Tobaccos Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. - Rum Flake

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3050)	2013-08-23		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The toasty, earthy, nutty, woody, lightly molasses sweet burleys are the lead components. The Virginias offer a fair amount of tart and tangy citrus, vegetative grass/hay, bread, sugar, some earth, wood, floralness, mild tangy dark fruit, sour lemon light spice and cigar as supporting players. The very mildly applied rum is partnered with maple sugar, and hints of light licorice and creamy vanilla in the background. The Lakeland essence is very mild. Though the casings are not strong, they moderately tone down the tobaccos as they synergistically create a harmonious smoking experience. The strength and nic-hit are medium. The taste is step past that mark. Won’t bite or get harsh. It does have a few very small rough notes. May need a light dry time. Burns a little slow, fairly cool, and clean with a mostly consistent sweet, fruity, nutty, floral flavor from top to bottom. Requires a few relights, and leaves little moisture in the bowl. Has a pleasant, lightly lingering after taste. The room note is a touch stronger. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable for the veteran smoker. Will ghost a briar, and in time, a meer, too. Three stars.

Update: 1-26-2023. As with a 2016 tin that I have been smoking from, the current (2022) label description is ”Virginias and burley with flavors of rum, licorice and vanilla”. Past reviews at TR shows those flavors were advertised and noticed much earlier as well. In comparing the 2016 version to the 2022 production, l notice a few differences. The mild dark fruit is barely evident. The earth and wood are less prominent, and the grass/hay content is higher, indicating a change in the Virginias. The burleys are not quite as potent. The Lakeland essence is lighter, which allows the casings to be a step more obvious, and the blend a notch sweeter. The taste has dropped to medium. All other aspects remain the same as does my three star rating.

-JimInks

37 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Susanna Hoffs (74)	2013-08-11		Medium to Strong	Strong	Medium	Pleasant

Have been wanting to try this for a while now, and I'm glad I did.

A real old fashioned traditional pipers sweet flake is this. Quite sweet, but very flavourful without impinging on the underlying tobacco taste which is surprisingly firm. It isn't overly floral IMO, less so than some of its other stable mates.

Will be getting more of this to jar, and it will become a staple go to blend that will be ever present on my list of regulars. Probably one of my top 5 without a doubt.

Highly recommended if you're after a traditional sweet flake that has some good nic.

33 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CapnStuby (33)	2008-07-11		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

This tobacco is a flake, so this review assumes that you can smoke flake properly.

When you see this in the tin, wrapped in the plastic baggy, you might be disappointed...but when you pop the tape seal, you're hit with a deep, rich, plummy, rummy smell and you can see the darkness and complexity of the flake slices...a good sign!

When you've packed your pipe properly, be prepared for a cool, rich, deep, complex and varied smoke that gives forth clouds of smoke spiced with LIGHT scents of vanilla and rum, but doesn't bite the tongue or flare up in the pipe. Slow, steady smoking will bring a swirling mix of the casing (rum, vanilla, licorice) to your senses and delight you every minute! It burns down to clean, dry ash and lingers in the nose like a pleasant shot of rum and soft vanilla ice cream. EXCELLENT!

This is a wonderful tobacco and is going into the regular rotation. The people I was around like it, too!

This is nothing but an elegant aromatic with enough tobacco flavor to satisfy anyone, anytime.

HIGHLY recommended!!!

23 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2011-02-19		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

After reading the reviews and the description, I'm not sure I got the right tobacco.

I found no trace of Lakeland florals, in either the bag aroma or the taste. There was very little sweetness and what little there was burned away before I got 1/3 of the way down the bowl. What remained was a moderately robust flavor that turned ashy. I was expecting considerably more sweetness and that may have biased me against this blend, but I think my expectations were justified based on the previous reviews. I would classify this tobacco as something to try but quite a disappointment to me. Certainly this is no "Christmas Cake". What it is to my tastebuds is a mostly non-descript mish-mash of tobaccos with a casing that was watered down the day my batch was produced.

This seems to have a following so by all means try it if it interests you. I may try it again someday but not anytime soon.

21 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2002-11-28		Medium to Strong	Mild	Full	Tolerable

Since this review comes on Thanksgiving 2002, I would first like to wish all of my fellow reviewers a safe and fun Thanksgiving weekend. And I thank all of you for making http://www.tobaccoreviews.com such an interesting & educational website for a pipe and tobacco lover like myself. Enough warm & fuzzy stuff. Following is my review of Rum Flake:

Despite the description of an added casing of "Maple sugars," this flake burns cool, dry and sweet. I loved its power and strength too. If you can't tolerate much nicotine "kick" when you puff, avoid this flake or you'll get cross-eyed in a hurry.

A dash of rum is also included in this tobacco. But frankly, it is hard to detect. The tobacco was much too moist the first time I smoked a bowl. But even then it stayed lit well. After drying, the flavors really became more complex and leaped boldly toward my taste sensors.

This was delightful, and you can bet your turkey & dressing that I'll be purchasing more -- some for now and a few tins for the cellar!

20 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2015-05-06		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

One of the more interesting blends I've smoked. Starts with a good taste of Lakeland "perfume" which quickly fades to mild. In comes the rum and maple. The rum has a molasses flavor. As the bowl progresses the natural tobacco flavors come through. Mildly nutty Burley and mildly fruity Virginias. Due to the sweetness of the topping I can't tell how much sweetness might be coming from the tobacco. I smoked this in three types of pipe. I brought one of my briars out of retirement, a cob, and a clay I purchased just for this experiment. Here are the results.

1. Briar (Rossi Poker) - This brought out the rum and maple and minimized the natural tobacco flavors. The Lakeland scent started strong and quickly faded to mild.

2. Cob (MM Diplomat Apple) - This brought out the natural tobacco flavors and minimized the rum and maple. As with the briar, the Lakeland scent started strong and quickly faded to mild.

3. Clay (8 inch English tavern cutty) - This really brought out the sweetness with the rum, maple, and Lakeland scent coming through loud and clear. Couldn't believe how sweet it was. The natural tobacco flavors were very much minimized.

This was a fun blend to play with. Overall it's a very good smoke, and this is coming from someone who normally doesn't care much for Lakeland "perfume".

Medium in body and flavor. Flavoring varies from mild to mild to medium depending on the pipe. Since I have to choose one I'll go with the latter. Burns very nicely.

Pipe Used: Rossi Poker, MM Diplomat, Clay Tavern Cutty

Age When Smoked: fresh bulk

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

17 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Smoke_Ring (158)	2013-07-24		Strong	Strong	Full	Strong

Rum Flake;

Star Rating = 3.75;

Rating Scores - 10 is the Best and 0 is the Worst;

Pouch Note = 10;

Room Note = 9;

Flavor = 10;

Bite = 9;

Burn = 10;

After Taste = 9;

Raw Score = 57;

Rated Percentage = 95%;

Comment = Smooth, Strong Strength, Full Body Natural Tobacco Flavor, has a slight Sweet Taste, enjoyable smoke

14 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Blackhorse (96)	2011-11-01		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Look down one review. I think it's imporrtant to understand the intent behind the use of flavorings in many of Gawith and Hogwarts blends. As I see it they're neither necessarily supposed to reek of nor strongly taste like the flavor...which is there often to 'take the edge off' a very strong blend or enhance and meld with other Lakeland essences which may or may not be present and to varying degrees. In this sense they are condimental...they 'adjust' the flavors. This is especially true with the flavored twists (whisky, rum, maple, etc.). I also find it to be the case with blends like the Lousiana Flake, in which I can taste a faint Lakeland style floral aroma...but little of the touted Perique. But it's there. Rum Flake is perhaps the sweetest flake that G&H makes. It's fantastic, wonderful stuff. But the flaver reviled by the other reviewer is likely that light rum combined with the lignt Lakeland essence. If you like it...well and good. If not...you claim the rum is from China. Sadly, if you don't like this one you likely won't like other forms of G&H ambrosia...like the already mentioned Lousiana Flake...or Glengarry...or Brown Flake Unscented. Boy...they sure do make some amazing flakes.

Of course, I'm not saying anyone has to like 'em. We all have different tastes...as it should be.

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2006-12-12		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Is there such a thing as a bad flake from Gawith & Hogarth? If there is, I have yet to discover it. I have not tried any of their full strength offerings, as that type of thing is not really my bag.

I normally try and avoid tobaccos with any sort of casing or flavouring, but sailors have added rum to tobacco since ancient times, so I felt I should give this one a go. Having said that, I don't feel I should welcome the taste of rum first thing in the morning!

Well, it is simply outstanding and I recommend it wholeheartedly. It never overheats the pipe and smokes beautifully right to the end of bowl, which should appeal to the more thrifty amongst you. The quality is instantly apparent from the moment you light your pipe.

What is the perfect medium flake? Is it British, from the Old South, or could it possibly be Danish?

This is a first class tobacco with which to sweeten your by now, thoroughly confused briars. Even my most hated Dunhill Pot, seems to have taken on a new lease of life!

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pounder 5000 (178)	2003-09-11		Strong	Mild to Medium	Very Full	Very Pleasant

I got this tobacco, along with Bob's chocolate, Black Irish X rope, and Glengarry flake, as a chance to sample some of Gawith's tobaccos. As you will find if you read my other reviews of these tobaccos, this is the only one that really did it for me. This stuff is simply the best aromatic tobacco that I have ever tried. I can't say enough good stuff about it. While I could recognize that Bob's and Glenngary were of excellent quality, it was the flavoring components that didn't appeal to my personal tastes. Not so with this tobac! The flavor of maple sugar along with sweet Virginia and nutty Burley were perfect. I know that there is supposed to be rum in the mix but it really doesn't seem to be there. I think they should rename it Maple Flake. The casings never cover up the taste of very high quality tobacco in this blend, and all together it alway's makes me think of that elusive, rich, classic tobacco aroma that we all strive to rediscover. The same aroma that we remember smelling when we were kids and we encountered the smell of grandpa smoking his pipe for the first time. This is a cool smoking blend as well with great burning characterisitics. This stuff is classic and I will never be long without some on hand. That being said, if you are looking for a hearty, rich, and tasty aromatic that still delivers great tobacco taste, take this for a spin. Too rich for all day consumption, it will indeed be a treat on Christmas morning!

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HabaneroHardy (403)	2017-11-23		Medium	Medium	Medium	Unnoticeable

This pipe tobacco has a short story behind it. Where to begin? Several years ago I frequented a popular Cigar and Pipe Store that has and is still around for over 30 years. I do not get to go there as much as I use to but it is a nice place to relax with tables, chairs, couches, coffee maker, etc. and has a huge selection of pipes, tobacco, and cigars. I was in there on my regular Sunday morning, window shopping the pipes in the display case when a nice lady came in with a box of pipe tobacco, one of many I was later to find out. I started talking to her about the large box of pipe tobacco, and learned that her husband had passed away. It was his hobby she said, and I detected some obvious sadness in her voice. This gentleman during his life time had a huge cellar of pipe tobacco unlike anything I have ever seen. She was there to sell the jars and tins of his pipe tobacco to the proprietor of the shop. She offered me a few jars before she handed them over to the shop owner and I graciously and politely accepted a few not really knowing or paying much attention to what I selected and thanked her. Over the next several weeks I also purchased some of this gentleman's pipe tobacco from the store. One of the two jars given to me was 16oz of rum flake that was packed so tight I could not believe how he did it as the flakes were perfectly arranged in the jar and was dated 10/02. This Thanksgiving eve I decided to try this one. 15 years ago this man stored this pipe tobacco and now I am about to use it. Not to sound melodramatic but I feel a little sadness when I smoked this one this evening and could not help but wonder about this man. In an odd way I feel somewhat of a connection to this gentleman who from the way his wife spoke about him really enjoyed his hobby and past time and hopefully wherever he may be he knows I consider this gift a great honor. My collection is not the largest but I know I have more pipe tobacco than I will ever consume in my lifetime. Probably due to the fact there is 'always' a blend out there I have not yet tried. I am 58 and hopefully when I cross over, whoever gets my stash will enjoy and respect it the way I have respected his. Now to the review. It had a great rum/maple smell to it right out of the jar. I loaded it in my Peterson 307 that I normally use for rum/whiskey pipe tobacco, Irish connection I guess. As I fired it up I detected the 'essence' I hear about but it faded quickly and it really smoked good. You can tell by the taste, feel and the way it smokes this is a real quality pipe tobacco. I had two bowls this evening with my coffee and will have some more tomorrow. Not much more I can add other than I am lucky to have it.

Pipe Used: Peterson 307

Age When Smoked: 15 years

Purchased From: Gift

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	steppx (186)	2016-08-26		Medium to Strong	Medium	Very Full	Tolerable

Im partial to Gawith Hoggarth tobaccos. Period. I smoke several of them all the time. And this is one I smoke semi regularly. Its very rich, but not cloying in anyway. I dont fully understand some of the negative reviews. Look, I get that GH tobacco is not for everyone, but if its not your thing then ok. But its difficult not to appreciate the institution that Gawith Tobaccos (both houses) are in the pipe smoking world. If gawith goes out of business, god forbid, I might give up pipe smoking (ok, an exaggeration but not by much). Rum Flake isn't the strongest of their blends, and in fact its more like a tad over medium in the nic dept, but flavor wise its strong. The flavor is creamy and spicy both, but the tobacco taste never leaves. And the base note is that air cured Indian leaf they use for most of their blends. Some of their other blends (Ennerdale for instance) do sort of obliterate the tobacco taste, but not RF. I think Rum Flake is among their best IMHO. But its not an everyday smoke. This is very old school, like all GH blends and not for the smoker who likes Danish aromatics or light burley blends. Just don't bother if that is your preference. But Id at least give it a try....start with something like Grasmere maybe, or Best Brown...and move on up to Rum Flake and eventually try Dark Birds Eye and even Bosun Cut plug. You might like them. Then if you are truly out of your mind, try Black Irish Twist or brown bogie. The later two are made for serious hard core hope to die pipe men, or shipwrecked sailors or just crazies. But joking aside, none of their product is ever anything but of the best quality.

