Staff Picks - Lisas Samuel Gawith Pipe Tobacco Sampler - 40g

For this sampler, Lisa has chosen four amazing Samuel Gawith tobaccos! The sampler consists of 4 different blends with an array of aromas and flavours.

1 x Samuel Gawith Navy Flake - 10g

The idea of Navy flakes heeds back to the early colonial days of the tobacco world. Back in those days tobacco would be brought back from foreign countries such as American and was soaked in Rum to keep the tobacco from drying out.

This simple blending has been used ever since to add a little something special to a simple blend. While most current Navy Flakes are comprised of only Virginia’s, this offering from Samuel Gawith make use of a little Latakia.

Once you open the tin you are greeted with a brown and black flake, medium in thickness. The aroma rewards your senses with notes of grassy plains with a tangy Virginia taste. The added bonus of the rum bringing a little sweetness while the Latakia making a creamy and smooth smoke. 

Strength: 3/5
Aromatic Taste: 3/5
Room Note: 4/5

1 x Samuel Gawith Skiff Mixture - 10g

Skiff is one of Samuel Gawiths most popular Oriental mixtures and it’s clear to see why so many people love it.

Built on a base of mixed and flue cured tobaccos, for a balanced and cool smoke. There is all so an added addition of steamed Izmir and Latakia. All this has been said to give the Skiff Mixture that classical English “Oriental” flavour profile.

Many praise this for being a classic “English Blend” and a kin to the highly sought after and missed Balkan Sobrane of the olden days.

Form the pouch you are greeted with the distinct, slightly fusty aroma of Orientals, with some sweet and grassy notes from the base leaves.

The tobacco starts off a little mellow and subdued, but like all good tobaccos should this blend progresses through the bowl and gets richer as you go.

While this isn’t exactly a powerhouse of a tobacco, it still carries enough strength and flavour to keep even the most hardened veteran satisfied from match to ash.

Strength: 2/5
Aromatic Taste: 2/5
Room Note: 3/5

1 x Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake - 10g

A beautifully formed dark flake of pressed Virginias with a generous helping of best Latakia.

Balkan's appearance encourages the pipe-smoker to pack up, relax and enjoy the 'smokey' intense flavour of Balkan flake. You will be amazed to see the copious amount of smoke this tobacco can produce.

A medium strength smoke with cool and smooth characteristics.

Strength: 3/5
Aromatic Taste: 3/5
Room Note: 2/5

1 x Samuel Gawith 1792 Flake - 10g

Another one of iconic flakes from Samuel Gawith, 1792 is a dark fired Tanzanian leaf which has been steamed and then topped with a Tonquin flavour.

The leaves are cold pressed in 12" blocks for a few hours, this holds the "Cake" together for the next stage. Once the leaves have cooled they are pressed again and then put in for a final cook for 3 hours, before they are finally left to rest. The tobacco is then given its Tonquin topping and cutting into smaller flakes.

The resulting tobacco is rich, with an earthyand leather flavour that is velvety smooth with a sweet side thanks to the added Tonquin.

Think of this as a sweet treat for the lovers of a dark and strong Virginia & Kentucky type tobaccos.

Just like a premium quality Nicaraguan cigar with a Maduro Wrapper, you get all the power with that added extra sweetness.

This is a very strong tobacco and not for everyone, those new to the pipe, should start a little lighter.

Strength: 5/5
Aromatic Taste: 5/5
Room Note: 5/5

I hope you enjoy this sampler as much as I do.