Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Brown Irish X
(3.30)
Made with the same way and ingredients as the Black Irish X (a process of spinning dark fired wrapper leaves. The filler is again, predominantly dark fired leaf with the addition of a small percentage of dark air cured Indian leaf.). Brown Irish X (same as twist) comes straight off the spinning machine without any additional processing. The absence of the pressure and heating process means this tobacco retains all of it's strength.
Notes: Pipesandcigars.com list the components as burley and Kentucky. Smokingpipes.com list the components as Virginia and provides the following description: "Brown Irish X by Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. is dark fired and dark air cured. This rope is stoved less than the Black Irish."
Gawith Hoggarth says, "All our Kendal Twist tobacco varieties (Pigtail, Bogie, Flavored Twist, Irish X and Irish XXX) are manufactured by the same spinning process using dark fired wrapper leaves. The filler is again, predominantly dark fired leaf with the addition of a small percentage of dark air cured Indian leaf. They are therefore strong tobaccos. Black Twist (Black Irish), because the cooking process removes some of the stronger tar and nicotine elements, provides a milder smoke than the brown twist."
Details
| Brand | Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. |
| Blended By | Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. |
| Manufactured By | Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Burley |
| Contents | Burley, Kentucky, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Rope |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Very Strong
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Strong
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.30 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 66 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 24, 2012 | Strong | Extremely Mild | Full | Pleasant |
Brown Irish Twist or, Brown Irish X: Is full strong tobacco. This is my favorite of all strong tobaccos, weather smoked as a stand alone, or for blending. When treated with the respect it deserves, and LEARN to smoke it, it delivers excellence. For most smokers, this is not an all day smoke, but when I want a nice jump start with good complex flavor that doesn't bite my tongue, this is the one for me.
As others have mentioned, it's best smoked with something in your stomach, IF you are not used to it. Just a word of warning: If you are new to pipe smoking, this may turn you green. If you are experienced with stronger blends, you will likely enjoy it on it's own with no problems.
The raw aroma, before and after cutting is wonderfully straight strong spicy tobacco with a smokey bacon note. Quite sweet and very woody, too. Upon 2nd light the flavor begins, and I pick up cedarwood, green grapes and the back end aroma and nose of many of the black cavs that I have smoked/smoke. Very nice. The first quick note off the top of the pipe smells very nice and sweet, too. The room note is quite pleasant. On the other-hand, if you were to go town on the pipe, it may ruin the room air. I always have a flow-through in the room, so it always smells nice.
You may want to let it dry out for a little while, or it will take a month of Sundays to get it lite. Actually, I like it cut and smoked straight off the rope; put it down from time to time to rest the pipe and palate. It tastes best when doing so, and who cares how many lites you take. For me all that matters is flavor, and several lites don't bother me because I use a Zippo. To purists, this may be sacrilege. To me, wood matches are a big mess; ruin the room note, and are far too expense. But, whatever floats you down the river. Regardless, it will eventually stay lit; burn slowly and evenly, but will tar out to a harsh dottle at the bottom. I cool the pipe and pop it out at that point because the flavor is long gone.
I tend to smoke smaller amounts. The smaller the bowl, the better. Also, choose a pipe dedicated souly to this rope, because it leaves a strong ghost in the briar.
For trimming a load off the rope, do yourself a favor and buy a pair of Fiskars Micro-tip Blade pruning snips. They are super sharp; easy to wield and are good for cutting all tobaccos; not just rope or twist, and will last a long time for only 10 bucks at Home Depot gardening. Suggestion: snip off some chips and let them stand for 10 or so. Rub. 5-10 more and rub out the remainder. It should be just right for dropping in and will lite easier and will stay lit.
The nicotine is nice, so if good nic and true full flavor is a part of your smoking pleasure, then this is one you may very well enjoy. The entire ago-old experience is one of tradition: from cutting, to rubbing out, to packing and smoking. For those less patient that are looking for light sweet quick smoking blends, this is not recommended, but those that are religious about the traditional pipe, it is nothing short of exotic.
