Samuel Gawith Special Flake No.7

With these artisanal flake tobaccos a lot depends upon the batch you happen to chance upon and more importantly the moisture level in which you get them. If it's not right they can be fussy and one can waste a number of bowls trying to get it right. I was lucky to receive the flakes in perfect condition. I bought 50grams which came in a pouch containing six 6in. long and rather thick and very consistent flakes of perfect rectangular shape. Their colour was light and dark brown interspersed with some bright spots. The flakes are scented with a nice floral aroma but only mildly. Much less so than, say Kendal Cream and of all the Samuel Gawith Special Flakes (##1,2,3,4,5,7) no.7 is the least scented of the lot.

I rubbed and packed and in the condition I received the flakes they needs three or four matches to get going. First few whiffs had an incense-like/sandalwood aroma, then it became more floral. But this is not an aromatic tobacco, it is scented only mildly and the rich baked, bready Virginia tobacco taste is always present and towards the end it's only tobacco you taste. To me it's like a cross between Full Virginia Flake and Kendal Cream with the best imaginable burning qualities. It's velvety smooth, creamy with medium strength but full taste and enough nicotine to satisfy without ever becoming overwhelming.

It is very difficult for me to pin down the aromas used, I say floral as a generic term. I would not call it soapy, or would I? It reminds me a bit of Kendal Cream but the aromas here are not as complex nor as intense. In any case it is a cool aroma, cool like mint is cool.

This is super premium quality tobacco where you taste real top class sweet and mellow aged Virginia with a little something added to it. This tobacco should appeal to any flake lover except to those who are hostile to even the faintest Lakeland aroma. To me this seems to be a superior quality tobacco to even Full Virginia Flake.