Purchased From: 4noggins

Similar Blends: other gawith hoggarth blends. Nothing else..

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jorge Soler (203)	2015-12-14		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

I'd personally not label any of the Lakeland's as cloying or syrupy, but this is probably the least soapy of all in that particular range. Even though the Lakeland essence is quite apparent, it is not as much in your face as the other ones. Most people seem to complain these flakes are somewhat rough round the edges, but how a flake is being cased should not be a measure of the level of sophistication or class per se (not withstanding all the Danish blends). The fact these flakes are lightly cased can only mean the stress is being put onto the tobacco itself and not so more onto its aromatic qualities. On the other hand, it seem to evolve quite nicely as you progress with your smoke, going from mild to medium to somewhat full. I can tell the Virginia leaf does not come here on its own, but I am not too sure what other tobaccos might be present in this blend. I guess a Burley tobacco of some sort, probably flue cured, but I cannot tell for sure. Despite the thickness of these flakes, they are both easy to crumble and pack your bowl with. I cannot detect any tongue bite and these flakes seem to be very forgiving and easy to smoke. I have thoroughly enjoyed this tobacco, so I am going to give it 4 stars.

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2082)	2014-04-23		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. - Rum Flake.

Quite robust, dark brown, flakes. The rum tastes sweet, with only a little alcoholic piquancy. As well as the rum there's the suggestion of perfume/flowers, which reduces the rating. Rum Flake behaves well in the bowl, giving a bite-free, cool smoke. The nicotine's medium and the room-note's tolerable.

Rum Flake? The slight floral note turns me off. Two stars:

Somewhat recommended.

Pipe Used: Peterson

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Smoke King

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	strongirish (249)	2009-01-11		Very Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

How anyone could not like this stuff is beyond me. It's one of the few virginia blends that has such a good taste and fullness that I don't feel the need to be a fast puffer. I think it is an excellent blend! It has a full delicious slightly fruity taste from the very start, and just gets better as you work down the bowl. When I got to the bottom I was tempted to reload and go again. It leaves absolutely no tongue bite, at all, could very well be an all day blend and it left a great taste in my mouth. I had it with dark roast coffee and was in heaven. I will for sure keep this on hand all the time. It may become my go to tobacco. Try it, I highly reccommend!

I am returning to this blend now 6 years later and just finished smoking a tin of this blend. My opinion of this blend has not changed. It is an excellent blend and once again I am enjoying every bowl of it. This time I dried it to an almost crisp moisture level and it made it even better. I am a real fan of this blend. One difference I have noticed is that the flkavoring listed on my current tin differs from the description on this site. My tin says the following "Virginias and Burley with flavors of rum, licorice and vanilla. No mention of maple at all.

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Satc001 (67)	2007-01-05		Mild to Medium	Medium	Very Mild	Very Pleasant

This is actually a pretty good blend, but one I probably won't smoke again. It has a wonderful aroma and nice, albeit mild flavor. It is a bit like a cup of coffee, bitter-sweet with the occasional maple note from the casing enhancing it. Unfortunately, it is simply too mild for me flavor wise and I'll probably go back to my bosun cut plug. This is a good tobacco, just not for me.

Update: It became more bitey and the taste went flat, going to have to down this a star.

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Steerpike (156)	2006-10-13		Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This tobacco is interesting. The flavour of the tobacco is much like that of Samuel Gawiths "Best Brown", but is swetened and spiced by the rum and maple sugars. The blending has been carried out most artfully, though, so that the differing flavours are almost impossible to distinguish, but blend together into a wonderful smoking experience.

It lights and burns easily, and smokes dry, with no bite unless puffed too fiercely. Breath smoking is ideal, and brings out the most subtleties of the smoke, but it is certainly more forgiving than the pure virginia flakes. The flavours are complex and interesting, yet mild and unobtrusive- you can sit and really enjoy it, or just puff away at it while doing something else. The flavours are tobaccoey, in the sense of a lightly stoved virginia, and with a sweetish fullness. The rum taste might appear if you really look for it, if you've been smoking it in the same pipe for a while, but really it just lives in the background, to enhance the taste of the tobacco.

I do not find this to be extremely strong, like St Bruno, but it is by no means a weak tobacco. Neither do I detect any soapiness, this is not a scented flake, as such. It is certainly not an aromatic in the vanilla cavendish sense of the word. Well reccomended to virginia flake lovers, or to people who want to try Lake District tobaccos but dislike the heavily scented ones.

++++++++++++++++++++++++Update+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After enjoying this tobacco it became one of the first baccys that I would buy some more of after finishing a packet. While I lived in Preston this became one of my "staples" in a way few other tobaccos have. I enjoy Latakia, I enjoy Perique, and I enjoy the soapy Lakeland flakes too. But all of those are something I like variety in, while Rum Flake seems to just sit in a category of its own as something I can smoke every day without getting bored of. When I moved down South and couldn't find it in the tobacconists I rather forgot about it, but obtained some by mail order last week. It's still as delicious as I remember, I'll be getting more soon!

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Smokeybear86 (14)	2014-07-22		Medium to Strong	Mild	Mild	Tolerable

Tin Note: First whiff of this blend I thought of those rum and whiskey filled chocolates in the shape of bottles you usually see around the holidays.

Initial Light: The flake was in cube cut form ( or as square as i can get it) and i packed it rather lightly at first, so i think this is the reason i had a hard time getting it lit. I just kept repeating the false light process and packed it down more until finally I got it going. at first it tasted kind of soapy.

Mid-Smoke: At this point I had to relight the pipe three times and I was getting a little bite due to the heat it was smoking at, so i gave it a few minutes to cool and picked it up again. I don't know whether it was do to the bite i was getting ,but the smoke seemed rather strong for my liking.

Bottom of the Bowl: At this point it was a completely different smoke, it was cooler, the taste and feel was smooth and creamery. However it wasn't enough to sway my feelings on this blend after all it was a good 45min to reach this point.

Room Note: I asked the wife and I got a rolling of the eyes which in my book translates to tolerable but your an idiot.

Dottle: The dottle was impressive, i give this blend credit that it did smoke down to ash with minimal moister in the pipe and no gurgle throughout.

Smoking Duration: 1 Hour yes i went through 1 Hour of this tobacco all in the name of science.

Overall: I will revisit but I don't see myself stocking this up in the cellar.

For the next time i smoke it:

-Pack it tighter -Use a smaller pipe -Try fold and stuff method -15min dry time was sufficient but maybe ill try an hour.

Pipe Used: Trypis Dublin 3/4 Chamber

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: 4noggins

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	OSR (78)	2009-01-18		Medium to Strong	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

If Mac Baren made a 'full' mixture that didn't bite this would be it.

Updated 08/05

I've changed the way I smoke this tobacco. I no longer roll the flake; I cut it up with scissors into small pieces and then further rub it out until it's almost powder. The depth of the flavor is more abundant to me when prepared in this fashion which results in a mellow and even more "round" full smoke. I will also let the flake dry on a plate before cutting and rubbing out vigorously.

Oddly enough, this tobacco has a hint of that "soapy" flavor that one finds in many of these Lakeland style flakes. It's not overwhelming, it's kind of charming. I will be smoking the bowl and all of a sudden I'll get an awareness of that 'taste' and then it's gone.

The tobacco burns slow, cool and dry. The nicotine edge that this tobacco has is just right - it's not over the top like Dark Flake and it's a little less pronounced in nicotine than the Kendal Flake is.

A friend of mine in Florida introduced me to this tobacco. He's a former cigarette smoker and has sworn by this tobacco for several years. Once when we swapped pipes he sent me a sample of this and I laughed at him! No way would I put this foul 'soapy' stuff in my pipe! But being an adventurist (and former cigarette smoker) I decided to try it and was simply amazed.

The sweetness of the maple in the tobacco is like Mac Baren on steriods but not in an aromatic way. Rum Flake smokes all the way down, just like it started - a very steady and heady smoke. No wet smoke, just let the flakes dry out a bit before loading.

A buddy of mine (at the Chicago Pipe Show) filled up a pipe with this. He told me that he (a cigarette smoker) had a problem with blends biting his tongue. After finishing the bowl he came up to tell me that this blend was wonderful - and he bought a couple of 'bricks' of it to take home. He came up to me the next day to thank me for introducing this to him.

I keep this on hand at all times, it's highly underrated but it does have a hint of that soapy flavor that so many abhor.

Unique and Thoroughly Enjoyable!

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Captain Pete (83)	2006-10-20		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Whether you are a smoker of virginias, va/per, or aromatics, you will probably like this flake. The charactaristic lakeland taste and aroma is nearly absent, definitely unnoticable. What comes through is a fairly sweet, slightly spicy tobacco taste. The strong rum smell present in the tobacco before lighting only just comes through in taste at the beginning of the bowl. After that, it seems simply to add depth to the natural sweetness of the tobacco itself.

I've always been impressed with the quality of G&H, even in their offerings that I didn't particularly care for. There is no denying that the tobacco is of the highest quality. And Rum Flake delivers on this with satisfying taste and aroma all the way to the bottom of the bowl. It will not take the place of my favorite smokes, but is definitely in the lineup for a once a week smoke.

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Geronimo Von Klaus (76)	2014-12-05		Very Strong	Strong	Full	Extra Strong

Dang, this is sturdy stuff.

The tin note is actually slightly off-putting. The topping is clearly alcohol, but not classy stuff, more like someone's breath who has a hangover. Its kinda rancid, sour, rough alcohol, on top of some very rich and sturdy tobacco.

Sits in a plastic wrapper inside the tin, odd.

Ships damp, and needs some drying out. However, this is a very good smoke. Its like Irish Flake with some aro elements, so there is a very rich VaBur combo at work at the heart of it, deep and dark VaBur with plumes of rich blue smoke, and the alcohol flavour comes through in brutal fashion. It doesn't hide whatsoever.

Its somewhat similar to Sextant without the Lat, the richness is not hard to find, and the furnace brings out a lot of nuance and deep flavour.

I really liked it, however, its also responsible for the first time I was put on Weird Street, and after smoking a massive bowl of this in an XXL Billiard sitting down for almost 90 minutes, I was very green and ill for almost 2 hours, ending up not smoking again for about 2 weeks. The strength of the tobacco, the volume and richness of the smoke, the big and loud alcohol aroma, this is not for the feint hearted and if you are not ready for it it will knock your socks off in brutal fashion.

Big yes, but be cautious.

Pipe Used: XXL Billiard

Similar Blends: GLP Sextant.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mudguts (14)	2014-12-03		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I actually did not like this blend the first time I tried it, but now I consider it a favorite. It starts off a bit harsh and too floral. Then the foreground Lakeland influence begins to relinquish some of its prominence to the musty perique-like maple and (almost undetectable) rum about ¼ the way down the bowl. (Don’t misunderstand me, I like Lakeland blends, but not when they are too heavily stated.) Pull slowly to enjoy. Stays lit. Sweet spots are treasured and interplay delightfully with the acrid. The harshness progressively transforms to the smooth and creamy. Last third of bowl it becomes more fruit-berry like and the nicotine gets stronger. This smoke can dry your throat out, so have a drink handy. The blend goes through a metamorphosis in taste and PH as you work down the bowl, but the integrity of the tobacco is maintained throughout without the taper off that so many lower quality tobaccos exhibit. If you like the prospect of smoking an aromatic tobacco that is a step up from the typical fare, then this blend with its stoutness of character and medium nicotine should qualify.

Pipe Used: Dublin briar, cob

Age When Smoked: fresh bulk

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrumsAndBeer (217)	2012-06-01		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Another solid flake from G&H. This one is darker in flavor than Glengarry or Brown Flake No. 2 and the floral notes are a bit more noticeable. The tin note is that of spiced rum, prunes, honey and an ever so slight sweet-hay almost oat-like aroma.

Charring light brings forth a swell of flavors and an underlying floral essence. Throughout the bowl the interplay between the tobacco and Lakeland flavor is perfect. The floral notes seem to come and go, making for slightly more complex aromatic experience than G&H's less perfumey offerings. I don't get much of the rum and maple flavors, but there is an underlying sweetness that supports the tobacco flavors beautifully.

Rum Flake has a very refreshing quality to its flavor. It's fairly full tasting yet smoking it leaves a very light foot print on my palate. So far one of my favorite G&H flakes.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	beaupipe (102)	2011-09-21		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

G&H's Rum Flake sits high on my list of mild or subdued aromatics. Great looking in the tin (or bulk package), Rum Flake arrives as a medium brown, loosely pressed flake. Like most G&H Flakes, it's very easy to work with and versatile enough to allow for several preparations—rubbed out, folded and stuffed, rolled into a plug, etc. Personally, I tend to rub it out because I find that preparation best for releasing the subtle aromatics of the tobacco.

A whole lot of ink has been spilled discussing the flavor profile of this stuff. I think it smells heavenly—a lightly intense mix of rum, raisin, and maple. In the pipe, the maple flavor tends to come to the fore, but the aromatic intensity is sufficiently muted that there are occasions when I forget that I'm smoking an aromatized flake at all. Since I'm also a fan of G&H's Unscented Brown Flake (which may well serve as the tobacco base here), I'm fine with that.

