Opening the tin, I was hit by an as yet unequalled combined force of good rum and Latakia. I loved it on first smell. Unfortunately, like all SG flakes I have so far experienced, the tobacco is a bit on the moist side when opening the tin. With some preparation, still smokable, though.

The presentation is the usual stack of slices, with the slices being rather unevenly cut -- they are from a few microns to over a millimetre thick and packaged in random order, so I guess one could rummage around the tin to find the perfect slice to fit the size of pipe one feels like using for a fold-twist-dunk approach. The leaf is quite dark, with traces of white from either sugar or mould (or maybe both) -- whichever it is, it does not impair the flavour or aroma of the tobacco.

Because of the moisture levels, so far I have only been able to light this blend up rubbed out. Works fine, though. Good, meaty, sweet taste, the Latakia room note tempered by the rum to such an extent that it was actually described as "unobjectionable" by a non-smoker who usually goes looking for his gun whenever a lighter is used within a 1-mile radius. I was rather astonished at that. You might want to check with your significant other before trying SGNF in the house, though. It is, after all, a Latakia blend. A real beauty for me, though -- I live next to the sea, and this blend, from opening the tin to finishing off the last cinders, is the closest equivalent to an evening out on the pier I have yet experienced. It has the salt of the sea, the spice of the spray, the tanginess of the tar...

The burn when rubbed out is uncomplicated for me; even as moist as it comes from a fresh tin, it will take to the match after one or two re-starts, and then burn down right to the bottom without much maintenance. The taste continues sweet and meaty, the aroma will attract all horse afficionados right to the end, and all in all, I must say I like this 'baccy. A lot.

The rum flavoring may have come out in the aroma a little... but not much. There is plenty of Latakia, but not overwhelming amounts. Seemed to be nice dark virginias mostly. Lit it up easily after "fold-n-stuff". Has a very nice spicy taste! I loved it! Definitely will be ordering some more of this! Highly recommended

I'm beginning to appreciate, though, how trying to communicate taste, and even judgements of taste, to other humans requires one to go deeper into one's own experience, and writing this now I am searching for what's going on here and it's proving an enjoyable hunt. So there's something to be considered here.

Now, my opinion of SG's tobaccos is that they are Premium Grade. Some of the best. I realise there is an obvious bias; my consciousness was forged under the same hills that have watched over the pretty town of Kendal long before tobacco became a commodity and I can't help but lean towards a view that there is an aesthetic appreciation informed by that landscape and running through the natives from thereabouts. One that set sail on the high seas at some point. I'm not too sure how much maritime history has any bearing on the choice of this blend of tobaccos that warrants the title Navy Flake but the description from SG for this one is probably its most florid and as such quite possibly raises undue expectation for those who mistake regional humour and cultural heritage for sales pitch. And maybe even the folks at SG can't tell the difference. Who knows?

But the sheer poetry of the words Navy Flake tend to infer I think a transporting experience and anything short of that is likely to disappoint.

Well, what of the tobacco? One thing to be said of it is that as far as the quality of the raw ingredients goes I don't detect anything less than the excellence of the same calibre as FVF. The rum is real.

So what must disappoint is the balance and treatment of the materials at hand.

Nothing in this flake jumps out and grabs you. The rum is ephemeral, the Latakia a light touch and the Virginias subsumed. So initially it comes across as rather bland and if you couple that with the most predominant complaints of SG's tobaccos, that they come too moist and are thus also scant portions, it is inclined to not register much for those on a Search for (affordable) Excellence.

However there really isn't much wrong with SG's Navy Flake. It burns well, it has a fairly pleasant room note, there are no artificial flavours to obstruct the natural ones and the flakes are solid and well prepared. It delivers the hallowed Vitamin N in a comfortable quantity, there's no bite to speak of and the after-taste is very satisfactory.

I suspect that ET's Penzance might actually be stealing this fellows wind, assuming that that blend has some direct inspiration from its namesake, but I haven't tried that one so I couldn't say for sure.

I agree with Hemlock - this is a companion smoke, and a very steady one at that. The other day I was walking to Hemel Hempsted from Berkhamsted in High Wind and this smoked really nicely whilst walking with my pipe girt between my teeth.

So there's something in the description. Perhaps the set and setting has more of a bearing than is given credit. You certainly have to take it into account with the ritual ingestion of psychotropic substances so this tobaccos je ne sais quoi could be its steady quality. It delivers, not excessively, on all important counts. Steady as she goes!!

I would definitely buy this again but on such a short voyage with this one I am reluctant to give it 4 stars. Time will tell, and also future voyages in the company of this somewhat inestimable flake.

