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 191 - 200 of 202 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 28, 2007 | Strong | None Detected | Very Full | Extra Strong |
I visited the Samuel Gawith factory in Kendall a few years ago. Kendall was, far and away my favorite town in England and from my time there I have many stories. One of my best, as far as the world of pipes is concerned, is that I was one of the first people outside of the company to be able to smoke their new Balkan Flake before it was made public. I was intrigued and have gone through a few more tins since. On the whole it is a fine smoke, demonstrating all of the quality that one pays for with Gawith tobaccos.
This is serious stuff, mind ye?. Not for the occasional smoker or the generally inexperienced. The Virginias, those that can be tasted, lend this flake a deep, almost brooding sweetness that one has to be in perhaps a brooding frame of mind to truly appreciate. It is, of course, the Latakia that Balkan Flake is all about. It is there in force and in a proportion that I usually regard as obscene, but here it works quite well. Works well if smoked slowly and softly, that is. Puff too fast and this will taste like you are chewing on a lump of hot leather (a hot, leather lump?say that four times fast). Otherwise, this is indeed all the best one could ask from a Balkan, with Latakia most definitely in control, but with the Virginia going along quite nicely. I, for one, am glad to have found a flake containing Latakia to which I would be happy to return.
This is serious stuff, mind ye?. Not for the occasional smoker or the generally inexperienced. The Virginias, those that can be tasted, lend this flake a deep, almost brooding sweetness that one has to be in perhaps a brooding frame of mind to truly appreciate. It is, of course, the Latakia that Balkan Flake is all about. It is there in force and in a proportion that I usually regard as obscene, but here it works quite well. Works well if smoked slowly and softly, that is. Puff too fast and this will taste like you are chewing on a lump of hot leather (a hot, leather lump?say that four times fast). Otherwise, this is indeed all the best one could ask from a Balkan, with Latakia most definitely in control, but with the Virginia going along quite nicely. I, for one, am glad to have found a flake containing Latakia to which I would be happy to return.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 18, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Good blend, but not sure about the "Balkan" title. Cool smoking and full of flavor. I enjoy this blend. I treat it more like an english standard than a balkan. Even so, it's good.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 16, 2007 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Very cool smoking, fragrant, with a light sweetness from the virginias. Certainly not Balkan Sobranie or anything like a classic Balkan blend but it has the toasty sweetness that is characteristic of S. Gawith. Very nice. I enjoy it quite a bit but don't smoke it very often.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 08, 2007 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
After only 3 months of smoking this tobacco it has entered my regular rotation. It smokes like Best Brown Flake with a pronounced Latakia taste and fragrance. It is a full bodied smoke with the fine VA blend forming the base of a cool, dry, and bite free smoke. I bought it in one pound bulk and found the tobacco needed no drying- the tin did. The Latakia is present from the first puff to the last, but there appears to be no additional flavoring or casing. I prefer it as my evening pipe and have dedicated pipes to it. The taste of the Latakia does come through in the cake and would ruin a VA or -horrors- an aromatic blend. My wife doesn't appreciate the room note, but since I was long ago banished to the back porch it doesn't matter. For the pipe smoker the aroma is great. It seems to take a few relights as opposed to Best Brown but perhaps that is because I am still new to it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 22, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This some good good stuff. I bought some in bulk without sampling it first, when I was 'in town'. Now I wished I'd bought a whole lot more. Is it a Balkan? Who cares. It is a fine smoking, easy rubbing, easy lighting, ever burning, well balanced flake. Love it.
Now, I'm a little afraid to give it 4 stars, there's gotta be a catch. Nothing's really this good, is it?? Is my next batch going to be a let down. Don't expect it, with the consistency of Sammy. There's sure to be a fourth star comming for Balkan Flake, but I need to smoke more of it first.
As to it's oilyness. . .I found it to be chalky rather than oily. Doesn't matter to me, I'm smokin it, not wearing it. Also, this is great mixed 50/50 with Royal Yacht; it's even better mixed with Cob Plug -go figure. . . and go smoking!
Now, I'm a little afraid to give it 4 stars, there's gotta be a catch. Nothing's really this good, is it?? Is my next batch going to be a let down. Don't expect it, with the consistency of Sammy. There's sure to be a fourth star comming for Balkan Flake, but I need to smoke more of it first.
As to it's oilyness. . .I found it to be chalky rather than oily. Doesn't matter to me, I'm smokin it, not wearing it. Also, this is great mixed 50/50 with Royal Yacht; it's even better mixed with Cob Plug -go figure. . . and go smoking!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 01, 2006 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
Reading all the reviews I am quite surprised that almost everyone seems to think that this very nice tobacco is unflavoured. It isn't but it is none the worse for it. There is some casing added, a bit cherry like but at least sugary that lends it the sweetness beyond that offered by the Virginia. Lovely dark stripes, quite thinly cut, of great quality VA and Latakia that is heaven for my palate. Be sure to fold the flakes in your pipe as opposed to rubbing them out and be prepared for the coolest, tastiest smoke I have savoured for a long time! Two more tins are already ordered, this stuff is addictive!
1 May 2006. I have just read Bigblends comments on my observation on the cherry/sugary note, thank you for including it and the blender's comment, I now believe to have been wrong about it.
