Tobaccos Samuel Gawith - Brown No. 4

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-08-09		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Tolerable to Strong

Well.

Strong is an adjective that is horribly misused on this board in lieu of harsh. Far too many English / Balkan blends out there are improperly cured and aged (or blended with inferior tobaccos) resulting in a harsh smoking experience (particularly, IMHO, the more prominent American brands). But harsh has nothing to do with strong, and one experience with Brown Rope No. 4 will prove my point. Unless you've been smoking non-aromatics for years, you are likely to find the strength of Brown Rope No. 4 overwhelming. But it's not harsh. No, not in the least bit. Rich, creamy, velvety, exquisite, and (did I mention?) -strong. This tobacco is in a category all it's own (save for a very few others, all from Kendall).

I am not much of a ritual guy, don't enjoy all the fuss, cutting, and rubbing of flakes, twists, & plugs. And so when I opened my first tin of Brown Rope and began its dissection into a combustible form, my only thought was that this involved far too much work.

But that was before I tasted it. Now, after each evening's meal, I greedily assemble my cutting implements and happily go about the work of preparing a bowl with never a thought to the work involved. Only to the pleasure this tobacco, as no other, provides: The richness, strength, and fullness desired after the conclusion of the evening meal.

Some thoughts on approaching this tobacco:

1st, I think it is best reserved for the evening smoke, as noted. I have been smoking full - bodied English for almost 30 years, but I wouldn't care for this most other times during the day.

2nd, on your first few go arounds, try slicing a dime (or perhaps two) off of the rope, and add it to your preferred evening smoke. It won't look like a lot, but believe me, you'll know it's there. In fact, you might be content just to leave Brown Rope as an evening additive to your standard blend. Starting off with a straight full bowl is not recommended under most circumstances.

3rd (as always) I must admonish those seeking to dry this tobacco: please do not. It is shipped and packed ready to smoke. They've been doing it at Samueal Gawith for a couple hundred years and they've gotten pretty good at it. Moist = rich, cool, & slow, dry= harsh, shrill, and fast.

And, lastly, if you haven't been smoking for a while, or have no love for full, big- bodied tobaccos, no sense in even looking in this direction. This is a BIG tobacco.

And, a very BIG pleasure!

71 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3047)	2014-08-09		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

A full strength rope of rich Virginias with bold earthiness, wood, a few floral notes, a little spice, some fermented tart and tangy citrus and tangy dark fruit, and slight breadiness. They are the lead components. The herbal, floral, woody, earthy, mildly creamy sweet, vegetative, slightly spicy, smoky, coffee-like cigar leaf is a secondary player. There’s a little woody, earthy, slightly nutty Kentucky burley in play as well. Has a lot of strength and a very full taste. The nic-hit is potent, so a small to medium size bowl is recommended. Puff slowly, and don't smoke it dry or you'll may experience some bitterness in the latter quarter of the bowl. Will have a rough edge even when not dried out, but it won't bite. Burns cool, clean, and slow with a very consistent, deeply rich, mildly sweet and rugged savory flavor from top to bottom. Requires a fair amount of relights, and leaves a little moisture in the bowl, but no dottle. Has a pleasantly lingering after taste and strong room note. Unless you're from the planet Krypton, you'd better eat a full meal first.

-JimInks

44 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	panduji68 (28)	2013-08-13		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

First off, let me say that I have been wanting to sample this offering from Samuel Gawith for quite some time. When my two tins arrived in the post, I was beyond excited to say the least. Upon opening one of the tins (I plan on cellaring the other tin for years), I observed what appeared to be reasonable facsimiles of two dog droppings deposited in my tin. Knowing these weren't actual canine feces, I put my nose over the tin and wafted the aroma toward my nose. Never having tried this twist tobacco, the aroma was quite alarming. It was more of a fine cigar than any pipe tobacco I have sampled. It was not offensive, just not what I had expected.

I took my favorite German Wusthof kitchen knife (sharp beyond the bounds of reason) and cut off a 1/4 inch thick coin of this dark tobacco by just pushing downward upon it. It was then that I noticed how beautiful this dog turd looking twist of tobacco I was holding in my hand truly was. As I examined it, I realized it was completely whole tobacco leaf in it's purest form. It was not cut, mutilated, chopped, diced or otherwise molested in any manner. It was a whole tobacco leaf twisted into a rope. I put the twist back into the tin, and attempted to take the coin I had cut and rub it out between my palms. Initially, it appeared to rub out just fine, and expanded nicely into a medium sized bowl's worth of tobacco. When I squeezed it between my fingers, it felt a bit moist, and upon further examination did not rub out all that well at all. I began pulling apart the pieces, and they stretched out into almost 2 inch long quarter inch wide ribbon cut looking leaves. Duh... This is whole tobacco leaf! It was beautiful! I then took the ribbons and broke them into smaller pieces reminiscent of a cross cut tobacco. Now, it looked like it would actually take light.

I packed a large bowl 601 Savinelli Church Warden because I was expecting a rather hot smoke. It packed nicely, and took off burning like champ after two charring lights and occasional tamping. Counterintuitive, it burned very cool. Although I had been expecting a huge wallop of nicotine from the reviews here, I found the N content no more menacing than Royal Yacht, Irish Flake, or 1792. It was definitely making itself present, but not at all overpowering and did not catch me unawares. It merely settled me into my leather recliner to contemplate it further. A very full flavored but almost single dimensional smoke ensued. Very cigar like on the palate with a room note to match. My beautiful wife (who is amazingly tolerant and even loving of latakia, virginia and burley room notes) politely informed me of the following: "that pipe smells a bit ripe honey." Taking the hint, I retired onto the patio to ruminate over the remainder of the smoke.

A very good, quality tobacco no doubt! A bit harsh at the beginning of the bowl if exhaled through the nose, then settles down a bit toward the end becoming quite enjoyable and even slightly sweet. I must retract my "one dimensional" statement at this point due to this sweetness at the end. It now seems two dimensional. The nicotine does increase at the end of the bowl, and this is no tobacco for hippies, metrosexuals, or the casual and occasional piper. This is a man's tobacco, and presents itself as such with no pretentiousness in it's appearance and tin aroma. I really like it as an occasional after dinner, having eaten too much, paired with a quality Kentucky Bourbon type of smoke. I view it as an occasional treat.

I forgot to add that pipe smoking has taught me to be deliberate and have patience. My "I want it now" mentality has gone out the window due to several bad experiences with not allowing pipe tobacco to dry out, age, cellar, etc... before smoking. This is a wonderful tobacco to prepare and get excited about. The ritual involved in smoking it is akin to a hot towel on the face, pre-shave oil, single blade safety razor wet shave with a fine badger hair brush all lathered up, followed by Pinaud Clubman aftershave lotion. A ritual truly worthy of it's end result. Complete relaxation and satisfaction!

30 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Blackhorse (96)	2016-06-15		Very Strong	Mild	Full	Strong

This is one of those "end of the line" tobaccos. By that I mean, for me, I got into pipe smoking many, many years ago (about fifty) and started out smoking sweet pouch junk. Then year by happy year I graduated to other more serious and refined types of blends. After all this time I have fixed to two genres. One is multifaceted mixes of VA, Burley, Turkish (no Latakia), with maybe Dark Fired, maybe Perique and/or Cigar Leaf. Like Old Pebblecut, Honor's Blend or several John Patton blends. The other main genre is this...the dark, nasty, kick ass Brit blend. Dark Plug & Flake, the sweet favored ropes & twists, etc. I call 'em End of the Line cause when all your years of pipe smoking lead to the real McCoy of tobaccos...this is where you land. If you don't like 'em... you're just not there yet. Simple. Smoke 'em slow and with care. Try a little DGT. If you're into Black Cherry blends or smoke only Aros, there's no point wasting your money on these, yet. If you smoke only Latakia or Balkan blends, you'll find these lacking that succulent dead campfire flavor. If you smoke cigars in addition to pipes, cigars like Pepin Garcia's... San Cristobal... Cain... Camacho... SERIOUS cigars? Then you will 'get' what the Gawith power lineup is all about. My opinion.

Pipe Used: Prince works well, other small bowls too.

Age When Smoked: Aged 5 yrs & fresh

Purchased From: Various

Similar Blends: Other Gawith plain twists & ropes..

19 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2015-03-19		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

Members of our pipe club meeting had fun with this rope when one of the members brought some a year or so ago. I cut a few coins and took forever to get the chopped leaf in my pipe. Very stout and sure did have a heavy cigar like flavor in a pipe sort of way, if that makes sense. A blend that was powered by Burley and Virginia though. Unique? You bet, and mighty full in the taste department.

Pipestud

19 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Knightsmoker (218)	2014-11-06		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

I have smoked a lot of this before reviewing. Normally I base reviews off of a tin or 2 oz. sample but this has been a 250g inquiry. First, I see a lot of comments about a one dimensional smoke. That might be true to a point. Thinking about it it these big blends are a lot like coffee. If you don't get a lot of underlying notes in coffee then perhaps you will not get a lot in this either. So if you cannot tell the difference between Folgers and Kona coffee for example than this might not be the blend for you.

The taste is full and rich. I get notes of damp earth (think about the smell of digging a hill of potato's when the soils is just right) some notes of manure/barnyard (but in a good way, if you are a cigar smoker then you will understand what I mean by this), notes of black tea and a very creamy note that was rather surprising for being such a full smoke. A very slight sweetness that comes in at about mid bowl that reminds me a lot of toasted wheat bread and roasted rye grain for lack of anything to really compare it to. So not a sweet VA by any means but this must be from the VA's nonetheless. You will get a Nick hit from this so smoking after a meal is best.

To prepare this, I use an old cigar cutter and cut of very thin slices. Cutting it as close to a fine ribbon but not quite a proper shag cut as I can get. It is a little moist but not too much so. After peeling the tobacco into shreds I let it sit for 10-15 min. but no longer. I don't want this crispy dry or I miss a lot of the subtle notes. This is fast becoming a favorite smoke for me.

Pipe Used: Meer only

Age When Smoked: ROTT

14 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	who broke my clay pipe? (70)	2011-03-27		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Tin appearance:like a badly formed cigar(well it is a rope of course),dryish to the touch and looser than the "black xx" variant..

Tin aroma:mild and innofensive(surprising ;because of its legend i was expecting something pungent),cigarish or brown tobacco smell,,almost no odour really..

Preparation:I take a chunk offcut that was already loose and rub it out(well i actually used a bud grinder)and it was easier to process than the rubbery "black xx" variant.

I load into my 6" georgian clay (my favourite standard pipe BTW, and not because i am smoking this).

Lighting:It burns strait away which gives it an advantage over "black xx" which needs to be completely dried out,,,;this seems more geared for smoking than chewing(i don't actually chew though)

Flavour:a mild cigar(pff!,,:i won't say i was dissapointed because to be honest;after smoking the "black xx"variant which i found bloody strong,this was actually a pleasant surprise!)..

Oppinion:Well? - this is supposed to be the stronger nicoteen and tar version of "black xx"?,,;who did the testing to find that out,a labratory?,,;put it this way;it couldn't of been anybody human who has actually smoked them back to back!,,:I am actually writing this review while still making my mind up what to do with the two tins i bought of the 50g "black xx" which i am currently drying out 25g's worth shredded up,waiting for it to dry out as much as i can before i get a final and fair oppinion of it as a smoke..

More:This is basically nice to smoke but it will make you cough if you take it back,also it has none of that paracetamol and vodka spirit aftertaste/nicoteen flavour that "black xx" has,,nor does it have any diesal sump oil flavour factor either.. I dont even feel spun out and i have had two bowls in a row(admittedly only clay pipe sized,but i did give it a good thermodynamic punishment like i do in all tobacco trials to see what its made of, and what the maximum flavour is that i can coax out of it ,which would burn out a briar bowl)..

More:(admittedly on trying out the "black xx" i had already been caning about 4 flakes worth of "irish flake" before hand,so i may of reached my nicoteen powerband and was already over reving) I am sniffing the tin of "brown #4"again and it reminds me of uncooked pork sausages slightly,,,;like the smell when you just pull them out of the cling film on that polystyrene tray,,;simular actually to when smoking "irish flake" which has a pork and apple taste;this rope has a slightly porky flavour(but not bacon)..(I did use a different pipe so its definately not a ghost)..

AND:The mildness of this and the raw strength of the "black xx" makes me think i will later try blending the two if i can't happily smoke the "black xx on its own(i got to get rid of it somehow),,but for now i will give them both more time separately before reaching a final judgement..I'm gona have another bowl of "brown #4" now and will give my final judgement when finishing this tin off lest i have judged it too prematurely..

FINAL OPPINION :¬):Like "black xx",preshredding and letting it dry out improves the smoke(not that it was wet to begin with),,,some of its mild rubber aftertaste is softened considerably and the dry cigarish factor is toned down as well.

This is quite a pleasant full bodied smoke as long as you remember not to inhale or let the smoke blow in your eyes;its flavour is quite mild and dry actually and tastes quitew like a mildly smoked frankfurter hotdog sausage(if you sip and pack the bowl right or have a drink or biscuit on hand you won't get aftertaste spoiling your session)

I still maintain that i think the "black xx" is is stronger though,,;this may be down to the fact that"black xx" is denser and so i am possibly getting more mass of baccy per bowl volume than "brown #4" in the same bowl,even if "brown #4"is theoretically the stronger smoke..

I will likely purchase the "brown #4" rope in future over the "black xx" by choice because as a stand alone it is quite unique and i favour "gawith and hoggarths dark large xx plug" more than "SG's black xx";there is no point in smoking one thing wishing it was something else esp when the tastes are within a nats cock of each other;"dark xx plug"has a beef factor which i miss in "black xx".

"Brown #4" also burns faster than "black xx" and is quite a fast burner for a cool smoke..I think i prefer "brown #4" to "petersons irish flake" as well because it is not cased(plus i think "university flake is preferable to "irish flake" because it tases more unique compared to my choice of archetypal smokes within a genre) The only drawback that "brown #4" has compared to "irish flake is that "irish flake" burns really slowly and lasts double time what most other baccys do,whereas "brown #4"is quite quickly over.

I can't say much about "brown #4's" room note because i smoked it outside other than it is like a very mild cigar. Its a good breaktime blaster before another smokeless work session..

I just want to add because i feel that it is important that;blending a 50/50 mix of "brown #4" and "black xx" produces a combineed smoke that is better than either of them separately,,;they cancel out each others bad spots to produce a more rounded and fuller tasting blend which is how i think i will continue to consumme "black xx",,,(brown #4 is ok on its own but tastes a bit empty when compared to this mixture)..

The flavour of 50/50 "brown#4"/"blackxx" tastes like a barbequed sausage(banger) and has a moreish factor that is greater than the separate components.And the more ready to burn nature of "brown#4" helps to burn the "blackxx" better...

Glad i tried these ropes!

Update 21/05/11:I have been smoking this for a couple of months and really enjoy it;a paradigm change has happened in my tastes,and i have aclimatised to strong ropes and plugs nicely.

Having been out of the tin a couple of month and jarred,i can say that its strength has got milder and it has become a more approachable and easy smoke(the same goes for the black XX rope as well) When strait out of the tin i can honestly say this is the strongest nicoteen tobacco i have tasted but,after 2 months this has become milder where as Irish Flake which i purchased at the same time has actually got stronger with age and drying out of the tin.So i am now thinking that Irish Flake is the strongest pipe tobacco i know of. Anyway i thoroughly enjoy a pipe of brown#4 whether new or jarred,it is still a very strong tobacco in either case and gives a satisfying strong smoke.

I will definately repurchase some more.

14 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	initials SG (29)	2015-10-03		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Strong

Forget the hype about nicotine strength, finicky preparation, and overwhelming flavor. Not so, not so... nothing to be intimidated about unless your nicotine tolerance is extremely low.

Just slice off a few coins with scissors or a cigar cutter, stuff them loosely in a small or medium chambered pipe, pour a drink, and enjoy puffing out clouds of smooth, cool, earthy vapor.

