Samuel Gawith Sam's Flake

Sam's Flake is to me the younger and the weaker brother of the Kendal Cream Deluxe Flake. They are both generously flavored, having that controversial but to me not at all unpleasant floral note so often referred to as the 'Lakeland scent'.

Sam's Flake started as quite an interesting smoke fresh out of the tin, which was aged for 2 years. It does not have that nicotine kick of Kendal Cream, but is strong enough for me to serve as a satisfying evening smoke. Quality virginia which SG is known for, Orientals are barely noticeable, and a casing which clearly stands out.

Gradually though, as it aired out in the open tin, the flake lost practically all of its nice taste that was so pleasant in the beginning, which goes to show that its charm is mostly in its flavoring. Without it, it somehow became almost boring, as opposed to Kendal Cream which seemed only to improve towards the end of the tin.

Somewhat recommended, provided you move it to a jar after opening or smoke it very quickly, as within two weeks it's faded.

On opening the tin, an intense scent of hay and grass from Virginia greets you. Absolutely no whiff of Orientals, nor of any flavouring. Neatly arranged flake straps of yellow and brown colour, with very few black sparkles. Moisture in tin is unexpectedly low for a Samuel Gawith. This brand normally stands for soaking wet tobaccos. Still, it needs a little drying time before stuffing. According to the producer this mixture consists of Virginias and Orientals only, with an additional flavouring of tonka bean.

The main players of this mixture are the Virginias with flavours of hay, grass, earth and a hint of citrus. The Orientals are in a far background. They are here to donate some body, wood and a little spice to the blend, not to show up. They marry up well with the Virginias. IMO the tonka bean flavouring is unnecessary, but it has been done carefully. I care more about the traces of a floral note that I don’t like. Given the place of production (Kendal, Lakeland) it could be possible, that a cloud of dreadful “Lakeland essence” touched this blend unintentionally. These two alien flavours set back the natural tobacco aromas considerably. The nicotine level is low. This mixture is far from being characterful or deep digging. It does not stand out in any way. I shall not come back to it.

Fantastic open-tin aroma. Hard to describe, rich raisin or perhaps dates or even figs.

Neat soldiers of flakes await. I choose to rub out. Smooth tasty smoke, well worth picking out every other day, when the mood arrives.

I've almost finished the tin and still can't really get a handle on this taste.

Certainly not a tobacco to smoke all day every day. Don't know if I'd buy another tin, but certainly buy 25g quantities if on offer.

Well worth exploring. Boring it isn't.

Two months after popping my tin of Samuel Gawith’s Sam’s Flake, I have about a pipe or two left over. The flakes are dark brown with some mediun brown and tan flecks and striations. Tin note is damped and low for the varietals, and it’s nothing to write home about. In terms of size and shape, the flakes remind me of stick type chewing gum. The flakes are also about the consistency of old chewing gum, which is to say, rubbery and tough, and they handle, load, light, and smoke down about that well for me, too. I’m guessing the tonquin is part of a soup, along with treacle, maybe some plum and some geranium, the blend is dowsed with at some point. It took about a month for the tonquin to fade away, but the flakes have remained sticky and they have resisted rubbing out to the present, even after drying them in the sun. I finally resorted to scissors, but it’s never burned very well for me. I hate to blame the steam press for problems, but I can think of aught else that might cause this blend to be so damped and the flavors so melded and merged, even muddled. I get some woody, slightly bready and grassy scents and tastes that include mild, savory roasting spices. I tried it in several pipes, to no advantage. Strength is less than medium, with the nicotine trailing. Tastes build toward medium. Room note is not bad. Aftertaste is like the late tin note: nothing to write home about.

I find Sam’s Flake to be rather boring, certainly not worth the effort for me. It’s not really bad, and it appears others like it fine. As for me, I’m done with it. 2 stars.

Over many years, I have found that a fabulous tin aroma doesn't translate into smoking pleasure. That is why this tobacco was so disappointing for me. It starts off harsh but settles down a bit. but where is the flavour? It has many components, but they seem to blend together to be lesser than their individual parts .

I have now got to the end of my 50g and it didn't come soon enough. For my favourites, please see my review of Full Virginia Flake

Typical SG quality, but surprisingly flavorless. It's tastes like nothing so much as a virginia flavored steam with hints of something oriental. Whatever personality it has is too subdued.

Not a bad smoke, in fact it's actually quite nice, but there's nothing special enough about it to recommend it either. Not one of SG's better flakes IMHO, but still worth a try, I supppose, as it seems to tickle the tastebuds of some of our esteemed brethren.

I waited a long time to try this, it is never in stock anywhere. I finally found an online source, and bought several tins, just in case I truly loved it.

The varying thickness of the flakes do not bother me, as I rub them completely out. But, even if folded and stuffed, why would it matter?

This tin note is a mix between Kendall Cream and 1792, I think anyway. It almost has that tonquin flavor of 1792, but the creaminess of Kendall Flake. The description above states it has Orientals in it. I can't find them. It is Va and Turkish. The turkish really stands out in this flake, bringing an slight acidic ashiness to the exhale. I love almost all Gawith blends, but this one really hasn't caught my attention yet. I will smoke the other few tins I have, and hopefully I can add at least one other star to my review. Pairing well right now with a Remy Martin VSOP.

You'd think a Samuel Gawith blend named Sam's Flake would've hit it out of the ball park, and for some people maybe it did! Not so much for me.

I guess it's kind of a 1792 Flake (Virginia and tonquin bean) with Orientals added. I get the tonquin bean, the mild vanilla like essence, on the retro-hale but the Orientals kind of spoil the flavor of the Virginias. The Orientals bring a sourness to the blend which in my humble opinion doesn't go very well with the Virginia and tonquin bean flavors.

If you really like Orientals and you like the sourness that they sometimes bring to a blend then this might be a homerun for you. But on the other hand if you really like 1792 Flake and you enjoy the flavor of the Virginias, then this might be a bit of a disappointment.

On opening tin note is Virginias plus a sort of vanilla ish scent. Nice. Flakes are a bit damp and a bit uneven. Rubbed out easily. After a bit of drying time took light well but did needs relits. But that could be me as I tend to get engrossed and forget to puff.

Found the flavour to be a sort of mild creamy . I tried this flakes because it was suggested it was similar to 1792 flake but milder. Well no. Just no. It's like saying yoghurt is similar to stilton cause they are both milk based! I found it too mild in flavour the toping seemed to hide the other flavours.

Strangely enough the nic hit was high for me.

Not too much dottle.

Overall pleasant enough but a bit bland for me