Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Dark Flake Scented

This review is for DFS that has been aging for 6 months.

This was my first Lakeland. At first I found this blend to be a little overwhelming, with a variety of new (to me) very strong flavors and nicotine content. It was tough keeping it lit for more than half the bowl and was pretty wet near the bottom. I smoked some of it, then let it marinate for a few months. The aging made a world of difference. The flavors have melded and the Lakeland part has mellowed considerably.

Speaking of Lakeland scent: My grandmother's purse didn't smell like this...it smelled like Luden's cough drops and money. I find the Lakeland essence(?) to be more floral, like Earl Grey tea as others have mentioned. The aftertaste is mild and pleasant, which was unexpected. My gf finds the room note inoffensive, which is surprising.

Flavor wise, I get cigar, mocha, and a subtle sweetness (possibly from maple and tonquin? I'm not familiar with tonquin so I'm guessing). I can't taste liquorice, it must be hiding in the back somewhere.

Initially I smoked this in a medium-bowled MM cob and a similar MM hardwood. This time I used a cheap basket pipe, which has a large bowl, and it smoked better. Very cool, no bite, and not so wet at the end but still damp. I had to relight once about 3/4 through it, but I was ready for a little break anyway. I figure the improved behavior could be a benefit of aging as well.

All in all, this is an interesting and intense blend. The tobacco seems to be of the highest quality and the flakes are of higher quality than others I've tried. It doesn't get more old-school than this, and even if you end up hating it I recommend trying it just for the experience this unique and complex blend offers. Needless to say, DFS is not in the same ballpark as the more conventional aromatics.

I do recommend eating something before you smoke this and/or keeping a beverage handy, particularly if you are used to mild-medium blends. Your stomach will thank you. Expect some new hair on your chest if you can finish a big bowl of it in one sitting.

This was my go to smoke, for about 2 years some 12 years ago. It was by no means an all day smoke. It has a fascinating bubble gum flavor which is the result of the tonquin, maple and licorice topping. I believe this is the direct competitor with Samuel Gawith's 1792 flake, and is vastly superior to it: if you can withstand the nicotine.

Wave after wave of lakeland perfume, cigar-like, and slightly bitter dark fired tobacco assail your senses.

I believe that this one is even stronger than the unscented version, as the additional toppings prevent as much nicotine being burned off in combustion.

This is the place to start with lakelands for the experienced smoker, while glengarry flake or perhaps ennerdale are better for the novice.

Room not is beyond poweful, and should be smoked outside only.

A wonderful strong Lakeland style flake of superior quality. Along with the flavors mentioned ( tonquin, maple, and licorice), of which are background notes, the main flavor is I believe bergamot (same flavoring used in Earl Gray tea). I find the scent dominates in a small bowl, in a large bowl the tobacco dominates. Your choice, I like both but find large bowls smoother tasting, if you can handle the extra nicotine. Also this smokes very good moist, just rubbed out and packed light, no bite. Dry I find it bites! Don't know why. This seems to be a common experience for me and G&H tobaccos.

Well, I was blown away by this blend. It's really confusing as to what this is actually topped with because it seems there are many different versions of Dark Flake. This one, the one that is available in the States through www.smokingpipes.com definitely has some floral essence added but the major player is bergamot. Think Earl Grey tea, in fact, Earl Grey tea makes a perfect pairing while smoking this one. Very strong nicotine but always smokes soft and cool, no harsh notes to speak of. If you're like me and crave a good stout smoke, put this at the top of your "to try" list as it is truly a delight. Most people won't find this to be any every day smoke but it's coming close to being just that for me. I do prefer this more in the winter months.

I really enjoy certain Lake land style scented tobaccos and this is one of them. This is a full flavored, full bodied offering with a strong tobacco flavor and scented aroma. Despite its strength and full body it is a smooth blend that never burns hot, does not become astringent nor develop any harshness. Burns cool and dry into a fine white ash to the bottom of the bowl. The scenting compliments the blends constituent tobaccos in both flavor and aroma which makes each bowl a truly pleasurable almost Zen experience. If you like lake flakes, and strong full flavored tobacco with a nice does of vitamin "N" this just may become a new addition to your rotation. If you really like this blend, I highly recommend giving Bosun cut plug a try as well.

Well, it's finally happened. All of the public restrooms within driving radius of my house are out of urinal cakes and soap. There are, of course, substitutes sold at the supermarket for home use but I, for one, care less for them. I have written to the mayor to try and get him to divulge his source, but to no avail.

I specifically asked about the bus stop restroom on Kärnterstrasse, because they were The Best. With a hint of mint, plenty of honeysuckle oil and a touch of rose madder (the real deal) they not only provided a great smoke, once dried, but also left a great scent in my Bo Nordh nautilus and a very pretty pink tinge to my cake. I found they tasted best when savored with a small glass of soap from rest-stop 3 on the A2 autobahn. But, since they are no longer being stocked in the urinals and the soap is all but gone, I am deeply saddened.



Enter Dark Flake Scented!

Of all the flakes Gawith Hoggarth offers in both scented and unscented versions, this is by far the least scented. I don't know if the scenting is less liberally applied or it's just a matter of Dark Flake being so damn powerful that nothing can cover its vital brutal huge flavor.

Whatever the case, I agree that this is a palate plasterer. The scenting for me is only slightly floral and nothing else. (and no match for a real urinal cake, let no one fool you). I don't taste any tonquin maple nor licorice.

Like the unscented version this is a true strong tobacco experience. Once burning well it's as smooth and rich a smoke as any. The light floral dusting here helps during light up to reduce harshness and then, for me at least, fades into the background. Nicotine is rather extreme, making this a bad candidate for a 'work smoke' should you be lucky enough to smoke whilst working.

All in all a great companion to the U/S version, but no replacement for bathroom products.

This is nearly the paramount of the ?love it or hate it? tabaks ? taking a backseat only to 1792 Flake & its variants and Erinmore (I enjoy both).

It?s a niccup episode waiting to happen. And it?s heaven on earth. But it can be as harsh as can be imagined (liberal air drying is highly recommended), and it?s often as cool as can be imagined.

I enjoy the Lake District flora/herbal thing, so I am biased. But this tabak tosses those flavors on top of a tabak that is ? to my tastes ? monotonous. The extra notes make all the difference!

Buddy

Dark Flake Scented.28/03/07. After seeing and reading Pipestud's,review this blend.It looked familiar and bell's started ringing in my memory bank! So,I wen't and checked my pipe tobacco log book. The verdict is that I have almost agreed with everything that Pipestud,has written! Pipestud's,comment's are to me "100% true and correct" Not that I doubted his opinion at all. "Highly recommended indeed"