Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. - Rum Flake pipe tobacco reviews

Review

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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
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bent-1	03/16/2006	Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
The sweetness was quite present, though I couldn't finish the bowl due to the soapy taste. Probably a quality tobacco, but not one I'd buy. Jaybee & Esoxhunter nailed it precisely. Soapy aftertaste ruined the experience.
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sasha	12/22/2005	Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant
I expected something similar to S.Gawith Navy flake, but this one is a lot different. The rum casing is more present at the nose than at the match, when smoked you taste only tobacco with a light almost soapy flavour. The nicotine punch isn't the strongest I've tried, but it isn't a mild one at all.
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NapaWineLover	10/08/2005	Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant
First off, I had to give this tobacco a try. I'm glad I did. The bulk stock from which I purchased was not overly moist, in fact it leaned towards dry, so I was thrilled. I imagine that this RF smoked with a bit more moisture could turn the pipe bit into a blow torch. I also didn't notice any but the slightest topping aroma ... so either my tobacconist has defrauded me or this tobacco needs to served exactly this way. The broken flake is very easy to work with and rubs out easily, in fact, the first pipefull was just stuffed into #4 sized Brand X pipe of decent quality and fired up. The first whiff of smoke was bewildering but pleasant. To be honest I wasn't sure what I was smelling but nonetheless I proceeded with reckless abandon. Tamped and retorched, it was full tasting, balanced and I searched (although wary) for the maple sugars. We still haven't been introduced. What I did notice is a rather malt-like, buttered toast-ish bottom to a nicely powerful blend. It is complex IMO and those soapy / floral highs peak at intervals along the way. It smokes slow, cool and rich. Now, with all due respect to those noteworthy reviewers that have been so helpful to me that have also bombed RF, I'm wondering if there is a major inconsistency in the varying stock of this tobacco or my original supposition that my tobacconist is a crack pot. All the casing / topping ingredients in the RF I'm smoking is almost indistinguishable and I have found this to be a very enjoyable, rich, full and complex basso that also doesn't cripple the palate. This blend could be called No Name Flake and that would be more appropriate from my experience. I would love to hear more from detractors re-visiting RF in a more naturally aged drier condition. Cheers, VC (Update - I finally was able to identify the Maple Sugars essence after dedicating a pipe to this blend. As with all the other elements of this smoke - the rich smooth taste of a wonderful blend is merely tied together very successfully with the maple/rum. I'm convinced that further aging and slight drying is the secret to the transformation of this tobacco.)
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Black Dog	08/24/2005	Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
I have been smoking G&H Rum Flake off and on for some time now, about 4 ounces. This is a quality tobacco, with a rich tobacco flavor. The maple topping passes quickly, not that the topping is at all bad. As others have mentioned, this tobacco can have some kick, but not at all as strong as, say, G&H Dark Birdseye. I usually rub the flake out fully, and find it burns very well, with no bite. If you're looking for a step up from most "normal" tobaccos to something with a bit more strength, this is an excellent choice.
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Ducksbreath	05/21/2005	Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant
For years I didn't like this stuff, gravitating toward either the more wildly flavored Kendal Flake or toward the darker and stronger G&H tobaccos (CCP), yet always keeping one G&H in my rotation. After all, there are no subsitutes for these kinds of VA based tobaccos (well except for S. Gawith). But finally I've been won over by this blend's taste, authority, and incredibly bite free smoking characteristics. Not a complex smoke, not so dynamic, but as smooth as is possible, and somewhat sweet. Pretty strong but not in the heavy hitter league. Highly recommended.
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Spike	11/27/2004	Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable
I don't know how this could be rated only two stars! Absurd! This is one of the best flakes ever! Don't smoke this first if you are planning on trying any other tobacco that day! It is so flavorful it would overwhelm any other smoke that followed. If it has any fault it would be that a small pipefull seems to last forever! Really good stuff! "Non-Flakers" need not apply! Update 11/26/04: One of my pipe-buddies new to the game (a former big bucks cigar buyer) says this is as good or better than any of the $10 cigars he used to buy. He is not saying it tastes like a cigar, rather it gives him similar satisfaction.
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Esoxhunter	09/26/2004	Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
September 2004 Like Bob's Chocolate Flake, this is a quality tobacco, but also like BCF, I just can't get past the soapy flavor that seems to dominate everything else.
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Danno	09/25/2004	Medium	Medium to Strong	Full	Very Pleasant
Well well, what have we here...a gorgeous English aromatic. I came by 2 ounces of this flake and have rendered it to a wistfull memory in short order. Other reviewers have made mention of the "maple" smell. I concur but I don't taste it. Initial taste is thin, dare I say somewhat cheap, especially when exhaled through the nose. Thankfully, several puffs later the smoke revs up and tastes wonderfull, rich and full. I have been smoking it in a long Canadian, providing a gentle, cool experience. Due to it being cased and sugary, relights can be a tad ashy, but the unpleasant flavors soon diminish. Not an all day smoke but rightly rewarding when in the proper mood and space. As to the mention of "floral" notes, I couldn't detect any. I smoked it alongside half a dozen of the traditional Lakeland mixtures and found it a welcome departure. Enjoy.
