Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake

(Update 15 January 2007) I have reached what I consider to be the pinnicle with this tobacco and, even more, believe that if I was restricted to only one tobacco, Best Brown Flake would do. I found that smoking it in one of Cavicchi's pipes, about a group 5 in size, enables me to unleash this tobacco's potential. In this pipe this tobacco's flavor is deeper, richer, fuller and definitely multi-dimensional - I taste caramel, brown sugar, spice, sweet potato, occasional salt and various other tasty things. The smoke is smooth and creamy, becoming a little stronger towards the last fifth of the bowl. Now I want to buy another Cavicchi (I only own two) so that the individual pipes have at least one day's rest between smoking this most excellent tobacco.

(Original review) BBF is a very worthwhile smoke. I have yet to reach the pinnacle of what this tobacco is reputed to offer by some smokers, but for me it has always been exactly as advertised - a cool, sweet and mild smoke. For me, the flavor is a little sweeter and somewhat more full if I leave the flakes unrubbed... I simply fold two or three (depending on the size of the bowl) complete flakes in half and then stuff them into my pipe. You have to use a certain amount of judgement in doing this as this tobacco swells on lighting and if you've stuffed too much into the bowl you destroy your draw and you'll find yourself frustrated. I have learned as well that on first opening a new tin, you are well-advised to leave the top off the tin and let it sit and dry for at least a day. BBF is one tobacco that, after letting it dry for a day, I will seal just with its sorry Samuel Gawith tin top and not double seal the tin inside a ziplock baggy (which is what I'm careful to do with Samuel Gawith Perfection or Esoterica's Penzance). When you can bend the flake double and it almost breaks, you have reached the ideal moisture level. At that point and with a judicious packing, re-lights are few and far between; BBF can be consumed very, very slowly, and you will find yourself enjoying a genuinely tasty, naturally sweet tobacco. I would go so far as to say that if I was restricted to only one tobacco, BBF would fill my need. While I would certainly miss some of the more lively and exuberant blends, such as GLP's Haddos Delight, Odyssey, James Fox Dorisco Mixture, or even Penzance.... BBF would suffice.

I once again find myself reviewing a tobacco that has many reviews, and so I'll keep this brief.

This is some very tasty weed. When I'm in the right mood, with the right pipe, there is no finer Virginia flake to be had. A wonderful flavor, rounder and sweeter than its stablemate, Full Virginia Flake. There are times when I think there may be a touch of flavoring, but never enough to be certain.

I haven't detected any of the Lakeland "soap" that others mention. Highly recommended.

I have to agree with Pipepundit. This is a very pipe choosey flake. My first few bowls of this were uneventful. Then I tried it a dublin which I reserve for Cob plug. (Interestingly, I picked up NO tonkin flavoring crossover). I keep the cake in this pipe a little thicker at the bottom, as in conical. Best Brown sings in this pipe. A little sweet, a little nutty, a little caramel (very little) at times, and very smooth. If it smoked this well in more of my pipes it would be my all day flake, replacing Full Virginia. Recommended. Highly recommended for those with the patience to let this flake pick it's own pipe. Smoke it up.

Oh yeah, almost forgot.. . in reference to FVF, my experience is that Best Brown comes, in bulk at least, more uniformly sliced. It also rubs out to a better consistency for me. I tear the 6 inch flakes into fourths and rub it out all the way. I also pack it lightly and it burns like a dream. A one match affair.

(just out of curiosity, what the hell is a unilateral tobacco?)

Since receiving my shipment of this, I've smoked three bowls and have enjoyed each and every one of them all the way to the bottom of the bowl. I haven't analysed the experience thoroughly enough to give a detailed review, but I do plan to order more of this (in bulk, no less) soon. I don't detect anything fancy about this blend, but it certainly is great tobacco.

Update 20 August 06: My opinion of this tobacco has grown over time. It's one of the best tobaccos I've had the pleasure of smoking.

My first experience with Virginias came out of a jar labeled "Virginia #1 Mild" at a local cigarette shop. Erroneously thinking it was a Mac Baren product, I tried some out. Consequently, I stayed away from Virginias for years, finding refuge in the land of latakia.

Eventually, curiosity began to gnaw at me and finally, I came across SG Best Brown Flake and I've been smoking it ever since. I still love my latakia, but BBF smokes cool, is sweet, and doesn't bite. It has a nice toasted nutty taste. This review is based on many bowls in different pipes.

I generally roll it up and stick it in the pipe, and drop some smaller pieces on top. I like it best rolled (rather than rubbed out) as this enhances the magic of a cool and slow burning virginia.

BBF seems to respond differently to each pipe, so work it around your lot to find a good combination. My GBE ? good; My Barling ? good; My Charatan ? not so good, I noticed what has been described as a floral/soapy taste in the beginning which diminished as the bowl progressed with this pipe. Yet another pipe tends to bring out the sweetness while subduing the nutty component.

