Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Coniston Cut Plug Aromatic

Presented in 1" to 1 1/4" wide flakes, sliced fairly thin. Very moist, nearly black in color, and somewhat sticky. All of this is probably from the steam pressing. Presents an interesting, sweet aroma, but I am not able to precisely say what the flavoring agent reminds me of.

I have tried this both folded and stuffed into a pipe, and rubbed out. Rubbing out makes this a very fine cut ribbon, almost a shag. Either form benefits from some drying to ease lighting. I find this tobacco works very well in tall, narrower bowls, and I have a Peterson Lovat (size group 3) and a Barling billiard (about a group 2 or 3) that favor this blend very much. Contrarily, I smoke most flakes in fairly wide-bowled pipes, as this seems to be the best way to yield the most flavor for me.

The initial light yields a huge flavor! The flavoring agent is present, though not domineering in the RB-plug fashion. The topping is applied with far more restraint, and compliments rather than buries the extremely rich taste of the dark-fired tobaccos. This is not a soapy smoke at all, to me, but very sweet, and possessing an immensely rich, dark flavor. All bass notes, with some strong mid-range flavors, this tobacco is like molasses or brown sugar.

The secondary light was very even, and the smoke simply drives forward very easily from there. It is an easy smoke to keep going after a relight or two, and because the flavors are so strong, it is easy to smoke while doing something else. Also, I find that the bite-factor is almost non-existent. Usually this is the point where McClelland flakes bite me the hardest. Kendal flakes seem to be a bit more tame, especially the steam-pressed ones. I admit, I have never seen any other kind.

At the mid-point, the burn is very even and predictable. I would have to smoke this very hard to induce it to bite, and find this is also typical of my experience with Lakeland blends. The added flavor is much less pronounced at this point, and the native tobacco flavors dominate. This is my favorite part of a smoke after the initial light, where I feel a blend's true colors show.

Toward the bottom, the flavor is even more intense. The bowl is very easy to keep lit, despite the wetness, but there is the onset of some bitterness. I find this happens frequently wit fire-cured Malawi, I guess, as I don't find it as frequently in other blends from the USA and Germany. The ash is light grey, almost white, extremly fine, and powder-coats the bowl with a fine, thin, unform layer. I find this characteristic of Kendal blends, as well. Watch out for the nicotine at this point, as this blend is very strong.

On the whole, a very satisfying, rich, stout smoke. It answers very well after dinner, helping settle a meal admirably with strong coffee or a suitable adult libation. There are many other scented flakes that I loathe, but Coniston surprised me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the 4 ounces of this I smoked. However, because their are many other blends I enjoy more (especially Kendal Plug), I doubt I'll keep this on hand in enough quantity to warrant more than an occasional smoke.

8/8/04

The look and jar note of this one are deceiving. It is quite dark and smoky smelling and I steeled myself expecting a St. Bruno sort of smoke with a hint of Lakatia - ish twist but I couldn't be more wrong. This tobacco opens with a sweetness that carries through the bowl and has oaky sub notes with a very slight floral touch that flits in and out. I found the strength around the medium mark and the room note more than tolerable. I would recommend this to all pipe smokers as its a very enjoyable and well presented tobacco overall. I think it works better in a smaller bowl. The flavour stays pretty consistent and requires few lights. It is a much more refined tobacco than either St Bruno or Condor and is something that I will enjoy any time of the day.

This is a weird tobacco to me. Haven't gotten used to it after a few ounces. The thing is, it has a very dark, heavy, almost charcoal bottom note, a light honey or clove top note, and an interesting mixture of Virginia type flavors in between. It's not a knock-out, like most of the plugs and ropes, and the balance of flavors is a little more complex, and a little sweeter. I first checked it out around 1995 from James Barber, and that seemed much milder and sweeter than this 2017 variety. It's pleasant for a heavy tobacco, thanks to the mild topping, and it burns relatively cool. I suppose it would categorize as a "lakeland" by the bouquet.

I was looking for something a little lighter, a la Ennerdale or Kendal Flake. This packs more of a punch, and has that charcoal taste at the bottom.

I think I'll stick with it for now. It's growing on me a little.

After sifting through the many reviews I decided to take the plunge into these "Lakeland" types. I picked up 3 of the G&H blends, Bosun cut plug, Ennerdale, and Coniston. I designated 2 new MM Legend cob pipes to the task due to the "Ghosting" warnings here & there. Anyway, as I was shaking out the small stuff from the jar & rubbing out a few larger pieces I started getting that "Giddy feeling" like we got back in the high school days as one parked the car out on the moon lit ridge in expectation of good things to follow. This is now my 4th or 5th bowl of Coniston and things keep getting better & better, It packs well, not the easiest lighting but burns very well leaving a fine light ash with very little moisture in the bowl, I find this stuff likes to be sipped rather than a steady puff so an occasional relight is needed. My highly refined & delicate palate can tell the difference between Catsup & Hot sauce so you will have to use other reviews for all the info on the subtle this & that, Some say this is "Soapy" or "Floral" and I will lean towards the floral notes, One will like it or not and the best I can really say is to give it a shot since I think one can do far worse. The G&H blends are now in my jars and will stay in my rotation for a welcome change of pace from the Dunhills & VA Flakes I usually smoke.