There is something of the nature of the ever-controversial 1792 lurking in the physical aspect of Bracken, but the similarities end there. It is dark brown, sort of stringy and moist. I have the best results when I smoke this outdoors. I also recommend reading the other reviews for this blend. The first thing that comes to mind is Erinmore and "pineapple" topping which is an idea based on a poor assumption of the tin art. Recommended for those that enjoy a medium to strong tobacco. Samuel Gawith: Squadron Leader - English blend 1.75oz pipe tobacco. Some tobaccos are not really for inhaling. Old world deep and rich flavor comes pouring out of the pipe in delightful waves of spine tingling enjoyment. The only reason not to give this a = rating is I still have a supply of Condor and Walnut Flake. A kinder, gentler little brother to 1792 flake? It said Samuel Gawith found a few remaining tins, had badged them with a simple white label (due to the previous artwork being redundant), and My Smoking Shop bought the lot! A full strength, full flavored pipe tobacco. Use the filters and the search function to enhance your experience We sell tobacco and tobacco-related items. Some flakes are thick and some not so much, so youll have told determine how you want to prepare them. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Virginia tobaccos with a small amount of Latakia pressed in flakes that are thick and stunning to look at. The nicotine level is high, with a back-of-the-mouth sensation again like a good cigar. As the bowl progresses the topping recedes into the background as the strong tobaccos take the fore. I cannot put my finger on this one. I find it has a much better burn this way and makes for a long enjoyable smoke. The elusive aroma is quite unusual, I can't put my finger on it. Similar Blends: Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. - Westmorland Slices. Braken Flake is an old fashioned fire cured tobacco, best as an evening blend for a small pipe. But rather than Tonquin, Bracken Flake brings it's own essences: chocolate, menthol, cedarwood, liquorish even? In fact, the color is very much like Stonehaven, as is the full, not-biting creamy body, though the taste is of course different. Bought it, and haven't seen any more since. Not an improvement, to my mind. A good solid smoke. They are both delicious in their own way. Luckily, the moisture and the thickness of the flake helps a lot to maintain a slow and cool combustion (although it may require some rubbing out otherwise it won't get lit at all). I'm curious as to what flavors other reviewers detect. Anyway, it's mostly in the scent, because the taste of the smoke is dominated by the tobacco (as it should be). For those that desire more flavor this is worth a try and is on my reorder list. It doesn't have as much topping as 1792 or Cob Plug, but has a similar flavor profile, just toned down. But what I do know is that it is a great quality tobacco that if I could buy some at suggested retail price, ha, I would. Now, for breaking it apart and packing into the pipe. It is a whopper of a strong tobacco too. I have recently reset all my reviews because I feel that only now I really know what blends I enjoy and now have the experience to accurately give an honest review based on my personal tastes. Like 1792, it came in a broken flake form, very easily rubbed out. I would recommend it for those who like Haddo's Delight. That is not far off. I would hesitate to give up on a S. Gawith tobacco, 'cause the others have been so pleasurable. Out of stock Add to Wishlist Name-Brand Favorites Brown Number 4 Finest Kendal Twist $ 14.85 - $ 47.88 Select options Sale ! JavaScript is disabled. I rubbed out the flakes. If you like Lakeland style blends with their toppings youll like this. It does have some similarities to GH Dark Flake as well. 2017-07-05 UPDATE: well after a year, i can still say that i don't really know what to think of this tobacco sometimes it seems almost tasteless, sometimes it is unbearably piquant at the beginning of the smoke sometimes it develops a great honey-like sweetness, sometimes it remains earthy what remains true all along is: 1) with those mega thick flakes, its hard to prepare 2) if you get smoke in your eyes, you'll regret it, Pipe Used: Savinelli Primo Fumo straight billiard. Virginia. I've been seeing more comments lately about these variations in SG's flakes. However, for the discerning palette of experienced pipesters, especially those with a penchant for dark flakes, I unhesitatingly give it my highest recommendation. First, it is strong. You must log in or register to reply here. It does need a little drying after being rubbed out, but all in all a real pleasant smoke for the experienced smoker. I've never tasted a burned porta-potty, but it might just taste like Braken flake. Even after drying this out it had no real significant taste,though it did smell like an out house that had caught on fire. A gentle tamp and one re-light gets things going nicely. A strong tobacco all around. I guess the experience is trending in the right direction though. As a traditional blend type this is an excellent choice that any Enthusiast should try. Tobacco Reviews | Samuel Gawith - Bracken Flake Romeo y Julieta This cigar is also considered as one of the