Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. No. 7 Broken Flake

Let's start on this tobacco's most obvious aspect: it is scented. When I got my GH sampler, I thought this would be as unpleasant as Conniston Cut Plug. I put the sample off until everything else had been smoked. In hindsight, that was an error.

Two things distinguish this from CCP. First, there is true Virginia flavor in the tobacco. Another reviewer mentioned that he recognized Scottish Flake-type characteristics, and I agree. This has that warm, cake-like flavor that makes so many GH flakes so satisfying. Second, the topping actually complements these flavors. The topping remains throughout the smoke, but recedes considerably, to the point where it becomes an integrated element of the blend.

I never thought this would appeal to me, but I was mistaken. Very tasty.

A very interesting tobacco blend, perhaps a new favorite one. Nice and complex smoke, cold and full of natural aromas. Some flowers, woody, and soft vanilla give some sweetness, but they complement the blend. Highly recommended.

I love Gawith-Hoggarth.
#7 is a a bit of change-of-pace smoke for me, but no less brilliant than my favorites from GH. Soft and creamy in a way that isn’t typical for VA blends. Lakeland (and apparently some vanilla) topping is present, and I know that may dissuade some folks. But I find the Lakeland burns off not long after the true light takes hold, and what’s left is a cool, creamy, dreamy smoke. (Although, if I’m being honest, that first few minutes are sort of like sucking on Grandma’s ornamental soap. But get past that and you’re in for a real treat!)

Package note of lakeland, mild sour vegetation and spices. Tobacco is a broken flake of dark brown, black and a little light brown. Moisture content is great. Rubs out with a little effort. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild to medium. Flavoring is mild to medium, with notes of Tonquin Bean and Vanilla. Vanilla is the first to drop to the background within the first 1/4. The tonquin/lakeland decreases intensity a bit at the 1/2-way point and remain in the middle ground till nearly the end. Taste is medium and very consistent, with notes of tonquin/lakeland, vanilla, floral, sugar, spices, molasses, peaty vegetation, orange peel/zest, bread, wood, mild nuts, tart and tangy citrus, sweet hay, rich earth, an almost herbal lemon grassy background note, and a peppery retro. Virginias is leading with Dark-Fired, Flavoring and Burley supporting. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

Today was a good day for tobacco mail. Got some Skiff which is gorgeous and an ounce of Broken Flake No7 which is exquisite. Reminds me of a soft Ennerdale. Has a beautiful tin note and taste lovely drawing on an unlit pipe. I love Ennerdale but I get that it's a bit much for some people; this one is really soft and has a melange of stunning flavours topping the excellent tobacco. Very much in the same mould as Brown Flake Aromatic but the Lakeland essence has been dialled right down. I loaded the Peterson 303 and left it rest for a couple of hours. Took a few lights to get it going and was in heaven for an hour and a quarter. No bite or heat from this one and a beautiful sweetness that is unlike any other leaf I have smoked before with the topping just hovering in the background. A very mellow but tasty smoke, with a decent amount of nicotine to keep me happy. Its probably going to be one I smoke a lot during the summer as it has that sort of feel to it. And the Virginias are haylike and very smooth with no sharp citrus tang that I dislike intently.

I'd forgotten smoking this, but found my notes from years ago when I lived in Preston and used to buy my tobacco from the Magazine Shop by the station. They had a magnificent selection of the lake district baccies and I used to get something different every time.

I found this a bit more controlled in the perfume department than Ennerdale Flake, with subtle florals that didn't dominate the tobacco. The tobacco was mild, bite free and smoked slowly and cool. It seems people enjoyed the aroma too. Perhaps I should give this one another try!

It's been a while since i tried a new aromatic blend.once the tin opens a nice sweet floral smell comes out.A deeper smell reveals some vanilla notes accompanied with some spices.the mostly dark brown flakes are smooth and manageable either to fold as they are or to rub.Whatever you choose some drying time is needed.The lighting is easy with some relights required.while smoking you instantly realize that the virginias are the main ingridient.Lots of grasses ,citruses,bread notes and some fruits give a rich flavour.The dark fired burleys are mostly spicy without being overwhelming.last but not least the burleys add some froral,peppery and nutty flavours.The lakeland style topping is obvious from the first puff untill the last.the main flavour is soapy with rich floral flavours.the vanilla add is obvious but not strong.Generally i found the flavours rich,very well combined in a pleasant way.Burns cool and slow to perfect ash with some moisture left at the filter.No tongue bite happens even if pushed hard.It can ghost a pipe easy.the nicotine level is above medium wich is the weak point of this blend.The room note is pleasant.An easy going all day blend.Recommended.I would give it 4 stars if the nicotine level was a bit higher.

Apprearance/pouch aroma:

Very light brown to golden cut ribbons of Va and burley, with some medium to dark brown flakes of the dark fired. Very few flake pieces remain intact in my order, mostly ribbons of tobacco only once pressed into a flake.

Aroma of brown flake and dark fired, along with confectionary vanilla and some lake floral essence.

Packing/lighting/smoking: What remains of the broken flakes rub out nicely, but as most G&H blends this one is the typical moist tobacco. either set out for an hour is you have the forethought, or microwave for 7 seconds if you are looking for instant gradification like I do.

Lights very easily and I am quite impressed!

Initial flavors remind me a bit of Stonehenge, with the Lake essence added. The vanilla really stand out in the smoke and room note. reminds me of butter cream vanilla frosting made with rose water, if that makes sense. 2nd half the dark fired really come to life. A bit stronger, more bold, more strength. I still detect the vanilla in minute quantities, but the florals seemed to have faded. Burns a bit wet at times, but If dried properly, that can be controlled. Another 4 star winner from G&H!

Aromatic tobaccos fall into the Danish scope or range, which is not the case here. Rather, No. 7 Broken Flake is a Lakeland blend, so I'd not class it as a true aromatic. Having said that, the Lakeland topping seems to wane pretty soon. Then, all you are being left with is a virginia/burley blend that is more burleyish than virginia like because of the flue curing process. Also, it seems to pack a little bit of a wallop in terms of nicotine strength, which becomes more and more apparent as you progress with your smoke. The burley leaf it contains seems to add a little bit of depth, but the backbone of this blend is the flue cured virginia thereof. The smoking experience is quite satisfying and cool. borderline full-bodied, but soft on the palate. On the downside, I really cannot see any drawbacks or shortcomings, but I am not overtly impressed, so a rating of 3 stars seems appropriate.