Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Bob's Chocolate Flake

It is a little disconcerting that the review that was found useful by the most people is so misleading. I wonder how many people may have never tried this blend based on an incorrect description or the repeating thereof.

This is not a tonquin flavored mixture.

Ill say it again, as this faulty review seems to equate the lakeland aromatic effect with tonquin - this is not a tonquin flavored mixture. Everyone is free to love or hate BCF on its own merits, but don't warn people off due to tonquin, when there is no tonquin.

It is impossible to say with certainty that this has 0% tonquin, because they apply an aromatic casing in addition to the chocolate and vanilla, which might, but probably doesn't, contain a tiny bit of tonquin. What can be said with certainty is that the result does not taste like tonquin, tonquin is not to any appreciable degree present in this flake, and the lakeland scent and flavor are not synonymous with tonquin. Warning someone to avoid this flake if they do not like tonquin or are not ready to try tonquin is misleading because this in no way shape or form tastes like tonquin or, per the mixture description, has any. Gawith 1792 flake tastes like tonquin, because it has tonquin. Tonquin to my palate tastes like a pungent cross between earthy liqourice and vanilla. Smoke 1792 and then see if BCF tastes anything like that - you will see that it does not.

The description also alleged that it had whiskey as a casing, which it does not contain either.

As for the lakeland essence, yes it is present to a light degree in the background. Again, not a tonquin predominant flavor or smell, "lakeland" is something different. It is floral and mildly soapy (but not in a bad way, if such a thing is possible). Some people hate it, others love it. Here it is very mild and very much rounding out the flavor, not forward in the mix like a true lakeland flake.

To my taste this smokes like a nice VA flake. I really do not get latakia at all, but I take them at their word that it is in there. The chocolate is present in the tin, but I really do not get the flavor when smoking. The vanilla is not very forward either. This smokes like a sweet, cool pressed VA flake with a little lakeland action happening in the background.

Gawith's chocolate flake is the 4 star iteration of this style flake. IT has far more complexity and flavor, and more chocolate flavor to boot. BCF is a fine, affordable flake that can be enjoyed in its own right, and deserves a full three to three and a half stars.

The first time I tried this I wasn't quite sure. Left the few flakes I had at the back of my tobacco cupboard, and forgot about it. Move forwards 6 months and I had a sudden urge to have an aromatic lakeland (I'd been smoking a Lakeland Virginia for the last 2 weeks) . Second round this stuff was Amazing. For me the cocoa comes through mostly on the retrohale. I smoked most of the bowl through the nose. It's as smooth as anything.

The alcohol is a nice background compliment, I almost missed it but it comes and goes mostly in the first half of the bowl. Along with the subtle lakeland essence. That also is more pronounced in the first half of the bowl. An all together nice tobacco. I found it to be more of a morning blend. Good with a cup of coffee. It's not a sweet blend. And in comparison to "normal aromatics" has no sweetness. The chocolate comes across as unsweetened cocoa power.

On a side note I ordered the plug because I heard that it is was an altogether MORE variety than the flake. My G*d, I opened the pouch and I actually had to stop myself from biting into the plug. No word of a lie. The salivation was out of this world. Can't wait to smoke it.

Gawith Hoggarth - Bobs Chocolate Flake.

Note: I reviewed this a few years back but upon reading it recently I vehemently disagreed with my past opinion. As it's recently become one of my favourite blends I decided to delete and re-write my review.

The pouch has a brilliant chocolate smell to it. This is the story the whole way through: chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!

I like to rub my flakes and as these arrive loosely pouched they're nicely hydrated making rubbing a doddle. This also makes ignition easy too, it only takes a short touch of the flame. And then, as I implied, it's a chocolate lovers dream. The smoke is prominently chocolate and any whiskey goes completely unnoticed. I struggle to detect much of the Latakia's smokiness or the Burley's nuttiness; what I do get is a superbly sweet and chocolaty smoke, making it a PERFECT dessert smoke! The moisture quantity made the igniting easy and it also makes the burn impeccable; it goes steady, consistent, and the smoke's cool. I'd say the nicotine's about mild to medium but for it to become medium it requires a hearty puff! Finally, the room note also carries a hefty waft of chocolate!

Due to the loose packaging Bob's Chocolate will become as brittle as a twig and un-smokeable in no time at all so it has to be put into a mason jar.

This is a fantastic tobacco and I regret my previous negative review.

Highly recommended.

You won't find any of the Lakeland casing here. Rather, the tin note, and this shows in your smoke too, has this touch of chocolatey aroma that gives its name to this blend created by Gawith & Hoggarth's master blender Bob. This tends to wane as you progress with your smoke, but I am finding both the Virginias and Burleys quite satisfying in their own right. Not a complex tobacco by any stretch of the imagination, but the fact it is easy smoke and that I cannot detect any tongue bite means this might as well be something to cut your teeth with if you are thinking venturing into the world of aromatics for the first time. As I light up my pipe, I did not detect any Latakia in it, and in true honesty I am still puzzled over it, but it was quite apparent to me it was showing in the room-note. Every now and then I'd get this hint of spiciness so characteristic in most Latakia based tobaccos. I found this to be a very interesting feature. Highly recommended.

