Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Kendal Bosun Flake

(2.75)
A blend of bright and dark Virginia's, pressed and broken apart during cutting. Medium strength with a distinctive aroma.

Details

Brand Gawith, Hoggarth & Co.
Blended By  
Manufactured By Gawith Hoggarth
Blend Type Straight Virginia
Contents Virginia
Flavoring
Cut Flake
Packaging Bulk
Country United Kingdom
Production Currently available

Profile

Strength
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming

Average Rating

2.75 / 4
0

3

1

0

Reviews

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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 Reviews
Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jan 23, 2017 Medium Medium to Strong Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
As this is the flake version of Bosun Plug (which is actually broken flake), and I detect no differences between the two versions, I'm repeating my review of the plug here. The various Virginia tobaccos are very earthy, slightly spicy and grassy, mildly woody with a light smokiness, a bit of fermented ripe dark fruit and some citrus as well as a little nuttiness. The noticeable cigar notes underscore the experience. The oil of cloves is lightly added with the rose geranium being the more prominent topping, both of which mildly tone down the tobacco varietals. They are just a shade past the medium level. The nic-hit is just past the center of mild to medium. No chance of bite, and has no harsh or dull moments. Burns rather slow, cool and clean with a fairly smooth and creamy, very consistent richly sweet and floral flavor from start to finish. Needs some relights, but leaves very little moisture in the bowl. Has a pleasant after taste and a stronger room note, both of which linger just a little. For those experienced in Lakelands, this could be an all day smoke.

-JimInks
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Jun 10, 2015 Mild Mild Medium Pleasant to Tolerable
Gawith Hoggarth - Kendal Bosun Flake.

The appearance of the flakes are exactly as you would expect from the description. They have good length, about five inches, are about an inch and a half wide and are of the standard thickness. The colour is mainly medium brown with a covering of lighter flecks all over. The water content is good, enabling smoking to take place straight away. I mentioned how the appearance meets with the description impeccably but the taste is where it differs vehemently. I got the first inkling that this would be the case when I put my nose in the pouch. I got a slightly floral, slightly alcoholic aroma and this was affirmed by the smoke. It doesn't taste 'aromatic' as such but it does have a resemblance to a topping of that sort. The room note however lacks this quality. It isn't bad but there isn't much character to it. The nicotine is reasonably mild, not totally vacant but it would probably suit a newer smoker. I get a good and stable burn for the whole bowl, unless I leave it un-puffed.

I find Bosun Flake a decent enough smoke but I wouldn't be able to smoke it all the time as after a few bowls I find the floral taste a little irritating. Two stars.
Pipe Used: Erik Nording
PurchasedFrom: My Smoking Shop
Age When Smoked: New
2 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Dec 11, 2019 Medium Medium Medium to Full Pleasant
Another very pleasant dark flake with a floral topping, moderate in strength but satisfying.

The aroma in the bag is subdued, but the geranium and clove gives it a soapy aroma that reminds me of Imperial Leather soap, it similar leather colognes that use a spice and floral formula. The dark brown slices rub out with a bit of work, and I find it lights with a little more effort than usual. Once lit it stays lit, and the topping flavour is quite strong right from the start.

I do find the flavour to be soapy, I quite like this, some may not be so keen. The tobacco itself is quite rich, giving a leathery, woody base with only moderate sweetness, and the aroma while it burns, like that in the packet, is floral and leathery but not sweet. For this reason, to me, this tobacco is to its stablemate Coniston Cut Plug what Condor is to St Bruno: floral and woody, while it's companion has a more sweet aroma. While the comparison works for the flavour and aroma, it is not true for the strength: Bosun is milder than Condor, but does satisfy. All of these scented tobaccos are obviously unique, but I do find some give a similar overall impression. It also reminds me a bit of Bulwark Flake, a tobacco that I didn't smoke much of and haven't had for years, but for some reason miss now that I can't it any more.

The Bosun burns quite slow, doesn't need many relights, and leaves a little dottle. For me, this is an autumn or winter smoke, nice for outdoors activities like hiking or camping, or while working in the garage or shed. It is satisfying but not demanding, and I think lovers of dark flakes who are not "soapophobic" will find it very enjoyable.
Pipe Used: Falcons, Orlik bent billiard
PurchasedFrom: Gauntleys, Cambridge
Age When Smoked: New
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Reviewed By Date Rating Strength Flavoring Taste Room Note
Dai
Oct 12, 2016 Medium None Detected Mild to Medium Pleasant
The description days straight virginia with no flavouring well if this is true then it's one that I like because, I normally don't like straight virginia tobacco's. I found Bosun Flake burns well keeps cool and no tongue bite for me. It definitely is an enjoyable flake fairly slow and cool burning. This is the first virginia that didn't taste of cigarette tobacco to me.
Pipe Used: Savinelli 645/320, Falcon, Rattray Bent Bulldog
PurchasedFrom: www.mysmokingshop.co.uk
Age When Smoked: new
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