most adored and is noticed as the cigar of choice by icon figures such as Winston Churchill. Slow burning, sips nicely. It should probably be noted that I am a fan of 1792 and Lakeland Dark and thus a fan of Samuel Gawiths dark and bold blends in general, but whereas some reviewers find this blend to be harsh I rather find it to be well rounded. Not the same, but with some similarities. Appearance: Dark brown to black with brownish streaks, a moderately densely pressed 6" flake, topping is evident. Fire-cured Tanzanian leaf and steamed and pressed Virginias are pressed then steam-pressed to further marry and caramelize the flavors before being cut into decadent flakes. The rest of the flavour's robust: earthy, woody, bold, and fired. Flakes of this color I find artistically beautiful (hey, art is whatever anyone says it is!). I don't know, this just wasn't for me. Samuel Gawith Tinned Pipe Tobaccos and five minutes later biting into what you thought was gum and turned out to be a disgusting balled up Tootsie Roll in the middle. 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. Purchased From: Friend personal collection. Washington residents, please note that we cannot ship pipe tobacco into your state. While I haven't completely given up on Bracken Flake, I hesitate to recommend it to Virginia tobacco lovers. If you like delicate mild flavours look elsewhere. This page may contain sensitive or adult content that's not for everyone. Pretty good tobacco once it dries enough to accept flame. By mid bowl, the burley comes through complimenting the Virginia while the nicotine starts to kick in. Mint? 11/22 Update - I've never been called a quitter and I haven't quoted on the weed yet. Flavors of cherry, rose and a deep nuttiness are exhaled with increasing pleasure. This is a mild smoke with no bite. The biggest difference is the lack of Tonquin Bean essence in Bracken Flake. I broke it up into little pieces and although it was tolerable, I still didn't get a sense of rich flavorful tobac. The Bracken Flake is a wonderful weed indeed.Upon opening the tin your greeted with an earthy tobacco smell and something that reminds me of clover honey.I dont find the aroma of the long-used essence intimidating,but those around me have commented on it.The flakes are dark and a little moist.This blend is just slightly cased and the fact that only a small amount is used will prevent it from having more than an infinitesimal effect on tobacco ignition and combustion-if any. It rubbed out easily, and packed nicely. I recognized the guys handwriting on the tin that he dated. Samuel Gawith Cabbies Roll Cut Mixture Pipe Tobacco 250g Bag. The transformation clearly comes in the magic SG undertake in preparation, which results in a dark brown flake of madly uneven chunks. Even a small bowl last easily an hour. After a suitable drying, it breaks and packs well enough, staining my fingers with greasy goodness. Have enjoyed pipe smoking, again, for almost 5 years now and have tried a number of Blends all of which have been recommended by my supplier. All rights reserved. I think I'm going to get rid of it all and just hang onto my favorite two pipes and a couple tins. Boy what a difference! A down right good dark lakeland flake. Description says "unique and alluring aroma" hmm.. not so sure about it, actually the scent reminds me indian incense sticks which I don't like. Brand: Samuel Gawith. There are considerable added flavorings. If you rush it, as I did the first time I tried it, The strength gets to you and the flavors combine into a slurry of sour. A pipeful of Bracken Flake and a glass of Lagavulin scotch make a glorious combination. This is definitely a close relative of 1792, but far less assertive. Samuel Gawith Samuel Gawith Pipe Tobacco There is not a pipe tobacco company currently, or past, that epitomizes the word tradition more so than Samuel Gawith, with its recipes dating back to almost a decade before 1800. By half-way the Virginia sweetness is there too ? Black XX was 17.00 a 50g tin. With a good rest in the bowl the tobacco will light with relative ease. If you've never had it, it tastes exactly like the tin aroma on the finish. I have to give it to them for having the integrity to axe the blend rather than keep it in production with sub par ingredients and honestly I wouldnt expect anything less from the honorable Gawith house. All in all, I found it to be an excellent flake for those who enjoy BIG flavor from their tobaccos. 24.30 Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Pipe Tobacco. Samuel Gawith Tinned Pipe Tobaccos. The tin aroma is reminiscent of a muted Erinmore, somewhat liquorice-like in character, perhaps some anise? A nuisance! Even after drying out it took more effort to get it going, and it did not stay lit as long. As with most flake tobaccos I simply take several flakes together, fold them in half and insert them length-wise into the bowl trimming off the excess. I don't find it to smoke wet, and tongue bite is impossible. This is crap,and I'm dumping the rest of this awfull mess in the ##@$#%% rubbish bin. Hard as you might tug on this tobacco there is no bite. I detect none of the tonquin others have noted. It is earthy, a little sweet and slightly spicy. The nicotine is very potent in this tobacco so be careful