BBF smokes through the bowl with very little change; the natural sweetness is noted throughout and with a simple and great tobacco flavor.

Samuel Gawith is probably my favorite of the two Lake District houses of blending. Many of their blends are a regular part of my long range rotation and several make the short range list as well. On any given day you are likely to find me smoking a Samuel Gawith blend at some point.

Appearance: A leathery flake of varying thickness mostly tan and chestnut brown flake with a smattering of yellows and dark brown mottling. Very pliant and easily manipulated to match your own smoking style.

Tin aroma: The first thing that is apparent when opening a tin of Best Brown Flake is simply natural smelling steamed pressed Virginia. There is a faint (very faint) floral characteristic, slightly fruit like and quite common in Lake District blends, but absent is any top dressing or scenting in this mixture. There are the expected hay-like tones with deepening fruity notes, promising a no nonsense Virginia blend of high quality.

This tobacco seems too moist to me, I decided to air it for at least ½ hour before smoking another bowl. I general, it performs well straight out of the tin, however, ½ hour's drying time helps enhance the burn rate slightly maximizing flavor delivery. As with most flake tobaccos I simply take several flakes together, fold them in half and insert them length-wise into the bowl trimming off the excess. I find it has a much better burn this way and makes for a long enjoyable smoke. For this review, I?ve chosen an L'anatra Canadian which is dedicated to Virginia flakes.

This one like several other Gawith offerings can be a little tough to get going at first, yet once fully lit provides a self maintaining bowl nearly every time. The very slight floral aroma noted in the tin aroma is there for the first few minutes of the bowl each time, but rapidly fades as the Virginia begins ?stoving itself? and deepening in flavors and balance.

Mid Bowl: Approaching mid-bowl, the fullness tends to build this mixture lacks complexity, something I find disappointing, the Virginia has plenty of depth and character yet there is little or no variation in flavors or range. While it is rich and deepens very nicely, it just ends up being rather bland too me. This is probably a very desirable characteristic for some, but I prefer a more nuanced smoking experience even in ?simple blends?.

Home Stretch: As end of the bowl approaches, I find that it becomes slightly more intense, yet remains almost monochromatic in flavors. The only variation being an occasional return of the ?floral property? noted early in the bowl There is a sweetness which builds slowly over all and at times become almost too much for my preferences. None of this is to say that I really find any ?fault? with Best Brown Flake, just that there are many other things I prefer.

Supplemental Notes: This is a top quality mixture which is sure to please many, might even be their ?huckleberry? it's just not mine. Rating for those interested in such things **

While I can understand how it might bore a more pyrotechnically inclined smoker, I really must say that Gawith BBF is a fantastic flake. It starts off a little bland but just gets richer as the bowl progresses. I detected much of the natural VA sweetness of FVF here, but also a sort of chocolate/malty undertone that reared its head now and again. Sure, this isn't Marlin Flake so lets not compare them. BBF is, however, a very mellow and enjoyable flake, probably my new go-to when I want a mild, natural tasting VA. Recommended!

Notes: I smoked a few tins as well as several ounces of the bulk, from various vintages in several pipes. I prefer it in my Ashton Size 2 Billiard.

Appearance: A light brown to dark nut brown 6" flake, neither loosely nor firmly pressed.

Aroma: Soft sweet plum, a hint of ketchup, walnuts.

Taste: Very subdued. Mild, slightly bitter tobacco taste. Old, dusty, nutty flavor, like dry soil. Coaxed with careful smoking into a slightly sweet nuttiness redolent of walnuts and cashews. Acidic ketchup flavors are present, promising for aging prospects. Very, very mellow, at times as quiet as smoking hot air and requiring your attention to bring out its best.

Comparisons: More nutty than Dunhill Light Flake, Less sweet than Rattray's Marlin Flake or others for that matter. On the dry, nutty end of the spectrum of Virginia flakes, as opposed to the toothsome sweet ones.

Bottom Line: For lovers of Virginia flakes, a requisite. For those who prefer the subtle, nutty tasting flakes this will be a winner. Those who require more flavor or sweetness will be disappointed. A gentle, quiet, easy to smoke tobacco of the highest quality.

Yum. BBF has a pleasant mild haylike aroma which is nice; not in a strong grassy sense, but just there. I particularly enjoy the natural sweetness present. You can tell that there are no detectable additives; just pure and natural virginas. BBF is lighter in flavor than FVF and leave a more dry but refreshing aftertaste in one's mouth. I highly recommend this tobac.

Update April 2005:

If Mr. Pease begins Montgomery's tin description with "Virginias, Virginias, Virginias!", then BBF's should begin with "Wow, Incredible, The Best!" Sorry, but BBF, in my very humble opinion, is still the gold standard for Virginias.