The mildness of the flavoring here really does need stressing, given the name of the tobacco. Smokers looking for either intense rum aromas or intense maple aromas should probably look elsewhere. The maple here is nowhere near as intense as it is in, say, C&D's Autumn Evening, and the rum here is far more subdued that it is in tobaccos like Sutliff's Barbados Plantation or C&D's Blockade Runner. That's all for the best as far as I'm concerned, but others may find Rum Flake to be a misleading title.

As for the complaints about the “Lakeland” scents here: on occasion, I do get a wee hint of something floral, but complaining that this tobacco is heavy in Lakeland scents doesn't strike me as useful. Or true. This is wonderful stuff for smokers who enjoy rich tobacco flavor lightly enhanced with aromatic agents.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2011-05-09		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Another nice flake from GH. Rum Flake arrives a bit moist and it does have the soap like smell that GH is known for in many of their blends although not as soapy as others. I don't find that it translates to the flake. Rum Flake is somewhat sweet and I find the rum flavor to not be as strong as some suggest. Its not in the league of other spirits flavored tobacco like Pembroke or Cognac Mixture. The rum adds some of the sweetness. I prefer to rub the tan flake out and smoke it in a smaller bowl. While a decent flake out of the tin, it ages very, very well. The flakes turn very dark in color and while the rum taste diminishes, the sweetness increases. A few years of age on Run Flake and its a four star blend. Rum Flake is a must try for those that love Gawith Hoggarth flakes. Recommended.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2006-12-06		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

Comes as a pressed block with delicious sugar crystals forming on the outside. Smokes rich, deep and sweet with a sublime room note. THIS is why I took up pipe smoking...

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Spike (296)	2004-11-27		Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable

I don't know how this could be rated only two stars! Absurd! This is one of the best flakes ever! Don't smoke this first if you are planning on trying any other tobacco that day! It is so flavorful it would overwhelm any other smoke that followed. If it has any fault it would be that a small pipefull seems to last forever! Really good stuff! "Non-Flakers" need not apply!

Update 11/26/04:

One of my pipe-buddies new to the game (a former big bucks cigar buyer) says this is as good or better than any of the $10 cigars he used to buy. He is not saying it tastes like a cigar, rather it gives him similar satisfaction.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SeoulSister (37)	2014-03-25		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

The batch of Rum Flake I have been smoking is pretty old. The light tan flakes are now a much darker shade. In the jar, the smell of rum is strong and sweet. I lightly rubbed out the flakes before packing. The flavor is medium to full. Because of the age, I get a mild sweetness with a bit of Lakeland soapy and floral flavor, but the soapy flavor seems to come in and out through each smoke, but it isn’t constant. Even though I smelled the rum in the jar, I didn’t taste any of it in the pipe. Rum Flake has no bite at all, but I don’t know if that was due to the age of the tobacco. I really enjoyed the sweet floral taste of Rum Flake, but I have grown tired of the soapy flavor and that kind of ruins it for me. I am not saying I would come back to this because I used to really like it, but for now I can only somewhat recommend it.

Age When Smoked: 11 years

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrDyson (148)	2010-04-14		Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable

I bought half an ounce (12.5 grams) of Rum Flake at the suggestion of a friend, who loves it. I see that several previous reviewers have rated it highly, and it may be that I haven't really given it a fair trial; but I have to say that I found it rather a disappointment. I don't hate it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy any more of it.

The pouch aroma is just plain gorgeous; 'Christmas cake' in the manufacturer's blurb is a very apt metaphor. But this is a tobacco that promises a good deal more than it delivers: the aroma doesn't (in my experience so far) carry over into the smoke to any noticeable degree. After the first couple of puffs, there's nothing much to distinguish RF from (say) G & H's Brown Flake; though, thanks to the sugary casing, it's inclined to smoke a bit hot.

RF is all right, and I don't mind recommending it to people who like G & H or SG flakes. It's a pleasant enough smoke if you don't rush it, and not too strong in terms of nicotine content. Nothing to write home about, though.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2009-08-24		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Not a bad tobacco. Provides full smoke, burns cool. However, the taste is not well balanced for me and a small hint of lakeland 'soapy' flavour does not really support rest of the casing. Would still recommend to try as it is interesting and definetly good quality tobacco. But I will probably not buy it again.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Paddy (127)	2003-04-27		Medium to Strong	Strong	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a tobacco I buy in bulk and keep for months, smoking it sparingly over time, perhaps a bowl a week or every two weeks. It is a typical dark, pressed G&H flake with a maple sugar aroma and this carries over into the flavor of the smoke. This is a strong tobacco, and has that pleasant astringent sensation of nicotine on the tongue underneath the tobacco flavors. The combination of the sweet maple and the somewhat bitter, dark pressed flake flavor are unique to this tobacco. There is absolutely no bite. I like the dark pressed, scented Lakeland flakes, and I like this the best of all. If you like a sweet tobacco now and then, but you want the taste of tobacco, this is an excellent choice. Highly recommended. Paddy.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2013-06-16		Medium	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

A tobacco description that is absolutely spot on. The taste definitely makes me think of a slice of spiced Christmas cake with rum drizzled over it. It is fuller of taste but not so strong where I would be grabbing a small bowled pipe. I smoke it in a standard size billiard. I don't get Lakeland floral at all but since I smoke Ennerdale and Kendall flakes perhaps I'm less sensitive to it and miss it in it's most minute addition. I highly recommend you try this if it sounds at all interesting to you. personally, I smoke my flakes dried significantly and suggest if you have an unsatisfactory smoke with this tobacco, dry it more and try again before moving on.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BingCrosby (162)	2019-11-02		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I'm really glad I gave this one a try.. it is my new favorite GH blend and possibly my favorite 'aromatic'.. I'm a fan of navy style blends and like a little rum flavoring.. but this as other reviewers have said is quite unique.. My tin, purchased new, did have some sugar crystals so there may well have already been some age on it.. it is very stout and the flavors are quite upfront.. the Virginia is a minor player compared to the burley.. as you go down the bowl the burley really starts to shine and the maple comes out here and there.. it does have a little strength to it.. not a powerhouse but stout.. the rum is very subtle and seems to be a darker rum.. the ingredients all work together beautifully and the aroma while smoking is amazing.. I didn't detect much Lakeland essence.. maybe it is different in bulk as many others seem to pick it up.. it has a decidedly sweet and creamy character.. I could see this appealing to many different types of smokers as it crosses over many genres.. it has plenty of natural tobacco flavor.. it is by definition an aromatic.. it is a burley.. and it does have some Virginia (though kind of in the background it is there) highly recommended

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Voyaging (80)	2019-06-17		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

The presentation is lovely and rustic, seemingly 'old school' with the broken flakes typical of GH. The smell is kind of weird and perfume-like. There may be some Lakeland essence in this blend, or it could just be cross-contamination. The perfume doesn't come through in the taste.

Taste: sweet and bready, dry and nutty, molasses notes, maybe a touch of caramel. This blend produces lovely creamy smoke. Nice smell that comes off the pipe. The rum seems to add nice sweetness, maybe some wood.

Nicotine: I got a slight hit. I'd rate it medium. Strength is mild to medium. The smoke had some denseness which helped with the promulgation of flavors.

This may ghost your briar, but I haven't smoked it in any pipe consistently. I imagine it would do well in the sweetness of a corn cob.

I'd recommend it to the Lakeland smoker, or even the burley smoker, as long as you don't mind flavorings. There is enough sweetness to delight the Virginia lovers as well. It's not really an aromatic, to me. Tobacco flavors are on top of added flavors. I would buy it again as a treat tobacco maybe. It's also a nice intro into Lakeland tobaccos without getting heavy Lakeland ghosting, maybe, or heavy Lakeland flavors. A similar tobacco would be Peterson Hyde Park.

Pipe Used: Bent apple,bent brandy,canadian

Age When Smoked: Fresh from tin

Purchased From: Iwanries

Similar Blends: Peterson - Hyde Park.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	butman (50)	2013-09-05		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I found this on a second visit to various Lakeland flakes. This burns great, tastes delicious and complex. Enjoyed it in a small briar then a meerschaum and have stayed with that play. Probably one of the best navy-style flakes I have and will continue to enjoy. The rum is subtle and the other flavorings just seem to work well as the tobacco still rules the experience. It does have a goodly amount of nicotine so not too late at night is better.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PipesterJim (47)	2011-01-09		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Isn't it funny how our tastes change? I first sampled this flake a couple of years ago and I really didn't enjoy it very much, but having since developed a penchant for the Lakeland flakes I now find this to be a thoroughly delicious smoke.

Even though I usually don't like blends with more than a hint of burley in them, something about this one keeps me coming back. It's the exception that proves the rule, and I reckon that the composition of different varieties here is pretty much spot on - the richness of the topping compensates for what I usually perceive as a 'dry' and 'dusty' characteristic in burley tobacs.

The flavours on offer here have already been described pretty accurately by other reviewers. Maple dominates, then the soapiness, followed by the licorice/anise spice with the rum flitting in and out.

I like to smoke this roughly rubbed out in a medium sized bowl. Although I find it can be a tiny bit nippy for the first few puffs, it soon settles down and burns very nicely.

When I want to treat myself, I cut a thin coin of Brown Bogie, rub that out with the flake and load them up together. The small amount Brown Bogie just nudges the strength and body of the smoke up by a fraction and makes a subtle contribution to the flavour, rounding it out a little. It's an indulgence I can heartily recommend, as I can Rum Flake.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rustedrailsmokes (293)	2022-01-02		Medium	Medium	Medium	Tolerable

I picked up a tin before reading the reviews in my quest to find the rum flake /tobacco that I really would like as I enjoy rums as my brown liquor of choice.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by what I got. It has a faint lakeland scent that comes through from time to time. I picked up the maple/sweet/rum mostly in the first 3rd of the bowls. The rest of the time it was a nice burning medium flake that is complex in a good way. The room note isn't a favorite with my wife. My bulk is from 2021, so I'll be interested to see how this one ages and look forward to having it as a treat from time to time.

Pipe Used: various

Age When Smoked: 2021

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stah (153)	2021-06-03		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

For some reason unknown to me, this tobacco is found in different countries in different packaging, with different labels and names. In American stores I have seen it with a label of dark green color, in the EU the manufacturer had to change the name of Jamaican Flake or R&M (Rum & Maple) Flake. Nevertheless, the manufacturer claims that in all the variants described it is the same blend.

Jars of this company's products, unfortunately, are not marked with the date of packaging. So we have to refer to the 2012 excise stamp. Judging by the smell, the tobacco has obviously been in storage for a while - the rum has weathered, and the maple syrup reminds of molasses. In addition, the bouquet has a very faint, but familiar Lakeland flavor (mostly rose oil), as well as the tobacco's own smell - a nut, some stale hay and, for some reason, rye flour.

In appearance, the slicing of the tobacco is no different from other G&H flakes - it's still the same sloppy and slightly broken, as if they were chopping tobacco with a knife by hand. The plates vary in thickness from a millimeter to two, and one plate at different ends can have different thicknesses. I can't say that it makes stuffing the pipe easier, on the contrary. The best variant for this kind of tobacco is a pipe with a wide bowl. The color of the tobacco looks like a long-lasted bitter chocolate, fully covered with a light coating: through the light flake of the shade of stained white oak you can see the veins of cocoa color. If you look closely, you can see very small sugar crystals glistening on the tobacco. The consistency is dense. The moisture content is moderate, no moisture when kneading.

The taste was quite unassuming: a nut, a little earth, a drop of rum, baked pear, bread from a mixture of rye and wheat flour, rose oil.

The strength of the tobacco is medium, and gets a little stronger as you smoke it. The tobacco does not bite, is soft, burns slowly and cool, while it burns - increases in volume, leaving a loose, but fine ash. Despite the apparent relative dryness, it leaves moisture in the pipe and even the mouthpiece. Nevertheless, I don't recommend a pipe with a filter - I had to take it out to taste the nuances of flavor.

The smoke from the tobacco has a fairly consistent but neutral tobacco smell with hints of rose and walnut.

Bottom line: an everyday blend for those who like burley with subtle hints. I personally don't particularly like it, but I can't help but note its harmony and lack of any distinct flavors or aromas.

Pipe Used: Peterson Irish Writers

Age When Smoked: 2012

Purchased From: Online

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	fr_tom (393)	2021-01-18		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I got this in a sample from a friend. There was a slightly heavy sweet pouch note. The flakes were mostly broken in the sample and moisture level was good. I rubbed it out to smoke.

This is a slightly sweet smoke with some earthiness and a hint of Lakeland. There was an odd flavor I picked up that I have found in other Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. blends. There is something I am getting - celery seed maybe? It is not unpleasant, but it is unusual.

I found this burned a little slow and was enjoyable.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stefanos (222)	2018-04-12		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Unsmoked it has a subtly sweet flavor, if I didn’t know I would not say necessarily rum but it has a sugary quality and a sweet rose petal aroma that complements the earthy and grassy tobacco smell. The flakes are long and thick and I received them almost ready for smoking.

Super tasty polychromatic tobacco with a very mild scent. This is more like smoking a straight sweetened Virginia than a full blown aromatic Lakeland though there is a mild herbal scent that rounds off the edges along with the maple sweetness. And Virginia is not the only tobacco taste here, as I think I can also taste the cake-like Burleys. Leaves a lingering spicy and complex aftertaste. Strength is a solid medium and it smokes cool.

