Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Perique Flake #27

I had the pleasure of trying this when it was in development, having been given a generous sample at the UK pipe show in 2019. I've since bought some now it's officially released, to see if there's any difference from the sample I had.

The aroma of the raw flake is rich, earthy, slightly sweet, with plenty of perique "pong". There's also some mature grassy aroma, like late in the summer after the heat. It comes a little moist, but dries out easily after rubbing to an ideal state for smoking. It lights easily, and the flavour is initially quite mild, nutty, and with a sweetness like demerera sugar or grasmere ginger bread. I took this to be a topping, and I suppose it could contain some sugar water but this is reportedly an unflavoured tobacco.

Through the bowl the flavour really develops and intensifies, with a spicy, tart, acidic flavour coming through and building into a really peppery effect - very nice! It may need some relights toward the end of the bowl, and leaves a little dottle, but not too much.

Overall, a simple but charming tobacco. Whatever you may think of the merger of the Gawiths (personally I'm pretty sad that the Kendal Brown House is no longer in use, and I've noticed a more "standardised" cut to the Samuel's flakes) this at least is a nice addition to the available selection.