Tobaccos Samuel Gawith - Bothy Flake (Kearvaig Pipe Club)

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3046)	2016-02-15		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

The pressed Virginias are earthy, woody, slightly vegetative and floral with a deep stewed fermented, tangy dark fruitiness, and are the main players. There’s a light spice note from them, too. They say there’s a “hint” of smoky, woody, earthy, sweet Cyprian Latakia present, but I find it to be more noticeable than that as it well compliments the Virginias. The Highland malt whiskey, though mildly applied, is rich in flavor and melds well with the tobaccos without sublimating them much. The various flavors are very consistently smooth, creamy, and lightly savory from start to finish. The strength is medium, while the taste is a couple of steps past that mark. The nic-hit is a slot behind the strength level. The flakes are fairly moist, and may need some dry time, though I have smoked it without doing so. Either way, it’ll burn, cool, clean and slow, and requires a fair number of relights. Leaves a little moisture in the bowl, but no dottle. Won’t bite even if pushed, but I find a slow cadence heightens the enjoyment of the deep richness of the smoke. Has a pleasantly lingering after taste and slightly stronger room note. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable.

-JimInks

43 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Cumarinophil (108)	2015-03-16		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Bothy Flake comes in very moist condition and smells like peaty single malt out of the tin, just as promised. I let it dry for a whole day and rubbed it out before filling the pipe, but still needed some patience to light it properly.

Once accomplished this is a lot of fun to smoke for the individual components are distinguished and harmonically melted at the same time (if that makes any sense). During your smoke it not only smells fantastic, but there is quite some complex development going on in taste. My first impression was smoky, peaty Latakia taste, which instantly smoothens out accompanied by subtle sweetness of the Virginias and malty notes till mid bowl, ending in a pleasant, slightly piquant finish, as if there was Perique in there.

The use of a charcoal filter cuts off some of the fascination, a paper filter that doesn't block the airstream was fine though.

There was not a single Whisky blend out there, that managed to fully convince me to deserve its name. Thanks to SG that’s a thing of the past. Happy aging everyone!

Pipe Used: Various with and without filter

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: http://www.tecon-gmbh.de

Similar Blends: Samuel Gawith Navy Flake with much less Latakia and Scotch instead of rum.

23 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2080)	2014-11-20		Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Samuel Gawith - Bothy Flake.

As always with Sam G' it's too moist! I leave mine out in the morning for a few hours prior to smoking to allow the flakes to dry some. If we forget that usual Sam G' niggle this is a good tobacco.

The first thing I will point out is that I find any added flavours very mild, there is a slight tang of whiskey but not overly noticeable at all. The tobacco flavours are superb, the Virginia is unequivocally the main player in this game, with the Latakia offering a light smoky background flavour making it by no means a 'Lat-Bomb'! It burns quite consistently not requiring re-lighting if it isn't left unattended and the actual smokes discernible points outside of flavour are great. The temperature? Quite cool. Nicotine? Well this would suit most kinds of smokers, not that strong as to intimidate taste only smokers, yet if inhaled it is enough to satisfy those who smoke for N. The burning of the tobacco, this depends upon having the patience to let it dry. When I smoked this without allowing it airing time the dottle left was immense but once it's been given a good airing period the burn is very clean and straight to the end. The room-note doesn't harbor any aromatic whiskey side, it is a steadfast Virginia one but not too heavy.

I was really excited when I saw this blend and even happier after my first smoke as it is the usual Sam G' quality, four stars easily.

Pipe Used: Peterson

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: G.Q Tobaccos

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Puff Puff Lyall (1)	2014-11-14		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is without doubt a great smoke, on opening the tin you get a good whiff of the Whisky soaked flakes' which in its self is real mouth watering moment, i then gently broke the flakes up and let them sit for 20 mins, then loaded my Savinelli 645 ' once lit i was greeted with the unique taste of whisky and Latakia & a slight peppery background, And it just got better & better as i gently puffed away down the bowl. Iv'e now been smoking Bothy flake for 4 wks' every day all day just to find its weak point' but i can not find one, I highly recommend everyone to try this "OUTSTANDING" blend, all i can say is well done to' Bob the blender Gregory at the brown house in kendal UK' & also to Sergeant Matron from the KPC on getting together to bring this to the market for our pleasure. You will not get any tongue bite with this, & it burns to a nice ash.

Similar Blends: Iv'e never had anything like it so i can not say it's similar to any other blend, it's just unique.

