Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Top Black Cherry

I usually smoke at least a few hundred grams of something before I review it. If I don't like something, I don't smoke it. As a result, I write very few bad reviews. (Well, my reviews themselves may suck, but I don't often give one or two star ratings).

That said, I've only had half a bowl of this. Cherry aromatics aren't my thing. But, if you're into them, this is one of the better ones, and that's why I'm reviewing it.

Top Black has decent cherry flavor on top of stewed tobacco. My sample is crispy dry. (bulk). Tiny black kibbled tobacco. Burns alright with no bite, but frankly, no flavor either. I definitely don't dig the room note, though. I could see this really turning someone's crank, if that someone's a cherry buff. I'm not. Two stars.

I believe this is identical to Exclusive Black Cherry if you buy it in bulk. In any event, its likely not what many will be expecting. What it is in fact is a really outstanding tart cherry blend somewhat typical of all G-H tobacco products. It is not a sweet syrupy aromatic but a black cavendish blend, double fermented (so GH tells us and I believe them) and cased in a tart musky cherry flavor. The nic hit is above mild, closer to medium, and the flavor is full. Its delicious. I dont smoke many aromatics outside of the GH flakes and a few semi aro's like Macbaren dark roll twist and C&D's After Hours, but this one is great and nice change from my usual virginia flakes and vapers. Its more complex than one might expect. And the tobacco is very high quality, as is always the case with GH. Its worth a try. Smokes very cool and tasty right to the end of the bowl.

So many cherry blends on the market lack real cherry flavor. They tend to range from downright awful to really great copies of artificial cherry flavor. As expected from GH, the cherry flavor really tastes better than both ends of that spectrum. The only negative is that it tends to coat my mouth a bit, but that is likely a body chemistry issue. Top Cherry is a good aromatic to venture into for non-aromatic smokers wanting to venture off into something aromatic. If you are a fan of cherry flavored aromatics, this should be on your shopping list.

I just finished my fifth bowl of this tobacco, and much like my reaction to this companies blend Bob's Chocolate Flake...all I can say is, WOW! I have NEVER enjoyed a cherry aromatic blend as much as I am enjoying this tobacco. Most cherry blends I have tried have been dry and hot, leaving my mouth charred and needing skin grafts...but not this fine blend. It is very moist out of the tin and did require a few relights, but other than that, a very delicious topping that I personally feel is not overpowering at all, I could taste both casing and tobacco all the way down the bowl as I puffed, no tonguebite and no nasty aftertaste. A stronger blend than most cherry blend smokers would be used to, but that is another plus for me...and another WOW!...everyone around you will love this one...I recieved many compliments on the room note as soon as I began smoking this...yet another plus...Highly Recommended!!

*****UPDATE 5-24-06***** This blend just gets better and better!! I have figured out what this most reminds me of while smoking it..China Black variety Black Cherry Tea!! Absolutely fantastic!! The flavor comes through all the way down the bowl. If there were a five star rating available, this blend would get it!!

Not your typical cherry tobacco despite the black cavendish base. The best I liken this to is perhaps mildly scented artisan soap , not overly perfumed as one may fear from the Lakelanders. Mild syrupy-sweet dark cherry with almost bitter, herbal-medicinal undertone and perhaps lavender. It's bite free with a round but light sweetness where the top flavor isn't very forthcoming. It's quality aromatic but sort of too grandma old fashion in scent for me.

Smoking this as I type, this a very easy to smoke tobacco with strong notes of cherry, I would say that this is quite mild and could easily be smoked all day. I have smoked the Gawith American blend cherry and I would definitely say the top cherry is a better smoke, with a more natural cherry taste. Easy to smoke straight out of the bag. A top smoke, I will definitely be having again.

Pipe Used: Parker Basket Pipe (Hungarian)

Age When Smoked: Fresh out of the bag

Purchased From: http://www.gqtobaccos.com/gawith-hoggarth-exclusiv-top-black-cherry/

This is one of my first tobaccos to does not have enough experience, and since it is a cigar burning too hot I tended to burn the tongue, the Tin Aroma is very good to prune, the note in the room is nice although a little artificial sweet rather as a drug, nicotine load is of mild to medium which gives a quiet and relaxing smoke. I think that it would give him another chance when have more control in the smoke for the moment no.

I bought a tin of this several years ago, and smoked a few bowls but got discouraged with it due to the moisture content. Well, we all know what happens when you forget about a blend and find it several years later.

Initially this was a wet smoking blend that was hard to keep lit. Its not your typical cloying cherry cough syrup topping, this tastes like natural cherries. Now, its a lot easier to light, and the wetness has disappeared. Still has the natural cherry scent, but it has diminished some. as DMKerr stated, it leaves a weird film in the mouth. Maybe PG? Either way, if its dried out and is at optimum smoking moisture, this is a great aromatic blend from a blender across the pond. Don't pack too tight though, then it is impossible to light.

Top Black Cherry was a delightful smoke, I finished off my tin in record time (especially for a cherry blend). Me and cherry tobacco's do not really get along, I love aromatics and I love cherry flavor but put together can have a volatile effect on ones tongue. TBC has a natural topping, nothing cough syrupy or artificial tastes and I think that combined with quality leaf almost eliminates any tongue bite, the nicotine level is low. So if you enjoy cherry toppings but have been burned in the past then try TBC, I think you will be pleasantly surprised! Also a much better beginner tobacco than say Paladin or Captain Black Cherry IMHO..