Samuel Gawith Westmorland Mixture

Here is a lightyly aromatic mixture of virginia, cavendish and a smidgen of latakia. As to the cavendish, I suspect a combination of both light and the noticeable dark cavendish. This is very mild in that I don't think an all regular virginia base would provide as evidenced by it's color, hence light cavendish. This is not a significant latakia blend, in fact I almost can not detect it. Close olfactory examination of the tin's bouquet shows a subtle pressence. This has the effect of subtly contouring the aroma in conjunction with it's light casing that produces a unique and different effect. I can't quite describe the casing. There is some subtle sweetness and whatever else. This may be compared somewhat to those americanized aromatic/english blends of cased burley that has some light degree of aromatic dressing and a smidgen of latikia. I can't describe what else would come close. Anyways, not a whole lot of flavor, somewhat bland, subtle sweatness with it's different subtle aroma. Not bad though, still a pleasant blend but not a bell ringer. A good breakfast smoke. May prove good for those who would like to experiment with the addition of more condimental leaf.

With all due respect, I don't think Westmorland has anything to do with My Mixture 965. For one, it is definitely more soapy and less structured. It also has a kind of artificial sweetness not at all present in Dunhill's. Having said that, I don't think this is a bad blend at all. Personally it's not one that I would smoke regularly, but for an every-now-and-then smoke I guess it's OK. Again: the British attempts to create flavored tobaccos (save, perhaps, Gold Block), have not been exactly successful, and this, I am afraid, is the case.

Samuel Gawith's Westmorland Mixture is bizarre. This weed does not know if it wants to be an English or an aromatic. The raw tobacco is mostly light in colour and I do not know where the Cyprian Latakia is hiding. Indeed, forget the description as it is more than 'lightly sweetened' and certainly not 'wonderfully round and supple'. With that said, if you like aromatics and want something stronger than the usual aromatic this might be for you (even if does not pack well and can, without care, burn hot). In America's southern states they have what is called (if I recall correctly) 'sweet tea' (with the accent on 'sweet')--this is a chilled (iced) tea with a massive dose of sugar. The flavour of this stuff certainly reminds me of sweet tea--sickly sweet. And it is not MY cup of tea for certain. I can only conclude that it I were stranded on a deserted island with 300 of the best briar pipes in the world and 300 tins of this stuff, I would build a raft out of 299 of the pipes and set sail. Yes, I would save one of those pipes for the time when I reached civilisation.

Lots of taste and lots of interplay, yet it's not a subtle blend. It's a refined blend. I'd compare it to 19th century French cuisine, Viennese pastry or Metaxa brandy. Metaxa is a brandy with added herbal aromas. Very difficult for a millenial like myself to grasp. If the brandy itself is good quality, then why add something else? See, I understand the concept of single origin, and I also understand the concept of a blend. But some things are neither. Westmorland, to me, seems to belong in a pre-WWI-context, along with the other examples I gave. It’s an attempt to have all the subtlety, but on the surface. Not: a surface layer you have to penetrate and then the layers beneath where you discover more tastes the deeper you go. But: a delicate mixture of tastes right in the front, that is however balanced to perfection.

I like it. The latakia adds some depth, and that’s mainly what it does. I can’t describe the taste, but I find it tastes warm and friendly. Don't expect the taste of an English blend with cavendish added. It's got the same parts, but a totally different result.

I rate it 3,5 out of 4, by which I mean: I could smoke this exclusively, but I like it slightly less then 4 star tobaccos.

Samuel Gawith - Westmorland Mixture.

An early review I thought should be re-posted, I didn't think it was very good! I wasn't a fan when I piped this years back, to be honest it still doesn't float my boat!

A good point about Westmorland is the hydration, although it's a bit damp, it isn't actually wet! I could see by the look of the blend that a Lat-Bomb this isn't. In fact, the Latakia takes on a 'seasoning' role, keeping the way clear for the Virginia. I'm unsure as to what, exactly, the other/misc flavours are, but I notice a herby taste, which seems to become almost floral after half a bowl. Half a bowl, it reaches this point in no time whatsoever. It also bites, and burns hot.

Nicotine: mild to medium. Room-note: strong.

Although I hope the quality of my review has changed, something that hasn't is my rating. Not recommended:

One star.

The epitome of blandness, flatness and prominent absence of any character.

Not enough Latakia to be an English blend, not enough flavourings to be an aromatic. Just plain warm steam going back and forth down the throat. Not offensive, not harsh, not pungent, doesn't bite when over-puffed, doesn't produce enjoyable aromas when slowly sipped. Just Nothing, however you smoke it!

Westmorland may be a good newbies' sandbox blend which won't harm a baby however he abuses the pipe. But for me, it's just a Great Nothing.

Total waste of money, I regret I didn't buy whichever other SG blend instead of this. The blend might perhaps get a little better after it dries for some time in the tin. Then I'll try it again.

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UPD 1.5 years later:

Well, I tried it again. And I found a perfect use for Westmoreland: I beautifully stained a pipe with it! Here's how:

I soaked 10 g of Westmorland in 100 ml of 5% ammonia for 2 days and then refinished my Peterson with multi-layered stain-and-polish. What a beautiful deep color it gives! When staining, ammonia smell was evaporating faster than the stain was drying out. What it smelled afterwards was a pleasant hint of tobacco. The Westmorland stain keeps perfectly on the briar, no colour fading after a month of use.

Despite this huge success, I won't add any stars. Westmoreland Mixture is very good for wood-staining but just awful for smoking.

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UPD 3 years later:

I'm happy to note, that the Westmoreland-stained Peterson still looks brilliant. Not even a faintest discoloration despite quite a heavy use. Now I know for sure what Westmoreland Mixture is really good for.

Bright yellow Virginia ribbon cut with flecks of black Cavendish. The tin note is like sweet fresh hay with a faint hint of Latakia. Slightly moist in the tin. The taste is pleasant, mild Virginias and the Cavendish (Tonquin?) gives a nice smooth buttery sweetness, with a very subtle hint of Latakia barely peeking through, and the occasional barest hint of mild mint? This would be ideal for someone who is used to plain Va/Cavendish blends to get a hint of Latakia without it being overpowering, but I suspect a Latakia afficionado would find this rather bland. Personally, I like it and could smoke this on a semi-regular basis.

Firstly I was excited to try this blend.

Sadly upon opening the can it was obvious that it was not sealed correctly, was far too easy to open and appeared to be void of any vacuum. Thankfully the tobacco looked nice, yellow appearance and slightly moist too. So I assume very fresh from the factory despite the non-existent sealing.

Samuel Gawith, sort it out!

Easy to pack and lovely large strands of tobacco. Little aroma due to poor sealing from factory. Smoked well enough, but the sealing is a huge let down. Can I trust the next one I buy to be sealed properly or another waste of 10 GBP?

I hope you have better experience here than I did.

I have only one question about this blend: What in the hell were they thinking about?