Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Brown Irish X

O Lord, but this is strong!! I bought some because I was feeling in the mood for a powerful and substantial smoke, and that's what I got. I don't regret it, but I have to admit that this mighty baccy has given me some thoughtful and perilous moments. Brown Irish Twist is a good deal too strong for me; I can't smoke a whole bowl of it at once. It should certainly be avoided by the beginner.

So: if you want a real nicotine belt and you like a pronounced cigar-type taste, this is the chap for you; otherwise, avoid it! My main moan about it is the number of relights it takes - but maybe that's just because I'm inexperienced with it. I don't detect any artificial flavouring; if this is cased, I don't know what with: just pure, eye-watering baccy.

Brown Irish Twist is a splendid, old-fashioned smoke if you're in the mood: a bit harsh if you're not careful with it, but cool, slow, full of flavour and with a wicked, bare-knuckle punch. Needless to say, it's an acquired taste and certainly not for the faint-hearted. I'm happy to recommend it as a straightforward, honest pipe tobacco, but with these reservations/warnings. You WILL feel your brain-cells dying and your lungs shrivelling.

Brown Irish X Twist unsliced is a full-bodied Kendal tobacco that leaves my wife snickering. This venerable twist of leaves rewards me like the other Kendal twists. In a suitable pipe it burns cool and dry with few relights. Smoked slowly it will never bite, but it will deliver a delightful tobacco taste that only Kendal tobaccos can. Slice off some. Rub it out. Fill the pipe. Light it and gingerly sip away. No rocket science involved. These Kendal tobaccos are straight out, double clutching, E-flat delicious and satisfying.

07/27/09 UPDATE: I am revising some of my reviews. I have given out more 4 star ratings than anything else. That practice is probably not helping. So, I am reducing BIT to 3 stars, not because I like it less than I did before, but because I am limiting 4 stars to fewer than 25% of all my reviews. One day I may use the 4 star rating to designate my top five.

My first couple of attempts to ready this tobacco for pipe were dissapointing, I tried thin slicing it and rubbing it out like I do with Mac's dark twist roll cake, but this didnt work, the best I could manage was large clumps, not fit for maintaining a proper light, however, after much experimenting, I have finally found that using a pair of scissors to slice small chunks from the edges of the rope, then rubbing out normally as you would do a virginia flake, produced the perfect consistancy for both lighting and smoking.

I have a super tolerance for nicotine, so that isnt a problem for me personally, the flavor when puffed correctly=slowly was really nice,and like no other blend I have yet tried, this is a great baccy to dedicate a pipe to as it is strong, and the last bowl smoked will haunt the briar.

It's not for the women and children to smoke, but for those with a jones for a nice REAL tobacco flavor and not afraid of the beautiful Lady Nicotine. ENJOY

Ok strenghtwise this is supposed to be the Great-Grandaddy of them all, keeping this in mind I proceeded to cut off some slices of this tobacco to try. I crumbled up the pieces and loaded up my test pipe, I calmly lit up the concoction and smoked away. Wow what a surprise, talk about full unadulterated tobacco flavor, this is it, it is very strong but in no way overpowering, just true flavor and yes it does have a nicotine kick, not overpowering again, but a nice strong kick. Just the thing to get your attention. This is an addictive smoke, it leaves you wanting more. It is true tobacco in it's purest form, not anything apologetic or subdued about this one, just raw power. A 10 out of 10 for this one based on flavor, history and longevity. Try this one, and if you like it, pass it on to a friend, keep the tradition alive.

Surprisingly this was the first pipe tobacco I ever had and it converted me from cigars. Haven’t had a cigar since. This had a wonderful leather type flavor during the smoke and the nicotine had me in a zen. Highly recommend. At least I can still use my cigar cutter to cut slices from the rope.

Nice strong rope tobacco which is sure to be appreciated by lovers of twist although it may knock the socks off the uninitiated...

The rope is moderately tight, although the wrapper leaf peels lose a bit. Looks like brown, plain tobacco and that's what it is. It's easy to carve up with a sharp penknife, and works well as thin shavings, or thick coins rubbed out well. It takes a light with ease, doesn't bite, and isn't harsh unless puffed too enthusiastically. Aromas of tea, leather and plain old fashioned tobacco in the rope, and that's what comes through in the smoke. I agree with the suggestion that there's a cigar note here, but it's a strong cheap cigar... Mid way through the bowl the tea character becomes very apparent, rather like a strong cup of breakfast tea that has gone a little stewed, with not quite enough milk: astringent. It can also make the lips tingle with the nicotine...

The aroma is tolerable, plain tobacco. This has no flavorings or casing that I can detect.

The nicotine hit is robust, but not in the outrageous territory of happy bogie. Perhaps I've just got more of a tolerance these days. I smoke it in a Falcon bantam of course, and wouldn't advise filling up a big pipe for a first try. You can smoke it down to a pinch of dottle, after which it risks getting a little harsh on the relight. Not much subtlety or development, but that's not why you're smoking twist... Enjoy!

This stuff Is awesome. Got this with a big shipment of new-to-me-tobaccos in the day after I realized I had Covid because my taste started going. I’ve been enjoying this one as the flavor is full enough that it pierces through my dulled palate. I leave a better review when I get my taste back.

This will put hair on your chest, your toes and quite possibly the palms of your hands (watch out lady smokers!). When I got back into the pipe I got straight into this after realising that most of the main tobacos available at the one and only tobacconist in town had all been bought up by big companies and changed, so I decided that I'd go for purity. The local tobaconist doesn't stock many flakes but always has the black and brown twists in. I'm not sure if what I've got is the Bogie, to be honest, but I'm not sure how much difference there is either. But they sell it as twist so.....I guess this is what it is. The preparation isn't all that bad, slice a few discs and then feed them into the pipe. I've learned to pack very lightly. It needs air.

It's strong (oh I see someone else has mentioned that already :-o) Niccups after half a bowl. And what I've come to appreciate as enforced breaks, when it goes out because my concentration flies out the window. Hmmm, perhaps I'd better just put the pipe down for a moment, like it is suggesting I do. This stuff talks to me. It says "reet there marra'" and then it makes its statement in a direct and succinct manner, straight talking. It's not being difficult or rude by going out. It isn't going anywhere. I think this stuff is quite easy to form a relationship with.

Pragmatism! That's what it teaches. Let's not beat around the bush nor wax lyrical nor go chasing after rainbows. Dry, bluff humour. Westmorland humour!

When I initially light this up it's usually quite caustic for a few moments but then it mellows a bit. Has a sort of tanning feel to the mouth. But dry and pretty cool really. There is a deep taste in there. Quite a clean aftertaste, no gloop at all.

And in these freezing temperatures the late night garage run amongst the hobgoblins and piskies is thankfully kept short with this one.

I like it, quite a lot, but I don't think I'll be making it a regular smoke. However, it is an intrinsic part of my stash.

I think this may be like smoking a Camel straight (non-filter) while chewing tobacco at the same time. Recommended for those who are never quite satisfied with their regular smoke.