Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Best Brown #2

I don't know what's been going on at G & H over the last few years but things are not boding well. I smoked BB #2 about 3 years ago and was absolutely charmed by the 4 YO tin I had smoked. The tobacco had good body while remaining smooth. The Virginias and Burleys were top notch and I could not make out any casing. I smoked my way through the tin in record time. This time the tin I recently opened had aged for two years. Right away, things went downhill. The tin note was of strong vinegar with an underlying, typical Lakeland casing. The olfactory experience was off putting, to say the least. Not because of the Lakeland essence: I am a big fan of several G & H mixtures but the last few tins of BB #2 did not have an added essence. The smoking was worse. Already on the dry side, the bloody thing would not burn. So I decided to wait another week. The flakes had become bone dry. But behold, it would still not burn properly. And, of course, the tobacco was absolutely bland or almost bland and procured some tongue bite. As for the nicotine, it seemed to be MIA. I courageously sustained 3 pipefuls before deciding to mix it with some MB Modern Virginia and see if it will help or make it worse. I, like everyone else, work hard for my money and I detest to throw out any tobacco without at least having tried a combo with another tobacco in the hope of avoiding having to dispatch it. Back to the review. Again, an overdose of PG seems to be the answer to everything and anything. Unfortunately, it will not make an unsuitable batch of flakes any better, quite the contrary. It's very sad when I get more satisfaction and enjoyment with a pouch of Borkum Riff Original than with a reputable house such as G & H. I hope this was a 'bad' tin because I had ordered about 15 at the time it became available. I have this curious feeling that another mixture (sub-standard) was thrown in this tin. Not BB #2. In summary: Need I say I do not recommend this tobacco?

The tobacco has the color of stained oak. The slicing of the plates from the bag is sloppy and crumbly, like most Gavich flakes. The tobacco is quite moist, which affects the smoking. It smells of molasses with a slight scent of wormwood, a bit of saltiness from dried fish, the classic earthy scent of Burley and a bready hint of Virginia. Lakeland doesn't overpower the overall scent, but rather sets the stage for this complex flavor. It took me quite a while to identify all the nuances. I know that some people don't like the smell of molasses (treacle). I can recommend drying the tobacco outdoors, the base of the odor is easily weathered.

Tobacco is well kneaded due to the crumbly cut. When smoking, the tobacco gives a flavor of nutty, sweet molasses with flour - very similar to the taste of gingerbread. As you smoke it adds the typical dry earthiness of Burley and a grassy hint of Virginia. The strength is medium. It doesn't bite, but there is some harshness in the smoke - not even harshness, but more of a roughness. The blend burns slowly and cool, sometimes fading. Smoking is moist if you do not dry the tobacco - so I recommend a pipe with a filter. The aftertaste is pretty much the same as smoking. The smoke is medium dense, but fairly persistent in flavor.

Overall, I'm not a fan of Burley-based blends, but I find this tobacco quite good. can only be faulted for quality control, where the tobacco in the bag can be overly moist or flavorful.

The mixture of Gawith’s fantastic Virginia leaf with African burley makes for a tasty smoke. The VA tobaccos are earthy, sweet and grassy, while the burley adds depth and fullness to the smoke. The sugar casing is mildly applied and accentuates the flavors of the VA leaf. There is some residue Lakeland essence: I would put it as a one or a two on a Lakeland 0-10 sauce scale. I can taste the ghost for a smoke or two afterwards in my pipes dedicated to VA blends. Overall, Best Brown #2 is almost perfection and easily recommendable.

There is a little “lakeland essence “ in the taste of Best Brown #2 . I did not like the floral topping at all at first but I am kinda getting used to it somewhat but still don’t love it . There is very little in this blend . The Virginias are hay and citrus right off with a little baked bread . The Burley is very subtle but adds a little nuttiness and body . A citrus sweetness is the main flavor to me overall. I get no soapiness from the lakeland at all . It is a decent smoke . 2 1/2 to 3 star blend . Don’t regret trying it but wouldn’t buy it again .