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrDyson (148)	2020-02-22		Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable

I bought some Bothy Flake as a farewell gesture to the wonderful Durham Pipe and Tobacco Shop in the indoor market at Durham, UK, closing down after twenty-eight years, during all of which I have been a customer. The market manager apparently does not want to let the site go to another tobacconist. A sad day indeed. I thought Bothy Flake a very impressive tobacco, with a just about perfect balance struck between Virginia and Latakia tobaccos and the (genuine) whisky flavouring. It burns slowly, it doesn't bite, and it leaves no dottle to speak of. I wonder if readers will know what I mean if I say that it's a very traditional 'Scottish' tobacco? Like almost all Samuel Gawith tobaccos it is improved by a little drying time, and the room note is nothing to write home about (that's Latakia for you); but, with these small quibbles, it's a very fine addition to the Gawith stable. Never again will I be able to buy it from my old friends in Durham, but I shall certainly buy it again. Highly recommended.

Pipe Used: Comoy's Canadian

Age When Smoked: Fresh from the shop

Purchased From: Durham Pipe and Tobacco Shop

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sinister Topiary (84)	2016-07-28		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I looked in my cellar wanting to try a new flake and came across Bothy. I didn't remember anything about it when I decided to crack it open. I was greeted with a stunning and unique aroma, strong and malty with a big blast of ocean spray behind it. And yet even despite this obvious clue it still hadn't kicked in to me that this was cased with whiskey. But it was immediately evident once I lit up.

Unlike other reviewers, the moisture level was just right for me. Though the flake was thick, which is usually not a good sign for an SG flake, it folded well, and lit and stayed lit pretty well.

I'm currently enjoying my first bowl. I expect to enjoy many more. I'm breaking a rule of mine to never write a review after trying a blend for the first time, but I'm moved to do so this time because why wait when I knew instantly that this is an outstanding flake. The first puff was delicious, as was each succeeding puff.

This is the only tobacco I've ever tried that finally gets a whiskey casing right: it doesn't sit on top of it, but integrates in deep and subtle ways with the virginias and the latakia to make them all dance and frolic in great harmony together. SG's copy is absolutely correct: this is very much a delicately flavored virginia flake, and the latakia appears as a hint -- but a necessary one that works as an amazing catalyst to bring the marvelous dash of whiskey to life by gently taming it, the smokey nuances of both working harmoniously together. It's a brilliant balancing act.

I'd go so far as to say this is the best first bowl of a new blend I've ever had. (I will follow-up this review after I've finished the tin to see if I still feel the same way.)

I anticipate this becoming one of my default all-day smokes.

I'll definitely be cellaring more of this wonderful flake. Another major winner from the master blenders at SG!

UPDATE 05/05/17 I'm on my fifth tin. Every tin after my first contained very damp flakes. I was prepared to lower my rating to 3 stars, and sometimes even 2, because the flake was so damn moist that by the time it dried enough to smoke without constant relighting the flavor lost its magic.

But rather than give up I tried something I've seldom done, because the results were seldom good: I microwaved it for half a minute. Not only did it dry quickly (of course), but the flavor really popped -- and without relighting.

This is the first time I can honestly recommend using the microwave. Now instead of being frustrated with a thin stream of smoke from constantly relighting a damp flake, I'm getting billows of flavorful smoke. I'm glad that I found a way to really make this flake come alive for me. It has re-earned its four stars.

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2016-04-27		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable

This is a really good smoke in briar, cob or clay. In briar and clay the Latakia is somewhat muted allowing the Virginias to have a bigger role. The Scotch is more tangy and less malty. In a cob the Latakia is about equal in influence with the Virginias and the Scotch is more malty with just a little tang. It's damn good either way you go, but I prefer the cob. Just seems a little better balanced. Burns best for me fully rubbed out. Does require drying time. A very nice flake. Better than 3 stars, but closer to 3 than 4.

Medium in body and taste. Flavoring is mild in briar and clay, closer to mild to medium in a cob. I'll go with mild to medium since I prefer it in a cob.

Pipe Used: Ropp pot, MM Mark Twain, MF #4

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	America Man (2)	2020-04-09		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

I bought a tin of Bothy Flake last year and had been saving it for a rainy day because seemingly half the reviews say this tobacco is the perfect rainy day blend. Now that we are in the second day of a week of wind and rain in coastal Southern California (a rare treat), I decided to pop the tin because it is the closest we get to the British Isles type of weather.

Dark clouds, heavy wind, pouring rain, and the sound of seagulls were the background for my smoke.

The blend lit and I settled in for a long smoke. Bothy Flake seems to be predominantly Virginia, infused with peaty Scotch, and a hint of Latakia. Now this is different from a standard aromatic because it is a meaty blend; most aromatics make me feel like I am smoking air. This blend is technically an English blend, and it is immediately noticeable that it is similar to Esoterica Pembroke; although that has a cognac topping, and has a heavier topping than this does. This one has a peaty, whiskey essence, which is now my favorite room note out of any tobacco I have. I lived on a sailboat for three months, and it reminds me of the smell of the wood inside the cabin of that sailboat (I think the small amount of Latakia adds this). Maybe a hint of salt water as well. This would make a better “sailor blend” than Black Frigate, which is good, but not as good as Bothy Flake. This blend just hits the spot, and warms you, much like a good Scotch does.

