Samuel Gawith Kendal Cream Deluxe Flake

I should start out by saying that I have smoked at least 7 or 8 other Samuel Gawith blends, and so far, I haven't found any that I would not be happy to smoke at any time. I am particularly fond of Ennerdale, and Best Brown Flake. . If they make a bad blend, I have not found it, yet.

Also, I should say that I do not believe this is a good tobacco for a novice, because to get the most out of it, it takes some TLC and patience, but the reward is more than worth it. It also may be a little intense for new smokers.

The tin note was an incredible aroma of Red Virginia, with it's typical bready character, wonderful nuttiness from top-grade burly, and what I can only describe as a creamy chocolate-covered raisin scent, although very mild. I caught just the barest hint of the Lakeland scent...just enough to make the other scents blend well.

The flakes were very moist and thick. It's better to have the tobacco too moist than too dry. You can always dry it out, but it is more difficult to try to re-hydrate dry tobacco, and the taste is never the same. A little patience here will pay off handsomely. The flakes are too thick to rub out well by hand, so I recommend getting a pair of scissors, and chop away. Chopping it finer will make it dry faster, and you can always chop and dry a days worth to take with you when you leave the house. Again, the extra trouble is more than worth it.

After doing all the previously mentioned preparatory tasks, I filled my wonderful Mr. Brog Chocla pipe, and touched flame. After drying, it lit fairly easily and burned very well, nice and slow. The first few puffs were incredibly smooth and creamy. Initially, the burly took center stage with a satisfying nuttiness similar to toasted pecans. Then, the Virginia kicked in with a sweet, pleasant taste liked fresh-baked pan dolce. After about 10-15 puffs, there was a mild background taste of fresh Raisinettes (you know, those great chocolate-covered raisins that a lot of us used to chow-down on at the movie theater). The chocolaty taste is a bit more pronounced than Bobs Chococlate Flake. The Lakeland essence was barely noticeable, but it did contribute positively to the over-all taste The taste stayed the same all the way to the bottom of the bowl. It was good to the last puff. It burned to a fine ash, with little dottle, and never any bite or gurgle. This is a good medium-strength smoke, and very satisfying. It would make a fine all-day smoke, for a seasoned smoker. Novices may find the strength a bit intimidating at first, but you;ll quickly get used to it and wonder how you smoked all that super-mild stuff before.

My over-all impression was WOW! This is probably going to be my favorite blend unless I find something better in the future (unlikely). A wonderful, creamy, sweet, smooth smoke. The mouth-feel is like Irish Creme and Frangelico.

I really can't say enough about this blend. If you like sweet tobaccos, with minimal extra flavoring, this could be your blend.

A big fan of flakes, this is one I often buy between the usual Full Virginia (SG's) and my other favourite St Bruno. In my opinion it is to Full Virginia Flake what Skiff Mixture is to Squadron Leader. What I mean is that it is a slightly milder option with a strange but nice extra flavour to it. Definitely one to try, I go through occasional stages of not buying anything else.

I am not a big fan of Lakeland blends, but always find them to be of great quality and continue to venture into this genre. My persistence has paid off, Kendal Creme Flake has been a fantastic experience.

The flakes are dark and smell of liquorice. They are rather moist and need to be dried out considerably. If you don't dry it well, this tobacco will not burn. The flakes rub out with some difficulty due to their rubbery texture, but the course matter which this flake produces insures slow smoking.

I find this takes about 3 or 4 matches to really get going. It requires a fair amount of relights to me, but the flavor upon relight is pleasant and this blend doesn't nip the tongue, so it is a minor inconvenience.

This tobacco is meant to be enjoyed while sitting down and focusing on the smoke. It does not work well as a blend to putter around the shop or house with. The flavor is creamy, sweet, and spicy. It has wonderful Virginia flavor in the darker ranges, I taste brown sugar, tea, clove, liquorice, cinnamon, and anise. The aroma is pleasant and the aroma when blown through the nose is of liquorice.

This burns slow, a half bowl has lasted an hour in a half in a normal hour sized bowl. It is a great tobacco for enjoying a movie on the television. It goes particularly well with tea. The nicotine is noticeable, but not overpowering. Its strength is right where I like it. It produces voluminous amounts of smoke. A true pleasure.

This is truly superb stuff and I see myself purchasing some tins for the cellar. It is not an all day smoke, but serves best as a treat at the end of the day (I prefer it most in the late evening). The wife seems to like the smoke that this produces as well. I give this the highest recommendations. Just make sure you sit down and give yourself a chance to really enjoy it.

I picked this up at my local tobacco shop after finding it in their bulk section. After smoking a few bowls I thought I'd add my comments. The very unusual jar aroma had piqued my interest. This was my second Gawith tobacco I've tried. The first being the Chocolate Flake which I wasn't too crazy about.

