Samuel Gawith 1792 Flake

Strong? Nicotine bomb? Foul?!

I, like others, was drawn to this tobacco because of so many polarizing descriptions.

I must say, I have no idea what tonquin smells or tastes like, so I don’t know how much / strong this additive is in this blend, but this tobacco certainly has a unique scent and taste that I’ve not encountered anywhere else.

I am fairly sensitive to nicotine, so I was careful with this blend, until I realized after finishing a tin that it really does not affect me adversely. G.L. Pease blends hit me much harder nicotine-wise than this one.

The flakes are pliable and dark, and smell incredible. It must be the tonquin I’m smelling, as I find the tin note and taste to be absolutely unique to my palate.

While I can see how this scent and flavor may not be everybody’s favorite, I cannot see how this tobacco can be described as “foul.” Excrement is foul. Decaying matter is foul. A full dumpster on a hot summer day is foul.

1792 is not foul! In fact, I think I’ve only ever encountered one blend out of the hundreds I’ve tried that I would ever describe as foul, and that would be Sutliff’s Fox and Hound (or foxhound? I forget the exact name. It’s the ONLY tobacco I’ve EVER thrown away haha!)

So, go ahead and get yourself a tin of this. It’s worth the experience. Don’t be afraid. It’s high-quality tobacco with a lot of history. If you don’t like it, you can send the rest to me. 🙂

I've been smoking 1792 on occasion for almost 10 years now. It's one of those things I get in a mood for once or twice a month. It's definitely unique with that Tonquin Bean topping. There isn't really anything else to compare it with. It is also notably strong in flavor and nicotine. 1792 is an all day smoke, said nobody.

It is a very satisfying smoke for the end of a day. I've tried aging it, and I've found that it looses a certain character when it ages. I actually prefer this blend to be younger rather than older. When it's aged, it takes on a certain stale quality that is difficult to describe. I suspect the topping is what becomes stale with age. The untopped version of this, Lakeland Dark, might do better with age. However, I'm many years from knowing if that is true or not.

1792 is a bit of a legendary pipe blend. I think all serious pipe smokers should try it at least a few times. If you are sensitive to the touch of Lady N, I'd recommend a smaller pipe. Once you do find your pipe of choice and fire it up, you will be met with a creamy, rich, thick smoking blend with plenty of flavor. This is one of those love-it or hate-it blends. A lot of that comes from the topping which is unusual to be sure.

I've never received this blend where I didn't need to dry it out some before smoking. Allow plenty of prep time for drying. You lose flavor with drying it out, but for some the diminished top-note is welcome. Tonquin Bean is an odd flavoring in the 21st Century. Perhaps it was more mainstream in 1792 when this blend was developed, but that was over 200 years ago. Which reminds me, this blend is over 200 years old. How's that for a taste of history?

An amazing tobacco that satisfies like no other. It is very unique. Tin aroma to this smoker hints of perfume and barbecued chicken. I generally let flakes dry a bit and partially rub out. I have been smoking in a little Kaywoodie 'campus' and a small clay with great results.

Initially lighting I taste the tonquin and some floral notes. Side stream smoke reminds me a bit of one of those store bought fireplace logs. Once this stuff gets rolling at a good burn the magic happens. The flavor is very rich. There is a pronounced dark chocolate and whiskey taste I get on the periodic nasal exhale coupled with a very earthy flavor that almost reminds me of how black walnut trees smell. Tastes are subjective and this is the best I can describe this amazing stuff. Burns well all the way down with even sipping.

I think this tobacco is one of those distinctive things like Black Licorice, Moxie, etc. Those that like it....really, really like it.

I usually sample this before bed on cold winter nights. It's a special treat and best smoked alone while already in a relaxed contemplative state of mind. The nicotine will provide a total mellowed detachment that will be very linear. Pipe smoking at its best.

The tin note on this is one of a musty, damp basement where one does their wash. Packaged very moist, it requires 8 seconds in the micro to disperse some moisture, but leaves enough to prevent harshness.

This does deliver a decent nicotine hit, but not enough to scare anyone away. Rich smoke delivers that tonquin bean vanillaish aroma. Does require a few relights throughout the smoke, but that just proves you arent smoking too fast.