Some slight floral notes, but it’s not a Lakeland. I think the floral notes (which are only noticeable at certain times throughout the smoke) help contribute to that old, salty sailor essence. This blend makes me reminisce on a time I never lived in, and perhaps that is an indicator of Samuel Gawith’s dedication to quality, old world style blends. Other tobaccos made in England give a similar feeling: Esoterica blends, and Germain’s Rich Dark Flake come to mind.

This is a blend I want to put into a giant bowl and just sit with for hours. I am hooked. I expect to have many more bowls of Bothy Flake during this week of rain.

Pipe Used: Stanwell Bent Apple

Age When Smoked: 1 Year

Similar Blends: Esoterica Pembroke, Black Frigate.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DenizBeck (323)	2018-08-24		Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

A well done English-Lakelandish-Flake! The tin note is that of musty, peaty Latakia and Whisky, quite intriguing. But then the Lakeland - which is very mild, yet everpresent - joins in, which I don't like too much.

Surprisingly my tin was rather well conditioned, being ready to smoke right out of the tin, but it benefits from drying imho. In the pipe it's a smooth Virginia+Latakia blend with nice body and the rich qualitites of Latakia, being smokiness, musti- and peatiness, as well as woodsy and ethereal notes. The Virginias balance the Latakia out very well and add mild sweetness to the smoke. The Whiskey topping is rather mild and sometimes you'll find yourself grasping for it, when the Lakeland-Essence subdues it quite a bit.

Sadly I don't like the Lakeland essence too much, but nonetheless it's a blend I'd recommend to lovers of English-, Lakeland- and Boozy-typed blends - Bothy compromises them all! ;-)

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Greekpipesmoker (201)	2018-04-21		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Samuel Gawith's flake blends are unique and this one is no exception!once the tin breaks a wonderfull malt whiskey aroma accompanied from fruits and smokey notes comes out.the flakes are deep brown and dark, moist almost manageable either to rub or to fold as they are.even if dried properly the lighting is not easy and several relights are needed while smoking.while burning the flavours are very natural and pleasing.the virginias are the main player offering dark fruits ,some citruses ,frorall and earth notes.latakias are descreet but obvious being smokey,earthy and spicy.the topping is there till the end without subtlimating the tobacco flavours.despite that the topping is malt whiskey the smokey notes gave me a feeling that i taste smoked whiskey some times.burns cool and very slow with some moisture being created at the end of the bowl.the room note is tolerable and the aftertaste pleasant.the nicotine level is medium.not an all day smoke.i recommend filling a churchwarden pipe with this star and relax while smoking it!

Age When Smoked: Rubbed and dried out for an hour

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Darth 69 (117)	2016-09-11		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Tolerable

I found this blend quite repugnant. The whiskey casing, which is rather intense irritates my respiratory tract smelling from the open tin. So intense that it seems to me to be along the lines of concentrated food grade extract. It has a tremendous bitter edge with floral character, some malt and banana which is usually how I perceive bourbon which I hate. It smells very close to those bourbon flavored Avanti cigars Ramrod sans malt. The latakia is a minority player but compliments it's bitter character. I have never smoked a premium pipe tobacco infused with any whiskey that was this pungent. All in all it just suggest synthetic flavoring. I'm coming to the conclusion that spirits don't compliment tobacco.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Davedmn (17)	2020-05-17		Mild	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have quite recently restarted to smoke a pipe once or twice a week. This is after a 45 year break. So I hope my notes help someone who is also a novice.

On opening the same packet from GQ a musty alcoholy pleasant aroma was present. A mix of something like full Virginia flake and an Islay malt whiskey. It was wonderful!

I found the flakes too damp. So an hour on a paper towel sorted that. I roughly rubbed it out (broke it up really) and packed. It took several relights. Nice medium density smoke. I tasted the latakia and a hint of the whiskey all on top of a high quality mild Virginia flavour. Similar to best brown flake.

I really enjoyed this flake and will order more. As a side note buying a sample really helps. One can establish what you like at a reasonable price. And at a couple of bowls a week I don't need large quantities at once.

I highly recommend this. Try it. You will love it!

