Samuel Gawith Bothy Flake
(3.42)
A traditional blend of pressed Virginias with a hint of latakia and a dash of Highland malt whiskey make Bothy Flake a medium strength, aromatic and easy smoking tobacco. A Kearvaig Pipe Club Tobacco.
Notes: By K&K: Bob Gregory doesn't know how many "Bothies" (small huts) there are in the Highlands, but he estimates about 40 of 'em. The good thing about these cabins is that they are allowed to smoke here. You can do everything in such a hut: You can make a fire to keep yourself warm, eart the leftover food, and drink the leftover drink. The prerequisite, however, is that food an drink be stocked up again for the next hiker.
"These little huts have saved my life once" says Bob. "Many years ago, with m father I spent two nights in the Cairngorm Mountains in the wet, cold and windsy weather. My father had sprained his foot and could barely walk. Our luck was the Corar Bothy who gave us shelter during the storm."
The Bothy Flake is a thanksgiving to these small huts. Consisting of a full Virginia tobacco with a small share of latakia from Cyprus. The flake gets its smoky-peaty undertone with the addition of a typical Highland malt whiskey essence, which is highlighted by the latakia. Medium in strength and aromatic with a full-bodied room note. A genuine Highlander!
Details
| Brand | Samuel Gawith |
| Series | Kearvaig Pipe Club |
| Blended By | Samuel Gawith |
| Manufactured By | Samuel Gawith |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Latakia |
| Contents | Latakia, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Whisky |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild to Medium
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.42 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 21 - 30 of 45 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 04, 2016 | 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.
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
PurchasedFrom:
smoking pipes
Age When Smoked:
new tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 05, 2015 | 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
PurchasedFrom:
Bob Gregory of SG, at a Pipe Club of London meeting
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 2015 | 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.
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
PurchasedFrom:
Esterva's Pipe House
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 18, 2021 | 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.
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.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 03, 2021 | 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
PurchasedFrom:
My Smoking Shop
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 22, 2021 | 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
PurchasedFrom:
Noli Milan
Age When Smoked:
new tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 12, 2021 | 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
PurchasedFrom:
GQ Tobaccos
Age When Smoked:
New from tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18, 2020 | 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!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2020 | 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
PurchasedFrom:
tobaccopipes.com
Age When Smoked:
3 months old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 30, 2020 | 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
PurchasedFrom:
Tabaccheria Vannicelli Roma
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from the shop
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