Not nearly enough nicotine to knock my socks off, although there is a fair amount. When smoking it for the first time I thought about stopping myself from inhaling now and again as I like to do, but contrary to some of the comments on here I will inhale a bit without getting overwhelmed by nicotine. I am not Superman. Can't inhale with Bracken Flake or Black XX as a comparison.

Honest dark tobacco flavor with some subtle sweetness, nothing more, nothing less. Tobacco for tobacco lovers. Good if you like the dark stuff and just want an honest no-frills smoke.

Pipe Used: various

Age When Smoked: several years

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2081)	2015-04-30		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant

Samuel Gawith Brown No.4.

Oh yes, this is a real hearty/strong smoke! The rope itself is thick in construction- so to prepare it I couldn't see the point in even trying scissors, I used an extremely sharp craft knife. The rope arrived a little on the moist side, not particularly wet but for maximum pleasure I suggest some airing time. I really would advise against inhaling the smoke, unless you have a death wish! The quantity of nicotine is immense! Other than the amount of N I find the smoke a delight. The flavour is very full and it seems to be a pretty even split between the Kentucky and the Virginia. Both of the tobacco tastes can be appreciated in their entirety, an almost nutty Kentucky along with a pleasing hay note from the Virginia. Another good point is the temperature. It's quite cool and bite free so it makes for a good blend to unwind with. Well, unwind with unless you inhale the almost toxic in strength smoke!

Due to the strength I can't see everyone enjoying this but if smoked for flavour it's a real joy!

Four stars.

Pipe Used: Meerschaum

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: My Smoking Shop

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wibblefishofdoom (139)	2015-10-28		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Unnoticeable

I bought a 25g pouch of this recently mainly due to financial constraints. Now I really wished I gone for 50g. Let's see why.

This is an uber-thick rope, a little damp with it's medium brown colour and fairly loosely wound leaves. It smells of something sweet, I can't quite put my finger on it. It's not fruity and it's not confectionery. It slices easily though packing can be a bit of a pain if it's not chopped up to well. When lit, it takes a bit to get going but once it is it stays on it's feet. The smoke continues where the pouch aroma left off, sweet with a little added earthyness. Cigars have been mentioned in previous reviews, I can't say I've smoked enough of those to be able to judge. Nonetheless a very nice flavour. My only real complaint, aside from not buying enough, is that it smokes a little too quickly for my liking, though it does give me a reason to load up another bowl. As for the strength, I'll have to go against the grain and say it wasn't that bad, quite mild in fact. But I have smoked this one off the back of some quite tangy plugs, so maybe I'm becoming numbed to the presence of Grandfather N.

Perhaps lacking a little wow factor, this is still a very satisfying smoke and will certainly avail myself of more at the earliest opportunity.

Pipe Used: MM Country Gent

Age When Smoked: Fresh from the pouch

Purchased From: MySmokingShop

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ChadwickGHurlburt (24)	2019-04-04		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Full	Very Strong

I've had this rope in a jar since I bought it new about 8 years ago. I remember opening the tin and smelling it. The smell was of strong tobacco and little else. I never got around to smoking any as other blends seemed to always win out when choosing my evening smoke. I ended up putting it in a jar and had forgotten about it for nearly a decade.

I've found that jar while searching through my cellar for something with a little kick. I rediscovered my jar of Brown No.4 and reluctantly started cutting some coins to rub out into my pipe. I was reluctant because I really wasn't expecting anything other than a strong tobacco with kick. I was expecting this would taste a lot like American twist tobacco does in a pipe. It will be strong, and that will be all that can be said for it. I was wrong.

After lighting my favorite medium/large bowl pipe I found that the taste almost immediately settled into that of a fine Virginia and Dark Fired blend at the half-way point of a smoking session. It's like I just immediately skipped to the part of the pipe where the flavors are getting interesting and creamy in any of my other blends. I expected it would only turn to tar from here, but it didn't. The creamy rich flavor remained and didn't turn to smoking tires and tar. Rather, it just stayed creamy and good.

At the real half-way point of the smoke I began to make plans to order more of this. I only have one rope of this and I knew now that I needed more. I jumped up from my chair to go to the computer and start shopping. I staggered as the room began to turn and the floor became uneven. I reached out for a counter-balance to steady myself. Yes, this is very strong tobacco. As quickly as I stood up, I realized I needed to sit down again. I'm suddenly very thirsty and open a bottle of water. I still have half a bowl left. I try to smoke slower, I end up letting it go out and I don't care.

I wake 20 minutes later after taking an unexpected afternoon nap. I walk to the computer, I find a vendor with some in stock, I order more. It may have knocked me down with a TKO, but it did it while being delicious from start to...whenever I fell asleep. I almost made it to the end of the pipe.

This is highly recommended for anyone comfortable with very strong blends. The flavor and taste is creamy and wonderful. Many blends that are this strong have a distinctive tar and burning tires characteristic. This tastes like how a nice VaPer with Dark Fired tastes at the midpoint of a bowl. It's remarkably better than I expected. I'm going to be sure to keep some around for those occasions I feel like diving into excess. While you are being distracted by rich tobacco creaminess and deep flavors, Lady N will be sneaking up behind you to clobber you over the head.

Pipe Used: Savinelli, Erik Nording, various others.

Age When Smoked: 5 years +

Purchased From: An Internet tobacco vendor

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mesh (51)	2014-08-31		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

I find this very high quality tobacco too strong to smoke on its own, but I'm currently going through a jar containing this and Davidoff Scottish Mixture, which is too mild and boring to smoke alone (apologies to any fans). The result is a strong, easy burning, flavourful blend perfect for the evening.

The moral of the story: if you can't stomach the strength or taste of Brown Rope, try mixing it with a tin of mediocrity which you wish you hadn't bought!

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stuffin McPipey (11)	2016-09-11		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I can't get over how awesome these rope tobaccos look. I get how others are turned off, but not me. I think they're symbolic of a time that has passed us by. The smell from the tin is magnificent: campfire, brisket, maybe burned molasses. It tempted me to bite off a chew and try it. I haven't yet, but I will. Admittedly at first I wasn't sure how to go about this stuff. Knife? Scissors? Ahhh...cigar cutter. It actually cuts much more smoothly than a cigar. 1/8th inch slices is the magic number.

After the third bowl I had my rhythm down. Light, puff puff puff, light, tamp, light, puff away. It works if you've snipped the ribbons into the smallest crumblings possible, leaving them long and stringy doesn't work (for me).

Smoke is creamy and heavy. Taste is mildly sweet with no sign of anything other than superior quality Virginias, which happen to be loaded with nicotine. Because of the nicotine I spent about an hour on the bowl. By the time I was done with it I had solved every problem the world had ever seen. Next time I'll be sure to bring a pen.

Bottom line here is I have found my niche in the pipe smoking world. The journey is over, which makes me a little sad knowing I will no longer be seeking out the worlds best tobacco (the hunt is better than the kill). I suppose I'll spend the rest of my days selling off the hundreds of tins of other tobaccos I've been aging for the past 15 years, replacing them with this and black xx.

Update (9/12/2018). Ok, ok. If you’ve read this you get the point that I’m in love. But I wanted to point out that today I opened a brand new tin from my original order, placing it at exactly 2 years and 1 day of aging, and I can swear there’s a sweetened tone to it now. It’s not aromatic, but rather a smoother rounding of the once sharp edge. All natural and smooth as hell. And very tasty. I’m going to let my other tins rest unopened for a few more years and will follow up. I’m gonna follow this one closely, so stay tuned!!

Pipe Used: Dunhill Apple - year unknown

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Online

Similar Blends: Flakes, but this is fuller..

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Captain Casual (21)	2019-11-28		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Brown No. 4. Heavy stuff.

Opening the tin, you are presented with a brown, moist, oily and rather fragrant rope of leaf. Speaking of fragrance, the tin note is a little difficult to define. It's got some notes of earth and some cigar-ish spice, but also a sweeter floral hint. Pleasant, but strong enough to forewarn you of the heavy smoke ahead.

As with it's "cousin", Black XX, Brown No. 4 takes a bit of effort to prepare, being a rope cut. One can cut off a piece and rub it out, or cut it into coins. Either way, this is a blend you're going to want to dry a fair bit. It comes very oily and moist, so if you smoke this one straight out of the tin, it'll need relights every 20 seconds.

However, once it's adequately dried and you get your pipe packed and lit with it (Which isn't always easy with this type of cut), it's just as rewarding as Black XX.

The flavour is rich and full, with the spicy, earthy Kentucky leaf being quite evident, along with the cigar qualities that this tobacco's attributed with. Not entirely sure what kind of cigar leaf it is, though. I want to guess at Sumatran leaf because of the spiciness, but it could well be something from central America.

Either way, the Virginia leaf does take a bit of a back seat, mostly just being present to round off the flavour with some smooth, sweeter notes.

It's also a rather strong blend, though not quite as powerful as Black XX. Which isn't a bad thing, of course. That means this one can be a bit more of a regular smoke.

All things considered, I've found this tobacco to be fairly well behaved. Needs relatively few relights if dried properly, burns quite clean and doesn't leave any more dottle than one might expect from something this coarse.

Under the bottom line, while this tastes quite different than Black XX, I consider it it's less intense, more manageable cousin. Which is a good thing, because just like Black XX, this stuff is quite outstanding!

Pipe Used: Various Briars

Purchased From: Cigarworld.de

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	blackbox (3)	2018-01-18		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Well. How to start? I have a really hard time trying to rate and describe this tobacco! The best way to go - regardless of whether it may be wine, whisky, tobacco or anything else for that matter - would be to state whether or not I like the taste. And the answer to that question is: Sometimes! For me, this is a tobacco which tends to hit the spot in those cases, when any other tobacco just wont do it. And I don't mean strength-wise. This consideration relates solely to the taste. The tobacco I smoked was quite a few years old and no matter the method of packing or the speed of smoking it, there just wasn't any sweetness in it. If you are looking for a strong, dark, fruity taste, this isn't the one. I would describe it as sitting in front of a bonfire and popping in two portions of Siberia snus while sucking on a couple of leaves of Lapsang Souchong. You might have noticed that I find it quite hard to describe the experience in conventional terms... It's cigarlike, it's very herbal and I guess it's very strong as well. I can't quite say how strong it really is, since I am somewhat used to high levels of nicotine. But to be fair, it is one of a handful of tobaccos in which I do notice the nicotine content. No doubt the tobacco used is of impeccable quality and if your mother was not in the business of having unprotected intercourse with industrial vacuum cleaners, I do not see you getting any amount of tongue-bite while smoking Brown No.4. If enjoyed at the right moment - and probaly in the later hours of the the day - this tobacco can be a wonderful experience. I found it to be most delicious if not cut too thinly and smoked in a larger pipe.

Age When Smoked: 10 years

Purchased From: Synjeco.ch

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrumsAndBeer (217)	2017-10-19		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

A tobacco that tends to overwhelm. I can only smoke it in micro-doses. I have whittled my way through a 50g tin of this dense, thick tasting traditional rope and it has taken me almost 18 months to do so! So for me, a little bit of Brown No. 4 has definitely gone a long way.

From first opening the tin to where I am at now, the flavor of this blended rope has not changed much, even after drying it down quite a bit. Brown No. 4 tastes very dry, earthy, spicy and pretty much devoid of sweetness to balance. The aroma is very strong and the smoke is dusty gray in color. And while this rope contains Virginia and cigar leaf, most of what I taste and smell when puffing on this is the smoky, somewhat acrid flavor of the dark fired Kentucky.

When it comes to the Sam Gawith Ropes, I think I prefer the arguably mellower Black XX, which is also a very strong and spicy tobacco. However, in terms of complexity, Black XX has a slightly more intriguing flavor profile. As far as brown ropes are concerned, I very much prefer Gawith Hoggarth's Brown Irish X, which has a sweeter tone and a more balanced flavor profile.

Reviewer Blackhorse accurately refers to this as an "end of the line" tobacco. I very much agree with his sentiment.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Brandr ODS (15)	2015-11-19		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Tolerable to Strong

Four years ago I sensed this dog’s turd got an extraordinary potential that would have eventually revealed in all its majesty after several years of aging : that is why I promptly cellared roughly half a pound of it in a nice glass mason jar in order to forget about it at least for two decades.

Time passes extremely slowly when you’re waiting for something so, meanwhile, I’ve put aside a couple of tins to smoke occasionally. Really, one pipeful per month of this tobacco is more than enough for me.

I convinced myself to purchase my first tin as soon as I came to know it contained Italian Kentucky cigar leaf – which appears to be the darker envelope of the very twist itself – alongside with a tin of a SG Black XX. I’m a fanatic of Italian Kentucky : sometimes I use to crumble a piece of Toscano in the pipe and smoke it with great pleasure, so this tobacco was purchased with great anticipation.

The smell from a freshly opened tin is great : strong, earthy, piquant, slightly sweet. It has a sturdy, wonderful natural bouquet. The twist is covered in some sort of glazing… in lack of better words; I cannot say if it’s due to the topping – which is undetectable in the smoke – or simply the natural sugars of the leaf that crystallizes on the surface, the hypothesis to which I’m more inclined. Since I’ve always had issues with the really bad combustion of this twist, I resolved that the solution best suited for me is to cut really thin coins and rub them out to obtain what can be defined as a crosspoint between a fine shag and a ribbon cut, and smoke it in a tiny bowl (my favorite is a Savinelli Virginia 310KS).

If I manage to get a nicely uniform top layer of ashes, the combustion will be a little easier. I use a ridiculous amount of Swedish matches nonetheless… I guess I still got a whole lot to learn on this subject.

Anyways, the taste reminds me just a little of Toscano cigars (they are completely made of Kentucky after all) and the impressions I got from my nose was confirmed by my mouth. The Virginia plays the major role here, with its strong, nicotinic, subtly sweet personality, accompanied by the earthy, tangy, astringent character of the Kentucky.

One of the cleanest smoke I ever had. Silver grey fine ashes.

I’m not ashamed to say that I struggle to get and keep it lit : sometimes it just won’t burn, others burns evenly for some minutes with no problems instead. Practice will be helpful in the long run.

Cheers Everyone, Brandr ODS

Age When Smoked: From fresh to 4yo

Similar Blends: G. L. Pease - JackKnife Plug (New World Collection).

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SecretAgentMan (27)	2013-12-03		Very Strong	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This came in a medium brown rope about 6" long with medium-brown highlights in the standard SG tin. Moving aside the white paper, I cut a 1" piece off with scissors, and cut the piece into rings, then each ring into quarters for rubbing out. I ended up with a few large pieces and some chopped leaf. I pulled the large pieces out into stringier shapes. The tobacco has a very low, deep aroma of nicotine with ketchup. I let it dry out for 15 minutes and started smoking in an MM General.

This was a strong nicotine with ketchup and sulphur notes. The smoke was thick, opaque grey. The entire tobacco burned in the pipe leaving some fine grey ash. It's as strong as Irish Flake, but much less cordial: This tobacco demands attention like a big drunk beating his fist on the bar. The nicotine strength is right there at the beginning, increasing in the first five minutes and then remaining level throughout the smoke.

This tobacco is strong and simple with enough flavor to avoid boring. Smoke a bowl and pretend you're camping by your Noorduyn Norseman, wearing trusted bush gear from Filson, waiting to fly out the hunting party the next morning. It's that kind of tobacco.

Pipe Used: MM General

Age When Smoked: 15 minutes out of the tin.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pacman357 (15)	2013-02-17		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Had an epiphany a couple nights ago when I sat down to hack my way into a piece of this (visually) unattractive rope. After cutting up enough small chunks to fit most of a large bowl, I realized that it looked like this would be a beotch to light. I topped it with about 1/4" MacCranie's red ribbon VA. Worked like a charm in a couple ways. First, I got the flavor of the RR to start, with hints of the BR coming through. Second, it helped get the BR started, and the BR then burned like a champ. I don't know if anyone else would like it, but man, what an enjoyable bowl. I might experiment with starting some BR with a different ribbon style to fire up some BR, but damn, what a seriously delicious way to serve up an appetizer and main course in one pipe.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ynrozturk (62)	2012-05-23		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

Alright, so my first rope tobacco. Here we go.