Excellent. Fully recommended in itself but also a nice tobacco to break into the Lakelands.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Calamiti (87)	2017-10-16		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

At first, I was disappointed with this blend. I was anticipating "The Christmas Cake Of All Their Tobaccos", as advertised. I bought it because I wanted another wild Lakeland Aromatic, for the rare moments when I crave them.

In fact, the blend is rather moderately scented. Well, it's scented in a pleasant way, but not to the point to advertise it as a "Christmas Cake" when there's an array of much more generously scented options in G&H line.

The tobacco has a pleasant Rum note in the tin. During the first five minutes after the initial lighting, some maple or licorice sweetness can be briefly tasted. That's all what is aromatic about this blend. And then its true face uncovers: abundant Burley-based smoke, strong and full, straight and manly. Really good in its own right but not too much of an aromatic.

Gradually I've come to like this tobacco for what it is and not for what I expected it to be from producer's advertisement. Lightly scented Burley is actually a rare and very pleasant thing. Will definitely order more of it.

Pipe Used: Peterson 80s

Age When Smoked: 2

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimmyH (1)	2016-09-19		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

For a number of years this was my main daily smoke. I began smoking G&H tobaccos at the suggestion of Jim Beard. I had quit smoking unfiltered Camel cigarettes after 36 years, and needed something with plenty of nicotine. So JB recommended Lake District tobaccos and they did fit the bill.

I was a bit surprised to see less than great reviews on G&H Rum Flake, but like double edge razor blades, end users have various preferences. I buy this tobacco in 500 gram packets and roll the flake out as soon as I get it.

I store it in an old ceramic Dunhill tobacco jar and it keeps well in there. As noted above, this was my daily driver, but G.L. Pease Robusto shot it out of the saddle, and though I still smoke the RF, it might only be a bowl or two in a day or two. I'm not good at reviews describing flavors, characteristics. Suffice to say that I highly recommend this tobacco.

Pipe Used: Ashton, Dunhill, Comoy, Barling, others

Age When Smoked: 67

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes dot com

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrT999 (318)	2013-01-04		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

While the flavorings are a little too much on the sweet side for me to be part of any rotation, this was a very good 'holiday' smoke. It also smoked (for me at least) a little on the slow side; a little went a bit longer than most other tobaccos, even other flakes. To my surprise, it also smoked fairly cleanly (no goop, despite being sweet).

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2011-04-21		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Gawith Hoggarth Rum Flake has been described as a Christmas Cake tobacco and it is. Sweet, rich, exquisitely high class flake tobacco. I wish I'd discovered it many years ago. Delightful. Comes wet. Needs drying. Upon opening the tin the aroma is of overpowering rum. That quickly settles down and is all but lost in the sweetness of this eminently satisfying gem of a smoke. Very highly recommended.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	doc'spipe (242)	2011-01-05		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

I ordered a tin of this for the first time and received it this afternoon. Beautiful tin aroma of maple/vanilla and a touch of rum. I also detected a spicy undertone - perhaps the licorice. The bottom of my tin listed it as Virginias and Burley with flavors of rum, licorice, and vanilla. Medium brown in color with some sugar crystals starting to form on some of the leaf. A very mild soapy smell was also present, but none of the "lady-like" perfumes (thankfully).

It loaded well into a medium billiard, but due to its freshness, it needed many a light to get it - and keep it - going. However, it still was quite a remarkable smoke. I enjoyed it very much. It was pleasantly sweet, but not cloying. Despite the frequent re-lights, it smoked hot and with some bite only if puffed fast (I smoked two bowls back to back it was that good). It did have a soapy taste with lighting that pretty much stayed throughout the smoke. However, all though ever present, the soapy flavor actually was quite tolerable. The other flavorings blended superbly with this mild soapiness, and there was a nice tobacco presence as well. My youngest daughter said the tin aroma smelled like maple syrup. My oldest said the room note was like the caramelized smell of a roasting marshmallow. DGT on this one was spot on. As said, it can smoke hot and bite if pushed, so best to sip at this one.

Overall, I was very surprised with Rum Flake; enough so to add it to my rotation - perhaps once or twice weekly. Definitely better than an American blended aromatic, Rum Flake is a fine example of an expertly blended English aromatic.

UPDATE 3-24-13: My latest tin of RF had virtually no tin note at all - nor while smoking it. I thought it was a problem with the seal, but some RF I have left over from a previous tin is as dry as tinder but yet has a nice tin note and more flavor while smoking - go figure. The fresh one smokes like BB#2 but with a bit more Burley presence. Still good, but disappointed.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-01-08		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Ok, While this had a great burley base a wonderful virgina (G&H and Gawith make great virginia flakes...)taste.....I'm the party crasher. Maybe it was my tin, or I underestimate the floral casing....It just wasn't for me. The tin was presented beatifully. the flakes perfect. The tin aroma was great Anise and Rum.....I sooooo wanted to like it. Once this got burning....there was that weird fake floral taste. Be warned and enjoy....

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bent-1 (39)	2006-03-16		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

The sweetness was quite present, though I couldn't finish the bowl due to the soapy taste. Probably a quality tobacco, but not one I'd buy. Jaybee & Esoxhunter nailed it precisely. Soapy aftertaste ruined the experience.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (633)	2019-04-15		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a blend that I fully expected to love, and love it, I did. The reason is that I figured it would be similar to Sweet Maple Twist and Peterson's Hyde Park, just based on the topping and the manufacturer. Like those blends, this has rum, maple and that hint of Lakeland floral that seems inherent in all GH blends.

What differs between this and the aforementioned blends is the constituent Tobaccos (and perhaps varying amounts of ingredients in the topping even though they do taste the same to my memory). Although Virginia is only listed as 30%, it smokes IMO, like a Virginia aro. For all I know the sun cured tobacco they speak of may also be Virginia in origin, in which case, it would be nearly completely Virginia leaf.

This blend is not nearly as strong as the Sweet Maple twist, that is for certain. It also does not have the same amount of body to it as the Twist. Hyde Park, on the other hand, is more similar in nicotine content, but also seems to have more body to it than Rum Flake.

I really enjoy all 3 of these blends, but I found Rum Flake to be the most enjoyable to my tastes. It had just enough nicotine to satisfy my needs and I really like how the topping played with the Virginia. It had such a nice sweetness to it, it was a pity each time I reached the end of the bowl. Like all of the GH blends, it is very hard to get this one to bite and I believe this could easily be an all day smoke. Highly recommended.

Purchased From: Indian river Tobacco traders, SW Michigan

Similar Blends: Hyde Park.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pinko (52)	2016-09-14		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

There is no "essence" in Rum Flake, none of the floral or soapy flavorings that people object to. There is 40% sun cured leaf, and several folks have misidentified that as essence, but it's just Oriental or Balkan tobacco. The other components are 30% Virginia and 30% burleys and dark air cured. There's plenty of strength for a midrange blend, not as overbearing as the twists can be.

From the tin, the rum is strong. It behaves perfectly in the smoke, and the maple sugar casing doesn't burn hot at all. It has a good flavor, rich and satisfying when a lighter blend won't do. The flakes are a little wetter than many G&H ones, but after a little more effort lighting the pipe it burns perfectly.

Rum Flake is what I imagined Navy Flakes were supposed to taste like, stronger, plain tobacco topped moderately with rum. It's worth keeping around.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2016-09-06		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

For those of you looking for a GH flake with NO Lakeland essence, this is for you. Sweet, but not overly sweet and goopy. Delicious taste and aroma. Nice vitamin N lift. The Christmas cake analogy was correct. YUM!

Pipe Used: Sasieni 4 dot

Age When Smoked: week old.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Little Steven (76)	2016-08-24		Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Unnoticeable

Lovely smoke this. Lights and burns easily. Excellent quality. Simple flavours.

Tends to the monotonous but you know where you are.

Satisfying any time of the night or day.

Pipe Used: Stanwell billard.

Age When Smoked: Fresh.

Purchased From: Gauntley's of Nottingham.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2016-01-11		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Wow this is tobacco that should come with a sugar high. I don't get any Lakeland perfume from this blend, but the first 10 minutes or so I do catch a strong anise taste when I exhale through my nose. It's responsible for most of the spicy flavor, I think.

The sun cured tobacco is super sugary, and overwhelms the Virginia. The Burley and dark air-cured play well together. Everything mixes very well so that nothing stands out in particular, but I do wish I could get some stronger VA taste out of it. Personal preference, whaddya do.

It's ready to smoke out of the plastic wrapper, and props to GH for the little "Kendal Tobacco" sticker that holds the plastic shut.

Three stars if you've got a sweet tooth, but don't expect it to behave like anybody else's rum or navy flake. This is dessert tobacco.

Pipe Used: basket pipe

Age When Smoked: fresh

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2015-10-21		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Well, we have no surprises here. We are dealing with a typical Kendal flake with lots of character, strength, and a nice, discreet casing. Rum Flake burns well and does not require much attention to be able to enjoy. Recommended for those who enjoy a strong and rich Lakeland aromatic.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lew (4)	2015-08-13		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant

I'll start by freely admitting that this is my all-time favourite tobacco. I just love the stuff.

I was recommended this one by my local b&m as I was after something with a fairly decent strength, being a cigarette smoker. I told the lady that I quite liked St Bruno and she grabbed the jar of Rum Flake off the shelf and suggested that I might enjoy it, so off I went with 50g of the stuff. When I got home I loaded my pipe and gave it a try. I was hooked by the flavour and aroma, plus it gave me a case of niccups by the end of the bowl so it satisfied the nicotine craving nicely.

Unlike some of the other G&H flakes I don't really notice the Lakeland scent with this one, just a nice "pipey" smell with a bit of sweetness from the rum and maple. I've smoked this fresh and aged 10 years and it's great both ways. I think the flavouring is more noticeable when fresh but it's still there when aged.

While I try other baccies when I get the chance I always come back to this one like an old friend.

PS: For those who try it and hate it, feel free to send your left-overs my way. :D

Pipe Used: Orlik 56071 bent bulldog

Age When Smoked: Fresh bulk/aged 10 years

Purchased From: Branson's, Farnborough UK

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BigNick (59)	2014-10-13		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This was a great tobacco. It was complex in flavor and yet simplistic in body. Every smoker could enjoy this. It is an all day smoke. The room note is pleasing to those around, it does not smell like cookies and cream but does not offend. Right out of the tin, it is ready to make any smoker happy. Highly recommend.

Pipe Used: Butz-Choquin Bistro, Millard

Age When Smoked: 2 months

Purchased From: Smoking pipes.com

Similar Blends: Peterson - University Flake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	kaywoodiecanuck (14)	2012-07-07		Medium	Mild to Medium	Overwhelming	Tolerable

I picked up a tin of this a couple weeks ago, was quite excited to get into it. Alas expectation causes some suffering. I really did not like this one. Tin note had a bit of recoil affect, not rum, but a hangover from rum kind of smell. The cut was interesting. Smoking it was not. Had a bit of a perfume (my wife tried it and claimed it tasted similar to the way "old ladies perfume" smells. I have to agree though I would have simply qualified the taste as perfume or soap? A low rating from me but I am no expert and it may have been a bum tin.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2012-03-23		Medium	Medium	Medium	Tolerable

I've smoked about half a tin of this blend, and I have to say that with each smoke I enjoy it less and less. The tin note is wonderful, full of rich, deep earthy tones with a hint of dark fruit and rum (as the name indicates). Upon smoking it, however, all is lost except for an overwhelming flavor like that of an old woman's powdery, flowery perfume. This perfume-like taste has emerged from each of the GH&Co. blends I've smoked, and it really does detract from the overall experience in my opinion. I'm afraid that once I've finished off this tin, I will stay away from other GH&Co. tobaccos.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	krg1000 (183)	2011-09-27		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Another great blend from GH. It comes a bit moist for some, but nothing a little drying won't cure nicely. A very nice presentation in the tin. Loads, lights and stays lit well. It burns down to an ash easily. The taste and room note are top rate. What more can one want from a bowlful of fine tobacco such as this? Overall, I would definitely recommend this blend to one and all.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2011-04-20		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I was surprised by this tobacco. When I first tried it, I detected a definite Lakeland flavoring that convinced me that the pipe I was using had been "ghosted" by Ennerdale flake. Upon trying Rum Flake in a different pipe, however, I came to understand that the tobacco does indeed contain a Lakeland topping.

Upon opening a pouch of Rum Flake, the tobacco presents itself in long, wide flakes with some ragged edges. Coloration is medium brown with lighter spots and variegations. Some small sugar crystals are apparent on the flakes, and will likely develop further with cellaring. Aroma is sharp and fruity, with a slight background of cocoa. Surprisingly, I could not detect any of the Lakeland floral scent present in the pouch.

The tobacco had an ideal moisture content, and did not require drying time or rubbing out. Lighting was surprisingly even and easy for a flake tobacco. Expansion on the charring light was minimal, and the draw remained easy.

During burning, the taste of the tobacco is slightly sweet, and the Lakeland flavor begins to assert itself. Unlike most Lakeland mixtures, the distinctive flavor is mild and subtle. (Some Lakeland tobaccos assert themselves like a luchador charging into the room and clotheslining you; Gawith Hoggarth & Company Rum Flake is more like a purring cat rubbing against your ankles.) The light Lakeland treatment harmonizes well with the meatier tobacco taste that appears when a bowl is burning well.

The tobacco burns evenly and easily, leaving fine, crisp ashes. A minimal amount of sacrificial dottle can be left in the bottom of the pipe at the end of a smoke. Rum Flake does not seem to turn foul or oppressively concentrated at the finish of a bowl.

