Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Dark Flake Aromatic

Nuclear bomb in strength, very pleasant to smoke. Tobacco with unique character. Not an everyday smoke, but 100 % worth to try it. Personally I'm using to mix with other blends.

I'll be perfectly honest- I'm not sure if I have been smoking the Aromatic or Unscented version of this flake. I ordered the Aromatic, but I'm picking up very little non-tobacco scents. In any case, it's delicious. Tin note is mostly creosote and camphor, indicative of a high Dark-Fired content and having come from a Lakeland manufacturer; those florals get into everything. Large sugar crystals were present on the longish flakes, which were just a tad too moist on arrival. The time it took to cut them into smaller portions and package them into an old C&D tin was all the drying time required. Rubbing them out requires patience; like many dark Lakeland offerings, the flakes have a slightly rubbery texture, and strands stick together tenaciously. After two charring lights and one true light (not bad for a dark Lakeland), the flavor is very much what the tin note would lead one to expect; a lot of carbolic smoke, with a heavy creaminess and slight sweetness. A moderate cadence does this best; too fast will be slightly acrid, but delicate sipping let's it go out in a hurry. Nicotine content is notable, but not quite as hefty as 1792 or rope. Room note will not make you any friends. I'm still not sure if this is aromatic or plain version; if it is indeed aromatic, I'd like to see more of those added flavors, especially tonquin. Regardless, I will reorder. It's worth rolling the dice. Addendum 09/12/22: After reordering, I can confirm that my first experience was with the Unscented version, or that it was Aromatic that had been aged so extensively that the florals dissipated. The best way to describe the bag note of the fresh Aromatic version is "Granny Chose Violence". While the smoking experience is largely the same between the two versions, the added top-notes in the Aromatic version create a note that I can only call "Freshly Sharpened #2 Pencil". Being fresher, it also seems to have more nicotine present. Worryingly, I like it just as much.

Dark Flake was truly a hidden gem for me, I bought a measly 2oz and before I knew it it was gone. Like the old tales I sought high and low for it and finding pipesandcigars had just got a drop I ordered a pound. To my surprise I got Brown Flake aro, so I consulted the relevant parties and they shipped another one. Again Brown Flake Aro, so I decided to look around again and I found Dark Flake Aro on watch city cigar. I wondered if I would like it with the extra toppings, but desperation will do odd things to a man and so I ordered it. Needless to say it's a fine blend.

The packaging was a simple green box with "Dark Flake Aro" written on it, nothing ostentatious. Inside was one of the most delightful sights of tobacco I've had yet. A beautiful mottles dark brick cut into nice long flakes. The smell is fantastic: that Dark Flake mustiness, rich barbecue, earth, wood, and breadiness mixed with Lakeland, licorice, and sweetness. The flakes come pretty wet, but I like to dry it thoroughly before smoking so who cares? I certainly don't. They pack easily and then I let them dry further overnight in my pipe. Smoking this wet will make you the Olympic lighter or match striking gold medalist. It will also smoke hot. Just like Dark Flake Unscented, low and slow will give you your best possible smoke.

Lighting up my smoke, I'm in love already. The first thing I taste is that complex Malawi Dark Fired Leaf. It hovers around your mouth with notes of wood, earth, barbecue spice, and fresh herbs. The spice hits the nose on the retrohale in the same way that Perique does. But this smoke is smooth. The Indian Dark Air Cured Virginias are velvety, bready, sweet and soft. Contrary to the smell, the topping is not too heavily applied, and only truly comes out the slower you smoke. The Tonquin and the Maple add a very pleasant, barely detectable vanilla and sweet note that has the effect of binding things together. The licorice is not too heavy either and adds the same mystique I get from Irish Flake. On the barest end of a puff I can taste the same floral Lakeland that's present in the Dark Flake Unscented. The aftertaste is delightful.

The way this blend sticks around in my mouth and the complexity of the flavor warrants that I give the taste a full. It's rare that I do, but this sticks with you in a very pleasant way. The strength is a strong. Let's pull no punches, Lady N is here and she is coming on strong tonight. About the level of Bold Kentucky. That doesn't stop me from having this in the morning with my coffee once in a while. The room note is unique and lovely, with the toppings masking a lot of the Burley notes. I get quite a few compliments with this one. Ann all around good blend and one of my Desert Island choices along with its Unscented Brother.

Package note of licorice, herbal grasses and mild barbeque. Tobacco is a flake of marbled dark brown and brown with tan specks. Moisture content is ok, most will want to dry it a bit. Burns slow with a few extra relights. The strength is strong and nic is medium to strong. Flavoring is medium to strong, with notes of Licorice, Maple and Tonquin. Maple was the first to wain and disappear somewhat quickly. The Licorice was strong in the beginning but dropped the background in the 1st 1/3. The Tonquin Bean was present the whole time and never seemed to diminish. It wasn't as pronounced in the beginning until the other flavors died down a bit. Taste is full and mostly consistent, with notes of licorice, floral, maple, salty like vegetation, spicy, leather, dry bitter wood, spices, fermented tart/sourness, orange peel/zest, cocoa, cigar, tangy sweet citrus, toast, a Tonquin background note, and a peppery retro. Burley is leading with Virginias and Flavoring supporting. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.