Samuel Gawith Celtic Talisman

I don't know if I got a bad tin of this stuff or what, I didn't get it from the store with the freshest stock, but I cannot recommend at this point. I may come back to edit this at some point if I try more, but until then this is the experience. It's a straight-forward blend of potpourri. I mean, when I first popped the tin, it smelled like the bowl of flakes in my grandmothers bathroom when I was a kid. It didn't seem dry or moist. It burned okay, but just had a musty dry bitter old quality and room-note. No berries or cherries and zero vanilla, just a taste of perfume. I threw it in a jar, left it for a year, came back to it, same thing. I gave it to my buddy who loves aromatics, particularly cherry and vanilla, to try with full disclosure. He smoked a bowl and just handed it back. It sat for another year and I opened it recently and it actually smelled a bit better, more plum and a very light vanilla wisp. I'll brave it for one more bowl at some point, maybe, and see. The room-note is particularly putrid and musty. Like I said not sure if it's just a bad tin, so take this review with a grain of salt, but if not then this is one of the worse tasting anything that I've smoked. I cannot recommend unless potpourri is your bag, in which case look no further.

I love a load of Gawith house blends, i am a mostly non-aro smoker, but really consider some of the Kendall aromatics as a class of their own, sublime and unsurpassed.

Not this one.

The taste was chemical, acrid, cloying, and simultaneously bitter for me. Really did not like it at all, couldn’t finish a bowl.

A cherry tobacco blend of exceptionally high quality. That's what is is. Simple as that. There's really not anything more to say. That is all, folks.

When the Samuel Gawith shipment comes in, you better scramble to the store before all the hungry shoppers gobble those tins up. I decided to try one I never had before, so if I like it, I could wait a year to reorder it (having sold out by the end of the day)!

First off, let me just say these rectangle tins suck at staying fresh. This was not the first time I've opened one without the seal holding... so cellar these things at your own risk. Secondly, this product contains nicotine, which is an addictive chemical! OK, I was just reading the label to be humorous. Onto the review...

The tin opened to a uniquely seasoned, sweet mix of flavorings, that hovered over the vanilla. I suppose it might of had some cherry/Kirsch thing going on, but way in the background, and thankfully nowhere near a syrupy ghost-laden cherry blend from the dime store. The spice was the really unique showcase, no longer the soapy/lavender Lakeland essence I was accustomed to, but more of the Oregano from the kitchen spice rack I found in their Hansom Flake. Really odd, yet enticing stuff.

The cut is finely shredded ribbon (dare I say shag), not terribly damp, and packs tightly, so be careful not to cut your air flow when packing. Once lit, the smoke glides through an array of tastes akin to the open tin vapors. The strength lies not with heavy nicotine, but from its flavor, which can be a bit much to be an all day smoker.

An interesting entry into the Aromatic category fans should attempt. It is certainly filled with toppings that deliver to your senses, yet is never a gag-worthy-strong sweet dessert.

Samuel Gawaith: Celtic Talisman

Another high quality tobacco from the crafters @ SG. I have been a pipe smoker 40+ yrs. & enjoy both the English blends & quality Aros. This presents as a rather mild English Aromatic that is subtle & not similar to the inexpensive US versions. It is a bright VA, Burley & Cavandisch w/vanilla & a cherry Kirschwasser topping that is very sublime. I experienced a cool smoke & no bite w/mild Nic. I do enjoy the Samuel Gawaith crafters & this is a vintage blend w/a minimum of the Lakeland essences...however with enough variety/complexity to keep ones interest up. It is a contemplative smoke that pares well with a pot of hot Earl Grey tea. I recommend it highly! 3+ Stars.

First bowl: It had nice, earthy taste with nice room note. Lid easily, kept lid through the smoke. Nice after taste.

Midway through the can: Started to dry out. Became sourer and bitter. More tongue burns.

Last bowl: Was very dry, didn't taste well and burnt hot.

This is a light aromatic tobacco that supposedly contains burley and virginia leaf, the latter being the main player. It is more complex than most of the aromatic tobaccos I have tried before, but not so much as to keep me amused. I only like English/Lakeland type aromatics, so I really don't know what to make of this tobacco. The room note is quite nice, actually, and it isn't bad as a summer blend, but I know this is not a tobacco I can be bother to buy. Also, don't ask me why, I was expecting some latakia leaf, but like I am saying this is mostly a virginia blend. The leaf seems to be really good quality, but I'd add a little bit more of burley, got rid of the topping, and probably the cavendish tobacco it contains. I can see why this tobacco is so popular with all of you aromatic lovers, but it is not my cup of tea.

Celtic Talisman is an agreeable Danish style aromatic (sweet pastry, vanilla, Christmas pudding etc.) with the addition of light cherry touch.

It is mild in strength and burns nicely with a few minutes of drying time. In the mouth it has some acridness in addition to the sweetness as most Danish style aromatics do and room note is quite nice for people who tolerate tobacco.

It is a nice aromatic, but nothing exceptional like say, Firedance which I find exquisite and would recommend even to people who do not smoke aromatics. Quite similar to 2013 Samuel Gawith special edition which does not have the cherry however but overall not quite as good. Recommended for smokers who enjoy Danish blends. 2.5 stars.

Tin: Very dessert smelling, with a tart cherry smell, very much like Gawith's Black Cherry aromatic. The vanilla compliments it perfectly. One of the best tin notes out there.

Packing/lighting: Does not come too moist like most SG blends, so no need to dry this one out. As a result, it packs and lights easily. This blend also did not bite, which for aromatics is a very good thing.

Strength: This was a very pleasant surprise. Most aromatics are designed to be very mild, which isn't very satisfying to smoke. Some people describe these mild blends of tasting like "hot air". However, this has some body to it and the strength of a Virginia/Burley, but it is still an aromatic. As you get towards the bottom of the bowl you sometimes forget that you're smoking an aromatic.

Taste/Room note: This is one of the more flavourful aros out there, just don't expect to only taste cherry and vanilla. I would describe it as a medium taste, as its a lot richer than your average aromatic but the taste fades quickly, and doesn't linger on the palate. The topping is detectable and it is mild. It gives the blend a pleasant sweetness and it is not too sickly. The room note of course, is fantastic.

Final thoughts:

I had been looking for "that" aromatic for a while, and I think I've finally found it. According to a radio interview with Bob Gregory of Samuel Gawith, this blend was made by mistake. Well, what a brilliant mistake it was...

Overall, what you're essentially getting is a sweet/dessert like Virginia/Burley. Perfect. I would recommend this to fans of aromatics who want to try something a bit different and a bit stronger. On the other hand, I will also recommend this to non-aromatic smokers who are looking for an aromatic to satisfy the smoker as well as the people around them.

Like: Everything. This is an extremely satisfying blend and can easily be an everyday smoke for a daily pipe smoker.

Dislike: Nothing thus far!