Forums
A friend suggested I try Ennerdale but warned me it's an acquired taste. Well I've acquired it because I enjoy it a lot. I'm requesting suggestions of other tobaccos of that general style. Thank you in advance for any input.
I don't know what I did for that to be marked Private but it isn't. 😕
I've updated to make it public.
The Lakeland style is polarizing, I find them to be a very interesting niche that I don't reach for often but I'm glad are there. I'm also relatively new to them, having just some months ago decided to give Grousemoor and Ennerdale a try for a column I do on tobacco tasting (here if interested).
I then tried Erinmore, which to me is mildly Lakeland-y and like it a lot. I also like Mixture 79, maybe most polarizing of them all, which, while not from one of the Gawith firms associated with the style, I get a Lakeland/codger Burley fusion from it. Firedance is another I really enjoy, also not squarely perfume-y Lakeland, but something of the sort.
Lakeland/codger Burley fusion
Now that sounds interesting!
The friend suggested I try Lakeland after telling him how much I like my 1980s can of VIP, which I found sealed with an antique store and was the first one I cracked open to get me started pipe smoking again. The entire profile of that can has changed a lot, at least compared to the Match version (they're now nothing alike). He tried my VIP and it does have its own unusual fragrance and taste...originally supposed to be birch...I dunno what that should taste like... but he now gets granny's perfume while I get sassafras. But I see why it reminded him of Lakeland.
You wrote excellent reviews, too. Not sure if I'll try Grousemoor.
At this point, my only experience with Lakeland is Ennerdale, which I keep in my "rotation" because I think it's delicious. The "essence" does not, in my opinion, detract from the superb, high quality tobacco. Always look forward to my next bowl. Hope to try Erinmore real soon.
The smell is very similar to shaving cream. I had a can of Ennerdale this summer.
In my experience it doesn't taste like it smells. It is a good tobacco, which generates love and hate.
I liked it, but not enough to buy a second tin.
Ron, Not strictly "Lakeland" given the lack of rose geranium scents but Rum flake and Bob's Chocolate are exceptional imo. You're kinda of a codger blend guy like me. I think you'd really dig Bob's.
Imo, it doesn't get more Lakeland than Ennerdale.
The bigger challenge can be availability.
BTW if you want to try Bob's and Rum, hit my email. Happy to send some along.
Seems a good place to add that I recently learned Gawith started as a snuff manufacturer. Now it makes sense that they call their flakes scented, not flavored.
I spent much of the last decade smoking Samuel Gawith and Gawith Hoggarth tobaccos. They were my staple smoke and I still love them and smoke them quite regularly.
There is a wide range of variances in what is commonly called “Lakeland” flavors. Some are mixed to the point of losing the ability to individually detect the different flavors, while some are fairly simple and straightforward.
An all time favorite of mine is Bosun Plug and cut plug, same tobacco. It’s got a simpler blend of flavors that works incredibly well for me. Dark Plug has a more subtle array of flavors as well and is also a particular favorite. When I want an in my face blast of Lakeland, I usually reach for Dark Flake Aromatic.
Obviously this could be a really long discussion so I thought I would mention a few of my favorites. If you’re interested in a particular one, my sense of taste is such that I can discern most of the different component flavors and I can give a good idea of them. My advice with them though is to dive in. Some will not be that great to some people and others will. There is no “one” Lakeland flavor.
Could you please define "Lakeland flavor". I´m a bit lost with this, and sure also other members too.
What is commonly called “Lakeland” is called that because of Samuel Gawith and Gawith Hoggarth, who are located in the Lakeland region in England. The flavors go back to the 18th century and rely primarily on floral flavors as the backbone, with other additions to modify them. Rose Geranium is the most common component used, but not required for a Lakeland. Some people consider the effect to be perfume like. There is a hint of it in all of the casings on Samuel Gawith tobacco for example. I could go on about the history. There are also tobaccos made elsewhere, mostly older style blends that have a similar presence, one @BriarBerg mentioned, Mixture 79 is a good example. Also St. Bruno is very much in the Lakeland range of flavors.
Thanks for the explanation. Now it's clear for me. I have read many times about "Soapy Lakeland" in the tobacco reviews and could not understand it properly.
For years, the only SG blends I smoked were latakia ones and I didn´t find any "perfume" in them. Four years ago, I began to enjoy Sam´s flake, Best Brown Flake and Full Virginia Flake. Comparing the SG Virginias mentioned with Capstan Blue, I can tell a very light floral perfume scent in the SG blends. I like it.
Lakeland refers to this district where a style of tobacco was produced. The Lakeland scent is often experienced as perfumey floral. It's often heavy on geranium and rose essence. People call it "soapy" sometimes. But many enjoy. I do, in small measures.
This is interesting. Not you can click to see more about the old snuff mill and secondary location
From what i had before, Bob´s chocolate flake, SamuelGawith 1792, Bosun cut plug and Grousemoor are all awesome tobaccos, I wrote in my order of preference but all of them are quite nice. From what i could get, bosun and grousemoor are the strongest ones in the lakeland department, not exactly similar between them. They are quite different. Actually none of them remind other, they are unique, what is similar is the "type" of fragrance that reminds sometimes "perfume".
As a footnote, I’d like to add that the Lake District is one of the most beautiful places in England. It has suffered from over-tourism in recent decades, but there are enough protections in place - it’s a National Park - to prevent it from losing its unique charm completely. Worth a visit, if you’re ever in the vicinity.