Pipe Used: No name Turkish meerschaum

Age When Smoked: Just bought

Purchased From: On line GQ tobacconist

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Phils Galore (12)	2019-02-06		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Tolerable

Before I begin my review of Bothy Flake I want to offer a word of thanks to the powers that be who sponsor this sight. Over the years, Tobacco Reviews has provided me with hours of informative and sometimes entertaining reading. If one takes the time to read through the various reviews one will discover some interesting story lines. Some blend threads read like mysteries - does this really have Latakia in it? Some read like love stories - I've hoarded enough of this to last me till it die! Some read like hate mail - what were they thinking when they put this blow torch in a tin! All in all great stuff! Now on to my review. I saw this lonely tin of Bothy Flake sitting on the shelf at the local B&M so I decided to give it a try. I've smoked several other SG flakes so I was prepared to have to deal with hastily stacked, soggy flakes. Surprise, Surprise, these flakes were neatly stacked and at just the right humidity. And yes, the tine was properly sealed. Others have provided good descriptions of this blend,so all I will say is that the whisky, which was faint in my tin, does a nice job of adding a bit of peat to the Latakia smoke and give a bit of lift to the Virginia sweetness. I find that I am reaching for this more of the time, especially since the weather has turned cold. Bothy smokes well in all my pipes, but as is often the case, it shines in a dedicated pipe.

Pipe Used: briars

Age When Smoked: fresh off the shelf

Purchased From: Victory Cigars Oshawa Ontario Canada

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SmokeDawg (82)	2016-04-02		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Can I say, oh hell yes!? Bothy Flake hit the spot for me. I went hunting for a new flake and when I read the description I thought why haven't I tried this? A flake designed by true pipe smokers who know what they want out of their tobacco. This is a rich FLAVORABLE tobacco. Isn't flavor the point? Imagine a rich dark brown flake of aged flue Va's blended with premium smokey Latakia. (awesome already right?!) Then top it off with a nice Scotch Whisky. Then have it made by a long standard quality company like Samuel Gawith and you have a great smoke. How can a piper go wrong? The smell from the tin is rich and sweet and gets my mouth watering.

The tobacco does come to moist to smoke right out of the tin. You MUST set some aside. Here's why. Yes, it's wet so that means, It won't light and if you finally get it lit it will go out again and again, you won't be able to get it going. (I was impatient and tried one day).

So I sit some out at night for the next day. Perfect. Bothy Flake does have a decent nic kick so newbies be warned. I highly recommend this flake to seasoned pipe smokers who love a favorable premium smoke, especially with a great drink, or two, or three. Smoke it up!

Pipe Used: Peterson tankard. Peterson 302. Peterson 309

Age When Smoked: Feb 2016

Purchased From: pipes and cigars

Similar Blends: Reminds me of Mac Baren's Latakia flake but a bit stronger with a nice whiskey topping..

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jorge Soler (202)	2016-12-03		Medium	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

The tin note smells like whiskey and that shows in your smoke. It is somewhat similar to Navy Flake, but the liquour flavour seems to be more apparent here and I dare to say it is packed with less latakia. In true honestly, it is giving me hard time to keep it lit, but the moist content is quite high. Despite this, these flakes are quite rich and full of aroma, so I don't recommend drying them all out. The smoke is quite mellow and tongue friendly with sweet and spicy undertones whereas the latakia it contains seems to bring a woodsy dimension to your smoke. I am finding the smoking experience quite complex and satisfying in so many fronts. I think this tobacco deserves 3 stars.

Similar Blends: Navy Flake.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Trumpetboy (19)	2015-12-17		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

To be honest, I didn't like this much first out of the tin. As one reviewer stated, it had a very strong and not necessarily pleasant odour upon opening. Not peaty scotch, not tobacco, more like fermented meat. However, I rested this in the tin for ... a few months, and now not only is the moisture content much better--it was far too moist before-- but the acrid smell has settled, and I smell a nice Virginia flake here. I tried rubbing it out, and I think this is the way to go for this flake. It burns cool and smooth with a delicious and unique flavor profile, unlike anything else I've tried. I cannot detect much in the way of Latakia, however that could be me--I'm a big fan of heavy Lat blends and may be a bit desensitized to it, but now after some time, it's a very pleasant experience! BTW, here's a tip--with these flake tins--if you take the lid, and slightly bend each of the four sides in a little bit--so you can just get it back on the tin itself, it improves the seal of the tin and the air tightness considerably.

Pipe Used: Larger "Flake" pipes

Age When Smoked: 6-12 months

Purchased From: Smokingpipes

Similar Blends: This is a pretty unique blend....where being laced with Scotch Whiskey is a GOOD thing.....

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Granny Smith (29)	2015-10-27		Mild to Medium	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

As with most of Gawith's flake it is simply too moist directly from the tin but rubbed out and then let to dry for ten minutes or so pays dividends. There's a sweet virginia smoothness, with a delicious whisky taste and a peppery latakia hint in the background. It hits the sweet point about mid bowl and then gived such a rich taste that the mouth waters - velvety, creamy and with just the rights amount of tang. It's not exactly a nicotine powerhouse but it is not weak either, there is plenty of body on this beast. I'm adding to this review after the tobacco has had a few months in the tin....It's even better. Smoother with the whisky taste really coming to the fore. Man, this is a nice smoke.

