Samuel Gawith Lakeland Dark

A tasteful treat for Kentucky lovers! If you know SG Flakes, you know what kind of moist-mess is awaiting you - but don't give up by now, let it dry out for a while, stuff it into your pipe (preferably a smaller bowled one, as this has some nicotine packed) and enjoy a rather monochromatic, yet intense flavor you'd associate with dark fired Kentucky blends.

Smoky, earthy, woodsy, richly spicy and somewhat dry... perfectly balanced with the Virginia's sweet and refreshing qualities to make it a very appealing blend. There may be a hint of Lakeland essence, but I guess if so, it's rather from the machines they use, than a casing/topping that was added intentionally.

Very good blend, yet - for me - not as good as the Mac Baren Kentuckys (namely Bold Kentucky and Old Dark Fired) and maybe it shares some similarities with HU Tobaccos "Manyara" - albeit Manyara being far more complex, but the Kentuckys have similar taste-qualities. But this definetly can be considered a "un-flavored 1792 Flake / Cob Plug", yet to me the 1792 Flake / Cob Plug is superior due to the skillfully applied Tonquin essence! 3,5 stars

The tin aroma is dark, leathery, and smokey, with some musty and herbal characteristics, dark and dried berries. The leaves are dark as the abyss, and quite moist, probably demanding drying up for most.

It packs fairly well, and require a relight at the start, but once lit, keeps on giving. Delivering a smooth, creamy, and full bodied smoke, it tastes leathery with pure, dark tobacco delight. Is it slightly tangy? Waxy? Oily? I think I sense some olives dancing in the back, especially on the GL Lillehammer, offering a slightly longer stem than the Norrøna. It neither bites nor go harsh, but it is a great tobacco, offering a great smoke, much like the gentle kisses of the kindest Rottweiler. Or pitbull. Or bulldog. My canine knowledge is not too good, but please imaging a mean-looking dog.

With my untrained palate, I’m unable to distinguish all the different flavours of the tobacco, but the more I pay attention to it, the more delightful it becomes. Truly an outstanding tobacco.

A dark brown, rather tarry broken flake, that needs some rubbing out. Strong and rich, something of a plum-pudding tobacco. Excellent post-prandial or late evening smoke. Deserves to be taken seriously.

Found a 4-year-old tin in my local tobacconist. Needless to say, I jumped on it like a mountain lion.

Upon opening of the tin, I was greeted by a smoky aroma, but so much different from your typical latakia blends. the broken flake was moist and extremely dark.

I've let it aerate a bit. by saying bit - it was around 30 minutes.

Getting it to light was like arguing with my wife. back and forth with the lighter for quite some time. However, once it took to flame , I was greeted with one of the most full tobaccos I have ever smoked.

Let me tell you ... the thick smoke and the earthy and smoky notes were a delight. but then the Lakeland essence came in.

I've never had any Lakeland tobaccos, and suddenly I'm getting the taste of a spring meadow surrounded by a charred forest that just had wildfire go through it. Now, it's important to say that this tobacco isn't an aromatic ... not even close. However the extreme taste notes of the DFK and Lakeland essence, somehow start playing off each other.

I was really surprised that throughout the bowl the taste was so consistent.

Now, I'm not a big fan of SGs .. as I was not really impressed by their Navy Flake, but this one is totally different.
It's a blend you smoke while driving your Land Rover Defender in your Barbour jacket through Cumbria. The blend has a high level of sophistication in it.

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[F O U R S T A R S]

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One of the best Virginia/Kentucky you can find in the market. Strong blend, not easy to smoke, only for experienced pipe smokers and only after a good meal. The taste is full: a little bit of sweetness from Virginia, then only earth, leather and some stable manure. Very satisfying and filling smoke. Ideal for those who love a strong, natural, unflavored blend. Not suitable for sweet, mild and light blends lovers. In my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 10 and four complete stars.

A very particular tobacco. It's not for everyday smoking, but it's still very enjoyable. It has a strong presence of smoke and burnt wood, which I like to pair with either a coffee in the afternoon or a bourbon at night.

Samuel Gawith Lakeland Dark- Nice musty fermented smell from the tin . Strong , full and slightly creamy . Savory and floral and a wee bit of sweetness. Earthy and nutty . Tastes like a tiny bit of Tonquin in the smoke. A few tea notes . Nicotine is up there past medium . Solid 3

in note fire cured, slightly sweet and cardamom like scent. The tobacco is black and dark brown broken flake, mostly already rubbed out. Could use a little drying, burns consistently once lit, requires relights. The strength overall is strong, starting off a little more than med getting stronger as it goes. The nic isn't as strong. No flavoring detected, or rather any I could recognize, despite tin note. The taste is full, and consistent. Notes of leathery wood, slightly sweet, very spicy and minor floral. Kentucky is driving, with Virginia riding shotgun. Has an almost intolerable room note, but a nice after taste.

This came "Gawith" wet in the pouch, so dried out on tin foil on hot radiator for 5 min, then air for 10 min to a suitable moistness.

The cut is evenly sliced long broken Flake, which I broke up into smaller pieces & rubbed out a little.

Dark sweetness from char light. Very sweet Virginia taste to start. Creamy, thick, herby, smoky wood, then a little Lakeland taste appears from time to time. No harshness or bite. Nicotine is above medium, so I wouldn't smoke this on an empty stomach. Numerous relights, I guess I could have dried it longer. Yes, this is the cigar of the pipe world with its earthy, smoky bold flavour. Sweetness in the smoke continues, but leaves a sour taste in the mouth at times. Past half way and the light Lakeland essence has gone, and you are left with the dark smoky sweet & earthy full bodied smoke. Being a Flake it lasts a long time too. Recommended-as a cheaper alternative to a Toscano cigar, but some may find it too full bodied. 3.5/5