Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Bourbon Flake

Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. - Bourbon Flake (Reunion).

Just like the picture here the flakes are very uniform and medium brown. What the picture doesn't make clear is the moistness. A little damp, but not 'wet'. Also, the picture doesn't do justice to the length of them; a 25g pouch contains just three, long, flakes. There's a light aroma of bourbon, but nothing too heady. I usually rub my flakes and these crumble with ease.

The smoke lacks the quality which often deters me from this type of aromatic: bitterness! After the initial few minutes, any sour, sharp, alcoholic notes disappear and a fragrant, sweet, bourbon flavour takes the lead. The Virginias have quite a basic flavour; the usual arboraceous, somewhat rural, taste, but not much of a vibrant, fruitiness. The temperature's fairly low, no tongue bite, and quite a slow burn.

Nicotine: below medium. Room-note: pleasant.

Bourbon Flake? Although I wouldn't add it into my rotation I'll give it four stars due to the lack of alcoholic acerbity:

Highly recommended.

It is OK, and SG company's Best Brown is still far away, and Sutliff company's 507C is at the same level, under price consideration, will not buy.

I had previously liked the #27 Perique Flake by G&H and decided to try this offering, also from their Reunion Series, but very different. My 50g loose pouch came as always from GQ tobaccos the day after ordering. It has a very pleasant pouch note with typical Virginia goodness and a very tasty Bourbon casing. After I had finally prized my nose out of the pouch, I rubbed out one of the long flakes and was delighted that it was at perfect smoking moisture. The pipe packed easily using the Frank method with a few additional crumbs on top as kindling. Lighting was effortless and easier than many Gawith blends. A single charring light and one true light and it smoked from top to bottom with only a mere shred of unburnt baccy and all that remained was the architypal white ash. Flavour wise the Virginias are dominant and the Bourbon Cavendish is used expertly as a condiment. Taste is amazingly good for an aromatic, with a real Bourbon presence all the way down and no hint of bitterness. It has a voluminous smoke output with a buttery mouth feel and zero bite. In point of fact, it does everything that you could wish for but that most Aromatics fail to achieve. The room note is fabulous and it is a worthy replacement for my long lamented favorite smoke, Players Whiskey flake. Strength is a little over medium, with plenty nicotine without being over the top. In summation, it has a lot going for it and I could easily be happy with smoking it exclusively. I am very impressed and wish I had tried it sooner. One to buy in bulk and cellar, as it will surely improve with a little jar time. A worthy 4 stars from me and it has made it into my rotation.