Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake

I'm a very recent convert to the art of pipe smoking having enjoyed cigars and this is my first review, although it isn't my first tobacco. Having journeyed a little along the path of tobaccos and being guided by the reviews on this site, this is the first leaf I have felt compelled to review.

I have to say that this is a very pleasant smoke. Like other Sam Gawith flakes, it has a lovely moisture content and feels great to rub out or fold. It seems to burn well enough without needing to dry it out. The note from the tin is of raisins and nuts, like fruit cake. In fact an aromatic smoker friend of mine felt that it was the most pleasant non-aromatic he'd smelt.

It packs and lights well, and although it doesn't have an overpowering aroma or flavour, this goes in its favour because one never tires of it. A good every day smoke I think. I found FVF too high in nicotine to make it a regular. It took me back to smoking Luckies, although I would rate it highly too.

The bowl of my Big Ben billiard smells great afterwards too.

All in all, I am very impressed with this and will probably make it a staple. Truly a Best Brown Flake.

If I didn't have Full Virginia flake to compare it too, it would be much better. Just not as good. Flatter in flavor, no little nuances. Still, I'd pick it up given the opportunity. My only beef with it is that my tin had some really thick flakes. Maybe just a one-tin thing, no one else I've seen has said anything about it. Kind of a pain in the butt trying to rub it out when you're studying for finals.

Didn't get much at first light, but as it calmed down and I began to relax, this weed sang for me, and it was a pretty song. A cool smoke with some natural sweetness and a full taste. Aged, flue cured Virginias are a dream.

Earlier in the day I smoked some Kendal Plug as a contrast. I have a lot of problems with light VA and bite, especially things like Coniston Cut Plug and MacBaren Virginia #1. BBF unfortunately bites me quite a bit, on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the worst, I rate it a 4. (For reference, 5 would be something I'd smoke very occasionally because I like the flavor enough and am willing to put up with the bite.)

The taste profile on this is a bit thinner in body than Kendal Plug, and also somewhat more monochromatic. It's a nice flavor, but doesn't really change or develop down the bowl as much as other offerings from Samuel Gawith.

FVF is still my favorite in this line, along with Squadron Leader.

This is a great all-Virginia flake. The tin aroma is to die for. That great Virginia aroma of ripe figs and raisins. The flavor is very nice but very plain Virginia. I'm getting used to a little more spice from perique or orientals. I'm sure SG makes these too. The tobacco is a little wet out of the can, so I'm experimenting with what is the right moisture. I'm also experimenting with whether to smoke it as a flake or to rub it out. I'm having better luck with rubbed out at the moment but my flake technique is improving.

My first pure virginia without added orientals, and also my first attempt at a flake. Took the flakes and tore them into narrow strips of about 2 cm (a bit longer than 3/4 inch for our non metric friends) then let them air out for 5 minutes. Packed in a churchwarden with medium size bowl.

I think next time it might need a bit more drying next time, I had to relight quite a few times.

Great cool smoke, fabulous taste, no tongue burn, just the right amount of Nic for my liking.

Next time i might have the courage to try the packing method as explained on the Mac-baren website : http://www.mac-baren.com/TopMenu/Expert-Knowledge/Flake-Tobacco/How-to-fill-a-pipe-1.aspx

Will let you know later on how that turns out.

After this first bowl, I am pretty confident BBF will come into my rotation together with Squadron Leader.

Best Brown Flake is very smooth and lite. It tastes a lot like Full Virginia Flake except not as strong. Best Brown Flake has no Tongue bite and burns very well. This is my new everyday smoke.

This one makes me wonder why I smoked ciggarettes for so many years. I would consider myself a complete idiot if it were not for the fact that I had enough sense to pick up a tin of this, lol. Toasty, Brown, slightly nutty tasting, almost malty. Very mild, smooth and gentle on the tongue, this is what tobacco should taste like. Being the first flake I have tried, preparing it was an adventure too (finally got it right on the 3rd bowl, hahaa!) Definitley damp out of the tin, needs some drying or it prob wont stay lit, didn't for me.

baccy baccy num nums!

I like the sweetness level in this mature Virginia. The sugar doesn't screw up the Virginia; burns well, just a little on the hot side but no drawbacks there, as it has no bite, which is a good thing in a straight Virginia. Perfect flake cut that is easy to fill and loves you a looong time. I just fold and insert in the bowl using the air pocket method, which works really great in a Dublin. Don't evade the sidestream, for it delivers a tobaccoey aroma that is nutty and redolent of a field of sweet hay on fire. And to put this review in perspective, I primarily like English/Balkan blends. Or at least I did up to now. Yes, this could be a realigning experience. Time will tell.

Update: I aged several jars of this flake for four years and now it's streaked with 'sugar' rows of bloom/plume. Too bad I can't give it a higher rating than Highly Recommended, so I guess that will do.