Samuel Gawith 1792 Flake

Preparation & Burn: 4/10 SG blends are notorious for being too moist; it is the case here. Don't dry too much (unless you dislike the tonquin topping and wish to tone it down). This is not a fun flake to prepare (there are very few flakes I enjoy preparing though). Burns pretty standard as far as SG flakes. Needs re-lights.

Taste: 17/20 The tonquin is positively addicting. It makes me feel like a coal miner with a dirty jacket. I tiny bit strong-flavored from the kentucky.

Mildness: 1/10 My idea of a good smoke is a relaxing, low nicotine session. Therefore, the milder the better. This is in the top 3 strongest blends I've ever had. Very sad, because it tastes great but I just can't smoke 1792; it gives me anxiety.

Total: 22/40

It has an intriguing and inviting aroma, that had me buy this as a sample from my local tobacco specialist. Mostly musty and floral, I have a hard time separating and detecting the different tobaccos characteristics - which is not necessarily a bad thing, meaning the tobacco has married together well.

It’s not of bad working moisture, but allowing it to dry will improve upon its taste and burn rate. Much like its aroma, the taste is also musty and floral, and maybe due to its slightly-more-than-medium bodied smoke, also ashy and meaty. It is, however, a dry smoke.

Taking your time to appreciate the smoke, it will reward you with a special experience, though I’ve not yet made up my mind just how much I like it personally.

I was gifted 16 oz of this tobacco 5 years ago; my fellow piper couldn't get through even a few bowls. I tried it, found it over the top for me in strength, and so there it sat in its sealed glass jar. And sat. For 5 years. Until this week when I tried it again, discovering that it had mellowed out, but was still too strong for me. So, what to do? Blend it, of course. I'm using it mixed 1:3 with one year-old Stokkebye's Luxury Navy Flake, one of my favorite VaPers. Now this, my friends, is a keeper. The 1792 has been tamed, but still delivers its flavors, and burns very well, with no re-lights, right down to the dottle.

At first, pleasant alcohol taste with something else (probably coumarin), but going through the half of the bowl it starts to nauseate me. It's not a tobacco for me but it's not bad either.

Burns rather cool but it's hard to me to keep it lit.

Having just finished a tin of excellent Dunhill Flake, I popped down to the tobacconist for another, only to discover that they were out of it. I quickly scanned the shelves for another flake and settled on the 1792, having done zero research on the blend beforehand. Judging by the rustic appearance of the packaging, I figured that it would be another straight VA along the lines of the Dunhill Flake. After getting home and cracking the tin, I was a bit disapointed to discover that I had wound up with a tonquin-flavored VA. It was extremely moist out of the tin, to the point that it had stained the paper inside. After some drying time, I packed a bowl in a Dublin-shaped meer and light up. The tonquin flavoring is quite strong, way more so than the only blend I can think of that's similarly flavored, Dunhill's Royal Yacht. Additionally, this is probably the most powerful blend I've ever had in terms of nicotine content. I like a good nicotine hit now and then when I'm smoking, and Dunhill Nightcap is one of my favorites, but this 1792 is really in a league of its own. Between the somewhat odd taste of the stuff and the intense nicotine buzz, I did find myself getting a bit nauseous initially. After a few days and a few more bowls, I seem to have grown a bit more accustomed to the stuff. That being said, I don't exactly enjoy smoking this stuff in quite the same way that I do with my favorite blends like Squadron Leader or MM 967. I can't help but feel a bit put off by the strong tonquin casing and the mighty nicotine kick. This is definitely not in my daily rotation, and I only smoke it on a full stomach and when I'm really in the mood for a strong buzz. I highly doubt that I'll be buying more of this, and I wouldn't recommend it too strongly to others. If you're looking for a Virginia blend with tonquin flavoring and a hefty nicotine dose, go for the Royal Yacht. It's flavoring is way more low-key, and the nicotine level is more manageable. That being said, the 1792 is quite unique and quite strong, and I can see how it might be the Holy Grail for some smokers.

Is a different flake, different are the flavour, the scent and the taste. Their quality is good, for this, 2 stars, but is only for the smokers that like flakes and Virginia flakes, I'm not a specialist, i prefer english mixtures and aromatics. High Nicotine Strenght for me and the Tonquin Bean is not for all...

last month I treat myself to a tin of gawith 1792 flake. Now this seems to be the holy grail almost, something that must be tried at least once.

So what do I think?

it's base tobaccos are superb, primarily dark fired flakes that look and resemble beef jerky. moisture content seems pretty decent, it easily rubs out, it smokes very evenly no hint of bite, and when smoking in my cob it barely heated up. up to now a superb tobacco.....BUT.

That flavour I'm not so sure on, I know it is in quite a few blends but it is mixed with other flavours on its own I'm not so sure. it reminds me of damp moorland mixed with vanilla with a touch of farm yard..

with out the tonquin, 1792 would be fantastic in my eyes, but that flavour I'm sorry but I am not overly keen.

this blend is not going to win you any friends room note wise, it puts out plumes of smoke and very dense and very heavy smelling at that.

All in all I can see why it has it's devotees, it is a good tobacco but that flavour in my opinion kind of spoils it.

I would recommend it to those who like this kind of thing, but as far as in concerned, it's a one tin wonder for me.

Well this flake is more toquin to me than the other toppings when you open it.after rubbing it leave it a couple hours to dry the moist is more than needed.needs an effort to light and burns medium without biting.as for the taste it's medium to hevy nic level not an all day blend to me.the toquin flavour is dominant to me(sorry i didn't get any of the other toppings)in a nutty earthy and a bit sweet environment.i am not a toquin fan so this blend has not excited me.since you try full virginia and best brown flake you will find this very flat and tasteless.

A really strong one. The tonquin bean is overwhelming and hides the whisky. I find this flake very difficult to burn and need of some relights, though it does very cool. It is clearly a high quality tobacco, but not for me: While I found it rich and interesting also proved overwhelming me, and I left the can before finishing. However, it is still recommended.