Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Scotch Mixture

I really like G&H. They make a bewildering array of quality pipe tobacco. But this one is a surprising departure from the experience I've come to expect from G&H's blends. Love them or hate them, G&H blends have definite personalities and flavors. This one has neither. The virginia lacks savor and the latakia tastes like another company's rejects. The blend's as bland and tasteless as a dusty attic.

The ounce of bulk I have makes me wonder if there is a quality-control issue or if this needs a lot of aging (or if I am just sensitive to Lakelands). In any case, for me, the dominate flavor was the Lakelands (although they weren't as powerful as in some other GH blends I've tried), with barely a hint of latakia. Mixing it with other blends, however, reduces the Lakelands enough to make it a refreshing change of pace. Since I know there are many tobaccos out there I would rate a 4, the question arises would I rebuy this particular tobacco, assuming my tastes don't change much more. In this case, the answer is probably not.

Bulk: Supplied in bulk, SM is a long, thin ribbon, shag cut, ranging from medium to light brown, mostly medium, with a small percent of black ribbon. There is a very mild smoky latakia aroma, and a faint sweet scent in the background. The ribbon is supple and not very moist. There is no sticky residue lift on the fingers.

Burning: Burns with one match all the way to the bottom.

Taste & Aroma: The Kendal Lake District floral arrangement is subdued compared to, let's say, N0. 5 Mixture, presumably partly masked by the latakia, which is likewise not very evident. The amount of latakia makes this a rather mild English blend.

Top of Bowl: Subdued floral taste

Mid-bowl: The mild smoky latakia partly obscures the small floral arrangement.

Nicotine: Mild

Room Note: Pleasant to tolerable

Overall: The tin description says it is cased. Not really a substantial English blend, the latakia barely making its presence known. Like other GH blends of this type, there is a definite but mild salsa effect on the tongue. 2.9 stars.

Just thought I would add a little update about the 'tin description'....Here's a quote from the Gawith site:

SCOTTISH MIXTURE - A VERY TRADITIONAL BRITISH BLEND COMBINING FLUE-CURED VIRGINIAS, AIR CURED AND DARK-FIRED LEAF WITH THE ADDITION OF A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF LATAKIA. 100% PURE LEAF WITH NO ADDITIONAL FLAVOURINGS.

(Sorry about the CAPS. I'm not yelling at you, that's the way its printed by Gawith Hoggarth.) Now someone is probably going to tell me there is a difference between Scotch mixture and Scottish Mixture. If so, conk me on the head. They only list one.

8.27.2007: I saw a dust-covered paper sack of this blend behind the counter at a local (Sacramento) Tinder Box. The owner didn't even know it was there. Since it had been opened and not properly stored, the contents were quite crispy, and I got a good deal on two ounces. After re-hydration and combustion, I promptly went back for 4 more oz.'s. This is good. I'm guessing that the drying out of this blend reduced whatever top flavor there might have been to null, since I tasted nothing but tobacco.

It's a good blend. I add about five % Latakia to it. It's a little spicy and has a full round flavor. Smokes very cool and dry. This one I like to have on hand, though I only smoke a bowl a day.

My wife also smokes this one. She says it's the most relaxing tobacco I keep in stock. I plan on ordering more from cheaper sources.

p.s. As my wife is not a Full Time pipe smoker, this might be a good smoke for those new to the pipe.

Another fine offering from G&H. More of a traditional English with Latakia taking the lead all the way. Too much Latakia for me. It is a quality smoke however and for those who like the smoky flavors to dominate, this is a winner. I much prefer the Virginias and Orientals to be more in the foreground. Three and one-half stars.

I tried this blend for the first time in a long time. Initially, I was a little disappointed, having remembered it being one of my favorites. After 4 bowls, I left it alone in the jar for a few weeks. Low & behold, I don't know what happened but it's high on my list again. Just as I remembered, it has that unique floral Virginia taste that is only possessed by Lake District blends. The Latakia gives it the smoky spice keeping the floral taste in check. I can almost taste a presence of mint somewhere in the floral arrangement, but then the nutiness of the burley supplements the other tobaccos in the blend. The cavendish though in a small amount, seems to tie everything else together, giving this blend a unique character. I've read many descriptions of this blend and half say there is a special Virginia casing, the other half say no additional flavorings. I am inclined to believe there are no flavorings, as my familiarity with Lake District blends sets certain expectations of how that natural tobacco tastes.