Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Special Edition
(3.33)
The original Squadron Leader blend was brought back for the 2008 Chicago Pipe show in a limited release of 500 tins then later offered in 2015 as an exclusive 2000 tin limited edition here at SPC, this is the classic English blend you know and love, with the addition of the truffle of condiment tobaccos: perique.
Notes: Re-released in 2017, limited to 3000 tins. Re-released in 2019, limited to 4500 tins.
Details
| Brand | Samuel Gawith |
| Series | 2015 SPC Exclusive |
| Blended By | Samuel Gawith |
| Manufactured By | Samuel Gawith |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Mixture |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.33 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 23, 2016 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
I jumped at the opportunity to buy three tins of this limited edition release and just recently finished the first tin. My reasons were two part. The first is that I absolutely love Squadron Leader, so I was interested in how this iteration would compare. The second is that I am a sucker for good marketing and limited edition tins are never a bad thing to have in the cellar.
As for the tobacco inside the green tin, I was let down. This is not too surprising as Squadron Leader itself is firmly rooted in my top ten tobaccos, so the odds that this would jump up to join it were pretty low to begin with. I did start to like it more as the tobacco started to dry than when it was just opened.
This taste very little like squadron leader. The change wrought from the perique is overtly apparent, yet it is far from a perique powerhouse. The blend does not really feel much stronger from a standpoint of nicotine. The primary problem with this blend is the addition of the perique kind of covers up or changes everything that I like about the standard squadron leader. There is almost a compost type element to the smoke that just doesn't do much for me.
Don't get me wrong, I did not despise the blend, but I just find that it is inferior to the white tin standard SL. As for rating this blend, that is also difficult. As only 2000 were made and I can attest that now there are less, it goes without saying that if you can pick up a tin for around $10 or the cost of a standard tin, then I highly recommend it from an investment standpoint; however, don't buy into the hype and spend a lot of money on this as it is not really worth it.
I am leaving this one at two stars as there are just too many other tobaccos that I would prefer over this. But I will say that this is a unique blend as there is nothing that I really can compare it to. I do not doubt that some people will love this blend as we all have varying tastes.
As for the tobacco inside the green tin, I was let down. This is not too surprising as Squadron Leader itself is firmly rooted in my top ten tobaccos, so the odds that this would jump up to join it were pretty low to begin with. I did start to like it more as the tobacco started to dry than when it was just opened.
This taste very little like squadron leader. The change wrought from the perique is overtly apparent, yet it is far from a perique powerhouse. The blend does not really feel much stronger from a standpoint of nicotine. The primary problem with this blend is the addition of the perique kind of covers up or changes everything that I like about the standard squadron leader. There is almost a compost type element to the smoke that just doesn't do much for me.
Don't get me wrong, I did not despise the blend, but I just find that it is inferior to the white tin standard SL. As for rating this blend, that is also difficult. As only 2000 were made and I can attest that now there are less, it goes without saying that if you can pick up a tin for around $10 or the cost of a standard tin, then I highly recommend it from an investment standpoint; however, don't buy into the hype and spend a lot of money on this as it is not really worth it.
I am leaving this one at two stars as there are just too many other tobaccos that I would prefer over this. But I will say that this is a unique blend as there is nothing that I really can compare it to. I do not doubt that some people will love this blend as we all have varying tastes.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 20, 2016 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
According to Samuel Gawith, this green labelled Special Edition is exactly the same mixture like the regular SQL, with an addition of Perique. Since only 2000 tins were produced, I could not put hands on this Special Edition. Therefore I have made the experiment myself, adding different amounts of pure Perique into the regular SQL. The best result is an upgraded SQL from a 1 to a 2 star on my personal rating. The blend became a bit stronger, tastier and the room note was better.
For more details about my critical view of SQL, check my review on the other page dedicated to the regular SQL.
For more details about my critical view of SQL, check my review on the other page dedicated to the regular SQL.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 17, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
Tin #488/2000
Its that time of year again, where I slowly transition over to more Latakia forward blends as the autumn season approaches. Even though its been a bit warmer here in Southern Michigan, I can't help but crave English and Balkan blends as the first aspen leaves begin to turn golden.
Almost through with this tin, so I thought it would be appropriate to share my thoughts.
Tin aroma isn't as strong as I remembered the original SL. Seems quite muted. Somewhat dry in the tin, definitely something I'm not used to when it comes to SG mixtures. Upon opening the tin and pulling back the white paper liner, I find wide cuts of mostly medium to dark brown leaf, with a bit of golden mixed in. Loading the pipe with the lack of moisture allowed the pipe to be packed quite full and firm, without hampering the draw. Charring light was almost all Perique to me. The Latakia took a backseat the duration of each bowl, while the Perique remained overpowering. This blend is sharp and can sting the nostrils when exhaled. Leaves a very clean palate with a nice refreshing feeling on the tongue. Burns clean and clear, leaving a dark gray ash and nothing more.
I tried to enjoy this but it just isn't my thing. If you can find a tin, it's worth a try if you are a Perique junky.
Its that time of year again, where I slowly transition over to more Latakia forward blends as the autumn season approaches. Even though its been a bit warmer here in Southern Michigan, I can't help but crave English and Balkan blends as the first aspen leaves begin to turn golden.
Almost through with this tin, so I thought it would be appropriate to share my thoughts.
Tin aroma isn't as strong as I remembered the original SL. Seems quite muted. Somewhat dry in the tin, definitely something I'm not used to when it comes to SG mixtures. Upon opening the tin and pulling back the white paper liner, I find wide cuts of mostly medium to dark brown leaf, with a bit of golden mixed in. Loading the pipe with the lack of moisture allowed the pipe to be packed quite full and firm, without hampering the draw. Charring light was almost all Perique to me. The Latakia took a backseat the duration of each bowl, while the Perique remained overpowering. This blend is sharp and can sting the nostrils when exhaled. Leaves a very clean palate with a nice refreshing feeling on the tongue. Burns clean and clear, leaving a dark gray ash and nothing more.
I tried to enjoy this but it just isn't my thing. If you can find a tin, it's worth a try if you are a Perique junky.
target="_blank"