In summation, Rum Flake is a pleasant experience and may be a good introduction to Lakeland flavoring for a person who is curious about the experience but afraid of being overwhelmed. The scenting is very mild here, and allows enough of the true tobacco taste to come through, so Rum Flake should be acceptable even to an individual who finds something like Ennerdale too strong.

Oddly enough, I couldn't detect any distinctive taste from the maple sugar casing Gawith Hoggarth and Company uses in Rum Flake, even though tiny crystals of sugar sparkle throughout the flakes.

Pipes used for testing: Peterson Aran 268, Peterson Killarney 999, Savinelli Saturnia 606 KS, Neerup Classic Poker (2), Stanwell Special Billiard (102)

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dubinthedam (133)	2010-12-24		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

Probably my favorite gawh, nice n sweet all day smoke with great va taste, this blend is perfect for a introduction blend to gawh, the floral tones are nice and soft. Top broken flake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2010-08-28		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This is another fine tobacco from GH. This one is for burley puffers, not Va smokers. There is very little Va in this one. It is a full bodied, medium strength blend that smokes dry to the bottom with no bite at all. Initial taste and smell to me is of cotton candy, which diminishes down the bowl. The latest tins say it is topped with licorice, rum and vanilla. I give it a light rub out in a grp 6 bowl, and it burns well enough, maybe requiring one or two relights. Stays good tasting down to the bottom. This is one of my regulars,and highly recommended.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	renwardhoop (177)	2010-07-23		Medium to Strong	Mild	Very Mild	Unnoticeable

A very dark flake, with only a trace of rum, which really only appears briefly in the tin/pouch aroma and the initial light. Seems to be available only as a loose tobacco.

The strands are tight and moist (but not as moist as SG's Navy cut). Any flavour there is dies away as you progress the bowl, leaving a harsh, but somewhat mellow aftertaste.

If you are looking for a Rum soaked blend this isn't it. It's pleasant, yes but really not what I thought it was going to be.

Certainly not a tobacco I'd smoke on a regular basis, but well worth buying in small quantities.

Pipe Used: All

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Cgars

Similar Blends: A light SG Navy cut..

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2010-05-12		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

strongirish said it best below. "How anyone could not like this is beyond me". I almost passed on this because of some of the reviews I read here. His convinced me to give it a shot.

Am I ever glad I did. This stuff rocks! I've smoked through a 2 OZ sample in just a few days. It just keeps getting better.

Despite the rum and maple sugar toppings this is not at all an aromatic. It tastes like I want a a VA to taste. It's the thing I keep trying to coax from many VA blends

I typically avoid burley because it bites me. But this doesn't' bite at all. In fact it's almost soothing to the tongue.

It comes a bit wet and like most flakes benefits from drying. I rub it out and pack it with a sort of hybrid air pocket/Frank technique. It burns amazingly well. I typically seem to have several relights through a typical bowl. Not with this. I won't roll out the cliche' "fine white ash". But it burns down to the bottom of the bowl with no fuss.

I buy very few blends in quantity to cellar. Only if they rock my world. This will be one I buy several pounds of. It has immediately made my top 5.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pseudo Nim (129)	2010-04-17		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The look and smell of the flake was wonderful, once rubbed out and lit, it all went pear shaped. SOAP. Sadly for me, thats the end of the story. I just can't stand soap flavoured tobacco's.

Update August 31 2019 I found a tin with some of this left, dry and crispy, there's not enough to warrant rehydration, so I smoked it as is. The florals are still there but the rum flavouring still comes through, I may even be tempted to buy another tin, although by now it's probably only available in bulk. My palette has obviously needed time to change in order to appreciate Aro's more.

Pipe Used: Various briars

Age When Smoked: New to 9 years

Purchased From: GQ

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Uruss (10)	2010-03-08		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Well, I heard a lot about this blend and really, most of what I heard was good . so I ordered me a tin of it from an online shop.

I had it sitting on the shelf for about a week or so and today I decided it was time to give it a go.

The smell of the Tobacco when I opened the tin was fantastic, very Rasin like and very pleasant. it comes moist and dries out easily.

The smoke is not as pleasant...I really couldn't find the Vanilla, Rum, or Licorice. It just had a shampoo/soap taste, just really a chore to get through about half the bowl. I couldn't continue smoking it. I know you should give a tin a bowl or two before you judge it but this Tobacco just doesn't do it for me, no matter how many attempts I give it, my opinion won't change.

But, then again, it seems like plenty of people like it. So you might as well pick up a tin, I can only give so much information. It's your own opinion and your own tastes that decide.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipemanuk (76)	2009-10-03		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

G & H produce some fine scented flakes...fine that is if you have the taste for them; Rum Flake almost escapes the base notes of their scented flakes. Almost. It has a wonderfully subtle aroma in the tin or box; rich and chocolatey, sweet and alcoholic...and there's wafts of the same tastes when you light up. For me, they seems to dissipate as I work my way through the bowl, becoming less pervasive and more soapy (as others have alluded to); not that that is a problem as I enjoy the Lakeland scented varities G & H produce. I can see however how this tobacco could dissappoint some folk as the early promised taste doesn't quite last. So from an objective point of view, while I still enjoy it very much, I think in a way Rum Flake falls just short of being a great tobacco...so 3 instead of 4 stars.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	The Full English (31)	2009-10-02		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

I read some favourable reviews of this flake and eventually tracked it down to an online shop in Leeds, England. My first impressions on the nose and visual senses were equally as favourable, and if the smoking experience had followed suit, it would have been a rare beast to boast about.

Out of the packet, this loosely-packed tobacco looks and smells delectable: 6"x1.5" dark, golden-flecked, moist flakes that rub - and dry out - extremely easily. For once, the aroma matches the description faultlessly: I get a good dose of the maple sugars and a nice rum note from what is evidently a tobacco of quality.

However, the smoke itself was, for me, a big a disappointment as was possible. Undoubtedly, this was single-handedly down to the casing, which manifests this taste like lavender soap. And I don't mean merely "soapy"; it's just too strong to ignore as a passing sensation. Furthermore, it follows until the end of the bowl, creating a very one-dimensional and ultimately disappointing smoke.

To give this tobacco its dues, it's better when circulated through the nose, which gives this blend a sweet-cum-petrol aroma, and if you're one of those people who enjoy the smell, whilst filling up the tank of your car, then this might just redeem itself. I tried this in both a regular Peterson and a churchwarden, and received the same experience, even with the later addition of a filter.

I am in no rush to try this again in a hurry and sit on just shy of 50g of this 'Fresh New Hell,' which I would happily trade right now for anything, with anyone living in the UK.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Room Note Professor (44)	2009-08-16		Medium to Strong	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Smells of molasses in the tin, with just a hint of anise and maple. Use some imagination and you'll find a drop of rum buried in there somewhere too. The sweet smell in the tin does not fully carry over to the match. The taste is much less sweet, yet full and rich.

Smokers will find the room note pleasant, but for most non-smokers it will be tolerable to okay at best. This tobacco reminded me of a stronger version of Amphora Red, although Amphora has a fresher edge to it as well as a more interesting room note.

Rum Flake is a pleasant smoke for people who desire a medium to strong tobacco flavour mixed with some aromatic qualities. A rich and satisfying smoke. It has a nice kick and I love it for a change of pace from the milder aromatics.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2009-02-27		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Lakeland Tour Stop 17

As with all G&H flakes, this was an even thickness (very thin), easily rubbed out and burned very well all the way to the bottom of the bowl. The tobacco quality is obviously top-notch, as always. But I can't seem to get into any of these flakes. There's always some kind of flavor missmatch with my pallate. I try to be objective, but there are limits. This flake smelled very sweet in the tin, but the smoke was usually quite bitter. A tobacconist of my acquaintence said this tastes like hairspray, and unfortunately that matched my experience as well. Moments, and even substantial portions of bowls, were smoother and more pleasurable; however it usually left me thinking "If only it were a bit more...." sweet, smooth, whatever. My experience with it was very similar to Brown Flake by Germain. Not surprisingly, since I know a guy who loves both. So it will match some pallates, and some experienced and sophisticated ones at that. Just not mine. Alas. Better within the genre for my money: Kendal Cream Flake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Big Nick (74)	2009-01-06		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I like that description, "Christmas cake" because thats the scense I got upon popping open the tin. Absolutly wonderful fragrance of Rum, brown sugar, licorice and spice jump out of the tin. The flakes themselves glistening with sugars secreting to the surface like a light dusting of snow. Can you taste the drama ? I can. Best of all, it all seemed to transfer into and meld with the smoke perfectly. As an added bonus this is a fairly robust smoke with quality tobaccos. Not your standard mild Cavendish type of aromatic (which I also like). On the other hand its not a knockout type of after midnight power smoke known as Sweet Rum Twist (rope) (I like it too). I would put it in the catagory of "Top shelf afterdinner smoke". Thats when I find it most enjoyable. I've found it to smoke best in flake form, fully dried out to were the flake starts to break up a little when folded and loaded. Then you can take those little pieces that broke off and sprinkle them on top of the bowl for an uber easy lightup. Drying it out is the key for a bite free, powerfull, yet smooth as silk smoking experience.

And to think, I used to believe that life was only about Food, Sex and Breathing.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Henry Mars (21)	2008-12-26		Medium	Medium	Full	Very Pleasant

I have been lurking around this site for a few years and just now am getting around to writing my first review. I don't know why I selected this blend as my maiden voyage but I did. Normally I prefer Balkan Mixtures ... BS 759 being my all time favorite. Rum Flake is flavorful, not particularly complex with some nicotine kick. You can taste the sugar in this stuff but I really don't detect any rum flavor .. probably just mellows out the tobacco a bit. As with most flakes for the best result do not over pack it and smoke it slowly or it will incinerate your tongue.

It starts out with the typical soapy, floral taste and seems to develop more sweetness as you progress ... I would have liked a little more tobacco flavor and less sugar but hey, it is what it is and it ain't too bad. This stuff will never be part of my regular rotation it is just to sweet but is is well done for what it is and if you like this sort of tobacco it is an excellent offering. Solid 3 -3.5 stars.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2008-03-31		Medium to Strong	Medium	Full	Pleasant

First and foremost it must be said that this is a very good tobacco as are all of the fine tobaccos by Hoggarth.

I find it mandatory to dry the tobacco before proceeding to enjoy it. I?d say it?s a quite strong and heavy tobacco which can be smoked to the bottom of the bowl and all that is left is dry ash and nothing mucky.

It doesn?t give that burning sensation on the tongue and is in fact a quite enjoyable, refreshing and slow smoke. What you eat or drink before smoking is very important as it does not have intense scents but does have apleasant taste. The rum is actually quite subtle as the chocolate flavor does in BCF, but does have an exquisite taste with the maple adding a pleasant sweetness to an already naturally sweet tobacco.

Also note that I found it easier to smoke if rubbed well before.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-12-02		Medium	Strong	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

I pick up a couple of ounces of Rum Flake with a recent order from Peritti's. I usually don't smoke aromatics, but based on the reviews here, I decided to give it a try. This is an excellent rum flavor VA/burley flake with licorice & vanilla. Upon lighting, your first get a burst of licorice flavor. By mid-bowl the rum flavor takes over, but you can still taste the excellent tobacco. Yes, it has that Lakeland soapy/flora taste, but I enjoy the flavor. No bite or goop like most aromatics. This is a great tobacco to smoke around the holiday, with a room note that won't offend anyone.

Highy Recommended

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-09-15		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Nicely flavored blend of different tobaccos.

Not something I'd want to smoke everyday and not my favorite GH Flake but Rum Flake has a taste all its own. Worth a try.

*

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-08-24		Medium	Medium	Medium	Tolerable to Strong

This came as a suggestion from a pipe/cigarette smoker and I can deffinetly taste why. Not unplesent, quite the opposite, the rum and anise flavoring is deffinetly an interesting mix. I am usually an English man but this blend does right by me so I have to give it 3 out of 4.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jaybee (77)	2007-08-03		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

It might be unfair for me to comment on this brand since I don't have a huge affinity for the Lakeland florals; but I keep thinking that a taste this soapy surely must have some antiseptic value! A quality tobacco for sure, but not for me.

Update:

I recently took another run at this tobacco and I'm glad I did. This experience was completely different from my first and I don't know if I got a bad batch or whether my taste buds were slightly off during my first try. The floral taste is definitely present, but it now seems to add rather than detract from the experience. I like the strength and the transition of tastes.....can't wait to order more.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-07-18		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A very strange one this! Firstly, I had to import this to the UK from a tobacconist in the US. Following the smoking ban, it is proving next to impossible to get quality tobacco other than from the big two (Dunhill/Orlik or Peterson)so thank goodness for the USA!!

Anyway, this tobacco is unusual. It burns exceptionally well, tastes good and does not bite, The only thing is, and here I seem to disagree with everybody else, I did not get a huge nicotine kick. Now I think that University Flake is mild, so it may be just me but I was not fully satisfied in the nicotine department. Still it may be just me as I say. The other negative is that the aroma upon first opening the tin is strange. It reminded me of Bovril!!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	puro66 (73)	2007-06-18		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant

The "Christmas Cake" of all our tobaccos. Makes me want to sing carols just thinking about it. The lakeland special essences with just a touch of your Aunt Bertha's drugstore perfume are combined to make a pretty tasty tobacco. Yo definitely get the licorice, which is good for me, in the first half of the bowl. The rum of course is in the subtle background. This is not necessarily a daily smoke for me but one I will smoke from time to time to break up the palate. No goo here, so don't be afraid of it's description. A moderate dose of nicotine is present.

