Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Bob's Chocolate Flake

This is an odd one after reading many of the reviews, and there is a lot.....I bought some, from a UK supplier online that I use and after inspecting the flakes the bag odour was not what I expected, but then again the name is a bit off putting...who the heck is Bob anyway?!

But this is how it went - I have tried it in 2 pipes as I find that flakes do give a totally different result in certain pipes, I used Peterson's Arans, I rubbed it out a bit after letting it "air" for 20 mins, packed it VERY carefully - then lighted, blimey it reminded me of very bad sweat in a male changing room, initial burn up is a bit confusing, BUT but but....it CHANGES - after a few mins it was a totally different experience, a perfume was then noticeable, at times I definitely noticed the cocoa/chocolate and it was then a sweeter burn.

Hmmm odd and complex, on the 2nd pipe it was then same - first light was like a bad armpit smell in need of deodorant - then the change and halfway through the perfume and hints of choc, the reviews that hate are pretty harsh its not to everyone's taste and I am not sure if its mine yet, I am an Aro fan - but this is strange, I will continue to persevere with it.

Leaves a pleasant taste on the pallet.

Bob's Chocolate Flake is one of the few Lakeland flakes that I can't tolerate. Quality tobacco (G & H is always top notch) but the flavorings just don't do it. Somewhat recommended but for me, it's NO to BCF.

The first taste post-light was one of Irish Spring. The soap.

It kept popping up through the bowl. It's not terribly unpleasant but it's not an ecstatic flavor I seek when smoking.

I must say - it's nice to taste some tobacco in an aromatic. Aromatics with a little latakia are rare enough.

Speaking of aromatic, my wife complained after only two puffs from another room. She seems to appreciate light Balkans over this stuff!

Images evoked: dashing a cup of heavily-creamed milk over a corroded car battery before scrubbing it down with Dove(sensitive skin sudsy bath gel edition).

I found this blend to be monochromatic, a taste that was not to my liking and it quickly bored me. Rather than the taste of milk or dark chocolate, I found the taste to be more reminiscent of cocoa (as noted in the description) and unsweetened baker?s chocolate. If you?ve ever taken a bite of your mother?s unsweetened baker?s chocolate bar as a kid thinking it would taste like a Hershey Bar, those memories will come back after taking a few puffs of this stuff. This is a distinctive blend that I think most folks will either love or hate. By the way, who is Bob?

A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.

I rate this tobacco 5.50 out of 10.

I say somewhat rcommended because some people drink rot gut and eat raw meat. This is really strong stuff and I would not buy it again.At your own risk! A great alternative is Gawith's Chocolate Flake. Totally different stuff. 2 of 4 stars

After my local tobacconist told me this was one of the best selling latakia blends on his shelf, I bought a tin. He had compared the cocoa flavour to "light topping, just a touch to lessen the strength of the latakia". I was a bit skeptical, having read many reviews describing the soapy taste of this blend.

Maybe it was just because I was expecting it, but I was hit with the soapy sensation (more of an aroma than flavour) as soon as I lit up. It lasted throughout the entire bowl and subsequent bowls of this blend. It's very difficult to describe, but the soapy aroma is not altogether unpleasant to the taste, and it makes for a very nice room note. There is the barest hint of cocoa and a natural, smoky sweetness to it - not at all the sort of sweetness you get from aged Virginias. I certainly do not regret buying this tin and will smoke the rest of it, but I don't believe I will purchase it again, as I prefer fuller latakia blends.

I wanted to like this, really. after hearing and reading about this blend for a few years I was wanting to give it a try even though I'm not a chocolate flavor lover. The chocolate and tobacco taste were certainly there and a good mix, but I just couldn't get past the soapy taste despite several tries that others apparently don't find, don't mind, or get through -- I had the same trouble with ennerdale flake. Good if you can get past it, but not if you can't.

I smoked this blend out of a churchwarden. The flakes are a bit moist for my taste, but seems to rub out and light easily enough. It has a pleasant but unusual taste accented with an ever so slight floral note. And yes, soap. Much soap.

Overall it it a pleasant change of pace smoke, but certainly not something I would smoke often nor go out of my way to obtain.

I can't get all the hype... It's a delicate, absolutely not bitey, very evenly burning flake, very lightly flavored (it's hard to guess chocolate either from the smell of the flakes, or from the taste of the smoke!)... and very boring.

It's not as rich as some other Lakeland virginias, and the flavor is quite monochromatic. Quite nice in a small bowl, but in a big one you'll grow quickly tired of it.

Absolutely tolerable and impossible to dislike... but for me, also very hard to rave upon.

PS Review based on bulk version