I'm generally a fan of medium strength tobaccos, but for some reason I've lately been buying the strong stuff. I guess I like to experiment.

I opened up the tin and was greeted with a handsome roll of tobacco. Smells nice - earthy, leathery and of course, quite strong. But it's no bullshit, straight up tobacco.

Cut a few coins with a sharp knife, shredded them up, and packed my smallest pipe. Took a few relights to get it going but once it did it was fine.

Very, very strong. Makes 1792 Flake seem like candy in comparison. Take it slow and easy with this one, as even with a small bowl I felt the nicotine hit quite well.

The flavor is pretty one dimensional though. It's just tobacco, and as the bowl progresses it doesn't really develop into something overly interesting.

I would not buy another tin. It just has far too much nicotine to be enjoyed by me. Though I'm sure some people will love it.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JackSparrow (16)	2012-01-02		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

First of all I have to say that this can't be my definitive rating because it's based on half a tin smoke…anyway can be enough for some first impressions! Rope is really fascinating and old style, quality is at the top(it's a SG!!), but I sincerely have to say that I couldn't find much more than a big N load, enough to satisfy me after just half a of little narrow bowl…and I love strong stuff like Irish Flake and 1792 Flake!!! I felt like chrunching a big spoon of dirty and dusty earth..... I cut the rope into thin slices and let them dry for a while. Depending on drying time I tasted two different tobaccos: - Short drying time: earthy strong taste, with some woody sweetish notes in the background, but very hard to keep lit - Longer drying time: no taste and aroma detectable, only a big N punch. In any case not so easy to keep lit. In both cases it's a real N Leviathan! I'll try more but till now it did not impress me, nothing special!

UPDATE: after smoking a whole tin of this blend I found out some features I could not detect in my first bowls. I got used to its earthy flavor and started to love it... Letting the slices dry half way between the times above the stuff aroma and taste is still stout but more complex, quite easy to keep lit (but sill needs some relights) and pleasant. Some sweetness comes out and N factor is no more overwhelming, but satisying. Pure tobacco good taste....it's getting one of my favorites! I'm craving for it more and more. Upgrade my rating to 4 stars!

UPDATE N.2: absolutely fantastic home flavored with a hint of good rhum. I let it in its tin with just a hint of rhum and wait....simply amazing!!!!

UPDATE N. 3: simply divine 50% BR4 & 50% Robert McConnel Pure Latakia

A bit boring smoked alone, just perfect as part of a blend like the one above!

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dr. Scott (82)	2011-10-21		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Can not give fewer than four stars. It is exactly as advertised. Mine came a little moist and did better after cutting and drying. This is worth the experience, even if you smoke it only once or twice. The infamous nicotine hit came about two-thirds of the way into the bowl. Had to take a break for a few minutes, then puff more slowly.

Very likely, this type of strong rope is the "ship's tobacco" for which Dr. Watson developed a taste on his voyage back from the Afghan War.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Virginia lover (218)	2010-02-11		Very Strong	None Detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Strong

Lots of preparation, result not always guaranteed. More strength than flavor. Tastes more like cheap cigarettes than pipe tobacco. Slow puffing is mandatory or else... Worth trying, in a philosophical way of thinking, not for the faint of heart. It's smoke without flavor, strength without purpose, toil without satisfaction...Well you get my drift. Perfect for those breaks while working in a coalmine shaft, I mean after inhaling so much coal dust, even this cheap, tasteless weed is a welcome respite. As for " full bodied cigar taste " ??? I smoke Cuban cigars and none that I tried had that flat taste, go figure.

Virginia lover

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sinister Topiary (84)	2009-05-14		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Very Strong

After Black Rope XX I figured, judging from the reviews, that Brown Rope No. 4 was going to be its younger, weaker, sweeter cousin. Not at all -- it's an entirely different beast. And beast is right. This is strong, nasty stuff, like a cheap cigar; and yet, like Gertrud Stein says of Oakland, there's no there there -- it's quite flavorless, and too much of it. Strong, hot and bready, something to be more endured than enjoyed. The only pleasure I get from this is when the tickling ache in the back of my throat finally goes away. When I want something this strong I'll stick with the intriguingly flavorful Black Rope XX.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Madox07 (43)	2019-09-01		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

I opened the tin, to find a turd looking lot of tobacco. Unlike the stuff that my dog lets out, this one smelled encouraging. It kind of smelled like Dunhill Royal Yacht - a blend I absolutely love, so I was excited. I got home, and cut the rope to size, rubbed it a tad and put it straight into my pipe, left no time for drying. Fellows ... let me tell you I had to hold my breeches because I was in for a heck of a ride. First off, it is very strong - nic hit so big that I got hick ups 1/4 through the bowl. The strength was like a smack over my head. The pipe I used was a Czech church warden, no filter, just a short stinger. Flavor otherwise, overwhelming. A tad sweet, a bit of reminder of fired Kentucky, but mostly sweet and some sort of fruit bouquet that I cannot put my finger on. Above all VERY rich flavor, I mean just a small sip and I felt like I had a mouth full of something very tasty. For my second smoke, I switched to filter, and a smaller sized bowl. The same impression, the filter hardly alters the taste (I have used the plain carbon Peterson filters), the only difference being that my stomach wasn't as upset (for some reason some virginias and most perique heavy blends do not sit well with my IBS and my sensitive stomach). Yes, this ones eats up matches - which is not necessarily a bad thing. I have realized I cannot smoke a bowl of this from start to finish, the fact that it goes out every so often is actually a welcome break. I read some reviews that if it dries out too much it can have a bitter taste throughout the second half of the bowl. I did not find this to be true.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Erwandy (6)	2019-03-15		Strong	Strong	Very Full	Tolerable

I was a chain smoker (cigarettes) for over 24 years before I totally switched to pipe smoking by the end of 2018. My take on this Brown No. 4? hell yes it kicked ass and gave me the pure tobacco indulgence I used to enjoy when cigarettes were still a passion to me.

Based on what I have read here, I approached this Kendal Twist with lots of caution, I explicitly reminded myself to use my smaller 16mm pipe and I have prepped the twist into shreds and have them dried amply. And I was rewarded with a full blown tobacco experience - one full of vitamin N and in-your-face type of kick associated with strong tobacco. But surprisingly this stuff is nowhere being harsh, it's very smooth actually - provided that I behaved myself and puff with very slow cadence. Yes, slow puffing will bring out all the flavor and taste. There's no sign of bite whatsoever and this is a huge plus as I will never buy any tobacco that bite.

Oh yes, make sure the belly is full before pulling this stuff. Else one can get spun into oblivion after 5-6 puffs hahaha

Pipe Used: Custom Centrifugal Calabash

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Gulamsa Pertama

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pryhosm (248)	2018-12-22		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

Believe the hype, this tobacco packs a nicoine punch! For anyone out there wondering if you can handle it, t his review if for you. I am a nicotine light weight. I also love that taste of tobacco, strong tobacco apparently. I have been dizzy and nauseous from Orlik Golden Slices so that may give you an idea of how weak my constitution is.

Tin note: not much their a little is a little cigar leaf aroma present along with the smell of earth and leather. The flavor is amazing! I was kind of hoping I wasn’t going to like this, but I do... I really do. the flavor first comes across as subtle and subdued, like a mild Mexican cigar. The Virginia’s are noted in the base flavor, the sweet earthiness is masked by the other flavors but i certainly the foundation for this blend. The best part and, for me, the most interesting and unique part of the smoke...each and every time. There is a tangy BBQ or steak sauce like flavor that smacks you right between the eyes. It is earthy and sweet. Smokey and tart. But all of these words are slightly to the right or left of what I really mean. No one would want to smear this on a stake but these desctors as best I can. I will say that the rope cut is also quite appealing to me. At the risk of offending someone (I am sure in this age the mere mention of tobacco is offensive), this tobacco is as manly as it gets. It packs a massive punch with the nicotine, it is shaped like a fragment of a hangman’s noose it smokes like a rare steak and best of all it requires the use of a pocket knife, sword, stiletto or hatchet to prepare. It doesn’t get more manly to pack in the worlds most manly smoking device, the pipe. I wanted to come back to the strength for the last part of my review and explain how I got through the nicotine. Fist as a mans tobacco one must man up and face it, irrespective of nicotine tolerance. Then you put your man card in your pocket, select a medium to small bowled pipe and pack it as you will smoke it. Small 1/2 bowls in a medium pipe or 3/4 full in a smaller pipe (group 3 and smaller). I only smoke this on a full belly. I also usually smoke it in spurts the main session followed by a DGT (delayed gratification technique) and smoke the rest in several hours. I have never gotten sick although I start to feel my throat tighten up on my second or 3rd puff. In summary, this smoke is worth staring down the Nicotine Dragon, It is one of the more balanced, full flavor tobacco’s I have ever smoked.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LVciAn777 (7)	2018-11-23		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

A Strong blend. The kentucky leaves recalls surly Italian Toscano cigars ( for true men only ;) ) . The high quality Virginia releases a very rich aroma too and damps and softens smoked kentucky,but mainly still remains a very strong mix that gives a fulfilling smoke . For strong emotions lovers.

Pipe Used: Castello sea rock briar

Purchased From: Dubini shop - Chiasso, Switzerland

Similar Blends: Samuel Gawith - Black xx, Samuel Gawith - Lakeland Dark.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Hakchuma Achukma (6)	2018-08-20		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I chew this tobacco as well as smoke it. Chewing it has a nice smokey flavor. Like chewing a horse saddle that sat next to a camp fire over many years. Smoking it is even better. This is not an overly strong tobacco. I think many reviews here are trying way to hard and are just aggregated. Take your evening dress off and put your big boy pants on and enjoy the tobacco. This is a good tobacco. Its certainly not all hyped up on strength like people here are saying.

Pipe Used: Every pipe I own.

Age When Smoked: New

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr.Pink (4)	2016-05-22		Very Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant

I I smoke Marlboro Reds all day long- The only Pipe Tobacco to truly satisfy is Brown #4. Believe me, or had a hard days work and want to be put in a pure nicotine trance:Brown #4 delivers. This is not for the weak of heart.Brown#4 is a real man's tobacco-pure and powerful. If you have never Captained a ship,stay away. The Captain of the Titanic probably set fire to a bowl of Brown#4 before going down! My favorite by far. Desert Island me, and Brown#4. Put this in a food processor if you don't like cutting coins. Chop it up and put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Pipe Used: Dunhill

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: smoking pipes.com

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gestalt (20)	2016-05-05		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Very Strong

After reading many of the reviews on this site I, somewhat anxiously, approached this tobacco with extreme caution. Now that I have some experience with it, I realise that this was wise but unnecessary and I don’t think experienced smokers have anything to fear from this one. The Nicotine hit that I experienced was definitely very strong but not overpowering. As for its flavour, I found it very earthy with some sweetness and extremely full bodied. Its unrefined tobacco taste coats my mouth and sticks to the back of my throat when I retro-hale. Sometimes making it difficult to tell when I have finished exhaling. Some reviewers have stated that it has a cheap cigar-like quality. I agree. It’s a big powerful smoke.

I think age (five years sealed tin) has mellowed this baccy a lot. I’m also currently smoking a fresh Gawith Hoggarth brown pig tail which seems so much more intense than this (I don’t even know how that’s possible!?). My lack of experience here lets me down, I’ll just have to keep trying ropes... Black XX next!

This was my first rope, and when I started smoking it I really didn’t think much of it, but now I’ve come to love it and have been experimenting with other ropes too. I have really enjoyed starting my day with a small cob full of this and strong coffee.

A quick word on chewing this tobacco: Just don’t!

Pipe Used: MM Mark Twain Corn Cob

Age When Smoked: Nearly five years and covered in sugar crystals

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DeathMetal.org (231)	2016-02-01		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Strong

Summary: a strong Virginia/Kentucky which presents natural flavors in a smooth, cool smoke.

Served up in twisted ropes of raw leaf, "Brown No. 4" combines abundant rich Virginia with mildly smoky dark-fired Kentucky, and then fails to do all the many things that could adulterate a perfect natural smoke. A light top flavoring seems to evaporate with time, leaving a cool burning blend that while it requires some extra work, makes a perfect slow smoking blend that rewards the smoker with abundant nicotine and slowly emerging depths of flavor.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	point9 (114)	2015-11-14		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

It looks like a cigar, and tastes like one, too. There is not much typical virginia sweetness in it, which is the downside to me. If I am in the mood for cigar flavor, I will go for a cigar. I guess it is for the experienced smokers who crave for strong nic.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	erkantural (10)	2015-04-28		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Brown No.4 is the strongest tobacco I've ever smoked so far. However I never had any nic kick by it, like Mac Baren's HH Old Dark Fired does to me.

It's a serious, thick rope to be approached with respect. SG says Black XX is thicker than No.4, real life comparison shows the opposite. Maybe the applied heat makes XX shrunk. No.4 hardly fits into my 22mm cigar cutter. The preperation is similar to the other ropes. Cut in coins and stuff. And it's drier than I expected. Can be smoked without waiting to air.

Virginia leaves in this twist are dominated by Burley. That gives the strenght to it. It really kicks your throat and the nasal ways starting from first puff in a good, satisfactory way.

During a pipeful of Brown No.4, you feel the earthy tobacco, slight natural sweetness and the mean power at the same time. To enjoy more, you also can try Raki (Turkish) or Uzo (Greek) with it. These two alcoholic beverages are almost the same and they will balance No.4's raw power gently by their refreshing sweet taste. As a reminder, you should mix it with cold water in your glass (approx.50-50) which will turn it into white milky color and if you want additional ice cubes put them after water. But if you're tough enough, a fine Scotch would suit perfect for this tobacco.

The smoke out of it is thick and creamy. Appetizing for smokers, heavy for the others. It burns until the end smoothly and leaves grey ashes of a cigar. Actually, it tastes like a fine cigar. Also avoid using big chamber pipes for this. Unfortunately I haven't tried it in meerschaums. But as soon as possible I will try and write an edit.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	L'Italiano (233)	2015-02-17		Overwhelming	None Detected	Full	Very Strong

Oh my God, this is a bomb! Better a time bomb. I think the strongest tobacco you can find in the market. Of course a good tobacco with a good quality, but it is quite impossible to smoke it all alone. This rope (twist) is fantastic to blend or mix with light and bland tobaccos but my advice is only a little bit and no more. Above all: don’t smoke it straight! It’s too, too strong. Components: in my opinion Samuel Gawith was joking or perhaps testing something new. In fact this tobacco is composed by Dark Virginia fire-cured, Kentucky fire-cured and hear ye, hear ye Nicotiana Rustica. Not sure but probably. In my personal system rating (from 1 to 10) my score is 8 and three stars.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	beercritic (33)	2014-08-08		Very Strong	Strong	Full	Tolerable

Coming from cigars, about 4 months. This reminds me of a Honduran cigar, but stronger. As a change of pace from Lat bombs, I'll opt for a Nic bomb. This was my third bowl from my first tin. Wow! I'll hit my Peterson's Perfect Plug more often than this, but I hope to never run out of this wonderful smoke. I also crave Tambolaka on occasion.

Pipe Used: Generic Churchwarden

Age When Smoked: 3 months old

Purchased From: P&C

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrT999 (318)	2013-09-15		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

A delicious natural rope, slow to burn. Yes, the N is on the high side, but fortunately I have some small pipes to smoke it in. When I want a larger bowl, I just mix in a little Prince Albert. A good introduction to ropes or if you want a fairly unflavored smoke.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-01-10		Strong	Strong	Full	Strong

What a disappointment. I'd read fantastic reviews of this tobacco (as you have, no doubt, if you are reading this) and I expected a rich, strong, luxuriant pipe tobacco.

But that's not what this is.