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fourshephards	06/25/2004	Strong	Mild to Medium	Full	Pleasant
Some weeks ago I began the journey through the line of fine tobaccos made by Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. and I must say that the trip has been rewarding. When purchased in bulk, Rum Flake comes as a broken flake with a musty/sweet aroma. The tobaccos used are of high quality and the flavorings are evident but not to the point of covering up the excellent character of the tobacco. At first light, Rum Flake has a cigar-like quality but as the tobacco is consumed it developes into a semi-sweet and rich smoking experience. Though it gathers in strength toward the bottom of the bowl, Rum Flake never becomes "bitey". WHile RF does have a bit of the floral in it, RF never gets "soapy". I would give this high marks and would recommend it. Though a bit strong for all day/every day consumption, I will always keep this around.
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Blackie	06/09/2004	Very Strong	Extra Strong	Extra Full	Pleasant
When I went looking for a Rum Flake, I went looking for Rum and good Virginia. What I found was a Virginia seemingly cased with Anise/Licorice. This in no way even approximates it's advertised casing of "maple sugars" and "rum". In it's totality, it tastes like fine orange Virginia and Burley cased with Pernod Liqueur and sprinkled with Pepper. Beyond it's flavor, it seemed to have a prickly, bite. Not tongue bite, but the chemically induced little bites of black pepper. I can relate and adjust to some of the soapy, florid blends from England. However, this was not one of those tobaccos. This was nothing short of an assault on the tongue. I had tried this the first time in a pipe in which I had smoked English, so I switched to a new corncob to be quite sure. I am quite sure that this is not for me. My wife, seated next to me in our car commented on the reasonable room note, however (which is impressive if you know my wife). At another time, with different expectations, I might try it again. This just did not come close to what it bills itself.
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Bobbior5907	05/23/2004	Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium	Tolerable to Strong
This is a well-made blend, typical of G&H. In comparison to Bob's Square Cut/Bob's Chocolate Flake, the floral note is subdued and seems to diappear once it is lit and going. Like the other reviews, I detect little in the way of a rum taste, though the maple is apparent at first. However, the sweet maple flavor is itself eventually replaced with that of the rich natural tobacco. This blend burns well despite its density and moisture content. It is a somewhat unusual flake because the pieces are so long. The flakes need to be broken up or folded over to fit into a pipe. While there is no bite, this is a deceptively strong tobacco for the unwary and may induce dizziness if smoked too fast. Whle I think the aroma is nice, others of the female persuasion have informed me that it smells like a "dirty cigarette"---whatever that means. Nonetheless, I give Rum Flake a grade of "B".
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RCUSElder	05/21/2004	Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Gawith and Co. have to be commended again for their ability to blend tobacco that is different than the rest of the pack, and yet "classic" in every respect of the word. With Rum Flake, they have again upped the ante. Appearance: Beautiful 8-9" long by 1.5" Flakes Medium Brown with light yellow specks here and there. Aroma: This comes in bulk so there is no tin to open. The flakes smell like raisins, hay, a little floral,perfumy (light though, not as perfumy as BCF) Packing and Lighting: I found that this smokes better fully rubbed out and in smaller pipes (grp 3-4) Three lights typical. Initial Flavor: Rich VA with a spiciness that does not burn your tongue. Where is the Rum? Mid-Bowl:The flavor is rich and sweet, without being cloying. The florals pop in and out more. This is a delicious tobac! End of bowl: This is where this blend is the most tasty to me. Rich, round, mellow, with the florals more in evidence. When it is over, you are satiated, your pipe is dry, and the ash is powdery grey. Overall: This is a delicious blend if you appreciate Gawiths Genre of flavoring. The floral flavor is less pronounced than BCF. The tobac burns cool, what more could one ask for? Rating: since I am still primarily a Balkan smoker I could not rate it higher than "I smoke this on occasion" but in this genre, I give it 4.5 points out of 5, a most excellent smoke, enjoy!
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provguy	03/27/2004	Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium	Pleasant
Ennerdale flake is a staple for me. Rum flake is a new flake that I have just tried for the first time this week. I am very impressed with it. This is a Virginia Burley flake with a casing. I have read Rum, Vanilla and licorice. It has a very pungent aroma in the tin. Rubs out with some effort and packs nicely. Burn is nice and flavor is excellent. The base tobacco flavors come through very nicely with the added flavors. Very enjoyable but will not replace my Ennerdale Flake. Four stars.
