Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Kendal Kentucky

I didn't like this at first, and it seemed like it was going to be boring, but after a few bowls it got to me and I finished the rest of the pack with gusto. Not the best start after lighting in that it seemed to have a sort of stinging bitterness, but that soon gave way to a good, steady, tasty smoke with plenty of strength. No fuss to pack, kept fine and went far. I got mine loose, as this seems to be the way they sell it all around these parts; I live 20 miles or so away from Kendal.

This really isn't the type of tobacco I normally like so I'm not too suprised that I don't. I've tried to like it and it doen't seem like a bad tobacco, nice fine shag that packs well and burns ok, smells interesting in the pouch a sort of smokey chocolaty manure. Once you've had a few puffs though you're left with a dry mouth that tastes something like an ashtray. The sample i'm reviewing seems very dry so perhaps I just have a bad batch, this one is going to the back of my draw.

This is very similar to G&H Dark Birdseye which is a favorite of mine among the English "dark" tasting tobaccos. This is a personal classification of mine which would include G&H Dark Flake, Sliced Brown Twist, Sliced Black Twist, et. al. I like this one, perhaps, a little bit better than Dark Birdseye because the Kentucky adds a very nice, but muted, nutty flavor to the smoke. This tobacco will find a place among my tobaccos for the occasional smoke. Highly recommended. Paddy.

Package note of mildly sweet barbeque. Tobacco is a shag cut of dark brown. Moisture content is ok, most pipe smokers will want to dry it a bit. Burns moderately fast with few relights. The strength is medium to strong and nic is medium to strong. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium to full and very consistent, with notes of fermented sour, musty herbal vegetation, almost creamy, brown sugar, dry bitterness, molasses. cocoa, spices, sweet toast, wood, rich earth, floral, a mildly savory and semi-sweet nutty background note, and a mildly peppery almost smooth retro. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

20230314: Revising my review. For an autopilot smoke, I think I prefer this to John Cotton, certainly over Kendal Dark (which occasionally will have Lakeland notes). This is brighter, more grassy with an implied florality almost. This isn't strictly superior to dark bird's eye, which is more fruity/molasses/toasty adjacent. Both get top marks from me.

Tin note: barbecue without smoke. Smoke: some barbecue (again non-smoky), burley character, slight cream. Searching for cocoa as was mentioned by others, and not finding any to speak of. Maybe a little dark sugar. Tough on the mouth (I have a sensitive mouth). Nicotine level is very high. It's a good option for a strong and fairly uncomplicated burley with exceptional burning characteristics, and no preparation required. Personally I'd prefer Kendal Dark for the smokiness and increased sweetness, or John Cotton's double pressed dark fired when I want a strong, non-smoky burley-forward experience.Would even prefer Prince Albert when I'm not looking for nicotine. I can't imagine ever getting a craving for this specifically, but it is very good.

This review is for both stag cut and vintage cut. Both are the same tobacco just cut differently. The stag is easy to pack and light, but burn quickly. The vintage cut is too easy to pack and light but much slower and cooler. The taste is straight up Kentucky. A mix of different types but a rich fire cured smoke. Very strong taste but still smooth smoke. Nicotine wasn't as strong as some say but strong enough for a beginner.

My simple excursion finds me with my Comer’s Deluxe 225 Pot, (an estate pipe that I recently restored myself) smartly clutched, rolling with a vigorous bowl of Gawith, Hoggarth & Company’s Kendal Kentucky. And in case you didn’t notice this one either, KK doesn’t mess around.

Coming at you in one of finest shag cut configurations of swarthy tobacco you’ll ever encounter; KK is a full-bodied robust adventure made for strong knees. Composed entirely of 100% non-bastardized heady African grown Burleys, be prepared for a formidable smoking experience.

Although the nic kick presents me with a tad bit of the heebie-jeebies, the classic Dark Fired Kentucky flavor is exceptional for the genre. Offering deep, deep tones of dark earthy wood, lightly accented by notes of muscovado-like sweetness, cocoa infused nuts, and an awesome smoky explosion of herby spice that makes the retro-hale literally felt more than tasted.

So let it all hang out and make this blend a pleasurable delight, I am.

This is a dark bold blend with deep rich flavors of chocolate, earth, pepper, coffee, wood and molasses. With some supporting notes of vegetal, bitter and whisps of plum. I absolutely love the shag cut. Makes it super easy to pack, light, and smoke. For me it needs dry time. Smokes great but will leave some moisture in the bowl. It has a great thick smoke output this is a big plus for me. I love blends that yeild thick copious smoke. This blend is a absolutely win for me. Works great as a blending tobacco as well.

A fantastic blend that has all the flavours and aromas I enjoy in a smoke. Full bodied, I get leather, tobacco, wood, campfire, and a slightly salty almost seaweed presence. The smokiness is just right for me: I found nightcap too overpowering. From the first puff, I was relaxed, mellow and in my happy place: perfect!