One last thing gents: this is a super top-end for creating your own fuller blends. IT IS AN EXCELLENT ENHANCER, or medium base that adds wonderful complexity. Mix a third of this with lemon or orange Virginias, and some Cyprian Latakia or oriental; the sky is the limit, really. You will be blown away at it's versatility. For a quick toned-down smoke, I cut a little off the rope and add a pinch of Eastern Carolina Ribbon. It doesn't change the good spiciness of the Irish, and is a far more mellow smoke.
As others have mentioned, it's best smoked with something in your stomach, IF you are not used to it. Just a word of warning: If you are new to pipe smoking, this may turn you green. If you are experienced with stronger blends, you will likely enjoy it on it's own with no problems.
The raw aroma, before and after cutting is wonderfully straight strong spicy tobacco with a smokey bacon note. Quite sweet and very woody, too. Upon 2nd light the flavor begins, and I pick up cedarwood, green grapes and the back end aroma and nose of many of the black cavs that I have smoked/smoke. Very nice. The first quick note off the top of the pipe smells very nice and sweet, too. The room note is quite pleasant. On the other-hand, if you were to go town on the pipe, it may ruin the room air. I always have a flow-through in the room, so it always smells nice.
You may want to let it dry out for a little while, or it will take a month of Sundays to get it lite. Actually, I like it cut and smoked straight off the rope; put it down from time to time to rest the pipe and palate. It tastes best when doing so, and who cares how many lites you take. For me all that matters is flavor, and several lites don't bother me because I use a Zippo. To purists, this may be sacrilege. To me, wood matches are a big mess; ruin the room note, and are far too expense. But, whatever floats you down the river. Regardless, it will eventually stay lit; burn slowly and evenly, but will tar out to a harsh dottle at the bottom. I cool the pipe and pop it out at that point because the flavor is long gone.
I tend to smoke smaller amounts. The smaller the bowl, the better. Also, choose a pipe dedicated souly to this rope, because it leaves a strong ghost in the briar.
For trimming a load off the rope, do yourself a favor and buy a pair of Fiskars Micro-tip Blade pruning snips. They are super sharp; easy to wield and are good for cutting all tobaccos; not just rope or twist, and will last a long time for only 10 bucks at Home Depot gardening. Suggestion: snip off some chips and let them stand for 10 or so. Rub. 5-10 more and rub out the remainder. It should be just right for dropping in and will lite easier and will stay lit.
The nicotine is nice, so if good nic and true full flavor is a part of your smoking pleasure, then this is one you may very well enjoy. The entire ago-old experience is one of tradition: from cutting, to rubbing out, to packing and smoking. For those less patient that are looking for light sweet quick smoking blends, this is not recommended, but those that are religious about the traditional pipe, it is nothing short of exotic.
One last thing gents: this is a super top-end for creating your own fuller blends. IT IS AN EXCELLENT ENHANCER, or medium base that adds wonderful complexity. Mix a third of this with lemon or orange Virginias, and some Cyprian Latakia or oriental; the sky is the limit, really. You will be blown away at it's versatility. For a quick toned-down smoke, I cut a little off the rope and add a pinch of Eastern Carolina Ribbon. It doesn't change the good spiciness of the Irish, and is a far more mellow smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 07, 2015 | Very Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Another bombing gift from brothers of briar. I liked this one so much, I bought four ounces after I smoked a few pipes of it.
Tin note is strong and rich. Dark, almost cigar like. The presentation is a black rope that looks like a cigar sort of. Preparing it is kind of fun. I use I cigar cutter for it. I guess you could fold and stuff the coins, but I rub them out. It is pretty damp bc of the rope/flake nature of it. I let it air out maybe 15-20 mins before packing. Still takes a bit to get it lit, but once it does it takes off. Rich and dark flavor. Cigar notes to it even though there is no cigar leaf in it. Makes me think of black expresso with a nice cigar.
I love this stuff personally, but I wouldn't recommend it to most smokers. It is in a class all its own. Very manly, good smoke for after splitting a cord of firewood with an axe, or say, post grizzly wrestling. Oddly enough, the room note doesn't offend my gf. Weird huh? If you love strong leaf, go for it. If not, you may want to wait till your Nic tolerance is stronger. It gave me the hiccups first go round. Works best in a smaller bowl at first.
