Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Coniston Cut Plug

A good tobacco, in the tradition of the Lake District soapy flakes. The burnt aroma is strong, reminding me of S.Gawith Black XX, but the nicotine content isn't so heavy as I was expecting; however, it's definitely an after-dinner! It packs and burns well, with a pleasant light bitterish taste, that becomes very bitter if rushed. Good one.

A somewhat maligned blend, CCP should have a place in the rotation of any Lakeland fancier, as well as occasional play in the pipes of those interested in a trip to unfamiliar territory. Not as rabidly scented as some sister offerings, CCP is pleasantly floral, something of a meeting between St. Bruno and Condor. The nicotine level is high but certainly not obscene. This is a tobacco to be smoked gently and with some attention, as it will turn bitter if provoked. I find it an amiable partner later in the day, along side 1792, et al.

I've smoked about 10 ounces of this over the years since it's been available in the US, though lately I don't want to touch it.

CCP is more rounded and polite than 1792 (one reason could be the Burley) and doesn't pack quite as much of a nico wallop.

It has a smooth yet bitter underlying taste, flavored fairly gently (relative to other Lakeland Flakes) with something that smells/tastes like bannanas mixed with baby powder. The Horrible Aftertaste I get with the ropes is present here but much muted, so muted it doesn't bother me. CCP is monochromatic, smoky and slightly soapy, but that's not news.

It's main problem (assuming you like the scent of baby powder, which I don't mind at all), is that the underlying tobaccos have too high a bitter/strength ratio. As an example, I find Kendal Kentucky to have less bitterness and more strength. Condor is about equal strength to CCP with much less bitterness. Have I mentioned the word "bitter" enough ?

If the ropes are too much but you still feel tempted, try this.

I recently obtained a number of the G&H flakes from Pete Zaring at PipesforLess. In this sampling was the Coniston Cut Plug, probably one of the finest smoking experiences which I ever had. The opening aroma from the bag is pungent and discernible; not the characteristic citric acid aroma of most virginias but full. Mostly brown, some black and a little yellow leaf in the cut plug. Moist to the touch, requiring teasing and rubbing to fill the pipe. I chose a Savenelli Bruna large billiard, rubbing some for the bottom of the bowl, more flake for the middle and some rubbings to top off. A few charring lights and the smoking experience was on. After the first few gentle drawings to establish the light, the flavoring was noticed but then disappeared to be replaced by a steady naturally flavorful smoke, consistent to the last 1/3 of the bowl. It could be a little harsh near the bottom, requiring more than one light, then resolving itself to an agreeable smoke overall for the last 1/3 to the bottom of the bowl.

The smoke is not for the faint of heart. I was first reminded of 1792 flake, but smoother, then reminded of the old Bulwark blend, but Coniston was fuller and richer in taste. The second bowl of Coniston in a smaller bowled pipe (Imperial 2 dot) was not very rewarding. About 1/2 through the smoke even drawing gently and consistently, the light went out and the relighting gave a harsher and wetter smoke. A third bowl, in a GBB Prehistoric Pot was better than the first smoke, and it stayed lit almost to the end of the bowl, that same constant smoke, very flavorful and tasty . Mu conclusions are that this flavorful tobacco is well worth the effort for the experienced smoker, but requires a larger bowl and an investment of time to properly prepare the tobacco for the pipe. Time, too, for appreciating the subtle changes in the smoke through the bowl, but it never becomes that thin smoke that some virginias can near the end of the bowl.

If you enjoy strong no nonsense blends then this is a blend for you. The VA/Bur blend is very well done and the casings are at the top of the mild end. The dark fired elements lead the way with smokey and spicy notes. The VA's are a little sweet (but this is not really a sweet smoke). They have a little citrus and grassy notes in places. The burley is nutty, earthy, a note of cocoa and some alkalinity pop up from time to time. The blend is smokey with a slight sweet spice note as well. This combines with the lakeland floral sent which has been added very lightly. The other elements seem to enhance the tobacco flavor. For example at times the nuttiness has notes of almond and Brazil nuts, which seems to be more from the casing than the burley IMO. A good blend for those looking to try a lakeland blend without being blown away by the floral sent. The nic hit is strong enough to make me feel relaxed. I think I have a pretty high tolerance so take it slow. It will smoke a little wet at the bottom and it can burn hot if pushed. The room note will not win you any friends. Not an all day smoke.

I am glad I tried this.

I am looking for a Hogarth Lakeland floral with a little more scent than Best Brown No2 but not quite so pronounced as Ennerdale.

Unfortunately this one is not it because it is a bit to heavy for me, but it is very good all the same.

Noting the St Bruno comparision from the previous reviewer. I think it compares more favourably to Condor original actually, Similair strength and flavour

My search for a Lakeland floral continues,I might give that Glengarry Flake a try actually.

A real "man's" tobacco. Cool & slow burning, full on tobacco flavour. Nice and earthy. Peaty with a pleasant smokey flavour from the curing process. The flowery topping is evident, but varies from batch to batch. Sometimes it's hardly noticable, other batches it's quite evident.

At times, I'm reminded of a slightly damp day in the woods with a wooden fire burning somewhere nearby. It's a warming and comforting smoke, and makes me relaxed and happy. When I'm smoking CCP, I feel like I've been transported back a couple of hundred years to simpler (and better?) times. It's the sort of thing I expect Tolkien's "Old Toby" to be like. I can envision many a happy Hobbit smoking this blend.

Another 'Claasic' from the Lakeland region of England. Mainly a dark flake, easy to rub out. A false light, a quick tamp, a re-light and on to the experience. A rather floral, ever so slightly sweet taste as one goes down the bowl. I view this type of blend as a change of pace, not an everyday smoke. Sort of a weekend, 'kick-back' type of blend. As with most of the blends from this region, the flavoring (or flavouring) really accentuates the high quality tobaccos, rather than over-power them.

Many thanks for Rich from 4noggins dot com, for sending me a good sample of this blend.

This is a typical Kendal dark pressed tobacco, scented with the typical flowery Kendal topping (after shave foam, ladies hair spray and all?), the smoke is strong in nicotine, which requires an extremely slow puffing to better enjoy this fine tobacco, the taste is flowery semi sweet with some bitterness and with sort of dark caramel undertone, there is a lot of delightful flavors to be discovered during the smoking experience, I found that a narrow bowl with a Very slow puffing (sipping) is the best way to enjoy this blend. Overall, this is an excellent blend in the finest English traditions; I like it and I will be buying more for sure.

* Bad ** Good *** Excellent **** Exceptional