if you are smoking it first thing in the morning. Though not bitey, it is harsher on the throat than 1792 IMO, and less flavorful. However smokeless products, cigarettes and rolling tobacco has to be hidden away. The first I did t let it dry out enough..simple mistake to correct. Still surprised to find none of the tin aroma flavours in the smoke. If you exhale through nose can detect faint hints of tonquin in the background. Altogether it is a pleasant presence. The Kentucky really shines through with a rich strong finish. Too strong..made me gagand I gave this stuff many chances in the last 2 years. Room note is extremely strong, and no flavouring at all. My only complaint with this blend is that it can get bitey on the finish in the summer. I found this flake to be dark and moist, and quite pungent in the tin, much like 1792 and Full Virginia Flake. Tobacco Type: Latakia, Virginia. Why are most Samuel Gawith blends completely out of stock? 4 Rope 50g Pipe Tobacco Product Number: 003-059-0011 Samuel Gawith was the son-in-law of Thomas Harrison, a snuff manufacturer who moved his trade and equipment to Kendal, Cumbria, England from Scotland in 1792. That tradition continues today and its evident in every bowl. I know it's a discontinued blend so a part of me was thinking about putting it in the cellar, but you know, the first thing I ended up doing when I got home was opening it up and having a smoke with some strong, black tea. The first thing I noticed upon cracking the tin is the beautiful dark brown flakes lined neatly in double-rowed stacks. This tobacco could easily be a filler in a strong spicy Mexican cigar. The vast majority of the blends are natural, non-aromatic compositions with a strength ranging from mild to very strong, but there are also a number of more modern Aromatic blends to be found. Packing:. These flakes had really nice flavor though. My fifth tin contains flakes that have widths varying from paper thin to leather sandal thick. No bite at all. SG's darker flakes in terms of strength are 1. full virginia flake (more of a toasted flavor than real dark), 2. I like navy style with the rum and they are the few blends that allow a topping to help the blend. Not for my regular rotation, but a good change of pace. I tried Bracken Flake a long time ago, early in my life as a pipe smoker. I had no problem with it funking my pipe though, or leaving any goop in the bottom of the bowl. Appearance: A mostly black with some brown and tan mottling leathery flake of varying thickness. Add to Wish List Description This 200 year old blend is comprised of hand-stripped flue cured Zimbabwe leaf, steamed to a golden color then stoved into a unique melange of flavors. 50 g tin. Frankly, the "soapy" taste leaves me cold. The flakes are a beautiful dark brown, and the pouch note is earthy and a heavy sweet with a hint of fruit. . It is too strongly flavoured. SOLD OUT !!! It has lots of depth, lots of flavor, and it is just all round pleasant. But once it's going you get a very rich, creamy, strong and honest smoke. The Virginias are uniquely Gawith and don't pull punches. Purchased From: The factory, various tobacconists. (Don't microwave it, since that seems to compromise the fragile oils and alter the flavor characteristics.) It's also too moist right out of the tin. Nowadays, my tastes have become subtler and more refined (which doesn't mean that this tobacco is gross and rustic: simply, it is stuff from another era). Need to contact the B&B Team? You must be of legal age to purchase tobacco products or smoking accessories on this site. . I find I need more than the average number of relights but this tends to pace the smoke , so I don't consider it a problem. While the aroma of this flake may be intimidating, the flavor, smoked slowly, is amazing. My fourth tin had a problem with mold. Bracken Flake is a very dark and fragrant burley and VA, with a good amount of that famous Lakeland essence, which I guess is Tonquin. Finishes rich and smoky, no bite. | Sitemap, **Manufacture Change:Lightly Vacuum Sealed with Plastic Seal On Tin**, Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake Pipe Tobacco, Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake Pipe Tobacco, Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader Pipe Tobacco, Samuel Gawith Mayor's Collection Chocolate Flake Pipe Tobacco, Samuel Gawith Mayor's Collection St. James Flake Pipe Tobacco. The "essence" is hard to detect, one is just aware of good quality tobacco which burns slow and smooth. Email Rich at 4noggins.com, he put some aside for you the next time it arrives, he's a good guy. Model: Navy Flake. It came a bit more moist than 1792 and I had to let it dry a few hours before sealing up in a Ball jar. High. For me, seems to gurgle a bit. Read more. Finish:. Very moist out of the tin, you may prefer a little dry time, although I did not do that. It is made from the finest tobacco leaves by artisan Eduardo Ribera. The Great Samuel Gawith Pipe Tobacco Shortage of 2010 I wanted a strong tobacco. But certainly SG's dark entries are winners too, in the # 1 and 2 categories IMO. I advise to let it air out a bit before breaking up and loading up. There are times when I want that strong dark jolt, the casing (which seemed to me to be more of a dark fruit than a Lakeland floral or herbal) providing a bit of balance. The bowl settled down to an easy,strong and unflavorfull smoke.The tobacco burned dry to the bottom leaving a grey ash. Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader - Pipes and Cigars Shop today for the premium Samuel Gawith Squadron Leader here at Pipes and Cigars FREE Shipping on orders over $99! 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". Please note though that if you choose shipping via first class, your package is not trackable and we are not responsible for lost packages. Shipping, taxes, and discounts will be calculated at checkout. Due to this I primarily smoke and enjoy stronger blends. For the pipe smoker who seeks a satisfying smoke, then experience Bracken Flake, with its unique and alluring aroma, brought about by the application of a long-used essence. I'm standing in my office, staring into my closet which has long since become my tobacco sellar (along with part of my basement, much to my partner Amanda's chagrin). I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes dark flakes. But for now (to me) it just isn't that great a smoke. The slight casing aroma is barely noticeable in the tin and almost totally fades away when smoking. Bracken, a coarse fern common in the U.K. This is a very good smoke. 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. Though, to again quote the email, it has been "permanently" removed from their inventory). On to the review. The scent is heavenly: coumarin jumps off the top, with other medicinal aromatic scents. Fruity and spicy on the palate. Samuel Gawith produces a variety of snuffs, from the very light and fine to dark, coarse and moist, perfumed, mentholated, or plain old "tobacco-ey", we suggest you pursue your nose, smell out a few good choices and have a pinch. This puts it just ahead of the Peterson University flake. I pick up tones of black cherry, something sweet and vaguely like molasses and hints of rose. Samuel Gawith Navy Flake is a classic blend made with a classic formula. I recommend this blend to those who like 1792, ropes and fire-cured Kendals. I can't quite put my finger on it, but, I swear I detect a hintI mean HINT, of black cherry. This was my first try of a dark flake. Bracken ( a slight step up but real dark in tone), and 3. A first light is brings billows of rich white smoke, followed with a brief visit of the tamper and then a tamping light. I love SG stuff, usually, and daily smoke FVF, Best Brown Flake, Golden Glow. Some rubbing-out may enhance the experience. Those hoping for 1792 without the tonquin will be disappointed. The taste is somewhat blah and undistinguished but the overall strength of the blend is immediate from puff one and the nicotine hit too major for my tastes. The virginia tobacco is in front, the rum based topping is high sugar and makes that lovely candied flake we all enjoy. As for the strenght noted by other reviewers, since i smoked it in a rather small bowl, i didnt feel it at all (and i am no nicotine heavyweight). Too bad there aren't more good tobacconists around here.or that I don't have the money to open up a shop. small smokey base for the virginia to start from. I stocked some tins of this rare weed to smoke in the mornings, when I smoke my strongest tobaccos. Yes, Bracken Flake is very strong stuff. Mon-Sat: 12pm-8pm. You still get some of that spiciness underneath that 1792 offers, particularly near the bottom of the bowl. I dont get the soapy, chocolate and fruity flavours at all. I fully understand the 1 star reviews for this. Some reviewers noted the inconsistent thickness of this flake from tin to tin: it seems i got a ''thick'' one. However Pipes and accessories are allowed. I also get a bare essence of vanilla from the tonquin. Nice broken (bracken) flake, and one I'll repeat. Again, really smokes similar to a perique blend. I love rich taste with equal mildness and this hit the spot. Don't worry, it is not of the conspicuous "Lakeland" variety. Samuel Gawith are still famous for producing some of the best and most popular pipe tobaccos in the world. The essence is a complete mystery to me. While it's not as strong as Black XX Twist - which literally feels like you're having a bowl of cardiac arrest - it's still not advised for the newcomers. I wasn't quite expecting this. I am convinced I don't like the taste of Tonquin. It's "special essences" are difficult to determine exactly what they are. That is not to say that it will bite, I've never experienced tongue-bite with this blend. Flavour and nicotine are both definitely plentiful. Recommended. A beautiful VaK flake, moderately scented in the purest Lakeland tradition. The SG Full Virginia flake is good but this..I've said enough already. Samuel Gawith - Bracken Flake Edit this tobacco Favorite Wishlist Subscribed We have blended a carefully balanced selection of Kentucky & dark fired leaf to give this medium to strong flake. As the bowl progresses these flavors all intermingle in a simple yet intriguing way. The only problem that I forsee is trying to find a reliable supply in the future. Its still tastes the same but now I can appreciate the dark earthy air cured and dark fired tobaccos more. This is a strange tasting tobacco. 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.