Brown No. 4 is a badly rolled cigar, that's passed on to pipe smokers as "rope". The tobacco has none of the nuance that pipe blends are known for. It's just a cigar without a wrapper that's squashed into a tin and marketed to pipe smokers. It smokes and tastes like a mid-flavor cigar. Which isn't a bad thing mind you, but it's not what one expects from a pipe blend. In retrospect, I should have been worried when prior positive reviews noted that this blend could be smoked, chewed, or ground up as snuff. All of that is true. . .unfortunately.

If you are a fan of cigars and want to save some money, then this might be an option for you. I guess. But even then it doesn't seem like a great option because there are much better cigars to be had for $10 (US) per stick, that you could then cut into coins and stuff into a pipe.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	7formy1911 (37)	2009-02-08		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

I was reluctant to try this tobacco at first. I had originally purchased a large amount of it for my dad since he has been smoking a pipe longer than I have been alive. I figured it was a unique gift for him since I've never seen him buy rope pipe tobacco but he's a history buff as well. I can certainly see soldiers during the War of 1812 and the Civil War removing this from their possibles bag and cutting off slices to share after an intense battle.

In any case I snipped off a little bit of the rope to try, cut it into coins with a cigar cutter and left it in my "cellar." At first I mixed it 50/50 with Prince Albert just to try and gauge how strong the tobacco truly was. The PA seemed to burn away first and give way to a wonderful, nose tingling smoke. It was hearty in the way beef stew is hearty and filling on a cold winters day. So I figured I might as well try it full bore without any additions. I rubbed out 3 or 4 coins, let it dry for a bit and loaded up my pipe. I was greeted with nothing but tobacco heaven. A full strength smoke that was intensely satisfying but certainly not complex. The closer the bowl got to going out the more the sweetness came to the front. If I puffed a little harder I got the "baking bread" scent and taste that other reviewer have mentioned.

I find this to be a wonderful tobacco. I wouldn't smoke it every day but I certainly find myself wanting to load up a pipe with it a few times a week. My caution is to make sure the kids, dogs, cats and especially the wife are far away. This will curl their hair and they may try to have you tried for cruel and unusual punishment. If your goal is to escape them then this is certainly a deterrent. I also find this the most versatile tobacco in the world. Smoke it in a pipe, chew it or grind it into snuff. If you're into survival and have a "bug out bag" in case of a disaster be sure to have a large supply of this ready to go. It will get you through those tough times ahead. My next quest... to see how well it ages!

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-08-29		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable

S.G. knows tobacco..........few blenders have been at it as long.The only blend from S.G. that I did not like/love from the first puff was 1792. After 6 months of aging(or my taste changing)I tried it again , and I have developed quite a likng of 1792 also. I tried Black XX Rope, and decided that I really like it, so here I am with Brown Rope #4. I like these 2 blends enough that I just ordered a pound of each (for now) and will be cellaring more. This is for sure a strong blend.....full flavored, nice nicotine kick, burns cool...whats not to like? I could give this three stars, but I know that within a week, or two I will be back on here editing it to four stars. I'll save my time (and yours) and give it the deserved now

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-01-11		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Tin aroma:

Not much tin aroma, but what there is reminds me of bread baking in the oven.

Appearance:

It?s a rope.

First Light:

Peppery, lots of smoke. Hot mouthfeel. A little bitterness.

First third:

Some background sweetness. An incense quality. The pepperiness recedes into the background. Marked Virginia sweetness when exhaled through the nose. The palate tingles. There is a good volume of smoke. The sweetness deepens. I could be wrong, but there?s not even one small hint of Burley or Cavendish here, just Virginias. There?s an orange peel-type bitterness here, not at all unpleasant. The nicotine is making itself known, and I put the pipe down to cool off.

Middle third:

The re-light brings no surprises. The Virginia sweetness is there, weaving its way in and out, along with a nice tang that one expects when smoking fine Virginia tobacs.. The pepper is there, too. There?s nothing floral or soapy about this tobac, but there is a smoky flavor. This isn?t smoky like Latakia or barbeque. It?s just, well, smoke. The sweetness deepens, becoming caramel-like. The nicotine is there, but it?s not overwhelming.

This tobac is burning very well, and the pipe stays cool.

Final third:

The mild, caramel-like sweetness is at the fore now, with the pepper only weaving through occasionally. Exhaling through the nose brings a mild sweetness very like that of Best Brown Flake. There?s not much of that trademark Virginia tang in this third, but the smoky quality still shows up some, mostly as a background note. The nicotine is present, but still not overwhelming. I?m enjoying this tobac very much.

The pipe goes out, and I try relighting, only to find nothing but ash.

Recommendation:

This isn?t like any other Virginia I?ve ever smoked. If Full Virginia Flake is black coffee, this is espresso. Virginia lovers should give this one a go, unless they are overly sensitive to nicotine. English and Balkan lovers might enjoy it as a real change of pace. Those that enjoy uncase Burelys might find something new to enjoy. Aromatic smokers should give it a pass.

This is one very rewarding smoke, and it has made its way into my permanent rotation.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LiterarySmoker (143)	2021-08-30		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

I have a deep and fulfilling relationship with dark fired tobaccos. So when I read the constituent leaves of this mixture on Tobacco Reviews I decided to crack the tin I'd been sitting on for a little while. It has a beautiful mix of Dark Fired Kentucky, Cigar Leaf, and Stoved Virginias. I have had a lot of experience with sliced rope tobacco and coin cuts like Three Nuns Green and the Black Twist, but this was my first foray into a full on rope tobacco and like anything it's something new to learn.

The tin is old timey and simple, and once you pop it open there is a thick cardboard insert. Once I pulled out the insert I found the rather questionable looking Brown rope tobacco with a few precut slices. The tobacco smells like mesquite barbecue, sweet Virginia hay, and a lot of earth. When I first opened this I had now idea how to prep this tobacco so I looked online and found that a Cigar cutter can work well to get a decent sized coin. Once I had my coins I could tell that they were too wet to smoke, so I filled my pipe and left it overnight. It takes a light pretty well once it's properly dried, but it does need a few more than average relights, but given the strength I don't mind.

Once lit and going, this blend comes out as very earthy. This blend has a nice base of bready and soft Virginiasthat keep the smoke smooth. The cigar Leaf is nice, rich, deep, earthy and floral but it doesn't take over the smoke. The Dark Fired adds a very characteristic mesquite barbecue kind of spice along with its usual smokey nuttiness. Slow smoking reveals just how subtle this blend really is. It's not harsh, and it borders on creamy at times. It burns extremely slow, which is great for some of my nose warmers.

The taste is a full. It doesn't overwhelm you and it isn't cloying, but it fills your mouth, and leaves a very satisfying aftertaste. The strength is a strong. You've come home early from work after a hard day and Lady N has the table set with your favorite drink and a homemade meal. Satisfying. Not as strong as Rustica but darn near close enough. Make sure to eat a nice full meal if you are still a nicotine lightweight. The room note is creamy, but I don't think it will endear anyone around you unless they already join you in this wonderful hobby. When you can get it, this is a wonderful blend, and for the first time, I'll admit that I would stake out a few tins online to buy this again.

A great, smooth, very enjoyable, slow burning blend.

Pipe Used: Savinelli La Corta 510

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	AJS2323 (32)	2020-05-06		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

So I only got this yesterday and I have been experimenting with it today. So I prepared my first bowl for my morning drive. I gave it an hours worth of drying so it was a good mix of crispy and moist. So that smoke was nice with very relights. I had a bowl on my drive home which was left to dry for 30 minutes. A little more moist took a bit more of a charring light but after that fine. My third bowl this evening was left for about 10 minutes. Mixed with thicker cuts and shag type cuts. A fair more charring lights and one extra relight in the bowl. Overall preparation and lighting seems fine with varied drying times.

Now the important part. The flavour. What can I say, this is a nice tobacco. Very deep earthy Virginia flavours come through, these are followed by a sweet smokey apricot (to me anyway) Virginia taste. Once you breath out and smack the roof of your mouth with your tongue or retrohail you get nice cigar/coffee tones. I was massively surprised with how pleasant the combination of leafs has been. There is a lot of vitamin N but it is manageable, i had some black coffee with a sugar in it and it kept it at bay in the main. I have been smoking it all day and it has been fine. That being said my main smokes are twist tobaccos so I have a good tolerance and experience with this type of tobacco. There was NO bite with any of the times that I have smoked it. So it is smooth and cool in that sense.

I would recommend this to anyone. The rope is big and thick so it is easier to rub out and prepare. It does have an odd tin note and the room note is little bit odd. Not unpleasant but not odd.

Pipe Used: Corn cob

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: My smoking shop

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jaylotw (16)	2020-03-11		Strong	Extremely Mild	Very Full	Strong

Brown #4 is an awesome tobacco.

Presentation is of two curled up Pomeranian turds crammed into a tin. This isn’t a joke, it looks like sh*t in a can.

It comes wet and oily.

Tin note, as others have stated, is hard to define...but the Kentucky is there in spades right off the top.

As far as my favorite preparation method, I like to take a cigar cutter and snip off coins about 1/8” thick, rub them out, and then do a little tearing and mixing of the longer strands until I have a nice-if uneven-ribbon, then set it out to dry for about 30 minutes. I don’t like this stuff too dry, but it needs a little bit of airing to take and hold a light well. I find the flavor is best for me if it’s still a bit oily to the touch. Since I’m currently working from an old jar that has dried a little, I will say that things may be different from a new tin and it could require some more drying to your taste, but personally I recommend not going TOO far with the drying out.

Right off the bat, I find that just like the tin note, the Kentucky is front and center. That lovely Smokey, sweetly floral, reminiscent of BBQ flavor hits like a freight train. The Virginia is there but its role is to break the edges off the powerful DFK-I can sense a muted sweetness, hard to pinpoint but an essential element to keep things tasty and out of the torture realm.

Things stay this way for about half the bowl, then the cigar leaf shows it’s face in a creaminess and, for me at least, subtle spice notes that meld more and more into the DFK-taking the Dark Fired’s woodsy smoke farther into the background and accentuating the sweeter, floral side of things. Here, the Virginia also becomes a louder player-I can’t pick out many subtleties attributed specifically to it other than a general sense of sweetness amplified.

Originally, I didn’t know this blend contained cigar leaf, and assumed this flavor shift was just due to the Virginia “stoving” a bit as I smoked-and I’m sure that that aspect does play a part, but now that I see there IS cigar leaf in here, I can pick it up in the smoke.

The smoke is remarkably cool, but if horsed a little too much I can sometimes get an ammonia-like flavor, just like with a cigar smoked a little too hot-so I recommend going a bit slow with this one, but not being too conscious of speed as this stuff seems forgiving in that regard.

The nicotine-yes. If you’re sensitive, smoke on a full stomach and go slow, because this blend has plenty.

#4 isn’t a smoke I reach for often. I have one jar left, and it’s pushing ten years old. Since Gawith is getting so hard to come by these days, I want to save and savor what I’ve got, for as long as I can.

Pipe Used: Briars, Cobs of all description

Age When Smoked: New-10 years

Purchased From: 4noggins, JoVann’s Cleveland

Similar Blends: Black XX? Irish Flake for Kentucky goodness.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Shaun_Pearson (21)	2019-07-15		Very Strong	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

This tobacco was the definition of Theodore Roosevelt’s infamous phrase. ”Walk softly and carry a big stick”. This tobacco has a medium amount of Mesquite and hay flavor. After you finish, I must recommend that one simply sit down and collect themselves to get hit with a ”big stick” of nicotine. Beginners beware.

Pipe Used: Clay Pipe and Rossi Canadian

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Twins Smoke Shop (Londonderry, NH)

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lingo (39)	2019-04-29		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

This is not for everyone. I arrived to dark fired Kentucky after a long and curvy road: aromatics, then virginias, then va/pers, then va/burs, finally burleys and kentucky (the latter in Toscano cigar). I slowly learned to enjoy the strength and the nuances of burleys, and this tobacco is a sort of test-bench for all the roads departing from here. It’s hard (but lovely) to prepare, it needs time, patience and a little knife. Since the outer leaf is different from the filling, I suggest rubbing and mixing it very good before loading. Smoke is difficult for a newbie, gotta be gentle and used to kentucky punch. After a tin, I would definitely slice a good Toscano in my pipe, rather than wasting time with the twist, but that (little) Virginia support is quite crucial when you light it up.. Very good but better after a good meal.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pseudo Nim (129)	2019-03-19		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

An excellent full strength rope tempered by the creamy sweetness of the Virginia's, yes there are a few cigar notes but not enough to detract from the superb Virginia leaf. I smoked this new and was not fond of it at all, the cigar kept rearing it's ugly head, as you may have guessed, I'm not a cigar fan. But having left it for a couple of years, the cigar characteristics such as they are, have faded considerably, perhaps a little too dry now, I will not rehydrate but will finish the tin and buy more, this time I will allow a little less drying time in order to fully enjoy the taste and flavour of this very fine offering.

Even dry as it is, there seems to be no bite or harshness to this and a few relights are required due to my cadence getting lower and lower, the bowl remains moisture free and burns slow and cool.

If you like the taste of tobacco and can handle the "cigar" then this is well worth a try. An excellent choice for cellaring IMHO.

Pipe Used: Peterson 301

Age When Smoked: New and 2 1/2 years

Purchased From: GQ

Similar Blends: G&H Brown Bogie, only with a more tobacco flavour profile..

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DenizBeck (323)	2017-09-27		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

A rather thin twist/rope compared to the Motzek ones. I got granted a generous sample of this by a pipe friend along with 11 other UK and US blends, and even tho Brown No. 4 is also available here, I wanted to dig into this one first. Came back from (evening-)school, wanted a smooth nightcap, grabbed for Brown No. 4.

The note from the bag is nice. Little smoky, cigar-ish and earthy-woody. Even tho this was a sample from a cracked tin, it could make use of some drying time! But oh well..that's the (former) purpose of twists and ropes...keeping the tobacco fresh for long(er) times.

Contrary to Black XX (which is said to be just harsh and one-dimensional) this one has a better reputation and I see why people like this rope! It has some decent strenght to it, from the first puffs on. But also some smooth, creamy taste! Cigar-notes from the first puffs, creamy, spicy and woodsy. Also some decent earthiness, with a minor sweetness in the background this is very tasty and reminds me a lot of Tom´s White Twist (White Burley, Perique, Virginia) with its nutty-sweetness in the back, this one also has. Also a little dark fruits in the back.

This is really, really close to Tom´s White Twist by Motzek! And I love White Twist! I'd love this one too, if it wasn't that pricey...16,50€ for 50g...whilst Motzek Twists cost 19€ per 100g I don't have a hard time chossing White Twist over this one, but really only because of the price! If it was cheaper, I'd buy some tins and add this to my rotation. Like this I'll have to treat it as a "rare candy" by times.

Better to be puffed slow, not only because of its strenght, but also as the flavors are quite fragile when puffed too fast. It can get hars and bitter when puffed like a train.....but if you take it slow and smooth, you'll get surprised by tasteful Not most complex, but solid and honest.

Well done SG! Deserves 4 stars to me.

Pipe Used: Clay Pipes

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sybariten (61)	2016-04-19		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Conclusion: A lovely smoke, this has been produced for centuries for good reason. Brown no 4 immerses me into a contemplative state in a way few other tobacco blends do. As a campfire smoke or a late night bowl this is fantastic, it is complex and deep and calls for one's attention. But be aware of the strength or it may knock you out.

Taste: A deep, dark and powerful flavour of earth and leather with a spicy tingle greets att first light, with a slight sweetness adding to the leather in the finish. I can understand why people tend to allude to cigars, this is pure tobacco with no topping or added flavour that does resemble a cigar in some ways (surely due to the cigar leaf in this blend). It is however clearly a pipe tobacco in it's rund and lightly smoky notes that I would guess comes from the kentucky. Retrohale reveals further spice in the vicinity of black and cayenne pepper. Now, depending on the size of the bowl these different notes are more or less pronounced; a smaller bowl presents a sharper and spicier smoke and a bigger bowl brings forth the leather. If pushed the nuances will blur and the pepper will take hold of the picture, this calls for a controlled cadence. Also, due to the strength, slow puffing is recommended.

