Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake
(3.21)
A beautifully formed dark flake of pressed Virginias and a generous helping of latakia. Relax and enjoy this medium strength tobacco with its "smokey" flavour and cool, smooth characteristics.
Details
| Brand | Samuel Gawith |
| Blended By | Samuel Gawith |
| Manufactured By | Samuel Gawith |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Latakia |
| Contents | Latakia, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | Bulk, 50 grams tin |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.21 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 61 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 07, 2004 | Medium | Very Mild | Full | Strong |
We have a winner here. I was most eager to try Gawith's version of a Balkan and am glad to report that it merits a look. And so, on to the finer points. Tin aroma is wettish, not reeking of Latakia(as in say Germain's Special Latakia Flake), but deep and somewhat dark. I wonder if there isn't some humectant involved here as my tin has stayed wet in the summer heat, lid off or on. Rubs out easily, stains your fingers with nico goodness. Initial draw through an unlit pipe is pleasant, a la any Dunhill english, hints at sublimnity to follow. Lightup is a chore unless the leaf is left to dry for an hour or better. Initial flavor is meaty but not too smokey. I must admit i was hoping for more sharpness at the match, a sure sign of oriental leaf lurking....Flavor through the first third of the bowl is straightforward, "woodsy" and showing a serious lack of any oriental play. Perhaps this one is misnamed. Rather routine English thus far. Past the half way mark , we are seeing improvement, but Aperitif is more Balkan in nature than this. Bowls ends easily, no surprises. Hmmm, I decide to switch pipes. Oh, there we go, a lovely oriental blast 3 minutes in, much better. After having consumed the tin through 3 different pipes, I am sold. This is a true Balkan, but quiet in nature. Those seeking an agressive experience needn't stop here. I would recommend smoking at leat 10 bowls before passing judgement, as it seems to show a bias for certain pipes. Subtle and refreshing, but as expected, the room note is not popular with 90 percent of those exposed to it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 30, 2019 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I have no recollection of ever smoking this blend. At our recent NASPC show I bought some various tins from a gentleman and he gave me this five ounce bulk amount of preserved(?) Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake in a quart Mason jar. The question mark relates to it's relatively dry state of preservation; not bone dry, but pretty well dried into an immediate smoking condition. Fortunately, the batch seemed to still have a sufficient quantity of essential oils and flavorings to render it smokable. There aren't that many known Balkan flakes, as some reviewers have noted, but I have smoked some over the years and this one seems a little light. Not very complex by it's formula, I knew it reminded me of something. When I read reviewer comments comparing it to SG's Commonwealth, I knew that that was it. Like most blends with this Latakia and Virginia formula, it smokes in a narrow range of tastes and aromas. I found the top third to be a little soft on taste and aroma with a heftier middle third that had some backbone to it. This middle third smoked at a three star level that, with a little nudge from somewhere, could have approached four stars. The bottom third, though stronger, was a little less tasty. Of the many reviews of this blend, I feel most in common with reviewer Stinkypipe 2017-01-14 and share his sentiments exactly; it was ok but left me wanting more - three stars.
Pipe Used:
Northern Briars Regal Roxcut Lovat
PurchasedFrom:
gifted by a fellow exhibitor at our 2019 NASPC show
Age When Smoked:
unknown but not recent
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 20, 2019 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake is a smooth smoking rich dark Balkan flake. It is presented in clean cut dark flakes. The moisture content is fair, and it could benefit from a little drying before packing. If packing fresh it takes a little lighting to get going but burns well after this.
The taste is smooth and easy going, very pleasant. I could quite happily smoke this all day every day, but there in lies the problem. Whilst I like this tobacco a lot, and will be sure to stock up my cellar, it is a little, dare I say it, dull. It could quite easily make it into my rotation, and I&m sure if I smoked it regularly I likely wouldn’t want to be without it. However it will never be one of my favorite tobaccos. Whilst extremely good I do not find it to be exceptional. It’s a hard call wether to give it full marks, but I decided I have to dock it a little. Still well worth a try.
Stores and ages well.
The taste is smooth and easy going, very pleasant. I could quite happily smoke this all day every day, but there in lies the problem. Whilst I like this tobacco a lot, and will be sure to stock up my cellar, it is a little, dare I say it, dull. It could quite easily make it into my rotation, and I&m sure if I smoked it regularly I likely wouldn’t want to be without it. However it will never be one of my favorite tobaccos. Whilst extremely good I do not find it to be exceptional. It’s a hard call wether to give it full marks, but I decided I have to dock it a little. Still well worth a try.
Stores and ages well.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Local B&M
Age When Smoked:
Fresh to a few years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 2019 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Strong |
Well, as this is only my second high-quality Latakia blend, I feel a bit unqualified to review it, but I'll do my best.
