Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Dark Bird's Eye

In the line of Scaferlati Caporal Rouge, Amsterdamer, Le Baron and Colts Dutch Blend, but much more sophisticated. Natural tobacco, intense Kentucky. Tremendous nicotine kick. Not suitable for weak hearts or aromatic smokers. Tasty and intense. It tastes good with the first ignition. Better to load it compact in medium or small pipe. It burns quite quickly and becomes somewhat bitter towards the middle of the puff. Highly recommended.

Hello Darkness My Old Friend. This is IMHO England's finest strong black shag. The tin note of this blend is very similar to that of Drum shag; however, other than the dark fired smell and taste, the similarities end there. For such a strong tobacco in nicotine, it is pleasantly mild. The dark fired tobaccoes dominate the blend with a lovely smokey overtone that is very pleasing. As other reviewers have noted, this is the type of blend referenced in the Sherlock Holmes books. I highly recommend this blend. Happy Puffing

Basically a sigaro toscano shredded into a long shag. Flavors are strong kentucky with a few rough edges, some nuttiness, and some deep cacao and espresso flavors. Potent, but elegant. I smoke this blend every day. I love it in the morning with coffee and at midday. A quick burning tutorial in the pleasures of piping, it provides the essence of the experience in a short smoke. I sometimes mix a pinch of this with a pinch of BIX for some stoved virginia flavor and smoke it from my lakeland cob...weird, i know, but excellent!

What a nice Shag tobacco! It's a no brainer to pack my pipe, light it up and keep it lit. Despite the very fine cut, Dark Bird's Eye still delivers a nice slightly sweet and spicy smoke throughout that is supported by a very light (what seems like) tonquin topping. Just be careful not to puff too fast because it will bite, as it's such a fine cut. The nicotine hit is glorious, perfect to kick start the morning with a coffee! This shag will become a favorite in my rotation, I just feel it.

There is definitely something to be said for doing something simply very, very well. This is a classic example of a blend which fulfils that remit.

Upon opening the pouch, one is greeted by a nice dark blend, varying between dark brown & very dark brown. The cut is a thin ribbon, as unfortunately, 'shag' within the EU means something quite different from what it used to mean (thanks to the machinations of meddling bureaucrats), gone are the strands of angel-hair-like tobacco, replaced with a medium-length cut somewhat thinner than the traditional ribbon.

The pouch note is a dark, rich, fusty, deep aroma, which promises much if one is looking for a forthright, in-your-face tobacco experience. Overtones of rich coffee beans seem to make themselves present as well.

Packing is easy, burning is easy. Sold in bulk, mine arrived at perfect moisture content & is stored in an airtight jar in-between packings of my pipe. The tobacco takes the light very well, and maintains a steady smoulder throughout the bowl.

The taste is what you would expect, again, the only words to describe are dark, strong (yet mellow), bold & full. I find that there is very little that can be disliked about this tobacco & whole lot that can be loved.

The room-note is plain, no particularly strong scent, and perhaps a slight cigarette edge to it. Not overpowering and generally inoffensive to all but the most fervent puritan.

The nicotine strength is quite strong, so I find that this is best enjoyed in a smaller pipe (not too small) towards the end of day.

This tobacco has become a staple to me, and over the summer I have ordered quantities on several occasions. It has been a constant tobacco within my rotation, and I can see it remaining a permanent fixture for me. It is almost too easy to smoke and enjoy, and pairs well with anything, but a hoppy IPA goes with it better than well. The tobacco is not particularly complex, doesn't develop down the bowl, but what it does, it does well. And after a hard day's work, it is an angel in leaf form.

Oh Dark Bird's Eye where have you been all my life? This stuff is awesome. It has no topping but still has a chocolaty flavor. The nicotine is high high! And I love that. I find it a little hard to pack. I have to fool with it while I smoke. But it has a great taste and en even better after taste.

This is really great stuff if you are looking for a strong, straight forward Virginia in a fine ribbon/shag cut. Lights easy, burns to a fine ash and stays lit. It can be a little harsh if too moist as it comes from the blender but if you fluff it up a bit and let it dry just a little it smokes smooth. It's one of two tobaccos that I keep several pounds of at all times. If you enjoy high nicotine tobacco I think you'll enjoy this one. I use to enjoy this tobacco as a shag cut but always thought it would be better as a ribbon. I was pleased to see that more recent purchases are now in a fine ribbon cut. Good became even better.

I have tried Kendal Kentucky, Kendal Dark and Kendal Dark Birdeye and I have to say that if I was asked what non aromatic from Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. I should try it would be Kendal Dark Birdeye.

I purchased 8 oz. of this on the several reviews I read. I have to say that my take is a little different. I am really on the fence this is a fine smoke It could easily be a 4 star blend. However, I too pick up a very mild Lakeland top note that is found throughout the bowl. Light is good as I do enjoy a Lakeland style once in a while. Yet, part of me thinks that even this light topping masks some of the more subtle nuances that the blend has to offer. Still, I get a little spicy sweetness from the VAs. A light caramel and almost butterscotch hint here and there in the sweetness that is just marvelous. The strength is right on for me too. It is funny how a tobacco can take you back to fond memories. For me every time I smoke this I am reminded of the weeks spent on Lake Superior feeling the cool wind and the sandy pebbles on the beach feeling the waves of icey cold water running over my feet. Anyway, that aside, I think this might age and I am saving the last 4 oz dividing it in two. One stored for another year, one for 5. I may have to pick up some more for in between as well. If it ages well it will have to be increased to 4 stars.

**Update** Opened a jar with a little over 4 yrs on it. It is beautiful! VA's are sweeter now and the entire blend is really in harmony. Adding the 4th star.