Samuel Gawith Lakeland Dark

I've been smoking my way through several of the S. Gawith and G&H bulk tobaccos and was looking for a rope, which I haven't smoked in some time, but my local shop was out of it, so I landed on this blend, which has a similar fragrance to the ropes, actually its smell is somewhere between the unscented ropes and the full flakes. The cut was fairly narrow and comes in clumps that were pretty moist in mine, and could have benefitted from a little airing out, but I'm an impatient sort and I crammed it in my locally made Andre pipe and lit up. On lighting the flavor and aroma seems akin to G&H Dark Flake: a full and thick herby flavor totally unlike other dryer virginia flakes. I didn't experience any "harshness" as others have remarked upon, but I suppose it may be a matter of taste. As this is a high nicotine tobacco I saved it for my late night smoke out on the porch. I sat reading my book puffing away when it hit me. Phew! 'Scuse me while I kiss the sky! Still, it isn't at the psychedelic/bummer tent level of the ropes. About half way down my pipe was gurgling and I had to run a pipecleaner through to clear the stem. Next time I'll dry it out a bit I think after rubbing it out. This is really just an occasional blend for me, but I like it and I'll smoke it again, it might even be nice to blend in and ratchet up a lighter blander tobacco I might not smoke otherwise. This blend is not going to be for everyone, but its nice if you want something unusual and have a chair to sit in. Um, don't smoke this while operating heavy machinery.

Full bodied, but modest flavor. Great for mixing, such as with Golden Glow or Kendall Flake. Free of Lakeland essence or tonquin. Smokes cool without bite. Typical SG rough broken flake, easy to rub out and fill.

This is a nice looking broken flake. It is very moist from the tin, definitely needs some dry time before smoking.

This blend is very sweet almost sugary sweet. A little too sweet for me. But there are some deep darks flavors present in this blend. Plum, maple, sugar, nuts, wood, earth, grass and with some pepper spice. But this is a very sweet blend.

As for performance if you give this enough dry time it breaks apart and loads easy. It needs a few relights. It deliver good smoke output. Overall a good blend.

Conclusion: This is a potent and forceful tobacco. It does not apologize, nor should it - it is quite good. For those times when one wants to unwind, let go of the days troubles, this is perfect.

Taste: A deep, dark taste of earth, salt, leather, coffee and spice with hints of floral notes comes through at first light. This keeps building in intensity through the bowl and the spice grows stronger as the earthy leather grows bolder. There is sweetness in this, but not as in honey or caramel but rather it is like that piece of dark chocolate that goes with a nice espresso. This is full flavour at every draw, and it lingers on the tongue long after the conclusion of the smoke, notes of sweet leather, spice and coffee. Some have complained that this is a harsh smoke, I do not agree but rather I would say it is a strong, bold smoke. If one is not a seasoned smoker, this might be too strong and therefore be perceived as harsh or coarse, thus I would recommend that new smokers think twice about trying this. At least I would recommend them to have but a small bowl at first.

Mechanics: A ready rubbed, comes less wet than the typical Gawith but is still a bit hard to keep lit and will require some relights. As for the nicotine, this is one of the strongest blends that I have tried - I am used to strong tobacco but this really warms my chest (and I do not inhale). No bite at all, really kind for a virginia.

10 reviews so far, and it seems as if there are 3 or more very different tobaccos being discussed. The tin I've been working through is a broken flake, and what I get is unrelieved Dark Stoved VA and Kentucky flavors -- certainly much more so than I would have expected from unflavored 1792 (if that's what this actually is, then that Tonquin in 1792 is applied with an even heavier hand than I would have believed). Very moist in the tin, although it dries fairly quickly; certainly easier to light and kept lit than 1792. If you get a tin like mine and enjoy Dark Stoved and Kentucky, you'll likely enjoy it to some greater or lesser degree. To me, it's good, but I wouldn't want it to be in a regular rotation.

I had the good fortune to buy two tins of this blend from one of my favourite suppliers. However, I would not say that it is similar to 1792 Flake without the tonkin flavouring; more like Bracken without the coumarin, IMHO.

Out of the tin, it smells like Black XX or possibly Brown No. 4, due to the curing process it has gone through.

The cut is more like a ribbon cut than a shag, being broader cut than fine cut. The tobacco is a beautiful dark brown to black, moderately moist and fragrant. It is relatively easy to pack, and light, and stays lit for a long while after it takes to the flame, needing an occasional tamping to keep it going. The ash is a dark grey.

I did not notice too much change in flavour from the beginning to the end of the bowl. However, it is a strong tobacco and becomes somewhat stronger near the end of the bowl. Vitamin N is there in large doses. This would be a good smoke after a heavy meal, or before bedtime. There was quite a bit of moisture in the dottle, possibly due to its relatively young age, or the fact that I was smoking it outdoors on a cool, damp day. Nonetheless, it did keep burning with a coaxing of a pipe tamper.

I should want to give the contents of the tin a bit of time to breathe, to see if it helps a bit with the moisture accumulation, and to see if the tobacco mellows out and/or develops some complexity. All-in-all, for a first go, I would recommend it, to the more experienced pipe smoker.

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

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.