"The first noel..."

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-06-16		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I must confess, I love G & H tobacco's! But when I first recieved this and smoked it in a briar, I found it bland and unimpressive. After letting it age a few months, I broke some up and filled a "Tavern Pipe" which is a long Churchwarden type Clay Pipe. And BOY, what a difference! I think this blend is going to be destined to be smoked out of these pipes from now on! The flavor is amazing, although I must confess, all I taste is a very pleasant Licorice, which is one of the flavorings. And it is so smooth and relaxing from start to finish, with just enough nicotine to make me sink down a little into my chair. My Partner says the roomnote also smells like Licorice, which he finds to be very pleasant. Give this one a try, and if you have a Churchwarden or a Tavern Pipe , you may discover EXACTLY what I am talking about!! Highly Recommended!!!!!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-06-08		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The flake looks like a dark brown block at first glance. As you break it apart, it seperates into the bacon-like stips. Very mild tin aroma, almost undetectable. It is somewhat moist, so requires a little drying. I smoked some as bent flake, causing it to burn very slowly and for a long period; this method produced more nicotine strength than when I broke it out. The room note is pleasant and the flavor seems very similar to Samuel Gawith Kendall Cream flake. It has a cream soda type flavor, however you do get the mild licorice flavor off & own throughout the smoke. It burns to a white ash, has no tongue bite and maintains the taste throughout the bowl.

The only thing is, I could not smell nor taste any rum! This is my second rum tobacco (the other was C&D blockade runner) that does not have the slightest resemblence to rum. However, it is still a very pleasurable smoke. I'll give it 3 stars.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-03-01		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Rum Flake.01/03/07. This is pretty good,I found it easy to light after letting it sit on newspaper for five to ten min's.It only required two lights and then I was on a fairly decent smoke to the bottom of the bowl.It left a fairly goop free grey white ash at bowls end.I could definitely taste the three flavours during the course of smoking this.The burley was there and the presence of the kentucky and virginia made their presence felt at certain times.There was very little moisture and finished with a nice greyish ash at bowls end.In it's class it deserves three stars.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	dualkarnain (75)	2007-02-22		Medium	Mild	Medium	Very Pleasant

I am intrigued with aromatic, flavored tobaccos. The thought of a tobacco and extraneous flavors is an interesting prospect. However, the execution of such blends leaves me with chemical burn, little nicotine spin and gooped up pipes. Hence, my usual flavor-search is relegated to Balkans, English and other Latakia blends.

Enter Rum Flake! A fine tobacco taste with crystalized sweetness and little goopiness. Hell, I've smoked English blends that burned wetter.

Superb, excellent, praiseworthy.

I give this three stars because it is not the pinnacle of my piping experiences. In solely aromatic realms this is a 4star.

Images evoked include an undead santa claus delivering monkey brains to the stockings of anklebiting zombies during winter solstice.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-02-04		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

i purchased 4 oz of bulk from the host here and after a few bowls the jury is still out on exactly what this blend is. It smells like some Macbaren stuff... Burley london blend for example... It has a nice taste and yes I do taste that floral flavor most people mention from time to time. It got a little warm if pushed but flavor is just as intense at the first puff as it is at the end of the bowl. Something in this keeps me from saying yahoo but something in it makes me want to cellar some for later.. Like I said I just cant call it for sure.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2006-11-08		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

First of all, I think I'm going to change my screen name to 'ReviewRace'. That's classic! (Please see Pipeline's review of Pipeworks & Wilke Rumcake;-} I was looking at rum blend reviews.

Anyway, this is Gawith's Rum Flake. o.k. First impressions, this is not a good driving tobacco. It is way too subtle and filled with tastey goodness to be ignored while watching out for local idiots on the road.

I had been waiting to try this stuff for a long time. I finally did last week on my drive to work. Where's the sour flowers? I wondered. Is this really a Lakeland product? Well, yes. You can certainly taste the dark air cured leaf, application unmistakably Gawith. And there is the teensiest of hints of Lakelandness once or twice during a bowl. Yes, teensy. But mostly it's a medium to strong virginia/burley flavor with a touch of maple sweetness (and I mean a small touch). It has a smooth spicey round body, and, like my wife, an outstanding room note. It also has a healthy supply for your Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin N.

Note to Charles Schultz: Happiness is a sack of Rum Flake and a pipe to smoke it in.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	sasha (228)	2005-12-22		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I expected something similar to S.Gawith Navy flake, but this one is a lot different. The rum casing is more present at the nose than at the match, when smoked you taste only tobacco with a light almost soapy flavour. The nicotine punch isn't the strongest I've tried, but it isn't a mild one at all.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2005-10-08		Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

First off, I had to give this tobacco a try. I'm glad I did. The bulk stock from which I purchased was not overly moist, in fact it leaned towards dry, so I was thrilled. I imagine that this RF smoked with a bit more moisture could turn the pipe bit into a blow torch. I also didn't notice any but the slightest topping aroma ... so either my tobacconist has defrauded me or this tobacco needs to served exactly this way.

The broken flake is very easy to work with and rubs out easily, in fact, the first pipefull was just stuffed into #4 sized Brand X pipe of decent quality and fired up. The first whiff of smoke was bewildering but pleasant. To be honest I wasn't sure what I was smelling but nonetheless I proceeded with reckless abandon. Tamped and retorched, it was full tasting, balanced and I searched (although wary) for the maple sugars. We still haven't been introduced.

What I did notice is a rather malt-like, buttered toast-ish bottom to a nicely powerful blend. It is complex IMO and those soapy / floral highs peak at intervals along the way. It smokes slow, cool and rich.

Now, with all due respect to those noteworthy reviewers that have been so helpful to me that have also bombed RF, I'm wondering if there is a major inconsistency in the varying stock of this tobacco or my original supposition that my tobacconist is a crack pot. All the casing / topping ingredients in the RF I'm smoking is almost indistinguishable and I have found this to be a very enjoyable, rich, full and complex basso that also doesn't cripple the palate. This blend could be called No Name Flake and that would be more appropriate from my experience.

I would love to hear more from detractors re-visiting RF in a more naturally aged drier condition.

Cheers, VC

(Update - I finally was able to identify the Maple Sugars essence after dedicating a pipe to this blend. As with all the other elements of this smoke - the rich smooth taste of a wonderful blend is merely tied together very successfully with the maple/rum. I'm convinced that further aging and slight drying is the secret to the transformation of this tobacco.)

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2005-08-24		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have been smoking G&H Rum Flake off and on for some time now, about 4 ounces. This is a quality tobacco, with a rich tobacco flavor. The maple topping passes quickly, not that the topping is at all bad. As others have mentioned, this tobacco can have some kick, but not at all as strong as, say, G&H Dark Birdseye. I usually rub the flake out fully, and find it burns very well, with no bite. If you're looking for a step up from most "normal" tobaccos to something with a bit more strength, this is an excellent choice.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Ducksbreath (125)	2005-05-21		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

For years I didn't like this stuff, gravitating toward either the more wildly flavored Kendal Flake or toward the darker and stronger G&H tobaccos (CCP), yet always keeping one G&H in my rotation. After all, there are no subsitutes for these kinds of VA based tobaccos (well except for S. Gawith).

But finally I've been won over by this blend's taste, authority, and incredibly bite free smoking characteristics. Not a complex smoke, not so dynamic, but as smooth as is possible, and somewhat sweet. Pretty strong but not in the heavy hitter league. Highly recommended.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2004-09-26		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

September 2004

Like Bob's Chocolate Flake, this is a quality tobacco, but also like BCF, I just can't get past the soapy flavor that seems to dominate everything else.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Danno (106)	2004-09-25		Medium	Medium to Strong	Full	Very Pleasant

Well well, what have we here...a gorgeous English aromatic. I came by 2 ounces of this flake and have rendered it to a wistfull memory in short order. Other reviewers have made mention of the "maple" smell. I concur but I don't taste it. Initial taste is thin, dare I say somewhat cheap, especially when exhaled through the nose. Thankfully, several puffs later the smoke revs up and tastes wonderfull, rich and full. I have been smoking it in a long Canadian, providing a gentle, cool experience. Due to it being cased and sugary, relights can be a tad ashy, but the unpleasant flavors soon diminish. Not an all day smoke but rightly rewarding when in the proper mood and space. As to the mention of "floral" notes, I couldn't detect any. I smoked it alongside half a dozen of the traditional Lakeland mixtures and found it a welcome departure. Enjoy.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2004-06-25		Strong	Mild to Medium	Full	Pleasant

Some weeks ago I began the journey through the line of fine tobaccos made by Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. and I must say that the trip has been rewarding.

When purchased in bulk, Rum Flake comes as a broken flake with a musty/sweet aroma. The tobaccos used are of high quality and the flavorings are evident but not to the point of covering up the excellent character of the tobacco.

At first light, Rum Flake has a cigar-like quality but as the tobacco is consumed it developes into a semi-sweet and rich smoking experience. Though it gathers in strength toward the bottom of the bowl, Rum Flake never becomes "bitey". WHile RF does have a bit of the floral in it, RF never gets "soapy".

I would give this high marks and would recommend it. Though a bit strong for all day/every day consumption, I will always keep this around.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2004-05-23		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium	Tolerable to Strong

This is a well-made blend, typical of G&H. In comparison to Bob's Square Cut/Bob's Chocolate Flake, the floral note is subdued and seems to diappear once it is lit and going. Like the other reviews, I detect little in the way of a rum taste, though the maple is apparent at first. However, the sweet maple flavor is itself eventually replaced with that of the rich natural tobacco. This blend burns well despite its density and moisture content. It is a somewhat unusual flake because the pieces are so long. The flakes need to be broken up or folded over to fit into a pipe. While there is no bite, this is a deceptively strong tobacco for the unwary and may induce dizziness if smoked too fast. Whle I think the aroma is nice, others of the female persuasion have informed me that it smells like a "dirty cigarette"---whatever that means. Nonetheless, I give Rum Flake a grade of "B".

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RCUSElder (244)	2004-05-21		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Gawith and Co. have to be commended again for their ability to blend tobacco that is different than the rest of the pack, and yet "classic" in every respect of the word. With Rum Flake, they have again upped the ante.

Appearance: Beautiful 8-9" long by 1.5" Flakes Medium Brown with light yellow specks here and there.

Aroma: This comes in bulk so there is no tin to open. The flakes smell like raisins, hay, a little floral,perfumy (light though, not as perfumy as BCF)

Packing and Lighting: I found that this smokes better fully rubbed out and in smaller pipes (grp 3-4) Three lights typical.

Initial Flavor: Rich VA with a spiciness that does not burn your tongue. Where is the Rum?

Mid-Bowl:The flavor is rich and sweet, without being cloying. The florals pop in and out more. This is a delicious tobac!

End of bowl: This is where this blend is the most tasty to me. Rich, round, mellow, with the florals more in evidence. When it is over, you are satiated, your pipe is dry, and the ash is powdery grey.

Overall: This is a delicious blend if you appreciate Gawiths Genre of flavoring. The floral flavor is less pronounced than BCF. The tobac burns cool, what more could one ask for?

Rating: since I am still primarily a Balkan smoker I could not rate it higher than "I smoke this on occasion" but in this genre, I give it 4.5 points out of 5, a most excellent smoke, enjoy!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2004-03-27		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Ennerdale flake is a staple for me. Rum flake is a new flake that I have just tried for the first time this week. I am very impressed with it. This is a Virginia Burley flake with a casing. I have read Rum, Vanilla and licorice. It has a very pungent aroma in the tin. Rubs out with some effort and packs nicely. Burn is nice and flavor is excellent. The base tobacco flavors come through very nicely with the added flavors. Very enjoyable but will not replace my Ennerdale Flake. Four stars.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2004-03-13		Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a very unusual(in a good sense), very tastey flake. It is rich, smooth, cool smoking and very unique in its range of flavors. This is lightly sweet and does have a very mild "soapy" flavor. I would say that this does not have a soapy flavor at all except that I did detect this aspect of flavor occasionally. There was also a light floral note that appeared occasionally that I enjoyed as well. Even though this is called rum flake I did not detect any rum flavoring at all. This is a very well behaved flake in my oppinion. I did not experience any bite with this and it smoked cool and thorough. Be prepared when you smoke this in that it does pack a good nicotine punch and may overwhelm those who are not used to blends with strength. If you are the kind who is not used to smoking stronger blends I would recommend trying this in a smaller pipe first. I would highly recommend this to flake lovers who are adventurous and like variety.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	NEWMAN (306)	2004-01-30		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

G & H has done a great job in preparing this brown flake in ~ 6"x2" bands. I didn't rub them out but still obtained excellent lighting and smoking characteristics. Probably due to the casings, the room aroma received compliments. However, as with other G & H flakes, a soapy taste was present thruout the smoke. In this blend it is not nearly as intense as with their Ennerdale or Scotch Flake, but in my view it is still enough to spoil my pleasure. After some drying due to the high initial moisture content, the soapy influence was reduced. However, I did not detect any rum taste as might be expected from the name. If your looking for a high nicotine, lite soap, tobacco this may be the answer but this blend is too costly for me to purchase and not really enjoy.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2003-10-12		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable

This tobacco is certainly a high-quality flake that has received alot of care in the making. Dark brown and rich with large flakes (6" to 7" long), it is very old school in character and a classic Gawith offering.

