Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Grasmere Flake

I didn't even know that one could buy this in the U.S., but a friend in the U.K. sent me a pouch to try. I am not expert in Lakeland tobaccos at all, and I had up until trying this blend never even knew that floral scented pipe tobaccos existed. A little rubbing is required right out of the pouch in order to get a good burn, the moisture to me was quite high for a pouch tobacco, and the flake (actually pieces of flake) are slightly sticky to the touch. In order to avoid ghosting an expensive pipe, I first tried this in a cobb, then a meer. I liked it much better in the meerschaum. If puffed too vigorously, the floral scents mutate into a bitter garbage pile. But when sipped, the delicacy and pure "natural" flavor sings. Rose and geranium top what is essentially a nicely balanced Virginia blend. I have heard complaints that this doesn't burn well, but a half hour drying in 40% humidity seemed to help a lot. Once lit, I had no trouble smoking this to the bottom of the bowl, where it left a slightly sticky and cohesive layer of ash and a bit of dottle. This was an amazing change of pace but nothing I would smoke everyday. That being said, I finished the pouch in three days' time. 3/4 recommended.

Another great flake from Gawith, Hoggarth. This one is scented with mainly floral aromas and is quite an excellent smoke. I haven't decided if I like this one more than Kendal Flake from the same manufacturer, but it's definitely near the top.

This one is a bit more full bodied, which is definitely a plus for me. It still has the light Virginia flavor along with the satisfying burley strength. As I've stated before; GH tobaccos are really good, quality tobaccos, with just a little something else on top. Well, with the exception of Ennerdale, which is absolutely over-the-top. Though, I do really enjoy Ennerdale from time to time.

The only problem I have with this blend is that it's frequently backordered at smokingpipes.com, which has been the only retailer I've been able to find it. If you enjoy Lakeland-style tobaccos (and I certainly do), this is a fantastic choice. If you're curious about Lakelands, this would be a good place to start, along with No. 7 Broken Flake. But, if you despise the Lakeland aromas, steer clear. Most of Gawith, Hoggath's offerings have some of the perfume on it. I don't know if that's just their signature or there's no way to keep it out of the other tobaccos in the factory. Even the "unscented" tobaccos still have a faint whisper of the famous Lakeland sauce.

While similar to the popular Ennerdale flake ,this has a more robust taste and nic kick.The burley in this adds some strength that I have come to appreciate from this manufacturer..It has a curious floral taste like floral gum sweets.(don't ask me what flower)..And yes it has a taste akin to that sugar powdered Turkish delite,but more like those clear yellow ones and not the pink ones(for those who have eaten the proper Turkish delight).I have bought also today some Ennerdale flake which I sampled first and this second,i prefer this basically.Burns ok,stays lit,no tongue bite.Although it smells sweet it tastes serious(natural neutral).Curiously spicy in a floral way combined with a bakery macaroon almondness and rice paper that is hard to describe,unless one say incense sticks.Kind of tangy on the tongue in a red Virginia way.Certainly smells more sociable than others.It wont replace condor but may well become a repurchase(it takes time for a tobacco to make its longterm impression with me).Seems to be perfect moisture/I bought mine loose 25g worth,dont know if this comes in a tin or not.I thought the ennerdale version was under powered but this is more on par with the strength of 'condor' which makes it a winner with me.

Dark v pliable flakes, with lighter colors interwoven, in the bag modest rose notes. Pre-lighting in the pipe, the rose scent/taste was certainly there (reminding me of various rose-flavored sweets). Smoking, the essense was a bit stronger than Glengarry Flake, but nowhere near the levels of some of the other GH scented tobaccos, probably between Glengarry and SG Kendall Cream Flake, maybe (for me) around the level of Louisiana Flake (which I also liked). The room note (well, car note) when I went to check was more of a straight darkish VA, with just a hint of rose that might have been my imagination. The N-level was strong, but not overwhelming.

Another high quality, robust but fragrant flake from G, H & co.

The added flavouring (which can be tasted as well as smelled) is, to me, like a good Turkish Delight (the rose essence). I do mean a good one though; the stuff you get dusted with icing sugar from a proper confectioners, not the cheap, chocolate coated stuff you get at a newsagent/petrol station/supermarket.

Other than that, it's just what you'd expect from this blender; high quality, flavoursome & reasonably strong

A rosy flake that smokes smooth and strong. The most floral tasting of G&H's flakes, along with Kendal flake. Never bitter, no bite, and very smooth. This is one of the best lakeland flakes and probably the one to start with. It is quite strong nicotine wise, and sneaks up on you. I find this a good smoke both indoors and out. The room note is strong to some and pleasant to others. Has a really nice aftertaste that lingers. Not much more to say, if you only try one lakeland you can't go wrong with this flake, which I feel is Gawith and Hoggarth's best all around floral flake. Needs a good airtight container, or the rose fades.

Subtle. That is the one adjective I would use to describe this tobacco. Is it a Lakeland Flake? Yes, it is. Is it like Ennerdale or Condor? No, it ain't. Can I compare it to anything else? Nope. Grasmere Flake is it's own animal.

This smoke is touted to have a "Rose Geranium" topping. For all I know, it does. It is certainly floral, like many Lakeland tobaccos. All I can say, is that it is delightful. One will find oneself, after just about every puff, saying, "What IS that?" So lasting and beguiling is the floral topping.

As to the mechanics of the smoke...it is best folded and stuffed. It burns fairly well, and, really, who cares about matches? Relighting is part of the game! There is a bit of a cigar taste on relight, but I LIKE cigars, don't you?

I honestly can't say whether the Virginias or Burleys predominate. Either way, there is a real tobacco taste beneath the flowers, full and gratifying. I would say, though, given the subtlety of the topping and the balance of the constituent tobaccos, one should dedicate a pipe to Grasmere Flake to appreciate fully all this smoke has to offer.

On opening the pouch, a perfumed rose scent was noticeable. This diminished during the drying process, and made me wonder, prior to smoking the first bowl, whether the flavour had disappeared. Quite the opposite; the smoking experience was unique, with a decent amount of N and lavish flavour. More evocative of an English stately home's garden than Grasmere, be it tarn or fell, to my mind. Nonetheless having stayed in beautiful Grasmere a couple of times, I feel this tobacco does not usurp its name but merely serves as a journey from Kendal to Grasmere. Will ghost a pipe but that is a problem easily solved.

Intensely unique - the perfume in this is different to all the other lakelands. It's both more pungent than Ennerdale, but if anything that gives it a sense of 'nature' to it. Whilst Ennerdale is a sweet, soapy olfactory treat, Grasmere is akin to sitting in an old fashioned English Garden. The tobacco underneath adds some pleasant hay and grass, a slight soil taste and there is even a herbaceous element coming through at times. All of this, the florals, herbaceous, and earthy topping notes are all tied together with the wonderfully warm, tangy VaBur flake forming the base of the composition. Finally, like a cherry on top (or rather a slice of lemon), I detect a mild tea-like bergamot note akin to old fashioned SP snuffs and Earl Grey Tea. Sumptuously scrumptious.

This blend harks back to a simpler time, there is something indescribably English flake that I, as an Englishman, really connect too. This blend is not for everyone, and frankly I really need to be in the mood in order to enjoy it. It's not a heavy hitter on the nicotine, the experience is entirely flavour based, much like sipping on a low alcohol-high flavour ale.

If you like floral tobaccos then this one is more than worth at least sampling, that is if you have the gumption to face the lakeland ghost... To everyone else I wouldn't recommend this; this is so far removed from your run of the mill syrup soup cavendish-laden aromatic that it could very well be a waste of your hard earned money.