Samuel Gawith Navy Flake

I am a SG flake lover. I also love rum, so I had high expectations for this tobacco. The tin aroma was strong Latakia. I did not detect much rum. As far as flakes go, this was not as difficult to stay lit as some others. Yea it goes out some but the pipe you smoke flakes in makes a big difference. If you are having problems with this, I suggest you get a pipe with a wider inner bowl dimension and one that is not too deep. Check out a Baronet Bruyere 320 EX, a fantastic inexpensive pipe. It sports a 1” inner diameter bowl which is great for flakes.

Back to the Navy Flake review. The smoke has a very pleasant sweetness on the tip of the tong from the rum. It is mild-medium with absolutely no bite and medium nicotine. Not sure of the room note. I definitely don't mind it in my car! My next step is to compare this tobacco to G.L. Peases' Sextant. I'll give this one three and a half stars. I highly recommend it and I enjoy smoking it.

This is an unbelievably satisfying and scrumptious tobacco. I was immersed in enjoyment from the moment I opened the tin. My nostrils filled with a literally mouthwatering sweet, smokey, savory aroma. Visually the strips of tobacco look to be chewy and tasty and match the olfactory experience. As others have mentioned previously, I felt the urge to tear off a bit and begin noshing on the stuff. Instead I rubbed it out and for a first run packed it into a favorite Peterson system pipe. It rubbed out moist but I never dry out tobacco. I like moist tobacco. Dry tobacco usually becomes bitter in my opinion. Lighting up my mouth was filled with smoke that was consistent with both the previous visual and olfactory information I had acquired. DEEELICIOUS! Lots of sweet n'smokey in a smooth viscus and non-monotonous manner. The flavor always stayed in the sweet n' smokey category but varied in degrees of bright and dark flavors. The latakia is only a seasoning here, this is nothing like a Balkan or English Oriental blend. It'a really on the other side of the "English" varieties. Just ripe sweet Virginias with a pinch of Latakia and a splash of Rum. Oh I suppose there is some of the famous (or infamous) Lakeland essence here also. The result is outstanding and a pure pleasure to smoke without a hint of harshness or tongue bite. I've since smoked it in a variety of pipes. It's best enjoyed in a medium size bowl with a bit of depth like my Blakemar Briars Straight Grain,bent billiard. I've smoked it in a nice Shalom Author and the lack of depth led to too much re-lighting. Most very highly recommended!

The tin note is difficult to describe, but it smells nothing like latakia. It is sort of acrid and somewhat reminiscent of Squadron Leader. As it is customary with SG, these flakes do come in different lengths and thicknesses. The thinner ones will crumble easily whereas the thicker ones are harder to rub out. The flavour is of a subdued nature, creamy and mature. if you could smoke a dusty and musty old book, this is probably what it would taste like. The latakia side of it is not as strong or pronounced as in Balkan Flake, but it gives you the same impression of aged tobacco. I am finding this smoke both mild and satisfying at the same time. I am not sure as to what function the rum flavouring plays in this mixture, or if I can detect any. Not a complex tobacco that will evolve in different layers and undertones as you progress with your smoke, but it is really good for what is. It is easy to smoke, will get stronger every quarter of your bowl and won't change its nature, or get sour, at any point in time. Despite the fact it has no nicotine kick, this tobacco seems better suited for afternoon/evening smokes. The room note is mellow and rich, and has a spicy note to it. This is good old fashioned tobacco and I'll be buggered if it did not please the most demanding smokers out there, so I am going to give it four stars.

I love the presentation of this flake-big, meaty rectangles cut to fit the tin. Dark brown with little lighter flecks here and there, and also some strange almost powdery off-white discoloration. Just sugars leeching out; not mold. Mold is hairy! One can smell the Latakia and the rum, but these do not overpower the Virginias in either the tin smell or the smoke. A good smoke-when one wants a Gawith natural Virginia with a little Latakia and mild rum topping to make it interesting. A good change of pace, in other words. Like most Gawiths I've tried, best smoked slowly, but won't hurt you too bad if you don't.

Well, after finishing the tin just have to upgrade to four stars-can't see why not. A unique and satisfying tobacco, and one of my favorite uses of a light application of Latakia. I will have to get some more, and may try the bulk version.

Samuel Gawith - Navy Flake.

I reviewed this years ago but wanted to re-post.

The flakes run the length of the tin, are around 2 cm's wide, and are of a medium thickness. They're quite a dark shade of brown with some light grain running lengthways, and the best part of the unlit blend is the moisture: 7/10 for any other manufacturer but 10/10 for Sam Gawith!

When I had my first bowl, years ago, I instantly noticed the thickness of the smoke: big plumes! The Latakia has a more subdued style than some of the over smoky, sharp, and caustic varieties. The Virginias form the majority of the smoke, giving gentle fruit, some sweetness, and a touch of hay. The rum is added lightly: there's no alcoholic traits, only a sort of molasses sweetness from it. Navy Flake burns steady, very slowly, and is cool.

I'd say the nicotine's a bit lighter than the majority of my fellow reviewers: mild to medium, and the room-note's not the best.

Not perfect, but I'll highly recommend it!

Four stars.

Good lord, this is a delicious tobacco. I think the good points have been stated well enough by others. It's meaty. I mean, it really has a meaty, sweet beef jerky kind of smell in the tin.

The first time I tried this flake, I expected it to be a lot heavier blend; in fact, it's pretty moderate. The flavor is rich and smooth, it burns beautifully if rubbed out and dried a little (it's downright moist on arrival), and it's got enough nic-kick to keep one going on a late night writing session.

Delicious. One of my favorites.

As I just recently finished what was left of my 250 g box of this that followed the tin I bought forever ago, I just realized that I have never reviewed this blend and what a shame that is, because it is so great.

Sam Gawith is one of the top two Virginia processers IMO (the other being the now defunct McClelland). This is a great example of another fine Virginia blend offered under the label.

Their Navy Flake is different from most others in that it includes Latakia with the standard ingredients of Virginia and rum. This blend does not have much complexity, but what it lacks in complexity, it makes up in taste. The Latakia is lightly applied just enough to take the Virginia sweetness in a different direction. The rum is applied even lighter still, which IMO is a good thing.

True to SG blends, the bulk is better than tinned. Like their other flakes, the tins have thick rubbery flakes; whereas, the bulk has long thin bacon like flakes. Both need some dry time, but after that, they will perform splendidly. This is one of my top blends and one of 4 SG blends everyone should try. The others being FVF, St. James Flake and Squadron Leader.

My local tobacconist got some of this in a few days ago. I was on my last flak of Mac Baren's NF, so i thought I would give SG's a try.

The rum flavoring may have come out in the aroma a little... but not much. There is plenty of Latakia, but not overwhelming amounts. Seemed to be nice dark virginias mostly. Lit it up easily after "fold-n-stuff". Has a very nice spicy taste! I loved it! Definitely will be ordering some more of this! Highly recommended

Although rubbing out flakes can be bothersome, this is worth the effort! Great balance, with just enough Latakia and a nice rum taste in the background! Excellent smoke!