The flake rubbed out with little effort. It packed easily enough, you can pack it to tight if not careful, something you want to avoid with this blend as you'll end up with a hot, flavorless smoke if you do. It lit well. The room note was certainly different. My sister-in-law complimented the aroma so that's a good thing. There's a definate quality tobacco taste that's enhanced by the casing. I would have like just a tad more burley, but then again that's just my personal preference. One thing to note is there is an aftertaste that can linger on your tongue. A sip of a good spirit will cleanse the palet and make the smoke more enjoyable. I'll recommend this blend to aromatic smokers, like myself, that enjoy a good tobacco with a pleasant aroma and blend quality.

A tobacco I've enjoyed quite a few times over the years, I think it's one of the best scented Lake District baccies. Not sure how I never got round to reviewing it!

The tin contains numerous mid brown slices. These have arrived in various thickness and lengths over the years, and sometimes quite varied in the same tin! I like it when they are very thin, but these rarely arrive excessively thick. Like most tobacco from Kendal it usually comes quite moist. They don't add any humectants, but it's often quite humid up there. The tin aroma is perfumed, ambrosia to my nostrils! There are florals, spice, liquor, perhaps a tiny smidgen of Tonquin... Its a complex bouquet and not one I can easily pick out individual components in, more than the sum of its parts perhaps. I'm told its the same scent that was used on my beloved Bracken Flake, and I think I can believe that. Comes across differently on this slightly milder tobacco base.

It lights without much bother, and has very good burning characteristics, staying lit and not requiring much input, it's a cool smoke and won't bite the tongue. The flavour is rich, smooth and delicious. It's moderately sweet, and the scent blends in well with the baccy, the sun effect being of sweet, toasty, buttery, nutty tobacco with a perfumed edge mingling in. People enjoy the aroma, and I enjoy the sidestream smoke. Strength isn't exactly mild, but it's not a heavy hitter.

Overall its a fine example of the lake district stuff, and I'm sure I'll smoke a lot more of it. I enjoy it when hiking or camping, it's lovely in summer or autumn when out and about. It may scent your pipes, I keep some for similar tobaccos and some for the unflavoured or very lightly flavoured ones.

It's difficult to isolate the minimal topping flavor positively...floral & maybe a touch of anise but the caramel flavor aroma is unnoticeable. This stuff is moist from the tin & requires a bit of drying which doesn't take long & it rubs out easily. Not bad at all & a big bang for the buck. The casing is minimal and doesn't overpower the tobacco.

Room note seems kind of neutral as I didn't notice hardly any tobacco odor or much aroma from the topping...like the tobacco odor has simply been masked. Anyway, the sweet taste & nicotine content in this blend makes stoking any pipe worthwhile. It is easy on the tongue/palate & smokes cool. Easy to keep lit & burns dry all the way to the bottom...smooth & "creamy," as it were. Overall, this is really a good pipe tobacco. Works for me.

I'm coming back to this one with a new love after a several year hiatus. It's rich and (you guessed it) creamy with a very mild floral note (maybe rose?). The Virginia and Burley work mighty fine together to give you a very satisfying smoke. The nicotine is a lover not a fighter, but it ain't no wimp either, if you push it, it will push you back. This one reminds me of the late, great Velvan Plug (RIP) so if some of you are mourning the loss of VP ya might want to check this one out. I can almost guarantee that you will like this one if you like VP. The floral note I mentioned is just that, floral, not perfumey, not soapy, just a nice rose-like top note that is far from overbearing. I just recently finished a tin that had at least 5 years of age on it and the flakes had wonderful bloom and had turned to a lovely dark brown color. I believe this one will cellar with grace and still come out tasting lovely. Come to think of it, this kind of reminds me of Erinmore Flake minus the fruity flavors, they both have a very similar floral casing with a nice base of Virginia and Burley tobaccos.

This stuff is really becoming a favorite of mine and I agree with those who describe it as tasting like tea with milk and honey with a splash of rose water for good measure. This one doesn't get much hype in the forums and I'm okay with that, this is one of the few Gawith blends that is most always in stock.

I adore this tobacco!

ESSENTIAL!

hands down my favorite tobacco in the universe. creamy, rich, cool smoking. hints of cocoa, leather, sweet grass and a subtle kick of something.

flakes are gorgeous and the smoking is superb....as with most SG flakes.

After finding this very enjoyable & affordable smoke I'm not feeling so sad about the departure of Edgeworth R/R.

IMHO Kendle Cream is superior to that Lame Lane Limited offering.

It's good to know that a company like SG will probably be offering quality tobacco long after my last pipe as gone out.

This blend really shines around mid bowl, and as with most burly blends it taste better in a $10.00 cob than a $300.00 briar.