Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Ennerdale Flake

G&H's best selling flake by a wide margin?

Well, they won't be selling any more to me.

EF is a uniquely flavored virginia flake with a goodly amount of perfume.

Like most G&H flakes, tobacco quality is never an issue, and how much you enjoy this blend will depend upon how much you like the flavorings and how well you enjoy/tolerate the perfume. I don't particularly like the flavorings used in EF. Your mileage may vary.

What is it with this perfume thing? Either the Brits have been blessed with a different set of tastebuds than their cousins across the pond, or there must be a large population of Nancy Boys smoking pipes in the merry old U.K.

It's a shame. Save for the perfume, I really like G&H products.

* *

This was my first true Lakeland tobacco. The pouch aroma led me to believe that this would be more heavily flavored. However, upon lighting this tobacco, I found it tasted of very nice mid-range virginias enhanced mildly by the floral casing present. In other words, I really like the flavor. The casing seemed to be far more present in the aroma than the flavor, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying this tabac. This is a nice entrance into the G&H tobaccos as it isn't strong at all and quite enjoyable. I am giving it three stars from now, but it may become more as I sample more of these tobaccos.

Update: This tobacco is quite bitey and I find that it is light on flavor. I don't really care for it anymore, but I'm sure that it fits the bill for some smokers so I am downgrading it to two stars.

Appearance and Aroma: Looks like most of the other bulk flakes frome Gawith and Co. Lots of sugar crystals evident on the 1-1/2" by 8" flakes. Smells like a typical scented flake would.

Packing and Lighting: I prefer to rub out and let about 10-15 mins. pass before lighting. In this way, lighting is 2-3 lights max.

Initial Flavor: Intense! I love the lakeland scent, but this is a little oo intense for me.

Mid-Bowl: The tobacco can be tasted despite the scent, but it is way in the back. This flake does get in the zone where the flavor and the temperature are easily in balance (i.e. no tongue-bite problems)

Bottom of Bowl: If smoked slowly, it builds to a nice strength and leaves the bowl with a fine dusting of grey ash. It does leave quite a bit of moisture in the shank though.

Overall: This is truly a high quality blend, but the scenting was too intense for this piper. I prefer Glengarry, BCF, or Rum Flake over this one. It does burn cooly and has plenty of flavor as well as nicotine for those who like to get blasted. I suppose it doesn't help that the scent kept reminding me of those old ladies who pour tons of cheap perfume on themselves, LOL! Well, I don't think I'll be purchasing anymore of this fine blend, but you ought to try it. Definitely a classic...

High quality, medium brown tobaccos in a perfectly prepared flake result in one of the easier smoking and more forgiving blends. Lights easily and burns slowly, evenly and without any bite. A floral pouch aroma is heavenly but the taste of the flavoring is rather strong and although creamy and smooth, initally reminded me of soap. Perhaps it's psychological, but I associate that taste in my mouth with punishment. Even though I only had purchased a 2oz. portion, towards the end, I was starting to tolerate the "English" taste. I'll try it again, but if not for the taste, this would be one of my regular smokes.

If I could do a bit of complaining I’d say, do not trust most reviews. I’d also say that most of the reviewers here tend to diss aromatics.

Based on reviews I had high hopes for Ennerdale Flake. Hopes which have not been fulfilled.

Perhaps it’s my one ounce sample? I get absolutely no flavoring of any kind. I’m left with an interesting mostly Virginia blend with a tiny bit of Burley. Not enough to consider this a Va/BUR.

As a Virginia it’s interesting but not memorable. As an aromatic it falls flat.

A Lakeland style aromatic has plenty of flavor. There are mostly floral notes and the tin is very full of these notes as is the taste. I can see why this is not for everyone. For me it is too much floral and other unique flavor. As a Lakeland it is good. it is not for those who love English or Aromatic blends. You need to appreciate the Lakeland blends. Also it was very wet from the tin that took off 1 star right away.

I tried this belend as my first foray into the "Lakeland" stlye of tobaccos. I now know what other people mean by "soapy". The tobacco flavor is there and is pleasant. The casing comes through as well. I was actually looking for an aromatic in which the flavors came through in the smoke, however this flavor is not my cup of tea. Not auful, and I will finish the tin, but will probably not order more. You really have to try this for yourself to determine if you like this flavoring or not.

After trying a few of the more prominent lakeland blends, the fitting end of the road (for me) is Ennerdale.

It seems to be what the other tobaccos in the category are striving for. Variations on the theme of Ennerdale Flake. It is certainly the best of the lot if you prefer lakeland style blends. I do not and think about smoking this style of weed except perhaps twice per year. Therefore I probably won't keep any of this on hand with the numerous other tobaccos I look forward to smoking. Vanilla, fruits, liquor, tobacco - it is all there and all obviously high quality. But you are smoking perfume - there are very few other ways to say it. Unlike some of the other flakes, the additive intensifies - instead of melding in with the tobacco - as the smoke continues - becoming a bit murky rich. The burley adds a zesty undertone, which is pleasant - but does not quite bring the tobacco in line with my tastes.

When I reach for a lakeland blend, it is almost always the dark and rosey Kendal Flake. If you like heavily flavored tobacco - try this. If not, avoid putting it in your Balkan dedicated briar at all costs!

Although I have enjoyed smoking a sample of this tobacco forwarded to me by the esteemed Old Sea Rock, I have to agree with NEWMAN that the heavy floral taste and scent keep me from giving this tobacco a better review. It is without doubt a fine tobacco, and very good of its kind, if you like the kind. I have made progress, and can now imagine smoking some of these scented flakes from time to time with pleasure, but in general this just isn't my thing. Excellent for educating the palate, though.