Mechanics: This is a twist, and as such it needs some preparation. I cut it in coins with a cigar cutter and rub them out and let it dry for at least twenty minutes. After that it burns clean to a light grey ash but it still requires some relights. Does not bite. It is full body and full strength, but not like a burley blend (like Big n burley or Burley flake #3); it does not hit one over the head but rather builds over time and sneaks up if one is not careful.

Pipe Used: Cobs and briars

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	aksamolsa (20)	2016-01-26		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Very Strong

Ok, this is a fine tobacco. No argue about that. But be aware of what is going to happen when someone offers a pinch of this one. It feels like some big fat cat is sitting on your chest, while flames are coming out of your ears along with hick ups. It is not easy, it is not tolerable, but it feels good once in a while to challenge yourself. I had to fire it up several times, but it burns really smooth. I liked it!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tomhlee99 (2)	2015-02-11		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Zow wee wow wow! First time smoking a rope so was curious to actually see what it looked like. All the descriptions posted are accurate: It indeed looks like turd or perhaps a dark brown dry aged sausage. Not offensive unless you are squeamish about natural objects. Initial odour is that of smoked fish you would find at a European deli counter but without the fishiness, or that of smoked oysters in a zip top can. It is robust and full bodied.

Now to the smoking. The rope was sliced into coins, teased apart and rubbed out. It was loaded into the pipe via the Mc Grane method (James Fox). It lit well producing abundant amounts of pillowy smoke, nice. The aroma and taste is that of a cigar. I find this to be very attractive as I do indulge in cigar smoking. My palate in not sophisticated enough to detect fruits or nuts or any other items as such, but my body is capable of detecting nicotine. And here it is...wham.

A quarter of the way through the bowl Mr. Nicotine made his entrance. During the colder months, living in north-eastern climate does not allow one to indulge in the contemplative art as often as one wishes so when warmer weather finally arrives, it's like starting all over again. I find I need to ease into the season by progressing through the nicotine ladder, from mild to strong. Starting the season with a strong Cuban will quickly overwhelm your nicotine tolerance and send you off to bed with the room spinning. Brown No. 4 can do just that to anyone reviving from their winter slumber.

I enjoyed every aspect of this blend starting from it's appearance, preparation ritual and aroma - both pre and during. But the nicotine level is something you need to work up to, for someone like me anyway perhaps not so for those who enjoy year long. Just like a hot bath, after you get used to it, it won't be so hot - but do enter gingerly.

I look forward to smoking it again when I've toughed up a little more.

Pipe Used: Brigham Voyageur Apple

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Lightertime, Seoul, Korea

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (633)	2014-10-14		Strong	Mild to Medium	Extra Full	Tolerable to Strong

This answers my question of whether I would like 1792 without the tonquin, because that is exactly what this tasted like to me. I made it nearly through half of this tin before throwing in the towel and giving the rest of it away today.

Life is too short to smoke things you don't like. :) I was going to put two stars on this, but since there are several of the Gawith and Hoggarth Twists I actually like, I can't recommend this blend at all. And this pains me as I love SG Virginias.

Purchased From: Jovan's in Cleveland

Similar Blends: 1792.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	codyp (65)	2014-02-10		Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Strong

Lets start with the tin. I was expecting the twist, so that weirdness didn't surprise me, however the tin note did. Very fowl, in a good way. It smelt like a fine cigar. Very intriguing.

Now to pack it, I first cut medallions with a cigar cutter and put some of the looser stuff on top to light. I found that just stuffing the medallions in and lighting that works better. It did light well and smoke fair the entire time. Which was a long time with this blend.

The flavor was incredible. A lot like a cigar. Nothing like I have had before. I could see how it could be a bit much for someone who smoke just aromatics and such. The room note was reminiscent of the tin. Very cigar like, with a strong Virginia sweetness.

The strength was pretty high and I enjoyed it. It's not something I could smoke all day. But I sure would. Four stars, would like to try the other ropes they have,

Pipe Used: AKB Smooth Freehand Meerchaum

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2013-10-26		Strong	Very Mild	Full	Tolerable

Not bad, but too plain Jane for me. Might try blending the rest with something else.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	onurturker (14)	2013-09-23		Overwhelming	Medium to Strong	Extra Full	Tolerable to Strong

There is full of nicotine that could not have a pipe smoking.it is the BEST TOBACCO FOR who want to commit suicide.It is a murderer !!!!!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tomspeed (23)	2013-07-23		Extremely Strong	Strong	Extra Full	Very Pleasant

This Lovely Neutral Tobacco But I told you this is really strong i never been smoke something strong like this. 1972 Flake is really medium tobacco next to it

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Blue Bayou (60)	2011-11-20		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Very Strong

Wow--great stuff! I love to mix with Sail green for a potent smoke. Not for everyone, but you know what I mean. This is the bhut jolokia of tobaccos...

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TEO (33)	2011-10-16		Very Strong	Extremely Mild	Very Full	Tolerable

Folks, this one is simply unique. It is strong, beefy, earthy and greets you with a bunch of smoke you feel as if you are down a steam refinery in the early 1900. After all this ain't no joke, really strong but tolerable if you care to puff slowly...but it isn't that easy especially if you don't allow it to dry a little.

Great stuff, indeed to be smoked alone and exceptional if you mean to use it to harden another mixture. I use it even with some of the few aromatics I smoke and it works well, because its earthy full taste doesn't battle with any other flavour. Some floreal scents are present too, as the bowl goes down.

Plus I love the smell and let me say I don't care, just for this one, about room note or people around me. This is simply the Nicotine bomb you'd expect to smoke in a Tim Burton's movie typical village.

Highly recommended.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	IrishHare79 (4)	2010-11-09		Extremely Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable

Recommended with reservations. This is a STRONG tobacco. I didn't read any reviews before trying this tobacco, so I was plesantly shocked. Packing this was involved and fun. This was my first time with a rope, but I had someone explain it briefly how breaking apart flakes and ropes are similar. Mistake 1- I packed a large pipe(23cm dia. 2 inches deep). Not knowing. Great taste, lit up nicely after letting air dry about 10 mins. Third of the way down I was feeling nice an cozy(should of gotten the hint then), with only one re-light. The taste deepens/thickens about 2/3 down. This is when I should have stopped, but I was enjoying the great taste and I hadn't tried to stand. It went out sometime I don't remember because i was just enjoying looking out watching the cars drive by. Then I tried to stand up, and sat right back down. That was a first for me with pipe tobacco. It was a good woozyness though, not the sick to your stomach feeling. If your looking for something different, or have friends that only smoke strong cigars saying "There's no Pipe tobacco like strong cigars". Have them try this.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Durwood Sauls (10)	2010-07-05		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I've tried chewing and smoking this one and both offer two different yet similar taste experiences. Although it is classified as an air cured while chewing it I find I taste a large degree of what I'm assuming is a result of fire-curing. The first time I chewed a double coin size slice of this it was like popping the embodiment of a very smokey camp fire in my mouth. I have come to enjoy that aspect though as it is a completely different experience than smoking it.

When smoking I get a hint of what some might consider a "minty" quality, a result again of what I'm assuming is from fire-cured tobacco leaf, or the aging. I don't taste any cigar or cheap cigar qualities except for perhaps the sweetness similar to cigar smoke. But it is a good hearty full bodied smoke, cool as long as you don't over do it, and relatively slow burning.

The only thing chewing and smoking this rope have in common is the nicotine hit. It is a very strong tobacco, and will knock you for a loop if not smoked slowly and deliberately.

I thoroughly enjoy this one. I will have to try it's twin in the G&H Brown (Happy) Bogie. I've read reviews and some people say it's a close match to Peterson's Irish Flake, another strong tobacco that I thoroughly enjoy smoking. I find that Brown No 4 has many of the same qualities as Irish Flake as well. But different enough for when I want a slight change of pace.

January 2011 Update: After letting the turd like rope dry out for several months now in the tin I find this stuff to be amazing! Sweet! Full-bodied! Strong! This is right up there with my favorite non-english (read: latakia) blends. Don't let any other reviews saying this has no flavor, or it tastes like crap fool you, it does not, and perhaps only needs a bit of time and a different state of mind to try. I'll be getting more of this one for sure. One thing I'm finding works quite nice is cutting a slice off about the size of almost two nickels thick, then cutting it some more, tearing off chunks, getting it to about the consistency of a rough ribbon cut, a bit more chunky than some of the C&D ribbon cut blends. I don't discard the outer tobacco as others may have you do either. Simply delicious!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Steden (100)	2009-12-24		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

No poetry here, only prose

but while cutting tobacco with my rasolino knife, I think to miners (often children) who found solace chewing something like this one and a shadow of emotion pass me on the eyes.... But it's only a moment, there is no time for reflection...

No lyricism here, just epic

so I put the feather and I run to clasp my pipe, I'm going to fight a new battle with this dragon.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dubinthedam (133)	2009-07-15		Very Strong	Mild	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Love it, I get baked bread, salty, caramel and a hint of floral perfume. Takes ages to dry, I still rate in under Irish Flake in strength though...top stuff.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-01-21		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This may be my favorite tobacco ever. While not packing an overwhelming nico hit it certainly gets the job done and leaves one satisfied. The taste reminds me of fresh baked bread, especially when smoked slightly hot. This is the easiest rope i have found to prepare, behaving well even if the slicing is done quickly and not all that evenly so that I pack lots of different sized pieces into the bowl. Still it burns evenly and cooly all the way down with minimal relighting.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Skando (203)	2008-12-21		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

How to describe the brown turd coming from the tin? A rope of brown virginias wrapped in Kentucky (italian Ky- a pamphlet says - the same used for Toscano cigars). It's something of a kind, just rensembles Irish Flake due to the involved ingredients and the great strength they both deliver. My BR#4 (simply Brown No. 4 in the tin sold i Italy; subtitle is" Finest Kendal Twist") has been staying a long while in the open tin, sometimes I paid it a visit, and often it was not the right moment... it needs full commitment, stomach... and wife far enough from you. As long as it was young very very difficult to keep lit, regardless how thin the discs. Now it's dried out the right amount, and I still get half. Cutting the discs the wrapper separated from the inner twist, so that I can alternate in the bowl (now smoking it in a group 4 Dunhill County Bulldog) some ribbons of wrapper (Ky) to a disc of twist (Va). Doing so the smoke - always long lasting, clean and cool - alternates the faintly bitter cigarish note of the Ky and the faintly sweet notes of Va's, which is a very interesting experience to the palate and the nostrils as well. The body is absolutely remarkable and deeply satisfying. BR#4 deserves 4 full stars

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	sprangalang (7)	2008-09-16		Strong	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I love this tobacco. When I first saw rope tobacco I was amazed, had no idea. I guess we are fortunate to have the internet to learn about things. So this is real tobacco. It smells strong in the tin, and looks, well, kind of strange at first. If it's too damp, you must dry it some, or it might torture you. For a while I was drying it to the extreme, lately not so much. I suggest cutting some and rubbing before drying. If you dry it under a lamp or in the microwave, it will exude a delicious sweet aroma. If you dry it a lot, it burns easier, maybe the whole bowl in a few lights. Lately, I slice some very thin coins or wedges, and toss them in a rectangular tin for travel. I simply stuff some in a small bowl, air pocket style. I need more re-lights, but I smoke it very slow. A small bowl will last me hours. It packs a nice nicotine punch, and has a rather strong flavor, though very natural. I like it because it does satisfy with several puffs, so I can set my pipe down to get some work done. It does remind me of a cigar, I think that's one thing I like about it. I notice a tingle in the nose, and a slightly sweet flavor, but with hints of pepper and some pungent notes. I also detect a very slight Lakeland essence. It becomes quite potent towards the bottom of the bowl, but is also somehow smoother. It burns to a fine white ash that is very dry and clean. I just bought another pound for good keeping, even though I've hardly dented the first pound. I made a bit of snuff from it, and it is delicious. My wife is not fond of the room-note, but I get away with it. If you like a solid, straight smoke, you should give it a try.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-08-02		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Very Strong

scatology /sca·tol·o·gy/ (skah-tol´ah-je) 1. study and analysis of feces, as for diagnosis.

If it looks like scat, and smells like scat...it must BE scat. I have no knowledge whatsoever on whether it tastes like scat.

It looks like something my Rottweiler leaves in the back pasture. The only thing missing is the steam rising in the morning chill. Similar scent.

Sliced a few coins with my trusty Ginzsu, rubbed out and dried thoroughly. Lightly loaded a cob, fired it up. Thick, noxious clouds of white smoke that caused the cat herd to haul ass for fresh air, and me to ponder "why am I wasting my time smoking tobacco that reminds me of something I stepped in?" I threw the cob and turd in the Weber kettle, closed the lid and hoped nobody showed up for a BBQ.

Diagnosis: Feces. Therapeutic Regimen: Glenfiddich Gargle, repeat as needed for relief of symptoms

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Croaker (13)	2008-08-02		Strong	None Detected	Full	Extra Strong

Brown Rope #4 is a twisted rope maybe a half inch thick. One must substantially cut, rub and possibly re-cut to transform the rope into something combustible. After all the work, the tobacco still doesn?t burn well! Brown Rope #4 has a sharp and pungent fire-cured Virginian taste. It has strong flavor but doesn?t easily produce the clouds of smoke one might call "full bodied"; moreover, it tastes very unpleasant when abused even if it doesn't bite the tongue. The room note is as acrid as anything I?ve ever smoked. I didn?t detect a really serious nicotine hit. Brown Rope's no lightweight, but it's far from the strongest tobacco I?ve smoked: certainly not as strong as Peterson?s Irish Flake for example.

I got this tobacco out a sense of curiosity and nostalgia. I feel adventurous to smoke this out of a clay pipe as an 18th century colonist or old tar might have. I?m happy I tried it. If you like this I'd recommend Gawith?s Brown Irish Twist: I found it more mellow flavored and less temperamental.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Fofo (81)	2008-04-05		Very Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Very Pleasant

Flavor: Pure Virginia but not the type of Virginia we are used to. Very strong and somewhat reminiscent of a cigar. The flavor changes depending on how you prepare it. Cutting small thin coins, rubbing them, and letting them dry for about an hour usually mellows it out. Try this in a corn cob pipe first because it will definetely leave a ghost.

Complexity: Not a lot of complexity. Very consistent throughout the bowl.

Aroma: Pungent Virginia with a hint of cigar smoke. It will be very enjoyable for those who like stinky pungent tobacco.

Tin Aroma: Strange, somewhat earthy and cigarish. Obviously smells of Virginia but it is definetely way more pungent than, say, Virginia flakes.

Room note: Well, it depends. If you, like me, enjoy the smell of burning tobacco then you'll love the room note. It's somewhat cigarish.

Burning characteristics: Although it doesn't burn hot it does burn a bit fast. You could cut thicker coins but it changes the flavor. Burns dry and to the bottom.

Cut/Looks/Moisture content: Comes in a rope, somewhat inconvenient to prepare but not a big deal since it's not something I'd smoke every day. Moisture content is fine if you plan on buying a 2 Oz. tin and smoke it over a period of 2 or 3 months, otherwise I'd say it's too moist.

