Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Scotch Mixture

This blend reminds me of some 40+ year old Mac Baren Scottish Blend that I had the other day, thanks to the generosity of a friend.

This blend, in my opinion, reinforces the qualities of a matured Virginia. It has an "oatmeal porridge" quality, and the Cavendish and Latakia add spice, though you shouldn't expect them to be at the fore. If there is a topping, I can't discern what it is as it's quite subtle, and quite harmonious. Nice papery, lightly sweet, floral virginia.

I will definitely be buying more of this. It's quite affordable as a bulk offering so I'd recommend trying it (what've you got to lose), and my guess is that the tin offering is even better.

[Update: 10/7/2019]

I purchased a pound of Scotch Mixture, having cherished the fond recollection of the earlier ounces that inspired this review two years ago. You ought never be to blame for investing in a sizable stockpile of your favorite tobaccos, preferably now and not later, for the only reason that your favorites will invariably change with time. Sadly this blend isn't what I remembered it to be. It's drier. Thinner. The intriguing depth and mysterious essence are hardly there. I'd liken it to a very mild English interpretation of a "codger blend"---certainly not bad, but not quite what I wished my reacquaintance with it to be. My advice to myself, two years ago, ought to have been to buy up plenty of this blend to put away. In its current incarnation I'd only "somewhat recommend" it. I wish I had a bowl or so of the earlier stuff squirreled away somewhere.

Why do they call an english mixture "Scotch Mixture"? Well, that's not scottish blend type, although proportions of it's components are quite familiar. We've got tightly compacted and fairly moist contents: (according to the manufactor data) 53% Virginia, 17% Burley, 7,5% Black Cavendish and 12,5% Latakia. It tastes slightly sweetish , slightly bity, sometimes tight , sometimes severely and after a while cool and gentle at the same time. Finally, theres is also (unexpectedly) even a coffee flavor. Not good enough to be a trully scottish blend type, but also not so bad as for english one.

'You won't like this', said my son, who was really into Latakia blends at the time.

I had to agree, before I'd even dared to open the tin. But I HAD to you see, to try it for myself. I don't care for Latakia per se. It reminds me of a hot summer day when they are asphalting the roads, back in 1975.

So this poor old blend was on a hiding to nothing really and well on it's way into my son's cellar.

A new pipe (thought it might ghost an old favourite) was used. Opening you'd expect wring-out wetness normally associated with Gawiths blends.

It was actually quiet dry. Promising I thought.

Yes there was THAT smell of old coach yards, of hot pitch or burnt leather, as expected. The look of the tobacco looked quite inviting - curly broad cut strands more golden brown than you's expect.

It doesn't do to squash this tobacco into a bowl. I found this out later. It seems to expand more than usual, and the 50g tin seems to go on forever.

Burning, it behaves itself nicely and I expected violent objections to lighting this stuff up in the lounge. No comment from Mrs RW. Hmmm.

The taste and smell of Latakia hits home as soon as you apply the light. Strong, dark, tarry. It was what I expected........BUT the Latakia suddenly did a nose-dive. It slipped into the background, still apparent, but just growling in the shadows.

I was rewarded with a rich toasty, mellow taste, which was maintained almost to the bottom of the bowl. Very nice. Very nice indeed. Mr Latakia stayed silent throughout.

Well what a surprise. I like this blend. I wasn't supposed to. Maybe as you fit the seven year itch on pipe smoking your tastes change, it would seem that mine are. Ok I am not going to dive into classic Latakia blends anytime soon, but this is part of my rotation and if another tin came my way it would be happily cellared and brought out as required.

Oh yes, my son has gone off Latakia now.....

I found Scotch Mixture to be very bland and not at the level that other G&H blends can reach. I also think that the Latakia in this blend could have been left out which would have let the other leafs shine, its as another reviewer noted almost like an afterthought and my sample had some sort of mild Lakeland essence either added or it was in close proximity to Ennerdale and I did not enjoy the Latakia / Lakeland combination. I enjoy Scottish mixtures and was expecting more along the lines of Davidoff Scottish or even Macbaren's Scottish IE: VIrginia, Burley and Black Cavendish, a slightly aromatic, easy going mild blend without Latakia. Had I read the description before purchasing I would have passed. Not a bad blend but again, boring to my palate.

I like this blend, but it confuses my taste buds. Evergreen smokiness with a nice amount of spice and some floral notes. It just doesn't quite taste the way I would think a blend of these components would taste. The spice tastes very Perique like, but there is no Perique. I can't really discern the Burley. It all makes my head hurt to think about it. Even so, this blend has an appeal. I kind of like it. 2 stars.

I must confess that this was my first venture into the 'Land of Lakeland Essence' and I'm still trying to get my head around that...and this after being told that said essence is very light in this blend--Saints preserve--That being said, I was a little disappointed because this is NOT a traditional Scottish blend...Virginias, Burley, Cavendish...all well and good although the Burley is not absolutely necessary for a traditional blend...it the Latakia that I take exception to...In traditional Scottish blends, you would find Orientals and not Latakia...Seems like today the norm is 'When in doubt, dump in some Latakia'...the Orientals would not be as heavy as you would find in an old, traditional English blend...just enough to tickle the palate and make everything interesting...Strangely enough I would try this again to confirm my initial feelings...I know I'm a glutton...

This is a difficult review for me to write, as I absolutely love GH & Co.'s tobaccos. This blend, however, is the exception to the rule. I bought about 2 oz of this around a year ago and I just finished it a few weeks ago. I had been mulling over it for a while and I just don't feel that this one spoke to me.

Don't misunderstand me; there's positively nothing wrong with this blend at all. It burned well and still had the nice GH mouth-feel that the other blends offer. I think that it just isn't for me. I found this blend to be just too bland to catch my interest; which is stange, because I like a lot of other tobaccos that other pipers find bland. Oh, well... Even for GH, they can't all be winners.

I would find it very surprising if this actually is the best selling Latikia mixture in Europe as I think our brothers of the briar across the pond have better taste. I love many GH blends but this simply isn't that interesting. Yes, it packs well and burns well. Those that don't like the florals of GH will find this to be on the very light side in that department. It is cool smoking and those that enjoy a light English should give this one a try. I just think that given the number of tobaccos in this blend that it could have been much more interesting. Due to the high quality tobacco that GH produces, I'm sure there are some that will really enjoy this blend, but its not my cup of tea.

Good English tobacco, typical Lakeland flavor without much soapy after taste, very classic lakeland flavor without any spectacular performance, relaxing smoke, natural and wild flavor, no topping/casing but still require your Lakeland dedicated pipe.

I am smoking 1oz of this with other 8oz sample from G. & H., good change of pace, maybe I won?t buy more