Samuel Gawith Black Forest

Just like, in my opinion, few blends deserve 1 star, few also deserve 4 stars, and this is one of them.

NOTE: NOT A BROKEN FLAKE. PLEASE LEARN YOUR CUTS.

I don't know if this blend is new because I have not seen it online and can't even see it on S.G. website. I found it at my local shop and, since I've pretty much liked everything by S.G. I decided to give it a try.

Opening the tin reveals a strange ribbon cut, very fluffy and somewhat annoying to pack, but not bad. I was surprised at how slow this stuff burns considering the thin fluffy cut. I am not sure what the cut is called, but I know it is most definitely not a broken flake. The tin smell is of ripe fruit, Virginia, and slightly vinegary.

Upon first light you are greeted by a very pleasant honey taste, which eases at about the half point mark down the bowl (though it is not completely gone until the last third) If you have wished MacBaren's blends tasted like the honey you can smell in the tin, this stuff is for you.

The last third of the bowl is sweet, Cavendish and Virgnia sweet, no honey taste. There is also a tingle in my nose that reminds me of perique, though there is no perique here.

Not particularly strong as far nicotine goes, but now a lightweight smoke either.

I have never been disappointed by S.G. If you can find it, then it is worth the try.

Shortly after I found SG put out this newer blend I was anxious to try it. For the longest time, with most vendors, it was not included in the normal SG lineup. I recently saw it available at pipesandcigars.com and snagged a tin.

It arrived today and I opened it up to smoke immediately. Moist but not overly so. Mostly a ribbon cut with I would say 2/3 light leaf and 1/3 black cavendish; the lighter leaf a mix of medium-longer length ribbon and the black as a shorter ribbon or riff cut. There was a subtle fragrance of honey which was very appealing. In no way did it mimick the honey topping of a MacBaren or any other honey-topped blend I have ever smoked. Nor was there even the slightest hint of Lakeland. Given this in a blind smoke test, I would never even consider it made by SG; except perhaps for the quality leaf. Loading was easy and lighting was no chore. It remained lit while puffing, only going out if I put my pipe down for a few minutes. I rated the flavor/taste as mild/medium, both bordering closer to the mild. The Virginias came through very subtly but was most certainly there. The honey topping (or casing) was done with a light hand and contributed itself in a subtle way as well. It tasted very natural rather than artificial and leaves a nice honey presence on the fingers. In trying to bring more flavor to the tongue, the nicotine presence can creep up on you and leave you with that nicotine lump in the back of the throat along with a little head spin (Irish Flake and ABF are my two daily staples, so I was surprised at this). Settling back into a slower cadence eliminates this and you still get very subtle flavor, enough to please. Sweet, but not cloyingly so. From my experience, very good quality leaf, no bitterness, never a bite, no moisture, and burns to minimal dottle. Truly a very enjoyable smoke. Aromatic yes, but not like American aromatics. Here, less is definitely more. Something I can find myself reaching for every day, but most likely will do so on special occasions - like settling in with a good book and a beer on the deck.

Not disappointed in the least and certainly worthy of 4 stars. A bit pricey at $11/50g tin, but since it won't be an every day smoke for me, the price is acceptable. Enjoy!

Upon tin opening you're greeted with very yellow and blindingly bright Virginia's with just a few spots of black Cavendish. Tin note is of natural dark honey which I'm used to have. Moisture is at right level just needed some air out shag cut fills bowl easily and first light is of burst of honey flavor and the citrusy sweet quality Virginia's. Burns steadly needed couple relights consistent taste through out the bowl. Nic hit at mid zone and enjoy level at high! A good quality product from the house of Sam Gawith... Fours all the way.

An excellent Virginia blend with a sprinkling of jet black Cavendish and a lovely top dressing of honey. Smoked fresh there is a wonderful fresh honey tin aroma mixed with the sweet gassy notes of the VA. The taste is predominantly sweet Va with a genuine honey note. Once aged (as with most pure honey top dressings) the honey note will dissipate over time leaving a really excellent sweet Va Cav blend that is enhanced by the marriage of the flavors and time. Of the honey blends that I have tried, this is one of the best. Definitely worth a go. Cheers.

This is a tobacco I purchased some time back, the first and second tins weren't quite what I was expecting; different suppliers, so presumably different batches. Nevertheless I stuck with it and purchased some more, and I am really glad I did. Of the first two tins, one was overly moist, the other the complete opposite. Subsequent tins have been about right, albeit I remove it from the tin and keep it in a Kilner jar with a dampened Mascotte stone, and there it sits for a while. Somehow it seems to benefit from this. The honey note is still discernible, less so when smoked, and it produces a pleasant light smoke. It doesn't bite, even if vigorously and over-enthusiastically puffed. I confess to liking my tobacco a tad stronger, but this is a very pleasurable start to an evening's pipe smoking

A delicious and straightforward aromatic. The Black Cavendish is smooth and doesn't bite. The smoke tastes like honey with a little spice. It is great on its own, provided that you go into it knowing it's not going to be a complex flavor changing blend. I would really like to see this offered in bulk as it is wonderful to blend with. In small doses it adds a honey note to any blend that could use a little sweetness.

I had never seen this tobacco before and so, curious, I asked my tobacconist some information about: he answered me, saying that someone just bought it and did not find fairly sweet or aromatic as expected, so to give it to another smoker. I felt encouraged because when I saw that there was in honey, I was worried that might be a "sweet bomb". I loaded my pipe (Radice Silk) with the Franck method and I immediately felt a creamy, almost natural tobacco, without the (feared) honey. The mixture grows in intensity with time,making you smell a little wood ,a little campfire and a slightly toasted nutty flavor. The smoke is thick,rich,and all in all,yes,they must have added honey,but in unexpected,different way:it's on the border,barely noticeable in the "outdoor" flavor. Black Forest is good as freshly baked bread and since I bought it, I can not stop to smoke and enjoy.

Very sweet and extremely lovable scent. It was my very first pipe tobacco so it's even greater in my mind. Came quite damp so you have to let it dry a bit otherwise it may be hard to lit (I had this problem as a newbie). Now I see it burns slowly and in rather low temperature so it doesn't bite a tongue.

Black forest. Such a light and easy going tobacco. Sweet tin note of honey and grassy virginias complimented with black Cavendish. Easy to pack and light. Was not as wet as the most SG blends. The smoke is creamy and sweet. Not much of complexity. I could smoke this the whole day. Just let it hang from your mouth and do your thing. It wont bother, wont bite. Another good example of a aromatic blend, that will not punch you in the face with artificial flavors, only baccy taste sweetened with medium honey flavor. The Fox recommends...