Where 1792's tonquin topping is over the top and Sam's Flake is too light to be noticed, Bracken Flake's topping shines. In the right circumstances, with a bit of caution, Bracken satisfies like few blends can. I crumbled up a flake and then I noticed the sweet smell of their secret sauce. It takes some sitting down and really focusing on it, as this dark blend simply won't let the smoker off the hook until it is finished. The scent is heavenly: coumarin jumps off the top, with other medicinal aromatic scents. It takes a bit of effort to light, but once it is lit, it tastes almost like it smells: like soapy chocolate. I would perhaps recommend this to pipe smokers who also enjoy dark, robust cigars. Stronger than Goliath it packs a punch few will shrug off, but a slow cadence treats the patient smoker to a sunset of impressions. I do not think there is any Tonka Bean in this, thank goodness. I stopped smoking pipes pretty much. I wouldn't mind a few tins of a few SG blends myself. As ever with SG, a little drying out aids the breaking up, packing and smoking. It is rather 1 dimensional but very enjoyable. Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. - Westmorland Slices. Worth a try. info@ronscigarstore.com (647) 887-7088. It too is very dark on my palate, almost cigar like. 50 g tin. The familiar vanilla-bitter medicine scent of tonquin is easily detected. The first bowl i "rubbed out" (more like breaking apart really) a few pieces, packed and lit it up. Simple in design, and complex at the same time. Even if it was always available I wouldn't order more. Please bring this one back! If you've never had it, it tastes exactly like the tin aroma on the finish. One of my tins had what looked like in the sunlight sugar crystals. ** 4 full stars. I think I'm going to get rid of it all and just hang onto my favorite two pipes and a couple tins. Free shipping! After leaving this tobacco out all night, it was still not completely dry, so I may try leaving it under a lamp for a while next time. Even though i had read some bad reviews about this tobacco, i went ahead and bought it. The smoke is definitely strong and a strong tea or high quality highland single malt would go hand in hand with this. On to the smoking. If you're getting into stronger flake tobaccos like Peterson Irish Flake, I would seriously suggest you purchase a quantity of this. We take your privacy very seriously. The image was not pleasant, but I perservered. Then discovered that no one has this in stock! It smells really nice, both in the tin and when lit. This stuff was strong, even stronger than 1792, in my experience. Great tasting tobacco with repulsive aroma. SMOKING WARNING It is illegal to sell tobacco products to a person under 18 and it is illegal to purchase a tobacco product for use by a person under 18. Read more. 10622615. eCommerce by digital thing. Slow and easy is the trick for sure. An excellent Virginia & Latakia blend with a pleasant rum flavor. It would serve well in this way. I dont know for sure. Black XX was 17.00 a 50g tin. It is not as dark as 1792, but it is dark. Some of my pipe smoking brethren seem to really enjoy this tobacco. I really enjoyed this one and of course it is no longer available. I wasn't very wowed by it and it was likely due to my lack of experience with stronger tobaccos. As for the tonquin present in and strength of this blend, Bracken Flake is more companionable than 1792 Flake, but BF is still quite full and best on a full stomach. As a traditional blend type this is an excellent choice that any Enthusiast should try. Free Shipping The stuff smells awful: heavy, sweet, and medicinal. Why are most Samuel Gawith blends completely out of stock? Bracken is one of them. That said, if you like stout blends and enjoy other dark-fired offerings, this is a must-try. We have been in the business for many years and our care and adherence to tradition guarantees the perfect snuff . In a small Stanwell. . I find it has a much better burn this way and makes for a long enjoyable smoke. The tin note from the ''long used essence'' truly reminds me of star anise, and the whole aroma reminds me of a particular kind of chinese stew with beef/potatoes/carrots whose whole flavor profile revolves around this spicy/sweet accord between ginger, sugar, anise and cinamon. There is a bit of Virginia involved here, not providing much in the way of sweetness to this cigar-like, shreds-of-tar spice factory. Still glad i got a tin before it was too late ! None of the tin aroma in the smoke. Today, they still produce a huge range of flavoursome blends whilst still implementing the same traditional methods and, some of the original machinery from 1792. Everywhere else in the world, Gawith sells tobacco to businesses who are licensed in their home country to import tobacco, a highly regulated and taxed commodity virtually anywhere in the world. I'm tasting Bracken, a cigar with a flavor that's like coming to a temple in India. But once it's going you get a very rich, creamy, strong and honest smoke. If you dislike those, you'll probably dislike BF. There is no appreciable room note. The online store is always open - you can shop with confidence at all hours of the day, from anywhere in the world. I would certainly not recommend this tobacco to anyone but I know tastes differ and I wish all the best to those who like it. FREE Shipping on Orders of $95+ (Continental USA) | Yes, we ship Worldwide. Admittedly all these cross-references to 1792 may be a bit confusing: These are two tobaccos at completely different ends of the flavour range. It's amazing that Samuel Gawith even produces this dung.If you like smoking this you would probally like smoking Labrador. It may not display this or other websites correctly. It does need a little drying after being rubbed out, but all in all a real pleasant smoke for the experienced smoker. But, be careful, the drier it becomes, the stronger it gets. One star for quality, second for the reminder to smoke slow, but this is one SG I won't be buying again, SG do too many other tobacco's which IMO are far superior. This comparison really highlighted the ''fuller'' feel of Bracken Flake. Be that as it may, the flake is dark and wet. latakia? BF is extraordinarily cool and has wonderful side-stream aroma. It is good for starting to day. The topping or casing is immediately there and while a bit