Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Sweet Rum Twist

The presentation: two shiny bits of rope, pliable but firm and uniform, overall fascinating to look at.

The smell: It is sweet and spicy, very spicy, spicier than any perique I've ever smelled. There's also some savoury undertone which I can't place my finger on but I know I've smelled before. Maybe similar to an Asian spice, or, and it'll sound odd, maybe a tannery? I appreciate most people won't have ever smelled that, but it's really not as bad as the internet would have you think. My wife said it smells a bit like stale Christmas pudding.

I cut a few coins as thin as I could, unraveled them and let them dry for about an hour. The smell developed into a much sweeter smell of fruits, possibly figs or raisins, altogether not exactly instantly pleasant, but somehow mouthwatering.

The smoke Caught fine, and burnt fine after the char, didn't need but a single relight towards the end, and burned all the way down to a few crispy bits. The taste is the spicy, sweet and savoury that it smells of, followed by tobacco. It doesn't taste like any other Virginia I had. In fact it's unlike anything I've ever smoked period. The taste stays consistent to the end, the first half of the bowl gives more of the spice while the second half gives a lot of tobacco. Not bitter at all, although it give a cigarish impression here and there. I know the brown ropes are supposed to be nicotine monsters but I didn't have any adverse events

This is really filling, it's now more than two hours since I smoked that bowl and the taste is still coating my mouth. It's almost as if I am still smoking it, I get whiffs of that spice and the tobacco firing some taste receptors. I want to smoke it again but I know it won't be today, or tomorrow. Maybe in a few days, but I will definitely be smoking it again.

The summary. This is a GLORIOUS tobacco. It seems like a brute in terms of strength judging by its lasting effect, but it is quite civilised to smoke. No bite, the pipe didn't get past warm either. Its taste is unique and lasting, and it makes me want to come back for more. I'll definitely be buying more of it, and will try the black rope soon.

P.S. I've never chewed tobacco, but did try snus for some time. I find the taste of tobacco in my mouth revolting, but I did try a tiny piece of this rope. My mouth was on fire pretty fast, this thing packs some nicotine.

P.S. after smoking through half of the rope I bought I can say it has been a great experience every time. Everyone should try a bit of this if possible, if only because if/when it's ever gone it's gone, I can't see anyone attempting to recreate this, or any of the black ropes.

Gawith Hoggarth - Rum Twist.

Although the twist leans more toward the thinner side, I still use my coffee grinder once I've sliced it into coins, it's quite firm! Possibly because it's not too thick, it isn't full of water, so let's talk smoking:

I really enjoy it, even though I tend to steer clear of blends strong with nicotine, the flavour redeems it. There's only a slight touch of the rum, enough to liven it up, but the rest is a rich tobacco taste. It burns exceptionally well, but I guess that's got a lot to do with preparation; like I said, I use a grinder. The temperature of the smoke's cool, and I get no bite.

I quite like the room-note, although it's nothing great, and like I said: the nicotine's strong!

For stars for flavour!

Highly recommended.

It seems a shame that two guys with good reputations reviewed this 7 - 8 years ago and didn't like it...everybody else does. It's all a matter of what you like to smoke, not that this one or that one is a 'bad' smoke...it's just not what they like. Well, this is what I like. It's one of the blends that I've found that make smoking a pipe worthwhile...a grail kind of experience...a tobacco epiphany, if you will. Sure, English blends by good companies are worthwhile, Balkans can be a lovely experience, many Burley blends are close to the mark with some being dead on excellent...but these Gawith blends, the strong brown twisty ones...are to me precisely the very best stuff out there.

I didn't know if I'd like this. Enough that I ordered some years ago and forgot about it. Having just found it over Christmas, I wish I hadn't waited. It's delicious with an abundance of flavor. I don't get the cigar notes others seem to get which is good as I am not a big cigar fan. As for nicotine it would be past medium Warm, deep, rich tasting. It doesn't change a lot throughout the bowl and it doesn't need to. Not much rum taste which I can't tell is a result of age or if it is just a result of it imparting a richness to the tobacco.. Either way, this one works for me. 5 Stars. Little wonder this has been around for centuries.

