Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. No. 5 Mixture

This tobacco is from a company that is well known for its scented, or “Lakeland” style tobaccos, but this isn't one of them. No. 5 Mixture is “a very traditional British blend of Virginia, dark fired, dark air-cured and cavendish tobaccos. Pure tobacco with no additional casings or top flavors.” Peterson's Irish Flake is what comes to mind when smoking this blend, though the sweetness evident in No. 5 is more pronounced. Not like eating a candy bar, mind you, but definitely pronounced enough that this tobacco might even appeal to a different group of smokers than Irish Flake.

The cut of this tobacco is somewhat shaggy and might be termed a chopped ribbon cut. The pieces of tobacco are small but it's easy to imagine that they might have at one time been combined into longer ribbons. This makes for an easy pack and light and there's no problem getting this stuff lit and burning.

Upon ignition, the dark-fired flavor comes right to the forefront. This is the only noticeable similarity to Irish Flake; No. 5 tends to be a little sweeter and not as strong in the nicotine department. One shouldn't discount No. 5's strength, however; after smoking a bowl of this blend, you know you've smoked.

There are probably as many thoughts about tobacco taste as there are tasters. Some smokers prefer a “complex” tobacco, providing them with a hint of first one flavor, then another completely different one. Others prefer tobaccos that provide a solid single flavor profile throughout the bowl (the first group might call this “monochromatic”). No. 5 Mixture falls into the second category. Its flavor is nothing if not reliable, maintaining the same basic Virginia flavor and sweetness throughout most of the bowl. Where this changes is near the end of the bowl. A slight ashiness develops toward the end and the sweetness diminishes but doesn't disappear completely. By the time you realize this has happened, you've drawn the last puff and the bowl is complete.

Tobacco taste preferences being what they are, making a recommendation to someone is an iffy proposition. To be sure, No. 5 Mixture is a worthy tobacco in its own right; however, it would also make a great stepping stone blend if you're working up to stronger tobaccos. If you already smoke tobaccos of Irish Flake's ilk, this will provide a similar smoke with enough difference to be interesting.

Bulk: A very long, stringy ribbon cut, with quite a sweet smell like syrup on toast, ranging from black-brown to light brown, mostly brown. Supplied only in bulk, it is fairly dry and leaves no residue on the fingers.

Lighting & Burning: Lights with one match all the way to the bottom of a bowl and burns quickly.

Taste & Aroma: If ever there was a Gawith blend that displays the signature Kendal scent, this is it. It is a potpourri of a flowery taste and aroma that is characteristic of the Lake District. There are hints of toasted syrup in the background. Imparts a disagreeable salsa feel to the tongue.

Nicotine: Medium to strong

Room Note: I like this type of mellow aroma left behind, like scented and toasted marshmellows.

Overall: For a definition of a scented Lake District blend, this is it. The toppings command all of the attention; it would be just as well if the Virginias were not even present. Concerning the Lake District scent, see some of the reviews of SG's Grousemoor and Sam's Flake.

GH's Scottish Mixture and SG's Scotch Cut Mixture and Best Brown are all likewise stated by the blenders as having no added flavor. GH's No. 20 Latakia Mixture is its cousin, No. 20 having Latakia added.

No. 5 is definitely a candidate for an indoor smoke, but not all day due to the swoon brought on by the nicotine. For the purist, the scent is a bit over the top, but there's nothing wrong with No. 5.