Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Dark Bird's Eye
(3.30)
Manufactured from dark tobacco 'whole leaf' rather than strips, the mid-rib (or stem) gives the 'birds eye' effect when cut. A strong smoke which was particularly favored by the fishermen as the finer cut meant the tobacco was easier to light and to keep-in on board ship when the weather was bad.
Notes: This is a combination of dark-fired whole leaf Virginias and mid-rib fine cut Kentucky leaf rolled and sliced to make 'bird's eyes'.
This fine shag cut was preferred by fisherman and sailors because it was very easy to pack and light.
Details
| Brand | Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. |
| Blended By | Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. |
| Manufactured By | Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Burley |
| Contents | Kentucky, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Shag |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Strong
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.30 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 12, 2018 | Strong | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Based on the other reviews of GH&C Dark Bird's Eye, I thought I would really enjoy this tobacco. Alas, I didn't.
DBE is a dark shag with practically no aroma. I took Jiminks advice and packed it in a small pipe. I'm glad I did because it is a very strong tobacco. Nothing wrong with that, but it does require that you smoke it slowly.
Upon lighting it up, I was surprised by how spicy it was. Frankly, at the start, that's all it was -- unpleasantly spicy. After a while, the spiciness settled down a bit and was replaced by a sensation that I can only describe as something akin to menthol. As I puffed slowly away, I kept waiting for the full flavor that others found to kick in, but it never showed up. What I did get was a dark, almost burnt flavor that was devoid of any sweetness or other redeeming qualities. I tried retrohaling it in the hope that it would be more flavorful but all I got was was more unpleasant spiciness and more of the burnt toast flavor.
Based on my initial experience with DBE, I can't recommend it. Maybe I chose the wrong pipe or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for something like DBE. I'll smoke it again in some other pipes and, if I find something I missed, I'll update my review.
DBE is a dark shag with practically no aroma. I took Jiminks advice and packed it in a small pipe. I'm glad I did because it is a very strong tobacco. Nothing wrong with that, but it does require that you smoke it slowly.
Upon lighting it up, I was surprised by how spicy it was. Frankly, at the start, that's all it was -- unpleasantly spicy. After a while, the spiciness settled down a bit and was replaced by a sensation that I can only describe as something akin to menthol. As I puffed slowly away, I kept waiting for the full flavor that others found to kick in, but it never showed up. What I did get was a dark, almost burnt flavor that was devoid of any sweetness or other redeeming qualities. I tried retrohaling it in the hope that it would be more flavorful but all I got was was more unpleasant spiciness and more of the burnt toast flavor.
Based on my initial experience with DBE, I can't recommend it. Maybe I chose the wrong pipe or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for something like DBE. I'll smoke it again in some other pipes and, if I find something I missed, I'll update my review.
Pipe Used:
Small Tanganyika African meerschaum
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes & Cigars
Age When Smoked:
Recently purchased.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21, 2017 | Very Strong | Mild to Medium | Full | Extra Strong |
A dark brown shag with sweet, malty, smoky notes. Clearly a dual use tobacco, this immediately reminded me of the old White Ox RYO.
Works fine as a pipe tobacco. There is plenty of rich sweet taste to be had, with the KY predominant. Burns well, but benefits from some drying time, which is what it would get if it were carried around as a pouch tobacco.
This is a distinctive, niche tobacco, that works for me as a change up baccy. It's old school in a lot of ways and this is probably going to be a like or loathe blend for pipe smokers. It's about as subtle as a brick.
There is a distinct, acrid, almost plastic note that intrudes as the bowl progresses. I have noticed this aroma in G+H ropes and flakes. No idea what it starts out as or what it is supposed to be, but I am not a fan. It sits just barely the right side of tolerable for me.
Will ghost a pipe.
Edit May 17. After struggling with this baccy for a month or more I gave up. Just too harsh and too strong all round. I found it impossible to finish even small bowls. Have downrated the baccy accordingly. I hope my neighbour, who smokes RYO, has better luck with it.
Works fine as a pipe tobacco. There is plenty of rich sweet taste to be had, with the KY predominant. Burns well, but benefits from some drying time, which is what it would get if it were carried around as a pouch tobacco.
This is a distinctive, niche tobacco, that works for me as a change up baccy. It's old school in a lot of ways and this is probably going to be a like or loathe blend for pipe smokers. It's about as subtle as a brick.
There is a distinct, acrid, almost plastic note that intrudes as the bowl progresses. I have noticed this aroma in G+H ropes and flakes. No idea what it starts out as or what it is supposed to be, but I am not a fan. It sits just barely the right side of tolerable for me.
Will ghost a pipe.
Edit May 17. After struggling with this baccy for a month or more I gave up. Just too harsh and too strong all round. I found it impossible to finish even small bowls. Have downrated the baccy accordingly. I hope my neighbour, who smokes RYO, has better luck with it.
Pipe Used:
Lepeltier
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 29, 2007 | Overwhelming | Strong | Extra Full | Overwhelming |
Well I guess that this is the stuff that was first put into a pipe by the colonists and smoked. I guess it took them not to long to figure out that they had to tone it down some. I found this blend to be strong and smoked to hot. The flavor will stay on your tongue for a day or so. All I can say is Yuck!!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 25, 2004 | Extremely Strong | Extremely Mild | Overwhelming | Tolerable to Strong |
A few previous reviewers made note of the fact that this tobacco is peppery and / or spicy. I totally agree but this was not to my liking. The spiciness dominated the entire bowl(s) and what little flavor I found had a difficult time peeking out from behind the dominant, peppery strength of this blend. This tobacco is just not to my liking for this reason???..and it is STRONG!
I rate this tobacco 5.0 out of 10.
I rate this tobacco 5.0 out of 10.
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