The rum was not pronounced to me. However, what was pronounced were the other flavoring agents. It had that characteristic "flowery/anise" flavor found in many Kendall style tobaccos, albeit a bit less than some. I typically don't care much for that taste which is the reason I was not thrilled with this tobacco. However, for those of you who are, try this as I suspect you will love it.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	cobblestreetpiper (5)	2023-01-13		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable to Strong

The flake is nice and thick but not an issue to rub out. I bought this as a sampler so I can't say much for the moisture content, other than mine was fine but needed a little drying out before hand.

On charring light and first burn, you're greeted with a rich and fairly sweet smoke but not overpoweringly enough to detract from the flavour of the tobaccos themselves in fact it works very well especially with the burley in my opinion. Further down the bowl the smoke gets richer and I get hints of chocolate at times a little grass from the virginia. A noticeable amount of nicotine and I'd that's a decent amount as I have a fairly high tolerance. I get small and I mean small hints of rum but it's so faint it could be simply a placebo effect as I read the description when buying said tobacco.

I kind of get when people say it's like a Christmas cake with its richness and sweet casing but I don't feel it as much, possibly because my palate isn't as developed as others. At the end of a day it's a good quality old-fashioned smoke which is to expected from GH, but it might be a while before I come back to it just as it didn't "click" with me.

Pipe Used: Archway Bulldog Estate

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: Cgars

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PaPiper (39)	2023-01-10		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Rum Flake is a Virginia and Burley blend with rum, licorice and vanilla (per the tin). The flake is a well pressed and rubbed out is very easy to pack. I get the rum and vanilla notes quite well, with earthy and grassy flavors from the Virginia. The smoke is cool, so no bite. It has a nice texture when rubbing out not wet or sticky. Some reviewers have stated it is a Lakeland style, which is not true. The Enneradale is noted as a Lakeland style with floral notes.

Pipe Used: Rossi Rubin Antico Pot

Age When Smoked: Fresh from Tin

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mijnnif (130)	2022-10-31		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Bag note is sweet spicy molasses. The broken flakes rub out easily it is a bit moist fresh from the bag but it burns fine. The Lakeland soap is almost un-noticeable in this G&H blend . Starts out a bit strong but smooths out quickly. The burley is nutty and the maple topping is quite nice, no chemical taste. Burns very cool and smooth. Once I got this going it stayed lit, Not sure I would smoke this all day but a few bowls are great. This is my personal favorite Gawith, Hoggarth blend. Nic hit is middle defiantly a full flavored smoke gives a bit of tingle (not perique) I suspect from the Virginias. 4 solid stars

Pipe Used: Paronelli Briar

Age When Smoked: fresh from the bag

Purchased From: Chesapeake pipe and cigar

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Arkansas Piper (47)	2022-10-19		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Another blend I find hard to call an aromatic. It’s not bad, but don’t go into this looking for a strong, pronounced rum flavor. If you’re looking for the sweet, natural, nutty tobacco flavor, this is for you!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	cakeanddottle (105)	2021-06-27		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

I thought I had finally settled on GH Brown Flake as my representative GH blend. Just a smidge of Burley to round out the Va, much more savory with a little more backbone than BBF or FVF. It's just the thing when you aren't quite in a Burley or a Va mood. It takes little time in storage before this tobacco is glistening with sugar crystals, although it never crosses into what I'd call sweet.

Then I tried Rum Flake. 1/3 Burley, so it's rounder and stouter than Brown Flake. I don't get maple from the flavorings, more of a subtle Christmas spice with a familiar whiff of Lakeland perfume, but toned way down compared to many of those.

Gosh Rum Flake is just a good, satisfying smoke. I find it to be sweeter and stronger than Brown Flake, which pretty much makes it just what I want when I am in a VaBur mood. It also has kind of a bread-y quality to it. Again, it just seems kind of Christmas-y all around to me. Too bad I never tried it til I had put my whole cellar up. I'll keep a tin in the house but I have more tobacco than I can smoke. I'll trade some decade old BBF tins one for one if you have some Rum Flake lol

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Davedmn (17)	2021-01-17		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Flakes are very dark and a bit tough. Seems to be a Lakeland thing! The jar note is wonderful and rich and like ,well , tobacco. I can't detect rum at all but it does smell non specifically boozy.

I just break the flakes up a bit and stuff them in my pipe. It's not the easiest to light.(I don't dry it as I find the flavour better if I don't) I eventually get it going. It's a blend that changes as the bowl progresses. At first I get the sweetness of the topping , I can't taste any Lakeland essence, then later a rich Virginia/ nutty flavour.

It burns very slowly and a bowl lasts 90 minutes. Just ash and no dottle.

I just might have to do it again!

Pipe Used: Stanwell briar and mm cob

Age When Smoked: Just bought

Purchased From: On line GQ tobacconist

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Seanv (35)	2019-09-09		Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable

Bulk. Moist like all Gawith products. After some serious dry time I prefer to rub this one out fairly fine. Sweet aromas. I do get the Christmas cake reference made by previous reviews. I also notice the burley quite distinctly in the aroma. A few lights required to really get it going. First taste is sweet and savory. The Virginia's are noticeable and robust. Somewhat dark fruit like. The burley is nutty and earthy. The burley for me really takes over about a third of the way. The sweetness becomes a mild side note. I did not once get the rum flavor. Overall a decent smoke.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	canvas (337)	2019-03-21		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

This one gave me heartburn, so not a huge fan. OK, the acid reflux is likely the result of morning coffee on an empty stomach, but this was still a dense no nonsense smoke. The rum flavor is barely perceptible, so this is one of the Aromatics that allow non-Aromatic fans to say they enjoy the other side of the blend spectrum. The bag did have a solid Virginia presence, but once the product was lit everything becomes very deep and burnt toast like, encasing a few Lakeland blips trying to surface.

The flake has a good thickness and moisture, dry enough to dive in or wait a bit if that is your preference. The ember burns slowly for the long haul. The product produces a strong cigar-like smoke that can get caught in your throat if sucked too hard, sipping slowly provides a mild molasses flavor, but nothing I would consider rum or maple.

Likely will only appeal to smokers who want to put some hair on their chest and want some solid nicotine for the efforts. I won't smoke it again, but the quality is there so I gave it a 2 star nod.

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Briar Piper (89)	2018-12-05		Medium to Strong	Medium	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Easily the soapiest of all the Gawith & Hoggarth flakes. However, the "soap" is not detected in every puff. It is the licorice evaporating onto one's tongue. The maple is next in line, and the rum taking third place.

One of the most bite free tobacco blends available, along with kendal flake and bosun cut plug.

The burley dominates in this blend, but is never bitter, being one of the very, very few blends containing burley which is not so.

I think of this as more of a thanksgiving blend vs the "christmas cake" it is claimed to be, that title being better placed on bosun cut plug, as rum flake is more like a hearty meal. And satisfy it does. Nicotine is medium to strong, the tastes are filling but not too plastering, while the tobacco shines through with no flowers, just rich scents of yesteryear.

Sadly almost always out of stock, because it is that good.

Pipe Used: Dedicated Ser Jacopo

Purchased From: Many retailers.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Deckard Cain (39)	2018-01-19		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Pleasant

No bite. Very rich and sweet. Great Virginia taste. Pleasant and satisfying.

This is a new favorite of mine. Bought it for Christmas, still enjoying it into Feb. Its got a little strength, and a lot of authentic tobacco taste. Many relights for the first 1/3 of bowl. But that doesn't bother me

Update: Sept 2022

I guess I failed to mention that this blend has a lake Land essence. Not so much the clove, but more the floral laundry detergent taste. I think it goes well with this blend. But if you try this, do understand it will taste a little soapy. That's okay, it's supposed to. Give it a chance smoke enough and you'll really miss it

Pipe Used: Cobs, petersons

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: P&C

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Luckyluke (11)	2017-10-29		Medium to Strong	Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

Again this is a winner for me from Gawith & Hoggarth I get this flake in bulk, the smell of it is nice indeed but nothing to write home about other than it has a sweet raisiny/virginia smell with a touch of a special something (maybe rum). This is my breakfast smoke due to its virginias being that of the bready kind with that Maple/Liquorice sprinkled in reminds me of pancakes and maple syrup for some strange reason which i quite enjoy very much. unfortunately this taste does not last, it dissipates quite alot mid bowl but i am still left with a nice virginia taste with the toppings still lingering a bit. I have grown quite fond of this flake and reccommend IF you dont mind tobaccos of the lakeland variety. I cant elaborate on the room note because i can never tell the room note when i am the one smoking my pipe but i would think that its not something like a strong aromatic more of a standard virginia smell.

Pipe Used: Brebbia Sabbiata Billiard

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lazarus77 (91)	2017-10-09		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Another nice flake from Gawith. Cool, dry smoke, no tongue bite, nice rum and maple syrup flavoring living in harmony with natural taste of tobacco. Smooth relaxing smoke. Highly recommended.

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: Fresh

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HobgoblinTA96 (60)	2017-10-09		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This review is for both the 50g tin and the 500g box. The only real detectable difference between the two is that the tin is fresher and the box is slightly more aged. This equates to a lighter Lakeland Essence and a fuller tobacco flavor in the box (yes, this baccy is scented ~ if it is not, you have an old batch of bulk). Rum Flake is one of my personal favorites from GH, as this blend is nearly identical to Glengarry Flake (another of my favorites). The primary difference between Rum Flake and Glengarry Flake is the toppings. Rum Flake has a rum and IMHO black treacle topping (I really do not taste the maple), where as Glengarry Flake is Irish Whiskey and Honey. Both RF and GF use the same floral essence. As with GF, the essence in RF blends brilliantly with the top dressing to provide lovely creamy smoke of rum soaked goodness. As a Gawith Hoggarth flake, this blends nicotine might be a shade off putting to some. However, this is a quite excellent blend that is well worth a go.

Cheers...

Pipe Used: Various Billiards in different sizes

Age When Smoked: One Year

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

Similar Blends: Gawith Hoggarth Glengarry Flake.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Uncle Al (17)	2017-09-22		Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Rum Flake is excellent. This classic can be smoked real moist or drier. I cut into 2 millimetre pieces and break up, not rub out. Next layer, the tobacco pieces rubbed out. Top layer, really small pieces ground to dust to ensure an even light. The slower you smoke it the more flavours and deeper Nic hit. I only purchase in bulk and store in airtight jars. If you’re storing longer term add a little dark rum.

Pipe Used: various medium sized

Purchased From: 4Noggins

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	aztobaccosavant (12)	2017-09-16		Medium	Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

First off let me aver that I am a rum flake collector. It is the manna of all flake baccies. This is aromatic but in bulk much less Lakeland then previously reviewed. It has a heavier rum component then others,say MacBaren. Expertly processed and smooth as well as easy to fold and pack or rub out. The abundance of sun cured in this blend show well in the heavier smoke but not outshine has the VAs. A great old style flake that should be a perfect repast for the rhum flake lover

Pipe Used: Dunhill Group 3 Opera, Bari & Parker

Age When Smoked: 47 weeks

Purchased From: Them there interwebs

Similar Blends: Navy Flake, Rum Flake.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	jimyfafy (10)	2017-06-13		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

My constant companion. Hunting,fishing, deck or garage it sits in my pouch always.I love the car note for my drive to work. Even old woman says not too offensive. I smoke it in all pipes. Perfect!edit i,m smoking this with Wayne Gretzkys No99 whisky. Life is good!

Pipe Used: all

Age When Smoked: fresh bag

Purchased From: smokingpipes

Similar Blends: Sort of like Black frigate.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pylet2000 (33)	2017-04-11		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable

I really like GH Rum Flake, with one annoyance: the Lakeland perfume thing. Granted, it's not extreme in this blend, but I'd like half as much or maybe even none at all. On the plus side, I've learned that bulk is better than tinned for a slightly less Lakeland experience.

On to the part that keeps me coming back to this blend: The balance of the Virginia, burley, rum and maple sugar is superb. It's a remarkably smooth smoke, cool burning with no tendency to bite. The leaf is top shelf, the flake construction is typical Gawith excellence, the toppings (other than Lakeland) are perfectly balanced, and it's just an excellent smoke every time I go to it. Creamy, almost chewy. Mild to medium nicotine content.

It takes about half to bowl before the Lakeland overwhelms my palate enough that I enjoy the rest of the bowl without thinking "grandma's perfume is gross in tobacco" with every puff.

I guess my key point to make is that despite my disdain for Lakeland "essence", this particular blend is so good otherwise that I often find myself powering through it. I've searched high and low for something else that does what this blend does right, but without the Lakeland thing. After lots of disappointing purchases, I've come to accept that if I want to enjoy all the great things about Rum Flake I'm going to have to learn to live with it's Lakeland additive.

One star removed for the perfume that I dislike, however if that's your thing this is a 4 star blend.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mawnan Smiff (28)	2016-05-08		Strong	Medium	Full	Tolerable

This is one of several new to me tobaccos I ordered recently from the Black Swan. All of them were G&H blends that I had on my want to try list.

Upon opening the plastic wrapper I was surprised at the size of the flakes, a full 6 inches long, a new one on me. Aroma wise I immediately detected the rum flavour but not of the drinking kind, more like the artificial flavouring one would use in baking, not a good sign! I rubbed out the flakes which took some effort due to the chunky nature of the tobacco and let it air for an hour or so.

I loaded up and fired up though this took several attempts likely due to the above mentioned chunkiness. It took a while for things to settle down but once going all was reasonably well. The rum flavour was totally unnoticable during the whole smoke though there was a definite sweetness there, likely the maple. Others have claimed to taste liquourice in this blend, I did not. Also of interest was the lack of the famous 'Lakeland Scent', this being the first G&H offering that I can say this about.