Overall: This is different from what I'm used to. It isn't for the faint of heart since the flavor is very full and even spicy. Not something I'd smoke every day. I enjoy it every couple of days or so.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipemanuk (76)	2008-01-15		Very Strong	Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Hmmm...this is a difficult one to review. Probably its the number of years I've smoked a pipe, but I am rarely affected by the nicotine rushes these days lol....having said that, this is a strong smoking cigar like flavoured tobacco. First time I bought it, it came straight from Sam Gawith in a plastic bag and resembled nothing more than a raggedy bent cigar, albeit about a foot long! It has a strong, cigar like smell, not particularly pleasant to be honest. First few times I smoked it, I didn't really enjoy it; there didn't seem to be anything there other than dark pungent tobacco. No sweetness, no interesting flavour, just a hot smack in the mouth and a lingering after taste. Partly cos I bought a bloody great amount of the stuff and not wanting to waste it, I persisted; and now its the tobacco I keep in my pouch in my pocket. Strange that, how things can creep up on you. Bit like the first few times you drank english bitter as a lad...it tasted pretty nasty, but you stuck at it so as to be one of the lads, and then one day you suddenly found it was the only beer worth drinking. Soooo, I give Brown Rope 3 stars cos you might have to persist at it, but in the end you just could enjoy it rather a lot. But it'll never be the only tobacco worth smoking.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Effluvinator (60)	2007-09-03		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Very Strong

Having enjoyed GH Sliced Brown Twist, I wanted to give this a try and found it to be pretty similar in character. I feel the Sliced Brown is stronger but that could be because this being a rope and having some moisture I can control the cut and burning rate depending on how much I dry it beforehand. I don't let it get as dry as the Sliced Brown so it burns cooler and slower. Anyway you slice it this it is a potent smoke. A side benefit of it is that it seems to have a somewhat repellent effect on mosquitoes (and most other life forms). It should be sufficient to satisfy the nicotine cravings of just about anyone, but I haven't had any difficulties with overdosing as I utilize a small briar pipe and go slowly. The taste is of unadulterated tobacco, with a slight natural sweetness. It doesn't bite me at all, either. I think anyone could learn to like this if one keeps in mind that this is a concentrated product best enjoyed slowly and in small quantities.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pkloop (53)	2007-01-21		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

I'm enjoying a bowl of this wonderfull weed as I type this review..

Upon opening the tin I was greeted with a wonderfull natural tobacco aroma and 2 pieces of rope.

Packing: Being that this is a rope it will require some special preperations. I usually take a cigar cutter and cut off some coins. Once sliced, simply rub out the coins to desired consistency. Fill up the pipe using your usual method. This rope may seem a tad moist, however, that doesn't seem to affect its burning properties.

Lighting: This one may take a few lights to get underway..oh well..matches are cheap. :)

Smoking: mmm..This stuff is great. A strong, full, natural tobacco taste. Smokes smooth & cool. Puff it up if you wish..there's no bite. I don't find much variation throughout the bowl..just a consistent natural, creamy smoke. Depending on your prep method you'll probably find yourself re-lighting more then usual..no big deal imo. DGT's well also.

Finish: Smokes cleanly & dry all the way to the bottom. No bitter ending. Nice & smooth..just like the rest of the bowl. Ash is almost completely white.

In my opinion this is a keeper..I see myself buying a pound or so for the cellar and a few tins for use now. 4 of 4 Thanks Sam G. !!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	shakenbake (11)	2006-05-03		Overwhelming	None Detected	Extra Full	Strong

Not for the faint-hearted, or the fast puffer! Best enjoyed after a heavy meal, and DO NOT drive or operate any dangerous machinery.

This is a unique experience in smoking a natural tobacco. I have smoked it on occasion, usually in a small pipe, but once in a medium sized bowl. Cut the rope as fine as you can (maybe a razor would help?), stack it into the bowl and rub out a bit of it at the top of your bowl before lighting. Puff it slowly!

It is somewhat difficult to keep lit. However, with practce and perseverence, it can be done. Relighting does not seem to diminish the strength or flavour.

When I smoked it last, and because I was feeling a bit sleepy (it was both the tobacco and the lateness of the hour), I left the bowl for DGT. When I picked up the bowl the next evening, I noticed that the flavour and strength had mellowed out and become more enjoyable!

Will time mellow the rope? Something to look forward to!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Spike (296)	2005-01-14		Very Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Strong

Wow! Strong stuff. The rope has a tightly packed cigar-like look to it. I cut into thin coins and layered into a very small bowled pipe. Very cigar-like in the richness of the smoke. Not like a cigar in taste. It actually has a very good flavor to me, but it is so full of flavor you must go very easy. It is hard to keep lit using the stacked coin method but I would be afraid to cut it any finer. I will update this review after a few more bouts with this powerfull smoke. I have to recuperate first!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-10-31		Overwhelming	None Detected	Extra Full	Overwhelming

Lacking the time and inclination to create a new level of vitriol worthy of this abomination, I will simply cut and paste my comments regarding Gawith Hoggarth's equally repugnant Black Irish Twist, with the added note that "Taste: Extra Full" should actually read "Taste: Extra Foul."

Gluttons for punishment, delight!

=============

I know that we are not supposed to comment on the reviews of others, so I hope no one takes offense at what I'm about to say. I had to scour the data base to come up with the most ghastly comments ascribed to any tobacco on this site, for certainly this blend deserves no less a description.

The esteemed Mr. Eulenberg, whose educated palate and prose make him one of the wonders of this site, described Dunhill's Royal Yacht as possessing "all the flavourful charm and sweet redolence of slightly gangrenous horse meat". I would suggest that he sample this abomination. By comparison, Royal Yacht would make a worthy wedding present to a dear friend.

It's a big world, and there is room for all manner of styles and tastes. Yet I cannot for a moment imagine anyone enjoying this. It is downright brutal in its assault on the senses, and brings shame to our gentle art.

I'll describe it nonetheless. An oily, pitch black rope, only slightly foul smelling, it brings nothing but nicotine to the table. The world of wine has Thunderbird, and, well, we have this. Shredding the tough leaves into a manageable form is a chore unrewarded with anything closely resembling smoking pleasure. It looks like used cigar butts, and probably tastes about the same.

The anti-smoking zealots should use this as exhibit A.

Surely there must be uses for such a product. Perhaps the Brits used it to force the evacuation of landing crafts at Normandy. I know I'd rather face enemy fire than this. It may also make a good noose.

I have to go and salt my pipe now, as well as every other pipe in my house, and possibly the tri-state area. Someone should salt the earth where they grow this stuff, as well.

=========Finally! I have found an appropriate application for this foul weed. It's, it's..............Halloween!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-08-10		Overwhelming	None Detected	Very Mild	Tolerable

I bought this because I felt I should try what a majority of the pipe world calls the strongest tobacco around. I was not disappointed ... in the strength. Yes, it's strong. But I also made the mistake of smoking a lot of it in a large pipe.

Tin presentation is nice -- if not funny. Tin aroma was that of fresh cedar and cigar leaf. I used a cigar cutter to knock off some slices, which I then rubbed out fully. Some have suggested leaving the slices intact will deliver more flavor. The light and burn were fine. Where the rope lost me was in the flavor/nicotine ratio.

The nicotine is off the charts, but the flavor is nearly absent for most of the bowl. Top third was plain and boring. The mid-bowl gave what flavor it could, which reminded me of baking a loaf of cinnamon bread inside someone's walk-in cigar humidor. Even then, I had to struggle to find these notes. It was around this time that I noticed the nicotine in a big way. I should have put the pipe down for a few hours, but I pressed on -- determined to find some depth of flavor.

End bowl was as forgettable as the top. By this point, I was feeling the effects of the nicotine. I didn't get the spins; nor did I get sick. I just felt uneasy overall and very lightheaded. I pretty much had to lay down and sleep it off.

I gave this tobacco the "Might try it again, but will not keep it on hand" rating because I still have some left in the tin. I will revisit this rope as long as I have it and try smoking MUCH less of it in a sitting, whether in a large or small pipe. I'll also try leaving it sliced, in case that really does bring out the flavors.

This piece of tobacco's yesteryear was interesting, but there are far better full-bodied smokes out there.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Albion1956 (42)	2002-01-16		Strong	Strong	Full	Strong

This tobacco being akin to all of Samuel Gawith's rope means a fare share of strenght. A larger size diameter means it will farther than a pigtail. A deeply brown color, a tightly woven mixture of quality tobacco's, processed in an olde fashioned method. This tobacco, after slicing, I break up for a smoother smoke. Lighting brings to the senses a mixture of Virginia's and other dark tobaccos. Charring process is easily passed and then it's showtime. The tobacco will make your head spin if smoked to fast, so just sit back and enjoy. I cannot overemphasize this or other ropes, in reference to strenght. Smoking down the bowl remains the same, and obviously toward the bottom the intensity increases. This is a well done tobacco, not like a steak, but similar in that it's a full, and pronounced tobacco.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2001-03-02		Overwhelming	None Detected	Very Full	Very Strong

This Tobacco is one of my all time favorites. It is a very sinister looking rope tobacco from England. And it is one of the most powerful tobaccos that I know of. Very high in Nicotine, yet has absolutely no tounge bite at all. The tobacco is dark fired Tanzanian and Zimbabwe which are from my understanding forms of Virginia, grown in South-East Africa. These Tobaccos share little in common with their American cousins. Not tangy at all but more cigar-like in body. If I inhale this Tobacco more than once or twice I always get the Hiccups,which are always cured by taking a drink of something like water.The flavor is very full and it seems to do something to the back of my palette that reminds me of the satisfaction a fine cigar brings.This is similar to 1792 but without the tonquin flavor. Brown# 4 rope is serious tobacco. It can be ground with a mortar and pestal when dry to make snuff. I have done this and good, powerful snuff it is!. You can also put it on top of a weak blend to add strength. I highly recommend Brown# 4 Rope. Arnold Smith

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jacinto Cupboard (209)	2020-08-12		Very Strong	Very Mild	Full	Strong

I haven't had this alongside G&H's Happy Bogie and it's been awhile since I had the pleasure of that tobacco. I'd assumed it would be a similar smoke, but neither my memory nor my review of Happy Bogie supports this.

For a start, Happy Bogie burns pretty well. This by contrast is one of the most difficult baccys I've ever smoked. Nor can it be rubbed out properly. Slice and dice is as good as you'll get for preparation.

Normally I'm of the school that prefers to smoke a tobacco as is. With Brown No. 4 I have to make an exception, both to my own rule of thumb and to the advice of esteemed previous reviewers. It needs to be remembered that this particular tobacco is sold as chewing tobacco. So it has a moisture content and consistency fit for that purpose. Unless you really get a kick from relighting, best to give this twist some air time. I might also add that it didn't do well in briar at all. Regardless of my affection or affectation for matching this quintessentially British tobacco with the equally iconic British Falcon pipe, this is the combination that worked best for me. Firstly, the small Falcon bowl delivers about the right duration of smoke, which is also important because this is a stout tobacco. Just as importantly it keeps the tobacco above the considerable condensation that will settle in the bottom of the bowl.

As for taste and aroma, it's what you would expect from fired leaf with the addition of some of what is probably African and/or Indian Va, with some cigar leaf of unknown provenance another player again. The profile is deep, smokey, earthy, musty. The aroma is strong enough that it might cause offence for those nearby.

I enjoyed this baccy. It pairs well with coffee, which I have with milk and sugar when smoking this, not just because the flavours are complimentary, but because it is prudent to have some buffer in your stomach as Brown No.4 will deliver a hard nicotine hit.

Edit. After a week or so of smoking this exclusively, and some experimentation, I believe the best way to smoke this is to cut off a decent amount, completely unroll it (it is more or less uncut leaf) and allow it to dry fairly completely. I am convinced that this is how the miners et al who smoked and chewed this in the old days would have approached it. They probably put it on the mantlepiece near the fireplace, just like Sherlock Holmes did. I went pretty dry with this approach and I can report that the smoke isn't harmed at all, in fact it is improved. It does not become harsh, regardless of what other reviewers might suggest, nor does it lose flavour or burn fast. It is perfectly acceptable and becomes a very easy to manage tobacco indeed. With appropriate drying it will smoke well in any bowl you choose. Unfurling the tobacco also revealed that it does have an appreciable sweetener added, possibly some kind of sugar or molasses mixture. Barely noticeable when smoked however.

Pipe Used: Falcons preferably

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Reviewer (25)	2020-06-10		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

This is a really good pipe tobacco. It is nice and smooth. One of the easiest tobacco's for me to smoke. Sliced off some thin pieces and broke it up into nice ribbons. I only smoke this in the evenings when the weather is nice outside. I can see why some people might not like it though. Didn't need very many relights, no moisture in the bottom of the bowl that I could see and smoked all the way to very last piece with no issues. Smoked in my Trypis pipe that is dedicated to tobacco like this. Very good. Going to get some black xx after this is gone.

Pipe Used: Trypis

Age When Smoked: Fresh out of the tin

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Badmedicine (51)	2019-02-03		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Off the bat, I should say I have had a very complicated relationship with this tobacco. I bought a one-pound box three years ago, and every now and again I play with it. After chopping it into three-inch chunks, I jarred it. A few of those chunks got essentially candied in bourbon, and were an interesting smoke in their own right. I've shredded it, blended with equal parts Latakia, perique, and shredded cigar leaf, then doused the whole lot in dark rum (don't ask me how I came up with that combo, but I smoke a lot of it and I love it. I call it "Death Rattle"). Tin note (or jar note, in this case) is not much to give warning; a bit smoky, leathery, mostly just clean tobacco. To prepare, slice it into thin discs with a cheap cigar cutter and rub it into almost a shag. Smoked straight, it is... An experience. There is sweetness, nuttiness, mild smoke (as compared to the Black ropes), some raisiny notes, Earth, musk, and red pepper. The flavors are rock-steady throughout the bowl; all the flavors come at all times, without shifting or ebbing. Smoke is heavy and creamy, more cigar-like than anything I've come across in a pipe. Smokes cool, bone-dry, and never offers to bite. If prepared correctly, lighting isn't too much of a hassle; two matches, no more. Room note is suprisingly inoffensive; a bit Woody, a little musky, dissipates quickly. I've had people ask if they could borrow some to roll cigarettes, but I've never had the courage to let them. I might be charged with Negligent Homicide. The nicotine content is... Well, I thought I was immune to Vitamin N. Commodore Flake, Ten Russians, Chenet's Cake, 1792 Flake; I smoke them by the fist-full. I chain-smoke La Gloria Serie Rs, Don Pepin Blues, and LFD Double Ligeros like I'm about to face the firing squad. I suck down 55 mg vape juice like water. This stuff closes my throat like a hangman's noose and puts my head in a pneumatic press. Even smoked in a kiseru, a little "clinch" can be felt. Oddly, I love it. This is an experience that every piper should try, just so you know what "Strong" really means.

Pipe Used: Icarus Stubby Apple, Kiseru

Age When Smoked: 1-3 years

Similar Blends: Avanti cigarillos and hangman's rope.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Briar Piper (89)	2018-12-28		Strong	None Detected	Full	Very Strong

I enjoyed this a lot more than the black rope XX. It was smoother, more cigarlike, and the room note while still offensive, was not as "dirty wet dog" like.

I could not tell much of a nicotine difference between the two, they are both strong. Brown rope no. 4 has a lot of interesting tangy notes as well as a burley like earthiness which made me wonder if it didn't contain some, or if it was air cured to some degree beforw being lightly toasted. Toasted it definitely has been, as there are many lightly bitter, almoat smoky notes present, as what you get from dark fired.

I find this blend works best for me as a mixer to add some nicotine and earth to an otherwise boring aromatic, albeit I smoke this on occasion all on its own out of a ser jacopo oom paul which I have dedicated for ropes.

I will give this 3 stars, as it has no complexity whatsoever, but has a lot of potential in other areas. I would love to try the scented versions of this rope, but alas, they are not available currently.

This is a very bite free blend and is the place to start when trying stronger blends the first time, as it won't make you sick from nicotine as the even stronger blends like dark flake can the first time. And it has no strange flavors nor overtones. Just strong tobacco.

Be sure to slice the rope very thin and then fully rub it out, or you will miss the flavor.

