Samuel Gawith Black XX Twist (Rope)

Great Lakeland blend, as anyone would expect from SG. Of all pipe tobaccos I've smoked, the most cigar-like, and one of the strongest. Pure dark leaves with almost no floral/soapy taste.

Slice a few thin flakes, rub them out, fill the pipe, sit back and enjoy.

Not the easiest tobacco to prepare, but that may only be my lack of experience in handling such presentations. The tobacco is characterful and strong in nicotine. It has a scent similar to that of Coniston Cut Plug, but much less obtrusive. It smokes cool.

I am not very fond of this particular scent, so I used my supply to enliven otherwise weak and dull mixtures. As a spice tobacco it has been useful.

This is awful and never to forget experience. From the appearance to taste in your mouth it is gross and if you are VERY tolerable it tastes as you soaked cigar leftovers for days in pond water, and then tried to smoke.

Samuel Gawith has very good tobacco blends. This one is not; money just gone with the wind?

Here in the UK, called Dark XX Twist, came in plug form in a white plastic bag. Harsh for the first half bowl then tolerable.

This is one for the curiosity factor. It's difficult to peruse the online vendors with their fabulous pictures and great variety, and not come upon a rope.

Thick, dark, familiar in representation to something far less appealing. From these images, one finds another pull toward Tobacco Reviews, for some greater definition. Reading the many posts, I found myself imagining some torture chamber with an evil tobacconist--a sadist, wishing to punish those too ambitious.

To be fair, I would have ordered a sample sooner or later. There's so many great blends out there, it's difficult not to diversify. XX pretty much gives you exactly what you expect, a beating.

I thought this would taste like a dark, very dark Virginia--sweet, yet exceedingly robust. I was wrong on that count. It's nothing like I've ever tried. It's got a smoky taste, not like Latakia. It's more so like they sat this thing on the grill and fired up some briquettes. I don't suppose you'd call that a flavoring, or would you?

The strength overwhelms any taste of pure tobacco. I don't mean that to say there's a lack of quality leaf, or a muted presence. I simply suggest that the strength overpowers the senses so much, that one tends to forget what they're smoking. Above all, I get that faint, smoky vibe and a nicotine kick that could silence any doubter. This isn't a Nightcap high, or a 1792. It's pretty much beyond anything like that. Your head might spin, you might get palpitations, or sweat like mad. It really depends on your previous exposure to strong blends.

This oily, compacted menace means you'll have a ton of fun slicing this rope. XX is moist, somehow, and I'm not exactly sure why, other than it's wrapped tighter than you could imagine. How I'd love to compare a rope of Escudo before the cut. This is truly a beast...and it's exactly what I wanted.

Many complain endlessly about this product, which is a curious thing considering the very obvious connotations and lengthy reviews associated with XX's formidable existence. Yes, there are many who'll try to steer you in some other direction. Step into my office, and vacate your mind of such remarks...

Three of Four.

I guess this makes me a wimp. I had used this tobacco to punch some extremely mild blends without any pleasant results; then some firnd suggested I smoke it straight. What a blast! This concoction should come with a severe warning on the label and a waiver to sign before trying it. I'm still suffering cold sweats and shaking all over. Maybe I'll call an ambulance to take me to the hospital!

When (if) I recover from the half bowl I managed to puff, I'll send it to my worst enemy as a present.

For starters, the chore of cutting and preparing it should be a harbringer of what the foul weed packs. As you light it, it smells even fouler than it smells out of the bag. Thanks heaven it's sold here in 20g bags, not 50g tins.

Taste? Who can detect any taste among the stench it forces ito your tongue and nostrils? It's pure nicotine, probably intended for some masochist seeking a painful suicide method.

Nuff said! It will take me months to recover my taste buds and years to forget the horrible experience. 20 minutes after putting out the pipe I'm still shaking... Highly recommended to those looking for a way to kick the habit.