Samuel Gawith Hansom Flake

When perusing P&C's website (before a negative experience with them ended negotiations), I was caught off guard that of all places they had some Samuel Gawith tobacco in stock, as they normally stock to less expensive blends. Finding out here it was an exclusive, later made sense. Fast forward some months and I just opened up the most unusual tin in recent history.

Inside was this curious cardboard insert, that one could use for a mask or finger puppets, but the real eye opener was the intense herbal smell. I honestly thought this was a "basil chicken rub" or similar cooking spice medley; it was something beyond anything I've dealt with in a tobacco before. Perhaps the result of a high Perique level? Regardless, this sturdy broken flake was filled with tough nerbly bits demanding a good rubbing before beginning to break apart. It was a tad moist, so consider some drying time.

Upon ignition, I was knocked back a bit by it's strength. That Perique ratcheted up the Virginia beyond simple nutty hay, into a lair of hairy chested blokes. A Lakeland beam then broke through the herbal cloud concoction, to shed some of their Lakeland essence (in other words: soap). To be clear on my flavor rating, it's likely there is a light/medium amount added, but the potency of the aroma (even if caused by natural elements) was just intense.

I really enjoyed the unique experience of this one, but ultimately was more than I was willing to chew, still preferring their Grousemoor when yearning for the taste of soap. The room fills up with a Peppery Floral scent to the 'delight' of others.

Note, was opened and left in tin with a terrible seal. Dried to dust consistency when rubbed. Then jarred long after opening with a Bovida pack, restored moisture to a point where it was actually smokeable. Even after rehydration still very dry feeling. Jar note not that different from original tin note, except very chocolaty. Folded and stuffed, not that the flakes can be folded. Starts with Lakeland notes, but these do not last long. Virginia lend a grassiness. Spiciness from Perique readily apparent. Over course of bowl, chocolate flavor becomes more apparent and perique diminishes. Beginning is harsh and requires many relights, but flavor really melds half way through bowl. Would buy again just to remind myself how it behaved straight out of tin. Recall it being a lot moister, but flavor not too different. Not a bad tobacco, but strange physical properties. Borderline not a recommendation.

I wonder if this is supposed to be a flake version of Cabbie's mixture, as the name seems to suggest? It's a Va/Per, all right, but, to my taste, it's spoiled by the 'floral essences', which I thought very obtrusive. It comes rather moist in the tin, too; I found it difficult to keep alight, and it burned rather hot. It may improve with some age on it, of course. If you like heavily cased Lakeland flakes (Ennerdale; Grasmere) you'll like this; if you don't, you won't.

I like Cabbie's Mixture a lot; I wasn't wild about this. YMMV. But if you want a Va/Per now that Escudo is no longer available in the UK, you can't do much better than St James Flake IMO