Pipe Used: Falcon

Age When Smoked: fresh and aged a little

Purchased From: black swann

Similar Blends: Frogmorton, highland flake.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wild Smoke (1)	2015-03-13		Mild	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Yesterday I purchased a tin of this tobacco. Right now I'm smoking the second bowl and I am enthusiastic. After giving one hour to dry, the smoke is cool and tastes like a good virginia with a faint whisky aroma and a little bit of latakia in the background. Thanks to SG for this!

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: Linzbach, Düsseldorf, Germany www.tobacco.de

Similar Blends: none.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	WorkingClassChap (197)	2022-02-23		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

From a sample bag that came to me already dried. So I was able to smoke it without laying it in the sun to dry. SG blends are notoriously wet. Bag note was Latakia and sweet hay Virginias.

Similar to Navy Flake this is mostly a Virginia flake with some Latakia in it however instead of Jamaican Rum it’s Scotch Whisky. The whisky subdues the tobacco just the right amount for me, but maybe too much for you, while imparting a slight flavor of its own. It makes this mostly Virginia flake rather smooth, much smoother than FVF. I like sweet tobaccos however I wouldn’t call this tobacco a sweet blend or an English crossover blend. There’s sweetness to it but what I would expect from a fine Virginia tobacco. Less so then if it were topped with rum. The retrohale is fine indeed. I detect mostly grassy, vegetative, earthy, malty hay, slight citrus Virginias, a small amount of musty herbal smoke, and something unique that I’ll say is the whisky but I’m not sure.

Hay, sweet bread, wood, earthy, malty Virginias with a tiny dash of Latakia. Along with a unique highland malt gives this flake a welcome depth and flavor. Smoked well once dried. No bite, mouth tingle, or bad aftertaste. A Va/Lat with Scotch Whisky: this is a braw of a tobacco!

Pipe Used: Briar

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gordon Tavistock (23)	2019-05-01		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Strong

The dark notes from the Virginias are a steady companion throughout the bowl. The Latakia cools the whole experience down while adding a lovely musty sweetness. The Latakia is by no means in the front seat here, although without doubt a key component. The whisky casing I find incredible in that it does not subdue towards the end of the bowl. In the tin, the tobacco smells as if it has been washed in real, alcoholic whishy, as opposed to stewed in some sweet goo that only vaguely resembles the peaty original. Naturally, the casing is a lovely companion to the smokiness of the Latakia. Last but not least, neither the Latakia nor the casing is standing in the way of your full appreciation of the Virginia fundament of this blend. Even if you generally dislike the idea of aromatics, I think you should give this one a try.

Like all Sam Gawith tobaccos the moisture in the tin seems to vary with whatever the air humidity was in Kendal on the day of production, so any general tips on pre-smoke preparations are not possible.

A must try for Sam Gawith lovers, lovers of less heavy Latakia blends, and for anyone who want to try a different kind of aromatic.

Pipe Used: Large billiard and prince shaped briars

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Manyetizma (1)	2018-12-30		Mild to Medium	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This tobacco very satisfy to me . You can tasting sweet virginia and woody latakia same time . Flavouring wisky giving so relaxing a taste . Ly down a chair and spread your feet enjoy the Bothy !

Pipe Used: Sahin 5 Star

Age When Smoked: 3 month

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stan (179)	2016-08-04		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Nice cut of flakes as usual. But thick. Slow burning.

Taste was astringent in my book. Whiskey was not too heavy, but the combo of Latakia and whiskey just was too sharp for my tongue. Even with slow puffing I had tongue bite each time. I tried but could not finish the whole tin. I smoked it slowly over time.

I give it two stars because many seem to like it. Just not for me. SG's Navy Flake with rum and Latakia is smoother to my taste.

Pipe Used: Old Arlington canted billiard

Age When Smoked: new tin

Purchased From: smoking pipes

Similar Blends: SG Navy Flake, sorta.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteveH (37)	2015-07-05		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Strong

This is not for the faint-hearted, but if you love a strong latakia, this is wonderful stuff. The whisky comes through well, too, and complements the lat. An excellent tobacco to relax with in the evening.

Pipe Used: Northern Briars banded oriental

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: Bob Gregory of SG, at a Pipe Club of London meeting

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	NobbyR (79)	2015-03-28		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Like you would almost expect from Samuel Gawith, this flake is pretty much on the moist side in a fresh tin. It's good advise to let the medium brown, mottled slices you want to smoke dry for about 30-45 minutes before filling your pipe.