I definitely second that! It is a beautiful area. I spent a day hiking along the River Derwent some time ago.
I have been many times in England, last one in April, but I visit only the places I can reach by public transport or if a friend takes me there. I´m completely and absolutely unable to drive by the left or driving a car with right hand drive. I tried, but didn´t work. I have lost the opportunity of visiting great places because of this.
Yes, many accidents occur due to foreigners who aren’t used to switching sides. Better to be safe, than sorry. You’re sensible for relying on public transport, even though it limits your travel options.
Public transport is my way to go, unless I really need my car because of schedules, too much luggage or rare places to visit. Parking a car in any Spanish city of more than 10K inhabitants is a nightmare and usually and expensive one.
This whole conversation took me back to the nearly one year I lived in Britain. I got a car immediately upon arriving, which I kept the entire time I was there and the very first day I was there, I drove into London. When I picked up the car, I wondered why there were turn signals on the sides of the cars, I figured that out quickly. Between shifting a five speed with my left hand (first time doing that) being on the opposite side making me have to think through every turn intensely, streets with two way traffic that were only wide enough for a single car, etc., etc., it was a wild ride. I drove out of London after a week, but the first few weeks after that I had a few slips where I pulled into oncoming traffic by mistake, I quickly learned that the middle finger was a universal greeting on the road 😃. Never got into an accident or caused one the whole time I was there though. Definitely different than driving than in the US on multiple levels. Good times.
I spent 3 years in New Zealand and i couldn't drive for the same reason. When the rush traffic is full on at least you can follow the organic movement and keep attentive but at night with no reference i simply couldn't. Another thing is I´m so used to manual cars that automatic one already gives me a sense of insecurity, plus the traffic and hand drive in the opposite side.... no ... not for me...
New Zealand has one of the most restrictive tobacco policies in the world. How did you managed?
I simply gave up smoking pipes. There is the most restricted Police for any psychoactive not only nicotine my friend. I was feeling myself in a forced rehab always talking to myself why i ended up there. There i started smoking vaper and keep using them when lacking time to smoke a pioe but I'll be honest, if you are a 100% free of addiction person New Zealand is a paradise. If you like some crazyness there is not the place to be. It was hard for me to believe that an Electronic music party at 31th december was completely gone at 1st january at 3am....
I had with me a brazilian Rope that i could smoke for 6 months... after that no more pipe til i back.
I wonder why you were there. I can imagine that would be a hell for a Brazilian.
Years ago , the house next to me was rented by three Brazilian female students that made parties at the minimum opportunity with other Brazilian students. One day that I could not sleep because of the party, I knocked their door and told them two possible solutions, A, moderate the noise and B, invite me to the party. Since that day I was invited to all the parties they had, and they really knew how to organize a party. Those were great times!.
That is true. We are really social and gather friends just to stay together drinking and listening music are common at all range of ages. My parents still doing that believe or not. So when living abroad is even necessary for keeping the mental health i believe.
I don't know how were the girls you mentioned but when i was in New Zealand i meet really crazy people that makes us Brazilians piece of cake to deal with.
Your way to approach was kinda perfect, we love to know people and we still making new friends after 40y ... something i missed in New Zealand was friend from there. I noticed the fact that after 30's they already has their friend circles and that is it. I have people i had good connection and they are kiwis but mainly people that at time were on their 20's. I reach there already with 34 so at my age i find no one basically.
One of my best friends there is from Barcelona and she become one of my best friend for life. We still texting and keeping contact.
And answering your question about why i was there i can tell you i still don't know why i choose NZ. Hahahahahaha part of me was there to learn english and the other part was regreting. After i finished the 1 year english course i started working in the kitchen then i started studying cookery then after 1 year i was ready to go somewhere else and then the corona virus reached there and i got stuck for 10 months without way to back so i started working on house keeping to make money and i was making twice i was earning in the kitchen because they paid cash hand so no taxes. I cannot complain because NZ is an amazing and beautiful country. Well organized and polite people. They only lacks bit more crazyness in their lifes. When i reach maybe 65y it will be the perfect spot to spend my life. Who knows, i maybe back one day. Not for now.
I didn't know this about New Zealand. I thought they were sort of like Aussies but more ungovernable.
Pretty good life experience you picked up there, Nacho.
Not in the bad way but i was feeling i was always in the countryside even when living in Auckland. The life there run slowww as here in rio de janeiro in 1930. Everyone knows each other and the tv news doesn't bring anything new for days hehehehe like nothing happens ....
I remember a day i sit to have my lunch and turned on the TV. The news was showing a reporter talking about 2 miscreant creating confusion in the harbor. Then said they were in the convenience store because some one witnessed the robbery. Then i increased the volume feeling back in Brazil with some violence in the news waiting the end of the story. Man they spent like 3 or 4 minutes with it. It costs a lot on TV i believe. And at the end was that an iceberg brought 2 penguins that were walking on the city entering in the stores eating what they could and gathered people around them everywhere. I can imagine how difficult it can be for a TV news fill the time in a country that nothing happens. This is the kind of phenomenon that for me was funny.
It’s funny reading your impressions of New Zealand. I’ve run across a few people who moved from New Zealand to the area that I live in Michigan. Your experience is matching exactly with what they said about it.
target="_blank"
