Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Coniston Cut Plug

I presume the scenting process is carried out at the final stage, just before packing. Nothing else could explain that the scent makes its presence felt in ascending order in plugs, flakes, cut plugs and ribbons. What is tantalizing or piquant in plug form has become insufferable in ribbon form (Erinmore is a clear example).

The tobacco quality is good, but the scenting intrusive. I have had the same scent in the same makers XX Dark, where it is only on the surface of the plug, and enjoyed it. In the cut plug form it approximates to Condor.

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.

-An english lakeland style semi-aromatic broke flake

-Dominated by a base of dark fired leaf which translates to a higher nicotine content, full and satisfying in that regard

The aromatic factor is light but significantly there. One might say it has some of that "soapy" quality but to me it is verging on floral but not over the edge. I can detect a slight amount of added sweetness to the smoke and aroma very much like tonquin. This in effect is similar to Samuel Gawith's 1792 Flake but as a lessor density in strength and slightly different aromatic quality. The taste of the smoke has the light sweetness from the tonquin, which helps to round out the overall flavor, smokiness from the dark fired leaf and the other aromatic agents contribute a sort of mild bitterness. The smoke strength is tame and not bitting like a VA flake. The richness of the nicotine content in relation to it's mild strenth on the palette is deceptive, so puff slow with caution (not quite near 1792). Another lakeland variety which may be sought after by certain niche smokers.

- Recommended to "Lakelanders"

WHOAH! This stuff is POTENT. The casing is nice, very old-lady perfumy (I mean that in the most positive sense I can.)

About 1/4 of the way, this stuff gets very bitter and burnt tasting... This doesn't make it very pleasing to me, but the first few puffs are nice.

The power of this tobacco is pretty stout. It gets a tad harsh, and is... Well, not really my cup of tea. I would hope that there was a virginia with this casing... Not such a powerhouse.

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.

This tobacco has the typical floral scented British aroma in the pouch, mixed with a deep tobacco scent, and it also smells quite strong. On smoking, this tobacco burns very easily and cool. The strength of the tobacco is quite strong, but not overwhelmingly so like Cob Flake or the ropes. Nevertheless, I don't find this to be a good early-morning smoke because of the strength. It is quite dry tasting, too. Not a hint of sweetness, and a bit monotonous. What I think helps this tobacco is drying it thoroughly and lightly casing it with some high-proof rum, and perhaps a bit of licorice extract. Then it takes on a lively and pleasant character. The room aroma of the base tobacco is heavy.

AN English flake, in the English tradition, soapy as some would call it. This tobacco is either for those you like this type or not. A dark flake, partially broken and it comes moist, so some time is needed to air out for good smoke. Very flavorfull and aromatic in smell and room notes. This tobacco smokes all the way to the bottom of the bowl, with care! Strong on the nicotine, and with a white ash which shows it's purity. Not enough can be said for this tobacco. One of my favorites, which I smoke frequently.

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.