The tin note is like taking a whiff from a bottle of Lagavulin. There's peat fire and whisky.

I use the fold and stuff method for packing my bowl. Especially when the tobacco is still rather moist, it can take two charring lights, after which I level out the ashes, and also two true lights to get the tobacco burning evenly.

The taste is dominated by the smoky Latakia enhanced by the peated malt whisky flavoring, which also adds some malty, floral sweetness to the blend, and the tangy, grassy aroma of the Virginias. As long as you don't draw too eagerly on your pipe, it'll burn down coolly and slowly leaving some dark grey ash. A glass of Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Islay goes along well with this smoke.

The room note is fumy and tolerable.

Pipe Used: Vauen Billiard

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Esterva's Pipe House

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	NineOaks (2)	2021-12-18		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Bothy Flake dodges easy classification. Is it an aromatic? Not overtly, no, despite its topping. An English? Though it does have latakia, no -- it's not an English, either. A Virginia, then? Not as most understand Virginias.

So what is Bothy Flake?

Over the course of smoking a 50g tin, I've come to experience Bothy Flake more as a blend of sense associations than tobaccos. Bothy Flake is the sight of a slow moving river at dusk. Bothy Flake is rest after a late summer harvest. Bothy Flake is the weight of a fine gold watch.

Slow. Heavy. Rich. Smooth. Calm. Relaxing.

It's been my evening smoke for more than a month. While not among my absolute favorites, I've come to value it for its singularity, fine flavor, and gentle disposition. This is a beautiful, unique blend that deserves to be tried.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bowler Hat Piper (24)	2021-09-03		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A long long time ago, myself and a couple of friends walked the 90 odd miles of the West Highland Way, in December! It was cold, wet, miserable and we had a fabulous time. We spent a night in a bothy after a small navigational error had found me in a loch rather than walking alongside it. That night I only had St Bruno to put in my pipe, but I wished I had had this blend. It would have helped enormously. In fact, a dram of whiskey wouldn't have gone amiss either. We also didn't have any of that!

Pipe Used: Peterson 303

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: My Smoking Shop

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	awt (20)	2021-04-22		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

First it has nothing to do with Penzance . Perhaps Best Brown SG with a hint of latakia? A whiff of whisky added, not much, definitely not an aromatic, Will not ruin your pipes believe me. It is quite moist, Let it dry out , rub it well, pack your pipes lightly. When I do this I am rewarded with a pleasent smoke, not too strong, can burn well an slow down to the bottom sometime. Leaves the pipe dry without mouldy smells. Thats something. During the day I tend to smoke Squadron leader or other EM or Balkans, Still I feel more and more attracted by this traditional flake. Very enjoyable, latakia yes as it should be, in the background. Sweet? No Harsh ? No. Just a very fine medium smoke. Enough said . Last but not least, please do not give it to beginners. Update 7/21 I am slowly switching to Virginias from EM , I believe the culprit is Bothy Flake. A very satisfying flake.

Pipe Used: Dunhill Prince 4 and similar pipes

Age When Smoked: new tin

Purchased From: Noli Milan

Similar Blends: generally speaking medium full flakes.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	The Great Mungulor (8)	2021-03-12		Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A flake that tastes fantastic. Required a fair bit of drying time and was a tricky blend to keep lit. Once I realised that relights were inevitable, I thoroughly enjoyed this extremely high quality flake. The first thing I noticed was the virginia, the classic subdued sweetness of traditional SG quality. The deep, fermented fruit flavours shine through at this stage. It is a delicious combination of dark raisin or plum with the sweet smoke. This is all built upon a hint of latakia and the unmistakable peaty flavours of the Scotch whisky. This is a blend that screams quality. It is very well balanced and leaves a pleasant aftertaste. I rate it highly - despite its difficulty in keeping lit.

Pipe Used: MM Corn Cob

Age When Smoked: New from tin

Purchased From: GQ Tobaccos

Similar Blends: Maybe SG Navy Flake?.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Megalo Al (38)	2020-11-18		Medium to Strong	Mild	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

C H E B O M B A. Davvero buonissimo...provato per caso (mi piaceva la figura sulla latta): un mix complesso ma amabile, autunnale, nobile e buonissimo!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	MarkTheLad (46)	2020-10-19		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable to Strong

Upon opening the tin, the peaty scent of scotch and just a little latakia waft up to me, not an unpleasant experience. The first few puffs are a little sweet and peaty, further down the bowl, the sweetness fades and the natural tobacco flavor married with the peaty-ness of the topping is prevalent and the latakia is just present in the background, coming and going. I enjoy tobaccos that are not overwhelmed by a casing or topping and allow that natural flavor to shine through. The latakia is a minor player in Bothy Flake, staying in the background throughout the smoke. The flakes are a bit moist and will require a little dry time. I enjoyed this tobacco, like a dram of fine scotch and will definitely be buying some more. 4 stars.