Nicotine content seemed pretty high even for me and I found the smoke on the whole to be a pretty strong one with nutty and earthy flavours being most prominent.

I had a brainwave last night and stuck the remaining tobacco into my coffee grinder and gave it the briefest of blasts. Result! Now I have a tobacco that packs better, lights better and smokes better if slightly stronger than afore.

Not a tongue biter nor a gurgler (yet) but would I buy it again? Quite possibly though not as an everyday smoke, perhaps as a weekly treat or just a change from my usual Condor.

Pipe Used: Dr. McQuade Yorkist bulldog.

Age When Smoked: Fresh.

Purchased From: Black Swan Shoppe (mail order)

Similar Blends: Bob's Choc Flake..

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Leeboy (20)	2015-09-05		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable

I got maple and burley, which was pleasant but that's it. This burnt very cool and produced a slow smoke. This left me thinking where is the rum? This is a quality tobacco that would be a good all day smoke however I don't smoke all day. I have 1 to 2 bowls a day so I want something with a little more kick. I think its worth giving it a try as you could love it.

Pipe Used: all sorts

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: smoke king

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2013-12-11		Medium to Strong	Medium	Full	Pleasant

The only stuff with added aromas (rum) i could a long time full tolerate.

Nowadays lesser.

For me it was the replacement for the old St. Bruno Flake.

5 years ago i would had given 4 Stars. Today 2.5, but only in wintertime. Summertime 1 Star.

The Qualli of the stuff hasnt changed, but my licking

Age When Smoked: 1- 5

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CoolPilot (69)	2011-10-26		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

For me a good rum flake is the one from C&D, like the Afterhours That's what I call Rum. It does smell and taste like Rum.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2011-08-28		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

my years of pipe smoking experience,i have tried this tobacco three times over a length of time.i must say that i found it very harsh with tongue bite and the flavour seems to weaken with that tangy lakeland soap.if you like a rum flavor tobacco,try samuel gawith navy flake,which is laced with rum.this is much better and well worth a try.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DoctorThoss (146)	2011-07-22		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This was an exceptional moist flake that reeked of a sweet/sour topping that didn't even remind me of rum. The flavor mirrored the tin note almost exactly - fruit cake, honey, or even Jolly Ranchers candy. It dried out eventually to an almost rock-hard consistency without losing much of the treacle sweetness. The burning characteristics were oddly good, even if I did get a bit of a bite from it. I've come to appreciate G&H tobaccos in a big way, but the flavor (and bite) here really turned me off.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2011-02-16		Medium	Mild to Medium	Overwhelming	Unnoticeable

Tasted like plastic. At first I thought it was the match I lighted it with so I continued to smoke it. The overwelming taste of plastic never ceased. I threw the rest away.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2010-07-22		Medium	Strong	Medium	Pleasant

a guy at my local tobacconist recommended this when i asked him for a rum flake. i think he's fried his taste buds on too many cigars or something. the flavoring is way too strong.

they should call this licorice flake! too many flavorings. it's exceptional tobacco like any GH blend but i like rum flake to have just rum. the maple casing is nice.

give it a try but be warned it is like candy.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2010-05-25		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I believe that certain people treat tobacco like candy, if it says chococlate on the tin they expect to smoke cocoa. That's the thing with tobacco,it's tobacco first of all. For example this tastes like kentucky and burley mainly, I see it as a milder version of Peterson's Irish flake, for me this is NOT an aromatic tobacco, and I expected it not be as it is a flake cut, as I have seen, flake tobacco is usually stronger. It's true that I don't find any taste of vanilla what so ever, but I am thinking about that I read certain reviews where other smokers didn't noticed scents that I have found. That is why tastes are different,and that is why, there are hundreds of tobacco mixtures on the market.

So what can I say about it. It has a full kentucky and burley taste witch I like. It has indeed a certain taste of rum (not rum essence that is used for cookies), note that I am a 100% black rum drinker. I couldn't taste the licorice but I could notice the sweet taste. It's a long smoke tobacco, it burns nice but hard so you can enjoy it for about an hour even in a medium pipe.

I am smoking pipe for a few months (started again after 5 years) and I have tried for about 10-12 tobaccos, form straight latakia and perique mixture to excellent danish aromatics.

This one is in my "Good full taste tobacco section" (by now I didn't find one I could call the best), not an aromatic,as far as I can taste it.

Just to let you know, and please do contradict with me if you disagree: if a tobacco is brownish and smells like smoked plums then it should be judged as pure tobacco, not spice, not aromatic.

UPDATED: from Recommended to Somewhat Recommended. I've let the tobacco "wait" for a while, and it seems to me now harsh and soapy. But there is also a thing that I might be doing wrong, mainly the fact that I only have mid-size - big-size pipes (38 mm depth 18 mm chamber width the smallest - 50 mm depth and 21 mm width the largest) and I always fill them to the top. Perhaps this tobacco is better when smoked from smaller pipes in smaller quantities.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2009-12-20		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I get really ornery when someone says they're going to do something and then doesn't do it. Similarly, I don't have much patience for a pipe tobacco that claims to be one thing and then shows you a totally different side. Rum? Nowhere to be found. Licorice? Whatever. Vanilla? That's a good one.

I wish I had spent my money elsewhere rather than monkey with Rum Flake. This will be the last time I dabble around here, thank you very little.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2008-09-25		Extremely Mild	Extremely Mild	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Unnoticeable

I found this blend to be very flat in tobacco kick and tasteless and the toppong was crap. I felt cheated by Gawith and Hoggarth on this blend and I actually threw this blend out,one nice thing I can say about it...it lights very well like all Gawith blends I've had.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2004-09-02		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Good leaf, well-intentioned, well-behaved, and targeting a market of which I am not a member.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2004-06-09		Very Strong	Extra Strong	Extra Full	Pleasant

When I went looking for a Rum Flake, I went looking for Rum and good Virginia. What I found was a Virginia seemingly cased with Anise/Licorice. This in no way even approximates it's advertised casing of "maple sugars" and "rum". In it's totality, it tastes like fine orange Virginia and Burley cased with Pernod Liqueur and sprinkled with Pepper. Beyond it's flavor, it seemed to have a prickly, bite. Not tongue bite, but the chemically induced little bites of black pepper.

I can relate and adjust to some of the soapy, florid blends from England. However, this was not one of those tobaccos. This was nothing short of an assault on the tongue. I had tried this the first time in a pipe in which I had smoked English, so I switched to a new corncob to be quite sure. I am quite sure that this is not for me. My wife, seated next to me in our car commented on the reasonable room note, however (which is impressive if you know my wife).

At another time, with different expectations, I might try it again. This just did not come close to what it bills itself.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2003-10-10		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

GH Rum Flake is one of my first forays into GH soap flake land. And I like it. I, too, found it to need a bit of drying before it was ready to smoke. As it came, it was fairly harsh and monochromatic, but once dried a bit, and consumed slowly it revealed a rich spectrum of flavors. Rum was not one of them. The restrained floral soapiness was evident in the background throughout, but VAs and added sweetener make it a rich and rewarding smoke.

I also like the cut. Contrary to the description above, my sample came in nice broad flakes. A gentle rubbing-out into long strands (after the requisite drying of course) produced a nice slow-burning texture. I found that it burns best in a tall narrow bowl, where a smolder of just the right temperature can be attained.

I also tried it chopped into teensy cubes, and it was amazing how much sweeter the flavor was. It had a tendency to burn the back of my throat, however, so I went back to the long strand consistency I prefer with VA-type flakes. It is fun to have it both ways.

I have enough to cellar several oz in a sealed glass jar for a few months/years to revisit frequently in the future. A recommended smoke.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2001-10-19		Very Strong	None Detected	Overwhelming	Tolerable to Strong

I found this one to be too strong for my taste. It was very heavy and the strength of the tobacco over powered the flavour for me.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (569)	2023-02-22		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Tin note of sweet, spiced rum and maple. Tobacco is a flake of marbled yellowish tan, brown and dark brown. Moisture content is ok, most pipe smokers will want to dry it a bit. Flakes rub out with a little effort. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is medium. Flavoring is medium, with notes of rum, licorice and vanilla. The rum and vanilla are prominent in the beginning, loosing intensity very quickly, settling down in the middleground. The licorice seems to be occupying the background. Taste is medium and very consistent, with notes of sour vegetation, maple, lemon grass, rum, vanilla, wood, spices, floral, leather, molasses, tangy dark fruit, earthy, brown sugar, nutty, hay, cocoa, mild licorice, mildly spicy, a rich savory sweet bready background note, and a peppery retro. Burley is leading with Flavoring and Virginias supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

Pipe Used: 2016 Northern Briars Premier Rox Cut #4 Prince

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pikey Mick (49)	2022-02-23		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

I like this one a lot, but I wasn't expecting so much Latakia although that is more evident in the first half of the bowl. I used a loose stuff method and also rubbed the flake out. Took the light after a few attempts and burned slow, clean and very creamy to the bottom of the bowl. I couldn't detect any rum flavour but this is crazy well put together and pairs well with black coffee. A stellar breakfast smoke and leaves a pleasant room note that doesn't hang around for long. The smoke is lovely on first light and gets better as you go down the bowl with the Latakia taking a step back and the Virginias start to shine. A delightful flake that I will continue to enjoy in the future. Highly recommended.

Pipe Used: Various meerschaum pipes

Purchased From: GQ

Similar Blends: Bobs Chocolate Flake.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	WorkingClassChap (198)	2022-02-07		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

The bag note smells deep, sweet, rich. Earthy, vegetative, slightly floral, and of course maple rum. It’s nice. Broken apart brown flakes.

Smoking out of a clay pipe.

So bias alert, I’m not a fan of burley tobaccos. This is predominantly burley with a healthy dose of sun cured tobacco and 30% Virginia. That being said this was ok. I get big earthy, woody, vegetative, and grassy hay flavor that I expect from G&H tobaccos. The Lakeland taste thankfully isn’t there in abundance however it is detectable and tastes floral and soapy. There’s a deep, dark, sweetness that surrounds this blend, obviously the rum and maple sugar, and it’s what makes this blend enjoyable to me. The rum definitely tones down and mellows out the tobacco so much so that I even enjoy smoking this predominantly burley blend. It is what I would say a sweet tobacco.

Have a breakfast before this pipe as this blend is mostly burley so the nic level is a solid medium.

Rum Flake didn’t dry my mouth out too bad as burley usually does. This blend did have some bitter spots for me that came and went but that could be because my ph does not get alone with burley. Would definitely recommend smoking slow. It smokes well, hardly any relights, cool and consistent smoke. Has a definite and pronounced vegetative flavor

Some people love this stuff and it’s a fine tobacco, but for me it’s relegated to the dog walking pile. Stuff I smoke when walking the dog. However as far as rum and maple blends go this is one of the best as it’s not a typical wet and goopy aromatic. You’ll notice the rum and maple and enjoy the sweetness if that’s what you want.

Pipe Used: Clay

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Clive Moses Apikouris (41)	2020-05-18		Medium to Strong	Very Strong	Very Full	Strong

I purchased this and a few other SG tobaccos a few years back when being adventuresome exploring numerous varieties of tobaccos. I found it too much for my pallet and put it away. The tin was almost full but dry. To tone down the tobacco and moisturize it I combined it with a simple American Burley the Match Sugar Barrel. Unfortunately this didn’t help much. I stop found myself repelled by the assault on my tongue by a barrage of strange flavors. Yes the stuff is perfumed and has a number of strong flavors in addition to a bitter and rough tobacco flavor. I still gave it two stars because these are some pipe smokers who would enjoy just the aspects that led me to almost toss my pipe out the window. Call me unsophisticated but I will attempt to erase the foul taste away with a bowl of good old simple Velvet.

Pipe Used: Most recently an old Vauen Basic

Age When Smoked: 5 years

Similar Blends: Other SG.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2018-07-23		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable

Another reviewer here commented that this is a little bit like a cup of coffee: bitter-sweet. I too had that impression while smoking it. It would probably go very well with coffee!

I didn't find the flavour to be very specific. I'd like a little more dark fruit in this. It's a little plummy and maple/rum sweet from the toppings, but the burley is a little muddy for me. DK called it "a mostly non-descript mish-mash of tobaccos." I get what he's saying but I wouldn't go that far. There's fruit and oatmeal I would say. I did like this, but G&H has better flakes than this, so I won't buy this one again.

One great thing about this is the burn property. I rubbed it out after about 2 hours of dry time and it needed only a single light and burned cool all the way to the bottom of the bowl. It would be a great flake for breaking in a briar if it weren't for the added flavouring!

Pipe Used: Savinelli Bing's Favorite (Billiard)

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Navyflake (1)	2017-12-07		Strong	Extra Strong	Overwhelming	Tolerable

Very strong rum topping on this tobacco. And while I normally enjoy Navy Flake and Navy cut offerings that have some rum, this was way over the top for me. I attempted four times in four different pipes to sample this tobacco. However I got the very same soapy like taste each and every time. The nose from the can was actually quite good and I really thought this would be a favorite. However, once match met tobacco, I really could not shake the bitter soap taste on my tongue. I used 3 briars and 1 MM cob to test samples. All were regular smokers for me. Sadly, this offering for GH and Company won't be a regular smoke.

Pipe Used: Peterson POY 2016, Cayuga Oiled Briars, MM Cob

Age When Smoked: New from tin

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

Nobody has rated this review yet.