As a pipe smoker, I believe everyone owes it to smoke the entire SG spectrum, and start with this one.

4 out of 5 stars. Paired suprisingly well with a JD and Coke.

Update 1/16 After smoking this blend more and more, and smoking it with several years of age on it, I must bump this up to 4 stars. The aged version has tremendous notes of cedar and leather, like an aged Cuban Robusto that was wrapped in a cedar sleeve. Smokes to the bottom of the bowl, without getting harsh or obtrusive.

I'm reviewing this just for fun. I think every piper needs to try it.

On the plus side of 1792 is the fun history of the thing. The presentation (think: tin of side-bacon strips) is great, the flake is beautiful. This is probably the coolest smoking tobacco around... you can literally smoke a bowl of this without heating a pipe up at ALL, if you are careful.

On the down side (for me) is that tonquin is completely disgusting, and this stuff is soaked in it. Couple that with a huge smash of nicotine, and you've got your body conditioned to feel woozy and sick at the faintest smell of tonquin. Really Pavlovian.

I can't stand to smoke this stuff, but I LOVE it, and I LOVE that it exists. I'm hoping that my Irish Flake allows me to return to the realm of manly tobak, but at this stage, I just don't know.

Get a tin, have some fun. Make sure you eat before you smoke.

Flavours: tonquin bean, mellow sweetness, vanilla, florals, whiskey, earth, oriental spices, baking spices, hay. Hint of pleasant bitterness.

Took a bit of time to come around, but I like it the more I smoke it. Like a iron fist in a velvet glove, this is fairly full in character and strength yet possessive of a soft luxuriating personality. The tonquin is the clear leader of this story well supported by the whiskey and and vanilla notes. Not an all-day everyday blend; but more of a dessert smoke, perfect for those late night, quiet moments when you've had a full meal, and have nothing else but the twinkling stars for friends and time to contemplate the universe. A unique and quality tobacco that everyone should try.

Ottimo, mitico, unico, intramontabile. Uno spettacolo meditativo dall'inizio alla fine. Attenzione: TANTA nicotina, a me non da fastidio ma alcuni possono aver fastidi a stomaco vuoto.

I have been holding off on this because of the reputation as "strong, heavily topped, will take over a pipe", etc, but I finally popped my first tin. Incredible tobacco. Wish I didn't wait so long. JimInks nailed the description below; it needs a lot of time drying out, lasts forever in the bowl, and is wonderful. It is strong, but not for an experienced smoker. This is from a tin of mine I dated Nov 2006 when I bought it. Must be experienced by all.

Day 0 : bought this stuff based on this site's reviews, and the fact that I'm a fan of numerous other productions from SG. I feared the topping, though. Opened the tin, was afraid by the smell and thought that I would never be able to smoke such an horror. Seemed disgusting, at best. I decided to let rest for a day with the lid slightly opened. The flakes looked appealing, the usual SG way.

Day 1 : not much changed. I took an old budget pipe dedicated to virginias that saw little use in the previous years, as I did not want to risk ghosting a favorite. Put the thing in the pipe, was surprised by the cool smoke. Not that disgusting, after all. Half bowl, began suffering dizziness and sweat colds. Is this stuff legal ?!? I had to calm things down, sit in the sofa and relax. I finished the bowl slowly, enjoying the high quality leaves and began understanding the interest of tonquin. Intrigued, I went to bed full of that strange smell.

Day 2 : even after some hand-washing and tooth-brushing, my hands and mouth still had a little smell from this blend. Spent the whole day at work sniffing my fingers in the search of that little flavor that just began to grow on me. Could not wait to come home. Had a bowl in the evening, found it fantastic. Smooth, strong, rich, full, great. Room note from family : "worst stinky thing ever found". Room note from the smoker : "heaven".

Day 3 : hooked. Could not live without it.

I finished the tin, then bought some others to always have some at hand. This is a really fine blend for the experienced smoker. Very slow sipping leads to a marvelous smoke, an experience by itself. I could not smoke this everyday, but there's nothing much quite like it. An amazing SG blend.