Samuel Gawith Black Rum

Thanks again to my friend from London who sends me hard to get Gawith blends from time to time. I really wanted to try Black Rum as it is an all Virginia Cavendish and you just don't see those much anymore. Most blends use Burley Cavendish exclusively. I can see where some tobacco websites can be fooled by the contents, but am glad TRC was not. The Virginia was compelling; dark, rich and loaded up with Rum. If you have ever smoked G&G Rum Flake, increase the alcohol level by 40% to get an idea of how much Rum you taste with each puff. And, of course, this rope is much stronger and it was a bugger to cut up. I had to call in Paul Bunyon. I may finish my sample, but it'll be awhile before I get this taste (not a bad one), to dissipate to the point where I can taste other tobacco blends.

Samuel Gawith - Black Rum.

There's no Virginia in this (as per the current descriptions on a few websites). It's a blend that comprises only black and brown Cavendish tobaccos'. The ribbons are all medium size and they avert from the problem with moisture; I can smoke it from a fresh pouch without a wait.

For the first quarter the topping's a little uncertain as to what it is! It tastes sweet, but I struggle to identify any other characteristic; I wouldn't say, without knowing, it's rum. After a quarter of a bowl the sticky sweetness subsides and allows a touch of piquancy to come through which clarifies that it's rum that's been added. Black Rum gives hardly any nicotine; it's extremely weak. The room-note, again, is confused; it isn't exactly rummy, not exactly sweet, nor plain tobacco, just a bit of a mess.

This isn't bad, but it's a but mundane.

Somewhat recommended.