Despite the 30% Latakia, I didn't find it especially overpowering. I could definitely smell it in the tin note (unlike the Navy Flake), but the balance with the Virginias was well-achieved. I found it robust but enjoyable; cool smoking, good burning, no bite. My last half dozen flakes had dried to the point where they crumbled when I tried to rub them out, but they were no worse the wear for that - they still smoked and tasted fine. An excellent, tasty mixture : 3.5 stars
Despite the 30% Latakia, I didn't find it especially overpowering. I could definitely smell it in the tin note (unlike the Navy Flake), but the balance with the Virginias was well-achieved. I found it robust but enjoyable; cool smoking, good burning, no bite. My last half dozen flakes had dried to the point where they crumbled when I tried to rub them out, but they were no worse the wear for that - they still smoked and tasted fine. An excellent, tasty mixture : 3.5 stars
Pipe Used:
Various briars.
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking Pipes.com
Age When Smoked:
About 1 yr.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 24, 2017 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Very Mild | Tolerable |
Another smooth and high-quality tobacco from Samuel Gawith. A smoky Virginia and Latakia perfectly blended. Some debate over whether this truly a Balkan but I think it tastes just like a Balkan and has a delightful nutty flavor that develops over time. Nothing too strong in this one, this could easily be a blend that you smoke all day if the flavor is right for you.
PurchasedFrom:
Iwan Ries
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 25, 2016 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Finally got around to this 9 yr old tin. It's definitely smooth and balanced with the age on it, though I suspect it would be good when fresh. A nice lighter latakia blend to start my fall transition into these tobaccos. Recommended.
Pipe Used:
Kaywoodie Supergrain bulldog
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
9+ years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 21, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Although Balkan Flake is by no means a Balkan blend which I think oriental should be included, it is a delicious and tasteful mixture. The lingering sourness of latakia combined with deep, tangy virginia really constitute a smooth, relaxing smoke. Some mentioned to be reminded of the flavor of Penzence, I could not claim that since I only had a bowl from visiting a seasoned pipe pal.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 06, 2013 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Balkan Flake is strange- it doesn't taste the way it looks for instance...all black and sticky and intense. It tastes manipulated and has the stength of an incredibly professional security man moving you out of the way by a foot or so- irresistible, but not rude. As far as I taste it, the topping is at least as prevalent as the Lat in the first third, but the Vas have been cased also of course, so it turns out to be a bit of a melange. This is like a club DJ you actually like or a cocktail given to you by a relative stranger which you never find out the name of- no Va, no Lat, just Balkan. I like it very much, but something I don't understand is going on.
Addendum: I seem to make a habit of amending my reviews, but I feel my pride is less important than contributing as much information as possible to the single most encyclopaedic tobacco resource in the world. I still really like BF- the first 3/4 are sublime, but there is somthing about the end of this smoke which is a real signifier of its cased nature- there is just a hint of ashiness and most of the flavour dissipates. I would stil recommend it, but it is not a four star blend. I really hope that S.G. gets rid of the casing, to allow the quality tobacco they always use, to truly shine.
Addendum: I seem to make a habit of amending my reviews, but I feel my pride is less important than contributing as much information as possible to the single most encyclopaedic tobacco resource in the world. I still really like BF- the first 3/4 are sublime, but there is somthing about the end of this smoke which is a real signifier of its cased nature- there is just a hint of ashiness and most of the flavour dissipates. I would stil recommend it, but it is not a four star blend. I really hope that S.G. gets rid of the casing, to allow the quality tobacco they always use, to truly shine.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 03, 2012 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
A very nice tobacco. A bit moist out of the tin, and I found that if smoked without adequate drying it could be a touch bland and monochromatic. It gives a much more satisfying and complex smoke with at least several days airing. I'd certainly be happy to smoke it again, but overall - and including the inconvenience of having to dry out - it's a 3 star for me rather than a 4.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 26, 2010 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
For me, this was a very one dimensional latakia bomb. I don't recall ever smoking anything with as much of a latakia emphasis as this before, except for possibly Fairmorn Lancers Slices.
Obviously top notch tobacco, carefully processed, but I didn't get a lot of nuances from it, just pure smoking latakia with enough other stuff in there that it burns well.
Highly recommended for those who are looking for a latakia bomb in flake form. Otherwise, probably not. I will smoke this occasionally as the mood dictates, but suspect that other blends with more complex notes will get more puffing in my pipes...
UPDATE July 2011 I smoked a bowl of this recently and was very impressed, I was able to detect all sorts of Virginia flavors with the latakia, and felt that the bowl developed nicely throughout. My earlier review was obviously based on either a young tin, or poor smoking technique, or both.
Obviously top notch tobacco, carefully processed, but I didn't get a lot of nuances from it, just pure smoking latakia with enough other stuff in there that it burns well.
Highly recommended for those who are looking for a latakia bomb in flake form. Otherwise, probably not. I will smoke this occasionally as the mood dictates, but suspect that other blends with more complex notes will get more puffing in my pipes...
UPDATE July 2011 I smoked a bowl of this recently and was very impressed, I was able to detect all sorts of Virginia flavors with the latakia, and felt that the bowl developed nicely throughout. My earlier review was obviously based on either a young tin, or poor smoking technique, or both.
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