Pipe Used: Ser Jacopo Oom Paul

Similar Blends: Brown Irish Twist.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	moniker (220)	2018-07-27		Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Full	Very Strong

Samuel Gawith’s Brown #4 is an old-fashioned, rope style tobacco twisted from rough, strong “VAs”, along with some KY and some cigar leaf. Tin note is similar to the only other brown rope I’ve smoked (G, H&C’s Brown Irish X), being muted, deep, musty, and a little menacing, with cigar spices over the earthy, pungent VAs and KY. I opened mine, then jarred it, then “set it aside” to smoke later, then I forgot about it. It was too dry when I revisited it, but I smoked some anyway, then I re-hydrated it prior to evaluating it. I slice thin-ish coins off the rope and rub them out roughly, then I pack the tobacco loosely into my favorite cigar blend pipe, which has about a group 5 bowl. It lights and burns down well with minimal but regular tamping and some stirring at the end. No surprises here. This is straight forward tobacco that reminds me of a “good, cheap cigar”, if there were such a thing anymore. It is not quite as smooth as BIX, nor is it as strong, but it is similar. The tastes parallel the tin notes and the aromas in the smoke. Overall, it’s earthy, musty, and spicy, and any sugar is pretty much subsumed by the pungency and the intensity of the smoke. There might be some anise. Strength is just over medium. Tastes are full, even unrelenting. Room note is rank. Aftertaste is like a mid-quality cigar.

SGBNF is actually pretty good, but IMO it does not rise to BIX level, nor that of other cigar-type blends I most favor. Rather, I put it on par with G,H&C’s Dark Bird’s Eye, which is to say, try some if you fancy a straight ahead, tough guy smoke. 3 stars.

Pipe Used: cigar blend briars

Age When Smoked: from bulk to jar

Purchased From: Liberty Tobacco

Similar Blends: G, H & C's Brown Irish X.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jorge Soler (203)	2017-04-03		Strong	Mild	Full	Pleasant

This solid full bodied/full strength rope has creamy and cigar notes to it. It can have a rough edge at times the more you progress with your smoke, but that is not a problem if you have a drink on the side. As you reach you mid bowl it develops peppery qualities giving you spicy undertones. At times it feels like a Virginia/perique blend, but this is probably down to how this tobacco has been manufactured. Because of its properties, I recommend using this rope as blending tobacco to spice up other blends, but it is not a bad smoke on its own either. If you like ropes just give it a go as it might please you despite its price tag. I think it is only fair to give it 3 stars.

Purchased From: Turmeaus

Similar Blends: Most of the ropes do as a matter of fact taste more or less the same.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DandyMan (4)	2016-08-31		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

My second rope tobacco. Spicy, aggressive, harsh even. Yet I love it! Smells dreadful unlit and only slightly better while combusting. I prefer Black XX slightly.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Calamiti (86)	2016-07-29		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Contrary to many other reviews I don't find this an extra strong blend. Really good dose of nicotine, yes. But nothing close to "overwhelming" or "curling hairs on my chest". I inhale it occasionally and never have had any side effects.

It's a good quality old-fashioned rope, I like it a lot. It seems to be made of different set of tobaccos than SG Black XX. Woodsy Burleys and cigar leaf are definitely present here, though in modest quantities. It's noticeably less flavorful and sweet than Black XX. And way more tobacco-ey than the black rope. I find it best when dried up in the unsealed tin for several months. Gonna buy a pound more of it.

Would put all four stars for impeccable quality of tobaccos in this blend but have to distract one for the lack of flavour.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Give me a big pipe to smoke (1)	2016-03-08		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

I love this stuff. Powerful and mellow!

Just buy it, and smoke this! You will never be disappointed.

I really hope I can buy 500g package again...in somewhere...

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pre Republic Peterson (13)	2015-10-21		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Wrth trying just to say you have tried them all. This was my first rope tobacco. I am an experienced smoker and I am pleased I have tried it, not least to know I have done so. :)

This is freaking strong, I smoke big bowls of it as I am a risk taker. HUGE vitamin N hit! The biggest I have ever had.

Need to brush teeth straight after and drink lots of fluids.

I recommend you try if your experienced, its worth a shot, who knows you might love it.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CharatansMake (18)	2015-06-14		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Strong

My experience with Brown No.4? Well, imagine you wear a straitjacket and have to fight against an apoplectic Mike Tyson...

Jokes apart, this tobacco is by far the strongest stuff I ever had in my pipe. You think Peterson Irish Flake is strong? Not at all if you compare it with S.G.-B.No.4. Actually I like the taste very much but I can´t smoke this stuff. I tried it a few times with different pipes and in different occasions and had always the same result: Brown No.4 gave me the count!

Pipe Used: Loewe Mounted Pot

Age When Smoked: fresh

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2014-07-14		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Brown #4 seems to be either adored or reviled. I'm going to buck the trend and go straight down the middle. It's got its merits and a few drawbacks, in my opinion.

First of all, Brown #4 isn't half as frightful as some of these reviews make it out to be. It's plain, strong tobacco and nothing more. Apparently that puts some people off.

As far as the nicotine goes, yes you can definitely feel it. I'm a slow smoker so it's never thrown me for a loop, but if you're sensitive to nicotine you might want to approach with caution.

I love ropes and plugs. They offer the pipe smoker complete control over the texture of the tobacco. Brown #4 doesn't feel overly moist. I've tried it rubbed out and cube cut, both straight from the tin and dried out to varying degrees. The main problem I have is that it won't stay lit for me. The only way I've been able to keep it lit is by drying it too much, about 12-14 hours, and when I do that, the taste goes out the window. I'd like to try smoking it as thinly sliced coins but if I can't keep it lit rubbed out or cubed, I doubt coins are going to burn for me.

So that's a huge drawback. I'm willing to admit that part of the problem could be my technique and perhaps I haven't mastered the preparation or discovered the right cut yet. I'll try not to hold that against it, but it's hard to recommend a tobacco that won't burn.

As for taste, this is not a sweet Virginia. It's rugged, strong, and a little bitter. If you're a cigar smoker, think full-strength Nicaraguan. It doesn't taste that much like a cigar but it's got that same hard-hitting flavor profile. Not peppery like a Nicaraguan cigar but kind of sharp. When I'm in the mood for it, I like Brown #4. Especially in the afternoons, which is when I typically start dragging ass. I really wish I could figure out how to smoke it more successfully.

For now, I'll have to rate it 2 stars. Wish there was a way I could give it 2.5 stars. If I figure out a way to prepare it so that it will burn better without having to dry it to a crisp, I'll come back and upgrade it to 3 stars.

Black XX is supposedly the same rope as Brown #4 but stoved darker, which should mellow it out and sweeten it. Not the case. I don't find these two tobaccos to be similar at all (see my review of Black XX). I find it hard to believe that they're related. If Brown #4 is the somewhat plain Jane but curiously beguiling girl next door, then Black XX is her ugly, gap-toothed, slutty little sister.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Kraft1994 (54)	2014-02-11		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable

An excellent example of what virginias are capable of. A strong yet mellow, slow burning, bold virginia blend. Taste and aroma of high end cigar tobacco somehow from a virginia. If I wasn't aware of the tobacco content of Brown Rope 4 i would have guessed to was a maduro/conneticut cigar blend. Absolutely amazing what Gawith is capable of doing with virginias. Yet another outstanding Virginia from Samuel Gawith.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2013-02-09		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Brown Rope No. 4 is just like any other pipe tobacco, only more so.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-11-07		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Strong

Brown Rope No.4? WoW! Strong, dirty earthy, and a lung killer. No kidding, the wife ran me out of the back yard.

Save your money and try this: Boil some Hay in Chicken Broth and feed it to your dog. Follow the dog around for a day and collect his “End Trails”. Dry and age it for one year in a mason jar. Smoke in a Water Bong filled with Lamp Oil.

POSITION: 20+ year smoker. I normally like Full English, Virginia, Latakia, some uncased cav blends. I smoke 3–6 pipes a day. No tobacco sales.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-04-15		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Strong

I have one pipe, a meerschaum. I'm a tradesman who drives, on average, an hour and half to my first job of the day. I smoke strong tobacco to stay awake. I've been smoking Irish Flake for this purpose and love it. My first bowl is at 4:30AM.

Using this site, I have been experimenting with other tobaccos to see if I can find others I like. I purchased this based on its strength.

I tastes like a cheap cigar and I hated it. My pipe tasted awful for days afterwards too. It is strong, but I cannot stand the taste so I have not smoked a second bowl.

I usually do not smoke at all on the weekends because my wife does not appreciate me disappearing outside to smoke long enough to finish a bowl.

This weekend I decided to cut a piece off to chew and thought it was great. The taste was natural and the nicotine kicked in within three minutes.

I'd recommend it for a chew but not a smoke. I probably won't use it much as I don't usually chew but will use it on the weekends so the tin doesn't go to waste. I may even order more for chewing on the weekends.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-11-10		Very Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Strong

If you want to get the same affect and save some money eat a spoonful of dirt and head butt a brick wall.... this really does smell like a cheap wet cigar and taste about the same and on top of that doesnt stay lit very well even when rubbed out.... not recommended...if you want something really strong and good... i highly recommend irish flake

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Darth Vader (110)	2011-10-27		Strong	Extremely Mild	Extra Full	Strong

Love or hate it, this is Thor's Hammer. There's four times more nicotine in this to the nearest competitor (ok, i made that up, but i might be right). Needs some drying out,but dont dry it right out. You'll lose the flavour and just get a roastingly harsh smoke instead.

Up until a year ago i smoked 2-3 packs a day (have finally got away from the evil nails) and have never been able to get enough nicotine, let alone go green in the gills from it. That was of course until it tried this. Like using a sledge hammer on a thumb tack.

Great stuff for the ocassional blast or to scare away annoying people or pets with the caustic smoke. Irish Flake doesnt even come close to this in strength.

I smoke this daily now.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-11-23		Extremely Strong	Strong	Extra Full	Strong

In my search to find a tobacco a hint stronger than the truly delicious 1792, I came across many claims that the Gawith ropes were truly the end of the line. My friends, they weren't kidding.

I'd read about the No. 4 and the XX, and I went to my local (30 min. drive) tobacconist to request some XX, andI noticed their decent selection of SG tins, including this one. I couldn't resist.

I decided to try some in the car, in a small briar pipe. I was immediately taken aback, as I, like many, have never worked with ropes before. I used a method similar to the "flake" method, but putting the thin leaves into tiny bunches. I opened the tin and was hit with the smell of a choice cut of beef. Yum.

I lit up half a bowl, using matches, and noticed that this stuff is extraordinarily difficult to keep lit if not let to dry for a little while. The first experience was decent, with great flavor and thick, blue smoke.

The next time, however, was different. Having only taken a few good puffs before allowing the bowl to go out, as I had somewhere to be, I returned afterward for the rest. I lit up the now much dryer smoke, with a little more added to the top, and began to puff. This time, it stayed lit wonderfully, and I found myself puffing away, feeling as if I was sitting in a business conference room in the 1940's, the room awash with fragrant pipe smoke, as I puffed freely, not allowing it the chance to simmer down enough to go out.

A few minutes after the bowl was finished, I found myself slumped over the front seats of my car, feeling extremely calm and woozy, but at the same time, feeling as if I had swallowed a concrete block. This was AFTER having a decent-sized breakfast, as well.

Delicious, nostalgic, strong, and to be enjoyed by those who only wish a demon to tame, as does the pipe smoker in all of us.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-10-25		Strong	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is the blend by Samuel Gawith I much love, with Black XX and FVF. If you want a great pipe tobacco, try it!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-06-26		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

this is an interesting baccy.it tastes like a full bodied cigar...and a good one.pretty strong with no flavores. I highly recommand it for people who like full taste tobaccos with no flavor. I personally dont like aromatic stuff so I highly rate it. DO NOT smoke it with empty stomach and you will be rewarded. great late evening smoke after a full dinner to unwind. WARNING: if you are into aromatics or mild to medium tobaccos give it a pass.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-03-27		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I keep reading reviews of this tobacco that say it taste like a bad cigar. Well I happen to love cigars, and to my palate it does taste like a full bodied cigar, but a good one. In fact this blend reminds me very much of a Flor dominicana double ligero. Hey if you like a fruity, low nicotine smoke, this probably isn't your cup of tea, but for someone like me that thinks big full bodied straight tobacco flavor is a good thing, this is a great smoke.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrDyson (148)	2010-01-12		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Strong

Brown Rope No, 4 is:

1. murderously strong;

2. cool, but full-flavoured to the point of coarseness; has a pronounced cigar taste (which I don't care for);

3. – like twists and ropes generally – tiresome to prepare for the pipe unless you like a lot of foreplay.

There really isn't much more to say. If you enjoy the kind of tobacco that'll blow your head off, this'll do nicely; if you don't, it'll make you fall over and pray for death. I found it rather an ordeal, but I can see that it has sterling qualities. It's a very good example – a classic – of its type, but certainly not for everybody.

Brown Rope No. 4 is the sort of baccy that I always think of as a winter and outdoor smoke (the room note will cost you friends, by the way). It comes quite moist and for that reason doesn't burn without a fair amount of fuss; but for Pete's sake don't dry it, or it'll cremate your tongue and associated parts.

A lot too strong for me, and I really don't go for pipe tobaccos that taste like a cigar; but I recommend it to those who like a fight.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Davetopay (43)	2009-12-26		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Very Strong

I keep having conversations with Mr Kendal Brown. On some days he is willing to listen and converse with you in a congenial manner. Other days, he jumps down your throat and berates you, leaving you scared like a child. Either way this is interesting stuff. You know you are smoking tobacco. A MAN'S tobacco. There are no vanilla, caramel, fruit, or flowers to be found in this...at least not by way of added flavoring. I can smoke this in any shape pipe. First I slice a couple coins off the rope, then I dice them rather than rubbing into strands...it seems to help maintain the light. Despite its sometime heavy handed manner, there is great depth to this rope, and everyone finds something different when they smoke it. The only way to know if you like it, is to try it. I rate it at 4 stars, not for its mass appeal, but for its classic, true to history nature. Every pipe smoker needs to try this at some point.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	onehitter (16)	2009-12-15		Medium	None Detected	Extra Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I think the pal below me sumed this pretty well. But I dont like this turd. If I didnt keep puffin this it seemd to go out rather quickly and this is not something you want to puff n puff n puff so re-lights were plenty and painful. The taste is cigar like but has that taint smell thats in the tin. Over fermented, for me it's like smoking shoe leather. however I did like the smell in my smoke room but Ilike the smell of tobacco.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	beaupipe (102)	2009-10-29		Very Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Tolerable to Strong

Sam Gawith's Brown Rope #4 Finest Kendall Twist seems to be one of a handful of love-it-or-hate-it-blends. At least that's what a quick read of the reviews here seems to suggest. Complaints tend to focus on the overpowering strength, the coarse (even fecal) quality of the flavor, the extra work the tobacco requires to prepare. Praise tends to focus on the same things--the abundant nicotine, the robust flavor, the pleasures of preparing a rope for the pipe. Love it or hate it, it's tough to have neutral feelings about this stuff.

Count me as one who absolutely loves the stuff. I don't know of any more intense, flavorful, pure, occasionally sublime, occasionally brutal experience I can associate with pipe smoking. Sometimes when I smoke this stuff, I feel like I'm on a sort of sacred, drunken jag. My ears buzz, my knees get a little weak, I experience bliss. Other times, every puff feels like a jab to the chin from an angry heavyweight. My ears buzz, my legs feel like string cheese, my brain tells me that man was made to suffer.

This isn't the prettiest tobacco. I've only ordered it in bulk, and when it arrives it looks like a great, coiled thing that might have been released by the Jolly Green Giant a few hours after a big dinner. The aroma is earthy, dirty, cedary, cigar-like. Whenever I break into a new batch of this, I typically section it off in 2-inch chunks and stuff it into jars. When I plan to smoke it, I cut it in half length-wise and then slice little half moon disks that I rub out more by hand. Drying it out to the edge of crispy seems to work best for me. I've found that if this rope isn't sufficiently dry, it produces a steamy, bitter smoke. It DGTs well—which will be a boon to anyone who truly does find the strength here overwhelming.