odd at first becomes a nice compliment to the fine quality leaf underneath. If you like Lakeland style blends with their toppings youll like this. Nice on a rainy Saturday morning when there is nothing much to do. A tobacco that should be stocked up on as age can do incredible things to the flavor of this spectacular blend. Blend Preferences: Straight Virginia - Sometimes (Spring/Summer) VA/BUR - Primarily VA/PER - Rarely (I believe Perique should be used as a condiment) English Mixtures (Oriental/Balkan/Latakia) - Sometimes (Fall/Winter) American - Sometimes Aromatics - Never. Takes at least two charring lights to get it burning evenly and well. They stayed true to themselves, because some varieties are still produced according to old recipes and even with the old machines. Old world deep and rich flavor comes pouring out of the pipe in delightful waves of spine tingling enjoyment. A high quality flake for the seasoned piper, recommended. reproduced in any manner without the expressed written consent of STC Holdings LLC. Purchased From: Friend personal collection. The tin scent did not reflect the taste at all. I like Peterson's Irish Flake; that one's pretty strong. By mid bowl, the burley comes through complimenting the Virginia while the nicotine starts to kick in. It is peppery and leathery, with an underlying sweetness. No real flavors that jump out at you just a simple medium to strong smoke that really satisfies all my smoking desire. I get only a mild added taste at first, and it's quite pleasant: maybe vanilla like. It took a match and burned without drama. The flakes are a beautiful dark brown, and the pouch note is earthy and a heavy sweet with a hint of fruit. I might get it again, but it won't be something I'm craving after. I tried "Z" stuffing and hand rubbing. I was lucky enough to procure one tin from my local B&M, not knowing that this tobacco had been discontinued for years already, even more lucky considering it was a blind buy based solely on the fact that i wanted to try something from the house of Gawith. I dont get the soapy, chocolate and fruity flavours at all. I bought my tin from a place that just couldn't sell it. Smokes very cool and as long as one hour in the smallest group 1 bowl which is pretty enough to satisfy the smoker. I wish I knew. Blowfish's review is exactly on the money. The harshness did fade a bit halfway through the bowl, and I was getting some nice flavors from small sips-the tobacco does burn well. Many people compare this to 1792. Open the tin and you find a stack of (usually) very thin, very dark chocolate coloured, raggedy looking flakes. I'm not sure if my opinion here is accurate, but I had trouble keeping this lit. There is a definite layer of sweetness which seems like virginias working, but also a dryer, "smokier" effect, ala latakia. Either that, or the flavouring is so well matched that it seems to not be overwhelming or floating atop the taste of the tobacco. Unknown production) and looked every bit like something brought over on the Mayflower. Email Rich at 4noggins.com, he put some aside for you the next time it arrives, he's a good guy. The flavoring is not overdone, nor is it the same as in other Gawith blends. All round a good enjoyable relaxing smoke but if you smoke it too quickly you will lose the pepper and get burned instead. I wish the flakes came unbroken, because the larger pieces, folded like whole flake, smoke better than the smaller pieces. Appearance: Dark brown to black with brownish streaks, a moderately densely pressed 6" flake, topping is evident. The nicotine was a little over the top for me and detracted from my ability to enjoy the tobacco. One of the key words here is strong - this is not for the faint of heart, or for beginner pipe smokers. Deep Dark flakes to match the flavors. The smoke is very cool and there is absolutely no tongue bite. Pipe Used: Bent billiard, straight apple, corncobs. , , Felipe Felipe- Super Rothschild (Singles), Galleria tobaccos 1.5 ounce pouch (CLOSEOUT). NB. I cannot tell much about this that would be constructive, but if, like me, you tried 1792 and found it over-flavored but liked where it was going, then Bracken Flake is quite possibly a fit for you. Samuel Gawith has been producing world famous pipe tobacco for over 200 years, which are full of strength and mellow flavours. Bracken is a medium to full bodied flake that is exceptionally smooth, earthy and has an illusive fruity sweetness. I heard from a guy on a pipe forum that his local B&M just got a supply of SG tins of the following. I loved it! The second pipeful was slightly less.I don't know the word for it. I hesitated reviewing this too quickly so I spent the last few months trying to be fair. Both are done conservatively in my estimation and exploit both the tanginess of the Virginia as well as the spiciness of the Kentucky respectively; brilliant blending from a great tobacco house. It comes quite moist & needs to be dried out for a while. As comparisons to 1792 Flake are inevitable, here is mine: I smoked pipes of 1792 and Bracken back to back. All in all, I found it to be an excellent flake for those who enjoy BIG flavor from their tobaccos. Brand: Samuel Gawith Category: English Blend Components: Virginia, Latakia, Orientals, Perique Flavorings: None Cut Type: Ribbon Available Packaging: 50g tin Price: $13.75 USD On to the review From the Tin: Interesting combination in the tin. The second bowl (the next day) i took some of the larger flakes and folded and stuffed them in my pipe. Very coarse and quite difficult pack with more tobacco smell than anything else by the time it had aired. Samuel Gawith has been a producer of fine, premium tobacco products since 1792, using much of the same equipment and recipes dating back to the beginning. Not highly complex but very delicious. (And SteelCowboy is right, it's an absolute must try for Lakeland explorers) It's not a flavor that all will enjoy, to be sure, but those who do will be glad they found it. For some reason I've particularly enjoyed the welter of voices trying to pin this one down UPDATE 05/31/13: I'm now on my fifth tin, and I'm a little concerned with SG's quality control. Bracken Flake is a great example of the best tobaccos to be had coupled with expert processing in that good old English tradition of elevating taste without purging the flake of good old vitamin "N".