Pipe Used: 1/2 Bent Peterson System

Age When Smoked: 3 months old

Purchased From: tobaccopipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gran_Tasso (1)	2020-05-30		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I smoked this tobacco remembering my travels in Scotland. It was a really tasty smoke. The virginia has a very soft taste and the barely perceptible latakia fully accompanies all the smoking. The taste of peat and whiskey is barely mentioned, but leaves the mouth pleasantly savory. Promoted with full marks!

Pipe Used: Peterson Aran 120

Age When Smoked: Fresh from the shop

Purchased From: Tabaccheria Vannicelli Roma

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Riff Raff (5)	2018-11-15		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a wonderful blend. I initially found out about this blend when researching the Kearvaig Pipe Club. This tastes how the Highlands look and feel.

I didn't dry it out before loading my pipe, but I probably should have. My eagerness got in the way. Therefore I had a few relights. But it burns evenly and completely. Lots of full flavorful smoke.

This rich latakia blend is mesmerizing. It doesn't punch you in the face with strength. It is wonderfully balanced and full of nuance. The light whisky topping is perfect and compliments the blend rather than overpowering it. First thing in the morning with coffee or late at night with a nice dram of single malt is the perfect time for this tobacco. This needs to be savored and enjoyed.

Pipe Used: GBD Prince; Peterson 80S

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: SmokingPipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Uban (60)	2018-10-23		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I guess I just don't get it. Sour, thin, musty, If whiskey tasted like this I'd never drink it. May revisit (I'm usually pretty mainstream.) 0

Pipe Used: MM, meer, dunny

Age When Smoked: 3 yrs

Purchased From: gift

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Steerpike (156)	2018-08-24		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Bought a tin of this on a whim when visiting Edinburgh. Glad I did, its a cracking smoke and it's how I found out about the Kearvaig Pipe Club!

So the baccy... Its the usual slightly messy Flake from SG, on the moist side, a mix of medium browns. The smell in the tin is of stout Virginias with a background campfire smokiness from the Latakia. The whisky topping blends in harmoniously with this, and seems to me pretty subtle. I like Ennerdale Flake of course, so may have a different tolerance for scented baccy.

It smokes like a nice slightly stoved, sweet Virginia Flake, the Latakia giving a nice smokey background. The scotch is subtle, but enhances the sweetness and smokey flavours. It burns to a shred of dottle if you've dried it a little after rubbing out, never gets sour or harsh. I didn't get any bite. I used pipes I keep for unflavoured English Mixtures, and it did not ghost.

In summary, a splendid and completely unique Flake, I look forward to smoking it in the Kearvaig Bothy!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipenick (28)	2017-09-14		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Bothy Flake....opening tin,sweet darkish flakes. Little bit too wet,nice flakes though..drying time approx 30 min,good rub ,pack the pipe and ready to go. First things first,after few puffs you get that sweet Virginia taste, blended with hint of Cyprian Lat...Single Malt is playing minor key. Don't bite but slow smoking pace is needed to get most of the flavor out. It's easily all day smoke. Tasty stuff.

Pipe Used: Pete's Ashford and Savinelli Oom Paul

Age When Smoked: Straight from tin

Purchased From: Local tobacco shop

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pencils (58)	2017-05-29		Medium	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant

This tobacco is so good, it makes me wish I had a more educated palate. It is clearly a high quality flake but I can't really discern the latakia presence. All I can taste is the whisky flavouring. Don't get me wrong, this is a good thing, because I love good quality whisky but I love latakia even more. As a real nicotine wimp, I originally wrote this in something of a nic haze, which was a less pleasurable experience than I would want... Bothy Flake knocked me on my butt! I thought it was strong and woozy making. I enjoyed this blend, but I felt it was trying to kill me! Not sure what that was about. I don't usually mix tobaccos but I wondered whether it would be softened by adding some Holger Danske Black and Bourbon to take out some of the punch. Time has mellowed all of those opinions - this really isn't so strong, and is actually fairly mild. Adding HD BB does make it even more delicious, but it is flavoursome enough without!

It is moist from the tin and usually is served well by allowing some drying time - twenty minutes perhaps. After that? Flavour filled and less problematic to keep lit. A half time break doesn't do any harm and on relight, all the flavours immediately reappear.

Easy to recommend and always easy to smoke. Stunning stuff.

Pipe Used: Peterson Dublin

Age When Smoked: New

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rob73 (77)	2017-04-30		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Great Virginia, as usual for a SG blend, good combustion, slow and steady. I do not notice Latakia. Even flavoring is very far. The taste is full and creamy but does not have anything special to say. 3,0/5 in my personal rating system.