Note - This review may be more appropriate for the all Virginia Sweet Rum Twist but I'll leave it here until I can work it all out. I have never tried a twist before and was curious as to what it would 'bring to the table' and so I ordered a 25g piece to try out. Whilst waiting I researched the best way to prepare and smoke this tobacco and was ready to try it out as soon as it arrived. The day has come and I opened the package. Smelling the twist I was reminded of a meaty bbq aroma which somewhat startled me but I soldiered on and cut five slim coins and teased it out. What surprised me next was that it felt perfectly ready to smoke. I have read that this twist was wet but my sample seems perfect and as I do not tend to tightly pack a bowl I carried on, packed my pipe, and lit up. Well, surprise number three. A very, very pleasant aroma and taste erupted on first draw of rich earthy and sweet Virginia with a subtle background of clove, creamy vanilla (to my palate) and rum. The room aroma is fantastic and reminded me of the aroma one is treated with when entering a traditional tobacconist (leather, tobacco, sweetness all intermingling). There then came, about half way through, a subtle rose water like taste (this must be the 'lakeland' essence I read about). Overall it reminded me of when my grandfather would stay with us and when he came out of the bathroom in the morning his smell of shaving soap, 4711 cologne, tobacco and tweed He always wore tweed). This was not overpowering but it was there in the background and is wonderfully comforting. In summary, I really, really like this tobacco and it will be, moving forward, permanently stocked in my cellar. As for the vitamin N hit. Many say this is powerful stuff. My experience, now after several bowls, I find it perfect and not overwhelming. Highly recommended. Just don't let the initial aroma of the unsmoked twist, or its reputation, put you off for at least trying it out. You may just become a convert when you do.

Wonderful....this is superb tobacco. I used a group 2 sized bowl, cut off a couple coins and rubbed them out a bit. The rich flavor of fermented tobacco hits you immediately and continues throughout the bowl. The rum is more of a molasses aftertaste than any alcohol flavor, it’s quite enjoyable and doesn’t distract from the rich Virginia and Burley tobacco flavors at all. This blend tastes old fashioned, as it is supposed to, I could see men smoking this 200 years ago. The nic strength is stout, but very manageable with a gentle cadence. Very highly recommended.

This is the Brown Irish Twist with rum and maple sugar added to the filler leaf. The strength is similar to Brown Irish, so stronger than the black twists. The underlying flavors are quite similar as well, as is its ability to burn extremely cool and clean.

The rum flavor is quite sweet, but that's in the context of Gawith Hoggarth twists. It is not what I'd consider an aromatic in the sense that we use that term in America, at least. I think more of old stories of sailors saucing their leaf with rum and then twisting it. At no time does the rum flavoring overwhelm the taste of tobacco.

I love how clean Rum Twist burns. I often smoke it in the same pipe I'll use for the Happy Bogie and the Brown Irish, and it never ghosts.

Strong but smooth, lightly sweet, slow burning. Of the various ropes and twists, this is my second favorite after its Sweet Rum Pigtail sibling. Best smoked in a smaller pipe, there is just a touch of rum in this version, just enough to sweeten the tobaccos. Like all ropes/twists, it takes a bit of time to cut up and rub out correctly. If left too chunky, it can be difficult to keep lit; if rubbed out too far it can be a bit rough.

Here is an attractive twist with a sweet tobacco aroma. Cool & dry burning. loosewatches nailed it..."dark sweet spicey smokey tobacco-flavory flavor." No frills. No exotic notes here. The rum adds maybe a quarter of a notch up the sweetness scale compared to an uncased brown twist, it tames or rounds out the flavor of the VA, but don't expect a syrupy aromatic. I taste the rum only at first light, but after that it is thoroughgoing tobacco with a sweet highlight all the way down. Most of the popular tinned straight VA flakes are like sandpaper on my throat. SRT delivers an unmitigated VA flavor without leaving me raspy. This one is an honest tobacco with an abundance of nicotine to match. I don't find it harsh, but I sit down and take my time. Respect it and it will reward you.

12/26/09 update: This is a favorite. Others like the aroma so I'm giving it more credit under Room Note, and I am saying Full in Taste after several ounces of Kentucky Kendal which is no more than Very Full. Highly Recommended.