Tin note is strong and rich. Dark, almost cigar like. The presentation is a black rope that looks like a cigar sort of. Preparing it is kind of fun. I use I cigar cutter for it. I guess you could fold and stuff the coins, but I rub them out. It is pretty damp bc of the rope/flake nature of it. I let it air out maybe 15-20 mins before packing. Still takes a bit to get it lit, but once it does it takes off. Rich and dark flavor. Cigar notes to it even though there is no cigar leaf in it. Makes me think of black expresso with a nice cigar.
I love this stuff personally, but I wouldn't recommend it to most smokers. It is in a class all its own. Very manly, good smoke for after splitting a cord of firewood with an axe, or say, post grizzly wrestling. Oddly enough, the room note doesn't offend my gf. Weird huh? If you love strong leaf, go for it. If not, you may want to wait till your Nic tolerance is stronger. It gave me the hiccups first go round. Works best in a smaller bowl at first.
Pipe Used:
Ropp vintage Apple
PurchasedFrom:
BoB bombing gift
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 12, 2015 | Overwhelming | None Detected | Very Full | Strong |
First thing.Don't inhale or you're dead.This is like smoking grass,but without the cloud thing,as I seem to remember from my student days.Grassy,somewhat botanical in essence,no bite, but ,heck, if you like nicotine big time,this is for you. Brought back from Spain by my wife(she didn't know),it looks like something my dog leaves in the back garden on a daily basis and being so you can have some fun,if you get my drift. This is what puts the bulk in Popeye,when required,I assure you. Got to go now due to some dizziness .
Pipe Used:
Dunhill
PurchasedFrom:
Gq
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 02, 2013 | Strong | Extremely Mild | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I'll tell you right off the bat I chew this. It's not a bad smoke if you like strong full bodied tobacco taste with hard nic, so deffanitly try it. I, on the other hand found myself enjoying this blend better as a chew. Just cut a moderate piece off with an old cigar cutter and bingo!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 04, 2013 | Very Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This rope tobacco is hard-hitting in terms of nicotine content. With that said, it is wonderfully potent and has all the charm you would expect from a full strength tobacco. I recommend sitting down while smoking because it will hit hard. Avoid driving or machinery use until you know how it will affect you. It also mellows nice with age. It will lose some of it's strength, not much, and will become a bit sweeter to the taste. Highly recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2012 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Being a fan of "Samuel Gawith Brown #4" i have been eager to taste this contemporary offering by Gawith & Hoggarth of Brown Irish Twist.
I purchased 50g in a loose pouch in a recent tobacco purchase binge(first time i have purchased loose bulk rather than a tin but i now have some kilner jars for jarring and aging).
Slightly darker and shinier on the outside and dryer than SG's, but the appearance is almost identical;a @3/4" inch diameter of twisted brown rope.
The pouch scent is mild like a light cigar and slightly spicy and not as manure-esque(dungy leathery) as SG'S #4.(i do like my dungy smelly shit)
For this taste trial i used a "the smoke" graduate shape pyrolytic liner pipe(those ones from the early 70's) I cut a few discs about the thickness of a british pound coin and tore and rubbed it into a pliant bundle and filled. Like SG ropes (or perhaps just ropes in general)it takes a few matches to get going but easier to burn than the black ropes(SG or GH).
Its been a while since i have a had a brown rope and its been an itch in long need of a good scratching. For the first ignition puffs i get an archetypal brown rope taste that i am already familiar with,and no surprises here(i wasn't really expecting any and didn't want anything too different either really) Reaquainting myself with an old friend under a different brand name and packaging,i began to wonder what if any difference was there between GH's brown irish and SG's brown #4? The taste was so simular that i could almost say it tasted like SG brown #4 made on a different day(which doesn't give me any complaints), but then it started to reveal a difference which pleased me because i still wanted it to have a little difference but not too different or unbrown ropeish.
Its slightly milder on the nicotine than SG, i could feel that even before i had worked out the taste difference yet. The diffence manifests itself during the bowl progression which builds up steadily to creat the finale experience(crecendo might be the word).
Basically irish twist has a savoury spice element akin to BBQ sauce or a brown spice sauce ala "daddies" or "hp brown" hint to it which is absent in the SG brown#4.