Dry out! Dry out! Dry out! It takes a forest fire to light if it is not dried out. It's not a strong as I hoped it would be. The Latakia ads to the bitter sweet taste of the chocolate flavoring. It's a clever blend, I would have to say that it's an acquired tobacco. It takes time to acquaint ones' self with the unique and subtle qualities if this tobacco.

My first review here, and it's certainly all been said already, but here goes nothing eh? It's my favourite 'aromatic' (and I hate most aromatics).

This blend remains constantly in my rotation. But I find it suits autumn and winter best. I also find it needs to be dried.

First, a warning - This comes pretty 'sticky' and with all that stoved Malawian Virginia and Burley, it has a sweetness. If not dried out it can smoke quite hot and there's a risk of tonguebite. I've read in previous reviews that this diminishes with age.

From experience, the flavour profile of this blend can change quite a bit if you rub out as opposed to fold and stuff. I definitely prefer it folded and stuffed.

EDIT: I'd cellared that original pound since 2008, and I finally got to those cans in 2019 (after much more experience). It's aged to a crystal-coated black crumbling flake with a texture similar to sliced dark chocolate brownie. I'd say it's improved with some age. Definitely less cocoa, and more forward with the floral Lakeland essence and rich nutty burley. But still a creamy smooth smoke.

This is in my opinion a stand-out, unique blend. Somewhat characteristic of other 'scented' offerings from G&H (Dark Flake Scented etc). But nothing like the sticky/gunky "American Aromatics" that they offer (Black Cherry etc.).

For my palate, this is a solid five-star smoke. It has hints of cocoa, but the main focus is the natural tobacco flavours. It's like being in close proximity to a cup of old fashioned cocoa.

The taste through the bowl starts out quite light (I'd agree to others noting slight smoky marshmallow). A little floral sweetness with hints of dark cocoa and vanilla. It builds and morphs into a full-bodied, deep and creamy smoke. At the mid-way point, I can only taste and smell hints of the cocoa and the casings have burned away,

At the end of the bowl, the taste concentrates further toward a rich, strong, nutty cigar-like flavour. Here you can most detect the Latakia, with hints of dark-roast espresso until you are left with nothing but fine white ash.

The smoke texture is of voluminous, smooth, smoky cream. The room note is pleasant and inoffensive, no hint of the floral essence remains in the smoke - mainly mild cocoa, vanilla and quality tobacco.

This blend matches well with good strong English tea (with milk and sugar) or a smooth mid-roast coffee (black or with cream or maybe a tot of baileys).

It's all been said. Good stuff. The Latakia and lakeland touch is very soft, which works superbly well. Really its a VA blend, burley blend, lakelands blend and an English blend all mixed together and it still pleases. Nice.

I have wanted to try GHs Bob's Chocolate Flake and SGs Chocolate Flake for a good while now. Well, for starters I went with Bob's Chocolate Flake. The tin aroma was definitely perfumy - which was tolerable before I lit it up. The initial light was all soap; as if I put a bar of Ivory into my mouth! Not pleasant whatsoever. I persevered and found the "Lakeland essence" never diminished. Occasionally, I got hints of chocolate - very minimal, however. The overall tobacco flavor was too hidden by the lakeland florals for me to taste and enjoy. The blend seemed to be overpowered by this Lakeland presence, and I didn't enjoy it at all. 1 star.

UPDATE 4-20-10: How time and aging change things! I let this one sit in its tin since my original review and 1 star rating, and decided to re-try it. Well, there was still the presence of soap in the tin, but much less than previous. Lighting produced a much fainter soap presence than previous which stayed very much in the background and fading nearly to nil by bowl's end. I was actually able to taste and enjoy the tobacco flavor - a mix of good tobacco and chocolate. I couldn't, however, taste the Latakia which was not off-putting in the least. I knew it was there by the way Latakia always nips at my tongue in a very unique way for me. A very nice background sweetness and flavor was the final reward (like chocolate milk). I now can appreciate all of the 3-4 star reviews of this blend. I will re-visit from time to time, but if I ever get through my tin and order more, I'll need to open it and let some of that Lakeland presence dissipate off long before smoking.

UPDATE 3-16-13: After smoking a good amount of GH Rum Flake, Brown Flake Scented and Unscented, I truly have come to love the Lakeland flavor. A recent revisit to Bob's Chocolate Flake was very pleasurable, but since I am not a big fan of Latakia, this will hold to 3 stars for me.

Very Nice Dark chocolate 🍫 note through out! I picture my self as a kid coming in from the snow with hot chocolate... melted down from scratch with a vanilla bean mixed in at my grandparents house with all there old cooking books 📚 this blend blew my mind with all the other tobaccos coming and going... light walnut casing from the Burley and that iconic zestiness from the Virginia! I have multiple backup tins now! I folded the flakes 2x and packed light to medium! Get them while you can!