoke with no tongue bite that is very easy to tend to then you're in the right place. Four stars all the way.
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blackbox	04/22/2009	Very Strong	None detected	Very Full	Pleasant
The Dark Birdseye was one of the first GH tobaccos i tried. At first I only loved the full taste of it but wasn't really aware of the nicotine content. But son of a gun, that's some bloody potent smoke. Due to the fine cut it "burns" quite fast. If you do not mind this fact and start pushing it, it will push back and knock you off your rubberlike feet. But if you give this one the time it needs it will be a true delight to nearly everyone into pure Virginia.
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colt25314	04/07/2009	Very Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Pleasant
This is my all time favorite GH blend. It is very fine like angle hair and smells of ginger. This has vitamen "N" a plenty and smells great!! What more can a person ask for?
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strongirish	02/15/2009	Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
I was given about two ounces of this as I am a Five Brothers smoker at least once a day and don't find it all that strong and no "N" moments and I don't tend to like VAs all that much. But, man this is a good one. Had my first "N" moment in years with this one! But I love it. It is very cool to me especially for a VA, and burned well all the way down and lit on first attempt. Very mild but with the kick and tastes a little spicy and dark chocolate or expresso like. I like it's cut, reminds me of the Flying Dutchman of old but much darker and not aromatic. I have to say, this one will make me try more dark VAs as I really like it. I also like the room note, but it mike make my wife run for the hills, I have not smoked it around her yet. I highly recommend this to try, especially those that can handle Five Brothers as it is a great alternative. And IMHO, G and H does not know how to make a bad baccy. I have never disliked anything from them. Will keep this one around.
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Casper	02/11/2009	Strong	None detected	Full	Strong
I gave this a three. Why? 'cause my wife says if I smoke this around her again thats it! (Almost tempted to take her on with that threat and buy a pound!). I digress. I really like this stuff but did not find it as easy to light as the "promo" reads regarding fishermen in gale force winds. I will say that the sweetness is accentuated when puffing it with a glass of lager ;)
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eichenlaub	02/09/2009	Very Strong	None detected	Very Full	Pleasant
Fantastic stuff if smokes slowly, can be nippy if your agitated. this stuff lights and burns very easily and is a great start to the day dark and chocolate like with a hint of soapiness. alot like dark flake i assume they are kissing cousins.
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Pipe4ever	02/05/2009	Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable
This is a very tasty smoke with dark spicy creamy and dark chocolate after taste, also it has the typical G&H topping but it is very natural raw Virginia tobacco with good dose of nicotine however not overwhelmed and Manageable, it tastes better with sweet black coffee, require small pipe, loose packing and soft puffing with slow smoking pace to be fully enjoyed, overall this is top quality stuff that I keep always some on hand, Give it a try!
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Bluenoser	12/26/2008	Very Strong	None detected	Full	Pleasant
Yes Santa Claus there is a Virginia!! This marvellous blend continues to delight sea goers, land lovers, airmen,or anyone for that matter, who should by chance strike match to its soft bed of awaiting leaf in his/her brier, clay, or cob. It does not matter. Strong and mighty, naturally sweet in only that true Virginia way. A morning smoke for me with a cup of robust black sweetened coffee. I have never smoked anything exactly like it although I must admit Sam Gawith's Braken Flake when rubbed out to a shag has a smitten resemblance, at least for me. Absolutely wonderful.
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Dr.sadik	12/19/2008	Very Strong	None detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong
lay back and enjoy,,its a plain dark virginia and nothing else,,i start my morning with and consider it as a satisfying start truly a fisher man friend as the damn thing wont go off,,easily packed easily lit and burn into very fine ash with an after taste tht will last for quite some time,,not a social tobacco though as the room note is kinda over powering! p.s(although it is a virginia blend however it kinda reminds me of 5 brothers blend, taste and consistency wise, weird i know)
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BriarChef	07/17/2008	Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
After whipping through a generous sample of this at the speed of smoke (many thanks Pipestud), I decided to store my new 500 gram package in the toe of a Persian slipper and attach it to my mantle piece with a dagger. Due to the size of the package I was forced to compromise and use a pair of Tony Llamas and a couple Bowie knives. How I managed to miss this combustible wonder in 36 years of pipe smoking escapes me. I like to give it to beginners, then sit back and watch their reactions. This would make another suitable substitute for waterboarding at Club Gitmo. I like it best in a smaller bowl and have dedicated two Stanwell Cuttys to this perfect shag. This is most likely what McClelland had in mind for 221b Baker St. "Missed it by that much." Great stuff!
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stieltje	04/22/2008	Strong	None detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Dark Birdseye is now part of a steady morning routine, I smoke a bowl with some coffee. Easy to pack and light, some tamping might be needed during the smoke. Taste is dark sweet all the way down the bowl, musty and satisfying. Smokes dry and cool. Highly recommended!!
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Big bad Jon	01/19/2008	Extremely Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable to Strong
This tobacco is a breeze to smoke once rubbed out, but it is a powerhouse. I think that this one is best left to the seasoned professional. It made me a bit dizzy but it has a great taste. I do wish that it was a bit downed down. Who knew that too much of a good thing was not so good.
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Redd	10/29/2007	Overwhelming	Strong	Extra Full	Overwhelming
Well I guess that this is the stuff that was first put into a pipe by the colonists and smoked. I guess it took them not to long to figure out that they had to tone it down some. I found this blend to be strong and smoked to hot. The flavor will stay on your tongue for a day or so. All I can say is Yuck!!
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petersonsmoker	10/22/2007	Very Strong	None detected	Medium to Full	Very Strong
Birdseye is a perfect smoke for those outdoor activities - personally not even I would smoke it inside the house. Almost as strong as S.G. Black XX it packs a punch but not so much that you need to be sitting down when you smoke it - I am usually fishing or leaf raking etc. What surprised me was how cool it smoked in the bowl even in high winds. Some here say they shorten the cut before packing their pipe but I find this is not necessary and it packs easily from the beginning. Birdseye smokes dry leaving a fine gray ash in the pipe. I have smoked this tobacco in heavy snow and rain and it is the lowest maintenance smoke I have had. Stays lit no matter what. I usually smoke medium to large bowled Petersons. Tim
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