Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake

Tin Note: Smells amazing - strong latakia - deep, dark rich aromas. Definitely a little sweet and exotic. It was definitely too moist when fresh. For all bowls I broke up the long, dark, thin flakes (not fully rubbed, but mostly) and let it dry for 30-90 minutes.

Packing: Once broken up into a chunky rubbed-out state, it packed easily enough. I didn't want to overpack it either, and I feel that it tasted best when packed on the light side.

First Impression: The latakia hits you up front, but there is a sweet/tangy oriental flavor present from the initial light. The smoke has a rich, creamy texture.

Halfway Through Bowl: Oh man, this is good stuff. Big, strong, complex flavors are present - sweet, tangy, woody, and especially leathery. Flavor builds well.

End of Bowl: Wood and leather start to dominate. No big nic hit, despite the strength of flavor. Tangy starts to turn sour (in a good way). Teeters on too much tang/sour if you work it too hard at this point. Leaves more dottle than most.

Room Note: I would guess pretty awful, but smoked outdoors I didn't have anyone to notice.

Likes: Great, complex, big flavors. Really fantastic. Even though it was super hot out during most of my smokes, I was still excited to smoke this heavy English / Balkan style blend. A real winner.

Dislikes: Too moist out of the tin - but that's easily fixed with a little patience and planning. Sour if you work it too hard. Smokes a little hot. None of these will keep me from buying more of this.

Frank and direct, simple, full and satiating. I would also very good for homemade blends. This in my opinion, better smoke it broke. Slowly smoked taste great! With absolutely no problems, sometimes leaving off the pipe for a few minutes!

This is the first flake I ever smoked. Takes a little getting used to in the packing department. Good solid smoke, but what I like best (even though its a pain to keep it lit) is how slow this one burns. I never thought I would actually get tired of smoking my pipe. This is a slow burner, so if you have the time and want to just sit back and day dream, this is the ticket for that trip. I really like this. Odd thing is it feels really moist out of the tin, but when packing that feeling goes away.

This is one of my first real experiences with Latakia. Having not tried it before (besides Davidoff's English Mixture, but I couldn't even detect it in that) I was very curious to do so, even though I am primarily a Virgina lover. And flakes - I just love flakes.

Opening the tin, I was hit with a smell which I was not expecting at all. In fact, I didn't know what to expect, really. It smells extremely earthy, pungent, strong. At first I thought "no way", but I loaded up a bowl of the broken, dark flakes, and off we went.

The first bowl made my stomach turn. The second was better, the third was good, the fourth was awesome. And it just keeps getting better and better. Having spent some more time with this blend (a lot of time, actually) I can now safely say that this tobacco is nothing short of amazing.

The Virginia's are very high quality and sweet, and the dense smell of the Latakia has sweetened as well. What you're left with is a creamy, gorgeous smoke which does not bite in any way, shape or form. It's also possibly the most even burning tobacco I've ever smoked. The taste upon the first match is heavenly, and as the bowl progresses, it gets deeper, sweeter, and even more delicious.

I need to stock up on this. Extremely addicting, and quite simply, flawless.

This is as it says in the description. Maybe not to everyone's taste, but as far as quality goes very good. Very earthy and flavoursome. I think that the way the Latakia (of which there is indeed a "generous helping" so you'd better like it) is pressed into flake with the Virginias makes for quite a different effect than with mixtures; the tobaccos have imparted something of themselves to each other resulting in the smoothness mentioned in the description. I've not tried rubbing it out yet as it seems to burn just fine folded-n-stuffed. I can't find anything wrong with it and it's got a balance and flavour all of its own. Bear in mind that I'm not counting Latakia as a flavouring. I would definitly buy this again.

Another top notch flake from Sammy G. Very cool, creamy and smokey, with a perfect hint of sweetness. Slow burning and simply delicious.

Incredible smooth, rich and elegant in the Gawith's style. Not complex, sure not a "balkan", but delicious and impeccable. In my opinion this may be a perfect every day winter time blend.

Without a doubt this is not a Balkan of any kind, but exceptionally good nonetheless. A perfect combination of flavorful Virginia and woodsy Latakia pressed into a dark flake. A bit wet out of the tin but smokable. Mild enough to be an all day smoke. I will continue to keep a tin on hand for when the mood strikes me. A perfect autumn time smoke.

A very pleasing tobacco, easy to rub out, pack and light. Nicely sweet but not overpoweringly so. Really smooth and mellow. I'm not that bothered if it is a Balkan or not but I do know that this is good stuff and will be my second favourite (after Mick Mcquaid.)