1 May 2006. I have just read Bigblends comments on my observation on the cherry/sugary note, thank you for including it and the blender's comment, I now believe to have been wrong about it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 09, 2006 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Subtle, simple, barely balkan, but lovely. Very Sam Gawithy in construction and taste. A bit like what I would imagine a 'commonwealth' flake would be, but more earthy and understated.
Maybe 'light balkan flake' would be more appropriate; this is no latakia whammy-stick like pirate kake or penzance or old ironsides or sobranie. Flavor stays within a certain range, but subtle changes do take place throughout the bowl when layered properly, and reasonably recent DGT'd bowls are usually pleasant.
It's refined, dark, and velvety without being heavy. Enjoy it in your shiny new dress black dunhill at the opera, or in your well-chomped stanwell while trout fishing.
The other nice aspect of this blend is that it gives you the smoker some decent VAlatakia flavors, and yet its smoke is among the least offensive to the nose among similar blends so that those around you are less likely to flee or threaten violence when faced with your billowy smoke (this flake can really crank out the volume of smoke if so desired, with little ill effect on the tongue).
Lakeflake and latakia lovers will likely find a new friend here.
Maybe 'light balkan flake' would be more appropriate; this is no latakia whammy-stick like pirate kake or penzance or old ironsides or sobranie. Flavor stays within a certain range, but subtle changes do take place throughout the bowl when layered properly, and reasonably recent DGT'd bowls are usually pleasant.
It's refined, dark, and velvety without being heavy. Enjoy it in your shiny new dress black dunhill at the opera, or in your well-chomped stanwell while trout fishing.
The other nice aspect of this blend is that it gives you the smoker some decent VAlatakia flavors, and yet its smoke is among the least offensive to the nose among similar blends so that those around you are less likely to flee or threaten violence when faced with your billowy smoke (this flake can really crank out the volume of smoke if so desired, with little ill effect on the tongue).
Lakeflake and latakia lovers will likely find a new friend here.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 29, 2006 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The treatment of the Virginia leaf reminds me of another SG blend. Smooth and mellow in both the smoke and the room note, this complex mixture is an engaging addition to the diversity of Balkans. For me, the smoking experience evokes memories of simpler times and youthful zeal. My sample contained a token amount of leaf trash that did not require rubbing the slices out. With an easy burn it allows increasing flavor as the smoke progresses. The ritual of the smoke is best enjoyed indoors and leaving the slices intact so that none of it's nuances are lost. Serving well as an all day smoke for those so inclined, it has no single element of dominance, instead it demonstrates harmony and balance. I find no flaw in this blending achievement and recommend it without reservation to those who seek good things.
Meerschaum Man Smoking a signed Ural with Flourishes
Meerschaum Man Smoking a signed Ural with Flourishes
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 17, 2005 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Notes: I have smoked a 3-4 ounces of this in several pipes. I actually prefer it in my Ukranian Briar pipe, as this helps to bring out the spicy top notes, but quite good in briar as well.
Appearance: A dark brown to black relatively uniform 6" flake.
Aroma: Sweet, oily, reminiscent of the Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture or 759 in some ways, but slightly more feisty and less dulcet. Smoky, with suggestions of walnuts, Brazil nuts, and cloves, and mace.
Taste: A faintly spicy vinegar and ketchup taste is detected. The overall flavor is very smoky, with frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, allspice, nuts, the faint suggestion of stewed fruit. Slightly bitter at times throughout the smoke. The flavors are gentle in their presence, not intruding upon you, but there if you contemplate them.
Comparisons: A latakia-laden blend with not so many of the other oriental leaves as a result. Less full, nevertheless than Penzance or Krumble Kake, but with a subtlety reminiscent of the old Balkan Sobranie, although the blend is not the same. Slightly less sweet and less present than Gawith & Hoggarth's Balkan Blend.
Bottom Line: For those who enjoy the smoky taste of latakia, but not so much as Penzance demands, this is a quiet, mellow smoking mixture.
Appearance: A dark brown to black relatively uniform 6" flake.
Aroma: Sweet, oily, reminiscent of the Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture or 759 in some ways, but slightly more feisty and less dulcet. Smoky, with suggestions of walnuts, Brazil nuts, and cloves, and mace.
Taste: A faintly spicy vinegar and ketchup taste is detected. The overall flavor is very smoky, with frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, allspice, nuts, the faint suggestion of stewed fruit. Slightly bitter at times throughout the smoke. The flavors are gentle in their presence, not intruding upon you, but there if you contemplate them.
Comparisons: A latakia-laden blend with not so many of the other oriental leaves as a result. Less full, nevertheless than Penzance or Krumble Kake, but with a subtlety reminiscent of the old Balkan Sobranie, although the blend is not the same. Slightly less sweet and less present than Gawith & Hoggarth's Balkan Blend.
Bottom Line: For those who enjoy the smoky taste of latakia, but not so much as Penzance demands, this is a quiet, mellow smoking mixture.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 07, 2005 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I didn't like it, no way. Who named it "Balkan" should have a VERY odd idea about how a Balkan should be, or should be sued for fraud! Not deep, not complex, not spicy....just a bowl that can be easily smoked absent-mindedly, due to boredom.
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