Kendal – Grasmere Flake

Blended in : England
Contains : Virginia & Burley
Cased/Top : Rose & Geranium
Pipe : Parker “Collection” Bent Shell Briar

I had smoked this stuff years ago and cant really remember it at all. So when the January pipe club meeting came along, I brought this as one of the 6 tobaccos on offer.

The aroma from the pouch is something special, it smells florally but still with the tobacco in the background. The tobacco didn’t pack to well, it need a little re-jigging and few lights but eventually I was in business.

At first it burnt a little hot, but after a few slow gulps it cooled down. Then the sweet floral aromas started to get there. You can really taste the Geranium, its not as bad I was expecting. It did bite if pulled a little hard, like any vicious dog really. For my first smoke of the Jan pipe club meeting, it was a tasty start.

As the bowl progressed the smoke lost its sweetness and little bitterness crept in, like a foggy night. Lady N came out in the 2^nd half too, I could feel her coursing her way through. The floral flavours subdued a little and I soon found my self tasting the Virginia in the blend more.

Overall the Grasmere Flake is a tasty tobacco, sweet enough for aromatic smokers. Those who enjoy the artificial Cherry and/or Vanilla flavours would find this tobacco ideal as a bridge to more plain tobaccos. The bitterness in the 2^nd half didn’t put me off too much, but I did find the ½ a more enjoyable smoke. Not as heavy on the Floral flavours as you get from the Ennerdale flake, but still something different to start 2011 Pipe Club meetings

Buy Online at Gauntleys.com