The tin description sounded intriguing, and though I am not a big fan of casings with my Latakia blends, I decided to give it a shot.

The tin aroma was pretty horrid. The rum came out and simply assaulted me. I could barely detect a little bit of Latakia through the stench of the casing. The aroma of the sweet Virginia had been totally knocked out by the fake liqueur smell.

The pressed flakes were pretty dry and easy to break up, but then again my tin was about three years old.

I smoked this out of numerous different shapes and sizes of pipes, and still could not get it to taste like what it was advertised as.

The Virginia was not at all playing its part in this blend. In fact the only reason I could detect any VA leaf was the way this tobacco would bite when puffed even the slightest bit too hard.

The Latakia that was promised never really made an appearance, but lingered in the aroma instead.

I think had the casing not been present, this would have measured up to be yet another one of Samuel Gawith's two star bland mixtures.

Good thing I had 965 on hand to remind me what a good English mixture is supposed to taste like.

Quality tobacco but to light for my palate .More latakia Please SG, and put some more rum next time.

I didn't really register the "dash of Latakia" here until I opened the packet ........"Navy" flakes ? why are they so called ? My sample could have been used to caulk the timbers on HMS Victory judging by the texture and smell. I squeezed it, and it remained squeezed, just like tarry gaskin with almost the same smell. I must confess to being old enough to remember drainage pipes being jointed with stuff like this, but it didn't deter me from charging and lighting up my Plumb lightweight that I sample "stuff" in.

There the comedy ended. What on earth had I got here ? I regularly smoke Dark Flake Aromatic having found my "staple" baccy. Mouth full of tasty smoke, and "Latakia" in large case letters. It then became balanced with the other choice tobaccos, and turned into sheer heaven. Licked my lips .... yes, there was the Rum. Sweet but right in character. There went my resolve to reduce my library of acceptable tobaccos, as here is one which I shall have greater association with, along with "Cob" flake.

Oh well, who said that this journey would be short and uneventful ? The main thing that I have learned is that there are sufficient good "Honest" tobaccos here in Blighty to do ALL my tobacco shopping at home.

I've yet to experience a Samuel Gawith tobacco that, all else aside, deserves less than two stars. The quality is always there, and at a price few can compare to.

Opening a tin of S. Gawith's Navy Flake, I was a bit overwelmed by the powerful scent of Latakia, with the trademark scent of "Lakeland" Virginia a mere wallflower in the presence of the overbearing smoked weed, but still there nonetheless. I've yet to identify the scent of rum, though I admit my experience with alcohol to be less than thorough. After being slammed with the telltale scent, nay, olfactory overload of Latakia, I had a feeling that this would turn out to be more of a Navy-Style English than an English-Style Navy Flake.

But after rubbing out a few flakes and packing the first pipe, I found that the Latakia settled down in a perfect marriage with the Virginia in a cool, flavorful, and unique smoke. No bite at all, despite the presence of Va's, and I am a VERY hot smoker, being a cigarette smoker as well (though less so since taking up Pipe smoking with more vigor over the past few years).

I would not suggest this as an example of the standard Navy Flake, but I highly recommend it nonetheless. It's a pipe weed that could be enjoyed by smokers of Va's, English's, etc. I personally do not subscribe to any one type of tobacco, rather, I enjoy everything from Full Va Flake to the 965 to Peterson's outstanding yet cheesy named aromatic, Sunset Breeze. It bridges the gaps, an ambassador if you like, a Gandhi of the pipe tobacco world, bringing different styles and flavors together to create a weed where all exist in peace and harmony (especially for he who is smoking it), and that could only come from centuries of experience.

...And if you're one of those people apparently wealthy or foolish enough to through away your tin of this in disgust, by all means, contact me first.

Well, after finishing the tin just have to upgrade to four stars-can't see why not. A unique and satisfying tobacco, and one of my favorite uses of a light application of Latakia. I will have to get some more, and may try the bulk version.

Don't analyze it, just smoke it and get about your other business as you do. It is a companion smoke, not a religious rite.

I especially like flake tobaccos when i want a long slow smoke or when outdoors where a ribbon or shag cut just seems to burn to fast with the wind. this is a good flake to walk smoking with. like i mentioned with squadron leader, a good amount of nicotine in this 1, so best on a full stomach.

there are a lot of complaints regarding the moisture content of this smoke, but all tobaccos required different technique and this is a wonderful tobacco if you simply fold with a air pocket and leave for 15mins before lightning up. treat it as it deserves and you get a lovely smoke! I must stress how unique this navy flake is with its splatter of latakia a real must-try.