Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Brown Flake Aromatic

Gawith Hoggarth - Brown Flake Aromatic.

Thick flakes that need time to air! The aroma coming from the flakes doesn't really have that much of an aromatic side to it, I have heard it may resemble Turkish delight but the only smell I get is a very gentle floral one. Once it has had a few hours in the open it has an O.K moistness to break and rub. Despite the fact the water has diminished due to the thickness of these flake slices it still requires a firm rub, probably some more airing would decrease the 'stickiness' of the flakes.

Putting aside the slight dampness of my tobacco it still lights simply, in fact the burn scores more points as it's incredibly steady, a proper 'sit back, relax and don't worry about constantly re-lighting' tobacco. The smokes temperature is superbly cool with no tongue bite, so this will be good for the more enthusiastic puffers among us! Moving on to taste now, having read how this contains vanilla, citrus, tonquin and fruit I feel a little nonplussed as the only added taste I can pick out is a slight floral one. That said though, even though there isn't much added taste the flavour I get is a total joy! The tobacco flavour is prominently Virginia, there is a slight cool caramel taste from the Burley albeit it's not easily recognizable. As this one burns down I find the flavour really stable, it holds the same taste throughout without becoming acrid or fluctuating any. Due to the moistness of this one I find a fair amount of dottle in my bowl at the end, due to this I like to smoke just three quarters of a bowl to avoid any sourness that may incur from this.

Nicotine: medium. Room-note: pleasant.

For taste alone I would score this four stars but the few slight negatives abate this to three:

Recommended.

I've been looking forward to trying a Lakeland tobacco for a while now. I'm not entirely sure what sparked my interest. Maybe it was the peculiarity of reviewers discussing a "floral" note. Or perhaps my disdain for No. 79 set me in the direction of finding a more acceptable perfumed smoke.

At the smoke shop, I mentioned to the tobacconist that I'd like to try a strong aromatic. From under the counter came a giant, unopened box of Brown Flake Aromatic. I could smell the stuff a foot away, and a closer sniff made me even more curious.

If I could describe the smell, I'd compare it to Earl Grey Tea. Though I had doubts about the aroma, I knew very well that the tobacco would be top notch. G&H products have always excelled in quality, so I wasn't too afraid about experimenting. Pipe tobacco is a a great avenue for the adventurous person; there's so much endless variety.

The smoking experience of Brown Flake Aromatic is certainly interesting for someone that has never tried a Lakeland tobacco. It tasted exactly as I had imagined it would. So often one buys an aromatic for the smell, only to find it tastes nothing like that aroma you fell in love with. And here, that peculiar floral scent was always at the front in flavor, from the initial light to the ending draw.

I read a few complaints about the moisture level. My sample was fairly typical. I didn't have a problem keeping the tobacco lit, and I didn't feel the tobacco bite as some have remarked.

This won't be an every day smoke for me. The quality is definitely there but it's a matter of taste. I'm not turned off to Lakeland tobaccos as a consequence of this offering, it just wasn't the flavor I was searching for. I know it's out there.

Hmmm, I also was suggested this blend to try by one of the staff at LJ Peretti's, lol.

As with all the reviews that I have made so far regarding Gawith blends, their flavorings are used to accentuate the high quality tobaccos that they use- not overpower them.

This blend packs and lights easily. One false light, a quick tamp and re-light, and off to some quality downtime. The taste is consistent down the run of the bowl. The flavorings are subtle, weaving in and out of the experience. The taste and flavorings go from mild to medium with a slight increase in puffing tempo, (and it still does not bite!).

It burns to a dark grey and white ash, without moisture build-up in the heel.

Very Nice Indeed!

A Virginia and Burley medium brown long flake with golden shades and the occasional dark brown speckle, this offering is topped with licorice, fig and tonquin bean according to the SPC description; and as a typical British flavorings with vanilla and fig extracts, according to TR. To my nose, what I perceive is more of the floral note (geranium, I believe) with some licorice. Once lit up the taste will be consistent with these notes but the room note unveils the vanilla as well as the licorice. The burn is very good once the tobacco has been dried some before packing and it does not develop into any type of complexity as I progress but the Burley brings some backbone and nuttiness to the overall experience. The floral note does not stick around for too long once the tobacco is lit. By mid bowl there is more of a tobacco taste supported by the Burley, which becomes more dominant and the Virginia accentuates the licorice but no in its sweet side. By the last third the taste of the tobacco is dominant with the licorice hanging around but it is more subdued. Nicotine is in the mild to medium range during the first half and upgraded to a bit below medium during the last third. Overall, a fine G & H bulk tobacco which I found very pleasant. The taste was very refreshing, if it makes sense. I am enjoying this tobacco a lot but would not recommend it as an all day smoke unless for the true and hard fans of Lakeland flavorings as the nicotine content is perfect for a daily repetitive smoke.

Scent on opening storage jar is reminiscent of Turkish Delight.

Raw flake is quite tacky/moist so does benefit from some air drying time before lighting (otherwise difficult to keep alight without constant drawing).

Burns quite hot. Not much in the way of fig or vanilla in flavour or taste. Medium strength. Pleasant room note.

Would recommend as a mild to medium strength flake.

Not bad Flakes from Gawith Hogarth. Flavoring is very mild, somewhere in the background. Smoke is cool and smooth, no tongue bite or harshness. The best is to mix this tobacco with mild in strength heavy aromatic blend. Recommended.