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chaplikc	03/13/2004	Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
This is a very unusual(in a good sense), very tastey flake. It is rich, smooth, cool smoking and very unique in its range of flavors. This is lightly sweet and does have a very mild "soapy" flavor. I would say that this does not have a soapy flavor at all except that I did detect this aspect of flavor occasionally. There was also a light floral note that appeared occasionally that I enjoyed as well. Even though this is called rum flake I did not detect any rum flavoring at all. This is a very well behaved flake in my oppinion. I did not experience any bite with this and it smoked cool and thorough. Be prepared when you smoke this in that it does pack a good nicotine punch and may overwhelm those who are not used to blends with strength. If you are the kind who is not used to smoking stronger blends I would recommend trying this in a smaller pipe first. I would highly recommend this to flake lovers who are adventurous and like variety.
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NEWMAN	01/30/2004	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
G & H has done a great job in preparing this brown flake in ~ 6"x2" bands. I didn't rub them out but still obtained excellent lighting and smoking characteristics. Probably due to the casings, the room aroma received compliments. However, as with other G & H flakes, a soapy taste was present thruout the smoke. In this blend it is not nearly as intense as with their Ennerdale or Scotch Flake, but in my view it is still enough to spoil my pleasure. After some drying due to the high initial moisture content, the soapy influence was reduced. However, I did not detect any rum taste as might be expected from the name. If your looking for a high nicotine, lite soap, tobacco this may be the answer but this blend is too costly for me to purchase and not really enjoy.
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BriarLaw	10/12/2003	Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable
This tobacco is certainly a high-quality flake that has received alot of care in the making. Dark brown and rich with large flakes (6" to 7" long), it is very old school in character and a classic Gawith offering. The rum was not pronounced to me. However, what was pronounced were the other flavoring agents. It had that characteristic "flowery/anise" flavor found in many Kendall style tobaccos, albeit a bit less than some. I typically don't care much for that taste which is the reason I was not thrilled with this tobacco. However, for those of you who are, try this as I suspect you will love it.
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WxGuy	10/10/2003	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable
GH Rum Flake is one of my first forays into GH soap flake land. And I like it. I, too, found it to need a bit of drying before it was ready to smoke. As it came, it was fairly harsh and monochromatic, but once dried a bit, and consumed slowly it revealed a rich spectrum of flavors. Rum was not one of them. The restrained floral soapiness was evident in the background throughout, but VAs and added sweetener make it a rich and rewarding smoke. I also like the cut. Contrary to the description above, my sample came in nice broad flakes. A gentle rubbing-out into long strands (after the requisite drying of course) produced a nice slow-burning texture. I found that it burns best in a tall narrow bowl, where a smolder of just the right temperature can be attained. I also tried it chopped into teensy cubes, and it was amazing how much sweeter the flavor was. It had a tendency to burn the back of my throat, however, so I went back to the long strand consistency I prefer with VA-type flakes. It is fun to have it both ways. I have enough to cellar several oz in a sealed glass jar for a few months/years to revisit frequently in the future. A recommended smoke.
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Pounder 5000	09/11/2003	Strong	Mild to Medium	Very Full	Very Pleasant
I got this tobacco, along with Bob's chocolate, Black Irish X rope, and Glengarry flake, as a chance to sample some of Gawith's tobaccos. As you will find if you read my other reviews of these tobaccos, this is the only one that really did it for me. This stuff is simply the best aromatic tobacco that I have ever tried. I can't say enough good stuff about it. While I could recognize that Bob's and Glenngary were of excellent quality, it was the flavoring components that didn't appeal to my personal tastes. Not so with this tobac! The flavor of maple sugar along with sweet Virginia and nutty Burley were perfect. I know that there is supposed to be rum in the mix but it really doesn't seem to be there. I think they should rename it Maple Flake. The casings never cover up the taste of very high quality tobacco in this blend, and all together it alway's makes me think of that elusive, rich, classic tobacco aroma that we all strive to rediscover. The same aroma that we remember smelling when we were kids and we encountered the smell of grandpa smoking his pipe for the first time. This is a cool smoking blend as well with great burning characterisitics. This stuff is classic and I will never be long without some on hand. That being said, if you are looking for a hearty, rich, and tasty aromatic that still delivers great tobacco taste, take this for a spin. Too rich for all day consumption, it will indeed be a treat on Christmas morning!
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Paddy	04/27/2003	Medium to Strong	Strong	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
This is a tobacco I buy in bulk and keep for months, smoking it sparingly over time, perhaps a bowl a week or every two weeks. It is a typical dark, pressed G&H flake with a maple sugar aroma and this carries over into the flavor of the smoke. This is a strong tobacco, and has that pleasant astringent sensation of nicotine on the tongue underneath the tobacco flavors. The combination of the sweet maple and the somewhat bitter, dark pressed flake flavor are unique to this tobacco. There is absolutely no bite. I like the dark pressed, scented Lakeland flakes, and I like this the best of all. If you like a sweet tobacco now and then, but you want the taste of tobacco, this is an excellent choice. Highly recommended. Paddy.
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kcook	02/02/2003	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

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