Near the end of the bowl the spice becomes quite a prominent identity of this rope which separates its persona from its simular identity twin SG #4 which has a creamier milky rubbery heavy cigarish finale. Irish twist is also slightly sweeter compared to brown #4(not that either of them are really sweet TBH)
Having two simular tasting ropes on the market is insurance against one or the other discontinuing its product in the future and also offers a choice of two slightly different tastes on a simular theme in the meantime while both are still available options.
I will definately keep some of this on hand in future,both this and SG#4 satisfy my brown rope urge within a nats cock of satisfaction,that as long as i have atleast one, i won't feel i am really missing the other that much but;at this time i think i give the edge to SG purely because of its nicotine punch(i am a masochist and feel that nicoteen is the decider rather than taste).
This was a trial that needed to be done incase i was missing out out on something better, but as it is i am not,but i am glad i know that they are both good ropes and i have now tasted the best contenders of the pure brown rope archetype/genre.
The burning performance and ash aftermath are the same as SG which is low maintenance,dry and no dottle.
I purchased 50g in a loose pouch in a recent tobacco purchase binge(first time i have purchased loose bulk rather than a tin but i now have some kilner jars for jarring and aging).
Slightly darker and shinier on the outside and dryer than SG's, but the appearance is almost identical;a @3/4" inch diameter of twisted brown rope.
The pouch scent is mild like a light cigar and slightly spicy and not as manure-esque(dungy leathery) as SG'S #4.(i do like my dungy smelly shit)
For this taste trial i used a "the smoke" graduate shape pyrolytic liner pipe(those ones from the early 70's) I cut a few discs about the thickness of a british pound coin and tore and rubbed it into a pliant bundle and filled. Like SG ropes (or perhaps just ropes in general)it takes a few matches to get going but easier to burn than the black ropes(SG or GH).
Its been a while since i have a had a brown rope and its been an itch in long need of a good scratching. For the first ignition puffs i get an archetypal brown rope taste that i am already familiar with,and no surprises here(i wasn't really expecting any and didn't want anything too different either really) Reaquainting myself with an old friend under a different brand name and packaging,i began to wonder what if any difference was there between GH's brown irish and SG's brown #4? The taste was so simular that i could almost say it tasted like SG brown #4 made on a different day(which doesn't give me any complaints), but then it started to reveal a difference which pleased me because i still wanted it to have a little difference but not too different or unbrown ropeish.
Its slightly milder on the nicotine than SG, i could feel that even before i had worked out the taste difference yet. The diffence manifests itself during the bowl progression which builds up steadily to creat the finale experience(crecendo might be the word).
Basically irish twist has a savoury spice element akin to BBQ sauce or a brown spice sauce ala "daddies" or "hp brown" hint to it which is absent in the SG brown#4.
Near the end of the bowl the spice becomes quite a prominent identity of this rope which separates its persona from its simular identity twin SG #4 which has a creamier milky rubbery heavy cigarish finale. Irish twist is also slightly sweeter compared to brown #4(not that either of them are really sweet TBH)
Having two simular tasting ropes on the market is insurance against one or the other discontinuing its product in the future and also offers a choice of two slightly different tastes on a simular theme in the meantime while both are still available options.
I will definately keep some of this on hand in future,both this and SG#4 satisfy my brown rope urge within a nats cock of satisfaction,that as long as i have atleast one, i won't feel i am really missing the other that much but;at this time i think i give the edge to SG purely because of its nicotine punch(i am a masochist and feel that nicoteen is the decider rather than taste).
This was a trial that needed to be done incase i was missing out out on something better, but as it is i am not,but i am glad i know that they are both good ropes and i have now tasted the best contenders of the pure brown rope archetype/genre.
The burning performance and ash aftermath are the same as SG which is low maintenance,dry and no dottle.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 24, 2010 | Very Strong | Extremely Mild | Full | Strong |
To quote one of the characters in the film 'Predator', "This stuff will make you a God damned sexual Tyrannosaurus!"
Well, if I recall he was actually referring to his chewing tobacco and whilst I cannot genuinely claim that smoking Brown Twist has done wonders for my love life, I can't help feeling that there is a certain degree of machismo involved in smoking a pipe weed that packs such an overwhelming nicotine punch.