Purchased From: Dubini, Chiasso (Switzerland)

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gladi8tor96 (143)	2017-03-02		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

This has to be one of the most interesting and unique tobacco's I have come across. I tried some of a sample during a pipe night from another piper. It was intriguing enough for me to purchase a tin.

Upon opening the tin for the first time you can smell the peaty scotch topping straight away. It's very strong, but not off putting. Over time that smell from the tin diminishes and instead one gets a sweet earth balanced by smokiness, probably from the latakia, with just a hint of the scotch.

I tried multiple methods in loading my pipe. I found that the air chamber method, after a flake or two had been rubbed out, worked the best for keeping it lit. This does require some relights here and there, but the air chamber method required the least amount.

The smoke was quite flavorful. The VA's were naturally sweet, like FVF, throughout the smoke and provide a decent backbone. The latakia is there in tones of smokiness and slight floral offerings. Now, bear with me on this, the combination of the malt, peat, smokey latakia, seemed to produce a flavor I have not yet experienced in any other tobacco....the best way to describe it for me is Sandalwood Incense. Now, I know this doesn't sound appealing, and my nose could be wrong, but I swear the components created this experience time and time again with this tobacco. It was actually very delightful. I can see why other reviewers mention the 'lakeland' essence, though I don't think it's quite accurate. The fragrance was great during the smoke and the room note was slightly sweet but gentle. Quite an enjoyable smoke. I think some will love it and others will hate it, not much in-between IMHO.

Pipe Used: Corn Cob M.M.

Age When Smoked: 1-6 Months

Purchased From: Pipesandcigars.com

Similar Blends: Nothing else.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	cetlin (2)	2016-01-09		Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Very Mild	Strong

To be honest it doesn't smell like scotch or anything at all. It is a mix of dried figs/dates and wet dog. The aroma did not attract me at all. However the smoke was sweet/fruity and the smell quite oriental. It's ok, but I would never buy it again. I am not whisky drinker, but I own a bottle of chivas 12 and I notice no similarities in the aroma/taste.

Pipe Used: Angelo

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: www.fajkowo.pl

Similar Blends: Many SG blends.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gam86 (49)	2015-12-29		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Tolerable

In my humble opinion the latakia suppress the mild flavoring of this tobacco. Besides this factor the tobacco is pleasing and ok, but not my type

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Optimist (6)	2023-03-23		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Obviously this is good but it needs SO MUCH drying, or you just end up with a steamy mess. It would be lovely if Gawith would fix this - as it is, it's like buying pears - preparing Gawith tobaccos is an exact science, and leave it too long and it's too dry. Get this right (and you will waste flakes experimenting) and what you have is an interesting, strong virginia with overtones of single malt. It is nice, anyway, to know that you're smoking something while doing so. But there must be more convenient flakes than this - or most of the damp Gawith blends. Please fix this, Gawith. Your customers have lives to lead.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TheOtter (70)	2023-02-15		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable

When I saw Bothy flake, I was hoping for something akin to an Islay whisky. I was expecting peaty and briny flavours, in addition to the smokiness; but this is more akin to a perhaps a Campbeltown Scotch whisky that is lighter on the peat, lacking the brine, but adding a touch of lingering smokiness. This is a fine English blend, but I admit that I was let down by my own expectations.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mijnnif (130)	2023-01-10		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Tin note is slightly sweet, musty, and Smokey. Super nice flakes my tin is almost 6 years old so I think the toppings are almost gone. The flakes break apart easily and I find rubbing out is not necessary. Fold stuff and puff. I was very surprised at how good this blend is once aged. The Latakia is very lite. The Virginias take the lead. Has a bit of a spice note. Super smooth Kind of in between Skiff and squadron leader. Needs a few relites but once you get it going it stays lit. Nic hit is mild. The flavor is medium. Burns cool. I am not sure I would smoke this all day but a few bowls are quite nice

Pipe Used: BBB Canadian

Age When Smoked: 6 years

Purchased From: friend gift

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sangagor (79)	2023-01-09		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Unnoticeable

My sample contains nice small crystals of sugar on top of the fakes. Could be more moisty, but reason might be , that it was one year old tobacco. Smoked whisky was aroma of fresh sample and need to say remains also in taste after light. This tobacco is not easy. You need obtain the rhythm. Than you will be favorited with nice sweet aroma and taste of smokiness and whisky.

Pipe Used: Savineli315; Savineli207

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Purchased From: etrafika.cz

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tobaksrøg (53)	2022-09-03		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Very Strong

If you can honestly find any hint of whisky in this you have my eternal respect. Because I couldn't. Average lat blend, nothing to write home about. Also, one of the wettest tobaccos out there. I think my flakes have gone mouldy by now...

Age When Smoked: New

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