For a while I've wanted to try this blend. Finally had the chance when I got some from my pipe-club (Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston). Overall it's a fine blend but I find it monochromatic. For me, it has a main citrus note that pervades the smoke. It's smooth for the most part but has little depth. I'm not a fan of burley so can't speak to the quality of that element -- but though it adds body it seems to add little depth or flavor. It's a nice blend -- but only nice, so I won't be pursuing it. If you seek a consistent blend all day this might be your cup of tea, but for me it's just "meh" as my nephew would say. Seekers of nuance or depth in a VA blend might wish to look elsewhere.

(In relatively cold weather, 6-8℃) I've had this tin for about a year, but the Gawith & Hoggarth and Sam Gawith blends seem to be pre-aged. This came in long flakes and there were tons of crystals and plume on the flakes. It had a touch of something floral in the smell, but I don't think this is intended to be one of their scented tobaccos. It mostly had a sweet, tangy, wine-like, earthy, and slightly leathery smell.

The flakes are moist and could definitely use some drying to aid the combustion. I've tried it without drying and I had to re-light many times.

The taste was somewhat tangy and sweet, developing into some bready flavors and wine-like tangy flavors. It unfolds into a round, creamy, nutty taste with some woody (sometimes cigarish) accents and floral accents. It's really good in its unique way. The only negative with this blend was the moisture out of the tin. I also think it does ghost briar pipes.

Strength is mild to medium, and so is the taste. The nicotine was mild, for me.

I recommend this to Virginia lovers, Burley lovers, and Lakeland lovers. Also, anyone that likes an easy-going blend, and you don't mind prepping. It could be an all-day blend for someone that likes mild strength and flavor. It's totally enjoyable. Three stars.

The VA's lead the way here. They have a slight grassy note, along with toasted grain, a little yeasty at times and a dark fruit note and a very light sweet spicy note as well. The burley is earthy, with a slightly nutty nuance here and there. The topping is sweet and adds to the overall sweetness of the blend. The lakeland essence has been added but with a light hand. It comes forward when lighting, and at subsequent relights but otherwise remains in the background. The nic is closer to mild-med and there is a creaminess to the smoke. Overall, I would place the total strength at the bottom end of med. Needs a few relights but worth the effort. Smoked slowly all these nuances can be tasted smoked quickly the lakeland essence seems to be more forward. This would be a great entry into the lakeland genre for those who are hesitant to try them.

This flake is a bit thicker than something like a Dunhill Flake. This being the case, I cut this up cube style, and gravity feed it into a medium sized billiard. A light tamp, and you're off to the races. For an unscented blend, I definitely taste the Lakeland Essence. Not too heavy, but it's there. Very smooth, lots of smoke. Nic hit is mild. It's an excellent flake, but I would love it even more, without the floral taste. Probably won't order this one again...

Beautiful multicolored flake in the bag. Perfect moisture content. When sniffed I get earthy, bready, dark and deep fermentation (slightly sweet), with hints of slight tang. Didn't detect any floral notes right from the bag.

I was gifted this from my local tobacco shop during a pipe night. I just now have been well enough to give it a go. Rubs out easily and packs just fine. Took a bit of lights to get it going, but easy to keep lit (rubbed out) with slight tamping.

I'm not too familiar with burley and burley va mixtures. I've been trying my hand at them recently to get a grasp of what they are about. I think this is a fine example of what can happen when you blend those two tobaccos together. The smoke is plentiful and not too harsh. The VA's provide a very slight sweetness and tang while the Burley gives some nuttiness and maybe even some dark fruit notes, but ever so lightly. The two flavors balance each other nicely and create quite an enjoyable and satisfying smoke. The floral notes are there, but not in great supply. Just a hint here or there, which is fine by me as I don't care for too much floral of soap essence.

This is an interesting smoke and is quite enjoyable. It's probably not one I'll invest much money or time into, but it was a great experience along the way. I would recommend this blend for sure as it is high quality and satisfying.