Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Bob's Square Cut

Mine is labeled unscented.....it isn't. Has a fairly strong Lakeland scent that completely covers any chocolate/cocoa/vanilla flavor that may have been added. I can faintly detect the Latakia. I cannot detect the Burley. The Virginias are tasty with a generic tobacco kind of flavor. With all of that said I still like this smoke. I should probably give this 2 stars for GH's deceptive description, but I like it enough to show some forgiveness. It gets 3 for being a pleasant and satisfying smoke.

Medium in body and taste. Lakeland is mild to medium, very nearly just medium. Burns very well.

In reading the prior reviews there seems to be quite a difference of opinion on this one and sadly I think I'll be adding to the confusion. I DO think BSC has some similarities to GH's Bob's Chocolate Flake, but it is NOT the same blend. There is also confusion because I am told that it is called BSC "Unscented" from GH, but I don't this there is a scented version, at least not in the US. The "Unscented" IS actually quite cased. clear as mud?

I am huge fan of Bob's Chocolate Flake when it's well aged. I find Bob's Square Cut to be heavier cased than BCF with less chocolate and other added flavors, at least one of which tastes like florals. I smoke BCF in the same pipe as other GH scented blends, but I find the casing so intense with this blend that for me, it mainly stays in a cob. It's a full on aromatic for sure, Lakeland style. It does smoke best with some dry time and smoked in a small bowl. I will cellar a small amount to see if age treats this as well as BCF, but given the choice, I will reach for Bob's Chocolate Flake and the other GH scented flakes before reaching for Bob's Square Cut. Lovers of Lakeland aromatics should have this on their "must try" list.

I just smoked a one-ounce sample of this I bought over 7 years ago and I really enjoyed it. I believe cocoa and vanilla are the listed toppings, but I don't really get that so much. It is not surprising as this is a GH blend and like all of them there is a touch of that Lakeland essence that takes the blend a little into the perfume side of aromatic tobaccos; to my senses anyway.

I enjoyed the cut as it reminded me of several McClelland flakes as it was composed of little square pieces of flake that were easy to manage, rubbed out fine and smoked great. There was never a hint of bite and my sample did not require much in the way of dry time. The latakia presence is very light in this and it should not put off those averse to that leaf, at least I don't think it should.

To me it comes across as a nice Virginia bolstered by some burley to give it some roundness and a little heft. I recommend this, particularly if you like your lakeland essence on the light side as I do.

My sample noted it was 'unscented,' and to my surprise, it was. . .unscented. No, really. Basic VAs with a hint of Latakia in the bag and in the bowl. There wasn't even that touch of menthol/pine that I detect in most unscented GH blends. This was just a decent basic blend with that touch of Latakia. The broken flakes (or maybe 'broken 'squares') packed nicely but were a bit resistant to being lit. Once going, however, it stayed alight easily. Since I know there are many tobaccos out there I would rate a 4, the question arises would I rebuy this particular tobacco, assuming my tastes don't change much more. In this case, the answer is not often.

I admit it: I'm partial to traditional English soapy blends. I'm half British and that can be a reason, but I really love Lakeland flakes, St.Bruno, Condor and the like. If you like them too, I suggest you to dedicate a couple of pipes just to this kind of blends, because they leave an almost indelible mark. And make sure those pipes are little, because they usually deliver a serious nicotine punch. Like this one. From the beginning it provides a strong smoke, both in flavour and in nicotine amount. At half bowl the flavour has tapered (but never disappears)and you start tasting the tobacco, which is good for sure (but where's the latakia? I couldn't detect it). Be careful and smoke it slow, otherwise it becomes bitter.

The packing and lighting are easy, but it's better to rub it and leave it on the air for 10/15 minutes. No need to relight a lot. Another great job from G&H.

This is exactly the same as "Bob's Chocolate" except the flakes are sliced again into small squares for easier packing. I do not find it sweet nor particularly aromatic (compare it to Cornell & Diehl's "Autumn Evening"), but it has great flavor and body all the way down the bowl without harshness or bitterness. It is adequately moist but there is little trouble lighting or keeping it lit. As said, it is not sweet but there is a chocolate undertaste. Remember that cocoa and coffee are related and, in their natural state, are quite bitter. Chocolate is only made sweet by the addition of sugar. "Bob's Square Cut" does not seem to have added sugar; it is not milk chocolate. Instead, it reminds me of dark, semi-sweet chocolate. It is like smoking a cup of espresso; to me, it is more like coffee than chocolate. I like it in the afternoon in a pipe with a good draw; e.g., an old Custombilt. Flakes and other moist tobaccos need a good draw and, in my opinion, do poorly in pipes with constricting filters; for example , a vintage Kaywoodie from the 1930s, '40s, or '50s with the metal "Drinkless" filter. Tobaccos generally lacking humidification, like the nostalgic retro tobaccos from House of Windsor which were popular when Kaywoodies and Dunhills cost the same and were equally prestigious, do very well in the old Kaywoodies. In fact, I believe the old-time tobaccos and the old-time Kaywoodies were interdependent; a symbiotic relationship. But I digress... "Bob's Square Cut" deserves a grade of "B+".

Mine is also labelled unscented but after jarring for couple days I can smell Lakeland which in not very strong and yes a hint on Latakia. Crushed some bigger chunks and let it dry for 10mins fills bowl easily and on first light gives whasp of Lakeland aroma which fainted by quarter of bowl and some occasional chocolate and faint Latakia played nice role. Very nice slow burning all in all I enjoyed the smoke and definitely will reach out for it again.