Seriously though, don't let fear of its undeniable potency put you off. This is, to my mind, tobacco in one of its most unadulterated and traditional forms. That alone should be reason enough for every pipesmoker to give it a try at least once.
The flavour is fairly unique: slightly salty, slightly sweet and I agree with the spicy, cigar notes that others have mentioned. Whatever subtle elements might contribute to the taste, it's mainly all about tobacco and it's there in spades, making for a full and satisfying smoke. It is a little harsh at times, but for me that is just part of the charm of this old school tobacco.
The room note also reminds me slightly of barbecue sauce but I'm a vegetarian so what do I know?
Unlike some other reviewers I do find that it benefits from a couple of minutes drying time before loading the pipe, but not too much. Three coins, sliced off with a sharp knife, are sufficient to fill the bowl of my Peterson silver spigot and provide me with about an hour and a half of nicotine induced relaxation. The relights are more frequent than with some other tobaccos, but not onerous.
I try and save this one for a weekend treat, but the fact is that I enjoy it too much to reserve it for these occasions. I can concede that it probably isn't for everyone, but I think that many folks will be pleasantly surprised. Definitely recommended for everyone at least once.
Well, if I recall he was actually referring to his chewing tobacco and whilst I cannot genuinely claim that smoking Brown Twist has done wonders for my love life, I can't help feeling that there is a certain degree of machismo involved in smoking a pipe weed that packs such an overwhelming nicotine punch.
Seriously though, don't let fear of its undeniable potency put you off. This is, to my mind, tobacco in one of its most unadulterated and traditional forms. That alone should be reason enough for every pipesmoker to give it a try at least once.
The flavour is fairly unique: slightly salty, slightly sweet and I agree with the spicy, cigar notes that others have mentioned. Whatever subtle elements might contribute to the taste, it's mainly all about tobacco and it's there in spades, making for a full and satisfying smoke. It is a little harsh at times, but for me that is just part of the charm of this old school tobacco.
The room note also reminds me slightly of barbecue sauce but I'm a vegetarian so what do I know?
Unlike some other reviewers I do find that it benefits from a couple of minutes drying time before loading the pipe, but not too much. Three coins, sliced off with a sharp knife, are sufficient to fill the bowl of my Peterson silver spigot and provide me with about an hour and a half of nicotine induced relaxation. The relights are more frequent than with some other tobaccos, but not onerous.
I try and save this one for a weekend treat, but the fact is that I enjoy it too much to reserve it for these occasions. I can concede that it probably isn't for everyone, but I think that many folks will be pleasantly surprised. Definitely recommended for everyone at least once.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 15, 2009 | Very Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
This tobacco is easy to smoke. It has a cigar flavour when smoking. I could smoke it all day but for the strong nicotine content. It's very kind to your mouth. Great tobacco a wack of nicotine so I wouldn't fill your biggest bowl with this one. Go on give it a go I think you will enjoy it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 03, 2018 | Very Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Brown Irish X sometimes has me feeling as though I should be standing on the deck of a ship taking orders from Horatio Hornblower. I would imagine ropes and plugs were the tobaccos of the day back then. This is strong, pure tobacco. The descriptions are somewhat unclear but it seems to be all Virginia to me rather than containing any Burley. It has some sweetness, cigar-like character, and a very full taste. A little goes a long way; it is the Prell Concentrate of tobaccos. As Jerry Seinfeld said, "Prell--the hard stuff!" I love it. It's in the same camp as Dark Birdseye and other unadulterated tobacco. Useful for those times when you want a short, strong smoke and I always keep this on hand. I recommend dedicating a pipe to this as whatever you smoke this in will make everything else taste like Brown Irish X.
Pipe Used:
Clay, Jarl acorn, "Czech"
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 22, 2016 | Extremely Strong | None Detected | Extra Full | Strong |
I dare you to dip this it taste like a really strong chew dip etc. Great tobacco if your after the nic chew this will last a long time. Smoking it after chewing or dipping this it's still very strong. Go with this tobacco if your after the nic and regular unadulterated tobacco flavor.
Pipe Used:
Corn cob and briar
PurchasedFrom:
Pipesandcigars
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