Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Rum Flake

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.