Samuel Gawith Brown No. 4

Brown #4 seems to be either adored or reviled. I'm going to buck the trend and go straight down the middle. It's got its merits and a few drawbacks, in my opinion.

First of all, Brown #4 isn't half as frightful as some of these reviews make it out to be. It's plain, strong tobacco and nothing more. Apparently that puts some people off.

As far as the nicotine goes, yes you can definitely feel it. I'm a slow smoker so it's never thrown me for a loop, but if you're sensitive to nicotine you might want to approach with caution.

I love ropes and plugs. They offer the pipe smoker complete control over the texture of the tobacco. Brown #4 doesn't feel overly moist. I've tried it rubbed out and cube cut, both straight from the tin and dried out to varying degrees. The main problem I have is that it won't stay lit for me. The only way I've been able to keep it lit is by drying it too much, about 12-14 hours, and when I do that, the taste goes out the window. I'd like to try smoking it as thinly sliced coins but if I can't keep it lit rubbed out or cubed, I doubt coins are going to burn for me.

So that's a huge drawback. I'm willing to admit that part of the problem could be my technique and perhaps I haven't mastered the preparation or discovered the right cut yet. I'll try not to hold that against it, but it's hard to recommend a tobacco that won't burn.

As for taste, this is not a sweet Virginia. It's rugged, strong, and a little bitter. If you're a cigar smoker, think full-strength Nicaraguan. It doesn't taste that much like a cigar but it's got that same hard-hitting flavor profile. Not peppery like a Nicaraguan cigar but kind of sharp. When I'm in the mood for it, I like Brown #4. Especially in the afternoons, which is when I typically start dragging ass. I really wish I could figure out how to smoke it more successfully.

For now, I'll have to rate it 2 stars. Wish there was a way I could give it 2.5 stars. If I figure out a way to prepare it so that it will burn better without having to dry it to a crisp, I'll come back and upgrade it to 3 stars.

Black XX is supposedly the same rope as Brown #4 but stoved darker, which should mellow it out and sweeten it. Not the case. I don't find these two tobaccos to be similar at all (see my review of Black XX). I find it hard to believe that they're related. If Brown #4 is the somewhat plain Jane but curiously beguiling girl next door, then Black XX is her ugly, gap-toothed, slutty little sister.

Not bad, but too plain Jane for me. Might try blending the rest with something else.

There is full of nicotine that could not have a pipe smoking.it is the BEST TOBACCO FOR who want to commit suicide.It is a murderer !!!!!

A delicious natural rope, slow to burn. Yes, the N is on the high side, but fortunately I have some small pipes to smoke it in. When I want a larger bowl, I just mix in a little Prince Albert. A good introduction to ropes or if you want a fairly unflavored smoke.

This Lovely Neutral Tobacco But I told you this is really strong i never been smoke something strong like this. 1972 Flake is really medium tobacco next to it

Brown Rope No. 4 is just like any other pipe tobacco, only more so.

Brown Rope No.4? WoW! Strong, dirty earthy, and a lung killer. No kidding, the wife ran me out of the back yard.

Save your money and try this: Boil some Hay in Chicken Broth and feed it to your dog. Follow the dog around for a day and collect his “End Trails”. Dry and age it for one year in a mason jar. Smoke in a Water Bong filled with Lamp Oil.

POSITION: 20+ year smoker. I normally like Full English, Virginia, Latakia, some uncased cav blends. I smoke 3–6 pipes a day. No tobacco sales.

I have one pipe, a meerschaum. I'm a tradesman who drives, on average, an hour and half to my first job of the day. I smoke strong tobacco to stay awake. I've been smoking Irish Flake for this purpose and love it. My first bowl is at 4:30AM.

Using this site, I have been experimenting with other tobaccos to see if I can find others I like. I purchased this based on its strength.

I tastes like a cheap cigar and I hated it. My pipe tasted awful for days afterwards too. It is strong, but I cannot stand the taste so I have not smoked a second bowl.

I usually do not smoke at all on the weekends because my wife does not appreciate me disappearing outside to smoke long enough to finish a bowl.

This weekend I decided to cut a piece off to chew and thought it was great. The taste was natural and the nicotine kicked in within three minutes.

I'd recommend it for a chew but not a smoke. I probably won't use it much as I don't usually chew but will use it on the weekends so the tin doesn't go to waste. I may even order more for chewing on the weekends.

Wow--great stuff! I love to mix with Sail green for a potent smoke. Not for everyone, but you know what I mean. This is the bhut jolokia of tobaccos...