Regardless of strength-tolerance, I recommend smoking this stuff slowly and contemplatively. The Italians have an expression for some of their bigger, brawnier red wines--vini di meditazione, or "meditation wines." Properly and patiently sipped, I think this rope is as close as I'll ever be to a "meditation tobacco."

A brilliant, immensely enjoyable tobacco.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Kilmarnock Piper (251)	2009-10-04		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Good God! I won't be buying any more ropes, or if I do, will do so only out of curiosity. They are cool, one must admit. Coconut Twist sounds interesting, but could anyone sense any flavoring over the overwhelming stench of this weed? I just can't do it-just as strong as 1792 if not stronger, and much fouler. I will save the rest as a curio and maybe bring it out if anyone I know who smokes a pipe thinks they've had strong tobacco. Don't go correcting me-I realize there are stronger ones out there, but I won't be sampling them. Actually, I think I could smoke this on a camping trip by the fire. The wood smoke would deaden my senses a bit, the tobacco has a most pronounced "rustic" nature, and I'm sure it would repel (or kill) mosquitoes.

Update: 12-20-09. Smoked a bowl of this for my last pipe of the day. The rope is pretty dry in the tin now. I started the day with Irish Flake, so maybe I was better prepared. This is not so bad if you take it slow. I love the reviewer who thinks this is not as strong as FVF-I do not take issue with him, but rather glory in the plethora of different tastes and opinions found on this website! I can inhale FVF, something I would not try with this weed. This makes a great nightcap, as the nicotine hit gets me ready for bed and satisfies me to the point that I will want no more tobacco until the morning.

1-09-10 I have cased the rest of the tin with dark rum and put it in a mason jar. God knows how it will turn out.

1-20-11 A year later, and I am smoking my cased #4. Can't taste the rum over the overwhelming body of this tobacco, but I like it more now. I may be able to smoke a couple bowls a year of this...

7-27-11 Smoked some in a Jobey Stromboli. This was harsh, I thought, when I bought the tin two years ago. I cased it in rum and put it in a jar more than a year ago, and it has really mellowed. Still, strong stuff, and I have no designs on finishing this one tin anytime soon, but rather will smoke the occasional bowl in this Jobey (my smallest-bowled pipe) to see how time treats it! I can't taste my rum topping at this point, but suspect it had something to do with taming the rough taste out of the tin. Now, it reminds me more of Dark Birdseye.

If I ever wanted to cut down on my tobacco consumption in general, and needed a tobacco that would give me all the nicotine I could possibly want from a couple of thin shavings off of the twist, this would be just the thing. I bet I could get 40 bowls like this out of a tin! Maybe more...

I get nausea (not serious, but nausea nonetheless) from tobaccos like this. They remind me of my limitations as a pipe smoker, but I love the occasional bowl anyway. Brown #4, Coconut Twist, GH Kendal Kentucky and Dark Birdseye, Irish Flake...

I'm pretty high right now...

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-08-12		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

When I first tried it a few years ago, I smoked it when my order arrived and found it a bit rough. Put six months, a year, or more on it and it transforms into an amazing blend. Strong on the nic for sure, but a smooth straight virginia with a flavor born from strength. As BriarPatch noted, I also find that it mixes well. One of my favs is about 1 part #4 to 2 or 3 parts FVF - a sweet earthy smoke with a nice strong undercurrent.

#4 is definitely worth your time.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-04-04		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

Sometimes you just need this stuff. Brown Rope No. 4, should be sliced into coins two or three for a small filtered pipe. Rub out the coins and let them dry 15 or so minutes and load your pipe very loosely a little goes a long way, this is very strong tobacco. I usually have at least three or four relights no matter how carefully I pack the pipe. The aroma is reminiscent of rotting apples and burnt toast. The strong, full flavored smoke gently fills your mouth with sweet rich, nicotine soaked, tobacco lusciousness. I can't recommend you try this enough it's just so satisfying, from slicing of the coins with your trusty pocket knife, to rubbing it out and letting it dry, to getting the heater going, it's a total tobacco experience that's a must.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-03-14		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Unnoticeable

I choose a most interesting tobacco for my first review.

Yes it resembles poo, yes it can be a headache to rip apart, and yes it's way moist, especially when new but ... this tobac kicks butt, at all levels. Has a very deep, earthy, noncloying sweetness. Delivers the vitamin N in spades, if you don't like nicotine, lots of it, you will not like this. As a reforming smoker of unfiltered Camels, I love it; there probably doesn't exist a pipe tobacco I'd find "overwhelming", hence "extremely strong". I am completely insensitive to room note, so "unnoticeable".

Biggest gripe is the moistness, rip some apart and air it out as long as you like before smoking. Alternatively, buy a can, open it, try it, feel so-so about it, then let it sit for like 6 months, getting nice and dry - I don't mean a Denver afternoon, I mean Egyptian parchment. It will still be sweet, it will still be strong, and will be no hassle to bust up and smoke.

This stuff will put hair on your wife's chest. That's a big plus for me, but perhaps not for everyone. If Old Gowrie is a beautiful young child, Brown Rope #4 is a grizzled old man.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-02-18		Very Strong	None Detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Strong

Well...this stuff smelled great in the bag, packed well after taking it completely apart, didn't want to play around with coins. I let it dry for about 45 minutes and then bagged it until after eating dinner. Adjounring to my car, with the heat on...lol...I started to climb the rope.

The tobacco lit well and produced a good volume of smoke. The aroma from the bowl reminded me of caramelized onions...something I have smelled before in their bracken flake. There was no sweetness to this bowl whatsoever. Though it was a very strong tasting tobacco, it was not harsh. It reminded me somewhat of Peterson's Irish Flake but without the soapiness. The nicotine content was considerable and I didn't quite finish the bowl...had a slight tickle in the back of my throat and felt some very mild, transient nausea...cleared up in 5 minutes though.

Over all the smoking qualities were good but the flavor was singular and even more disappointingly, it just wasn't to my liking. I think I'll fall back to a more flavorful, and milder smoke that I really enjoy...this was too close to overwhelming for me.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-06-07		Very Strong	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

This is my favorite rope,taste is all natural with a very nice subdued sweetness,I like to cut thin coins and rub out fully to obtain long strands,then use the Frank method to pack.When at the proper moisture level this is a one match smoke that never bites and smokes cool,the last part of the bowl is the best,smooth creamy sweet and dry.Comments on the room note are always "Wow, that smells potent" Nicotine content is high but not overwhelming.One thing I find unusual is the ash is always jet black,looks like charcoal when your done.Go slow if your worried about the nico-buzz.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-05-27		Strong	Mild	Full	Pleasant

This is one of my all day tobaccoes. The rope has the appearance of cigar leaf wrapped upon itself, and is of high quality.

I find that the taste of this tobacco depends a deal on the shape of the bowl from which it is smoked. I find that an apple shaped bowl offers a much sweeter flavour than say a dublin which will offer a more spicey flavour.

The smoke is creamy and thick. No tongue bite whatever, and a great tobaccoe for the ex-cigarette smoker.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-12-17		Overwhelming	Very Mild	Overwhelming	Overwhelming

Inquisitor and Lois Kelly have said it all. I wish I had deferred to their evaluations instead of the others on these pages.

To be fair, if you can tolerate the strength of this tobacco, you may find a winner. But I suspect you will be in the minority.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	sasha (228)	2005-07-07		Overwhelming	Extremely Mild	Full	Strong

Brutal, or even stronger than that. If you want to challenge your senses to an arm-wrestling contest, that's what you should choose. It's very tricky to prepare and very difficult to keep it going, be careful to smoke it in a small pipe and smoke it with a good amount of food in your belly, unless you want to collapse within the first third of the bowl.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-06-11		Very Strong	Mild	Full	Very Strong

Nicotine? Well it's strong, but smoke it appropriatly in moderation in the right pipe. I also like to drink very strong coffee in a small cup as opposed to very weak coffee in a big cup. This tobacco burns slowly and can be difficult to light - but once started ,it's very nice! It tastes earthy and has a natural fragrence that reminds me of the stables near a horsetrack. In fact, the only time I have ever smoked this wonderful tobacco in the house has been when my wife has gone out of town for a day or two...but it's such a good smoke...I have thought about encouraging my wife to take more trips - and more often! I merely jest...but it's a good smoke. A pretty girl is wonderful, but a well-manicured tobacco like this - is indeed a pleasant smoke! If only I could convince my wife to take up the habit ie. I have a utopian vision of us sitting together by a fire sharing a nice bowl of Brown No.4...but alas I awake myself and realise I was only dreaming! If this tobacco was a beverage , it would be a fine 20 year old malt whiskey. It is meant to be smoked slowly and it is meant to be savoured; otherwise you will miss its purpose in life. It's not something I smoke frequently...but when I do - I enjoy it!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-10-31		Medium to Strong	Mild	Full	Very Strong

While 1792 is my Holy Grail of tobaccos, Brown Rope #4 is an old standby. I love the straightforward earthy flavors. Brown #4 is a no-nonsense tobacco; beginners...beware. However, if you love a strong earthy cigar and a fine scotch whiskey, give this rope a try.

UPDATE: October 2004. After a couple more years smoking this wonderful tobacco, it seems to have reached beyond the "One of my favorites..." category; it's one of the best tobaccos out there. Now, be careful comparing Brown Rope #4's aroma to other tobaccos with a more standard "pipe-like" aroma. Keep an open mind; this rope's aroma doesn't fool around with any artificial flavorings or fruit extracts, etc. but just give's one an honest to goodness strong natural smoke. It provides another aspect to consider when defining the wonderful art of pipe smoking.

Samuel Gawith has done a wonderful job with this tobacco.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-10-16		Very Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

Overpowering? Perhaps for some. Flavorless? Not true at all, unless the potency of this excellent tobacco has rendered the faculties of some of the above reviewers inoperative.

There is a refreshingly woody taste to this tobacco that intrigues me and keeps me coming back for more. It reminds me of the smell of freshly stripped Cedar bark in its incense-like qualities. I've found that some of the best tobacco is subtle in flavor, and SG Brown Rope #4 is a great example of this. While it may not be as obvious or multifaceted as some more accessible blends, there is an immense depth to this tobacco, with many layers of smokiness, spiciness and woodiness present or absent at any given time. I attribute this to the interplay between the wrapper and the varieties of Virginia leaf present in the rope.

I've never been one to agree with the critics of "empire" leaf, I find that they have a unique, if subdued, character that makes them just as rewarding to the smoker as their esteemed American cousins. This 'Finest Kendal Twist' is a most enjoyable composition of these dark-fired Virginas; one that will amply reward those with the patience and constitution to sit back and examine this noble weed's less obvious treasures, which are indeed many.

Rating: 8.5/10

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BostonPipe (84)	2004-08-19		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I like to think of this rope as an after dinner affair. Yes, it is strong in the nicotine department, hence, slooow puffing is recommended,(IMHO). I find it easy to keep going after a false-light and a tamp. It does have a cigar-like note, although not in the way a Macunudo might, more, like a Te-Amo, (a little rough around the edges that is).

I cut this rope into thin slices then rub several out to assist in the lighting. As an ending note, this is not a tobacco I would puff on an empty stomach.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Danno (106)	2004-08-07		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

I stray into ropes when my patate has tired of "ordinary" flakes or mixtures. Brown Rope #4 is a wakeup call for the tastebuds and the respiratory system. I find it a touch more agressive than the darker ropes, but entirely enjoyable if given proper care. However, unlike the black ropes, this one has no sweetish room note, rather it tends to cause a mass exodus, not entirely a bad thing as I enjoy solitude at times. If nothing alse, it is neat to experience yesteryear with a pipe tobacco. As Sarge says, "smoke it slow".

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pounder 5000 (178)	2003-08-16		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Very Strong

This tobacco was quite a surprise. Not at all the horrible experience that I was led to believe it was going to be. The tobacco is very strong in the nicotine department; in fact, it is stronger than Royal Yacht, the tobacco I use for a set point when measuring strength. It has no bite however, and has a very enjoyable taste. The burning characteristics weren't the greatest and it needed quite a few relights. I have to say though that I enjoyed it very much. This may be a virginia, but the flavor is unique to itself. If I didn't know better I would have thought that a floral casing had been used, but I believe that this is just the tobacco itself. Very rich and hearty, this is the perfect compromise when you can't decide between a fine, dark, maduro cigar or a pipe full of pleasure!

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2002-11-24		Overwhelming	Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Tolerable to Strong

Remember the old movies where the prisoner was allowed a last cigarette before the firing squad shot him? I would ask for a cigarette made of this stuff, so I would be unconscious when the bullets hit. Of course, if they missed me, I'd be gagging unpleasantly during re-load.

This is brutally strong, nastily-scented stuff. A few of the stoutest pipesters might like this, but the strength is so overpowering that the tobacco flavor is undetectable. Smoke in the tiniest bowl you own if you must try it - and remember, I warned you.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (562)	2022-12-19		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Tin note of smoky barbeque, mildly sour, and mild tart fruit. The sticky, three shades of brown, 25/32-inch (20 mm) fat rope needs slicing into thin coins (with a razor or thin sharp knife) and rubbed out to get the fastest drying time. Burn is slow and requires numerous relights. The strength is medium to strong and nic is medium to strong. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium to full and mostly consistent, with complex notes of smoky wood, very earthy, lemon grass, slightly bitter cigar, floral, moderately spicy, a sweet roasted nut background note, and very peppery retro. It's like Dark fired Virginia is wrapped around more Dark fired Virginia and a small amount of dark air cured Indian burley spun into a rope. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is outstanding.

Pipe Used: Wally Frank Limited White Bar Sandblast 128

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. - Brown Irish X.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Petitpipeurmalhonnete (11)	2022-12-09		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Strong

NOT REVIEWED YET Description from gawithhoggarth.co.uk: Finest Kendal Twist. Spun dark fired tobaccos in their natural form give No.4 a slow, full flavoured and full strength smoke.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rubs (2)	2021-04-30		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

You must know how to smoke this stuff. I don't say there is a right way to smoke it, but you have to find the technique that makes you enjoy this blend and not to burn out your mouth. For me, when I do it well and calm, is one of the most enjoyable smokes I've ever had. So natural tobacco taste, so deep and so cool.

Pipe Used: Briar

Age When Smoked: Fresh

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Majid (1)	2021-02-12		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable

My creamy sweet!! I realy like this blend because sweetness and bitterness are very balanced and this tobacco has a caramel and an oily taste that is very delicious. Its smell is very strong and nicotine is heavy. At the beginning of smoke a sweet and caramel taste is felt and then kentucky effect becomes stronger and the bitter taste becomes more. I suggest you smoke this tobacco very relaxed and slow so that you understand its taste correctly. Dont forget to drink a sweet coffe while smoking!! Overall brown no4 is very good and its one of the best tobacco that i've ever smoked.

Pipe Used: Stanwell

Age When Smoked: One year

Similar Blends: Irish flake.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Olaf the Traveller (7)	2020-09-16		Medium to Strong	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Looks like chopped piece of cigar, light smell of iodine and cocoa from pouch, very easy lawyers separation. Taste - kendall sauce w little sweetness, fried mushrooms, well coocked white bread, burning autumn leaves. But taste was very weak, m.b. 5 years - too much. Interesting tobacoo, but I wouldn`t use this one for everyday smoking.

Pipe Used: Butz-Choquin EWA bent billiard

Age When Smoked: 5 years

Purchased From: Pipeshop, SPB, Russia

Similar Blends: Peterson Irish Flake.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-06-07		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Adventures in pipe-smoking 101! As of this writing, I've only been smoking a pipe for 2 months. I skipped right over the aromatics (Had tried them 30 years ago as a teen, and they put me off pipe-smoking for decades!) and started out with a few English blends. My next order was of some "strong" tobaccos- including Irish Flake; 1792, and of course, Brown Rope #4. First impressions: The tin note was quite pleasant and interesting- it didn't smell like figs or chocolate, etc.- it smelled like what tobacco should smell like: Tobacco! I chopped some up with a knife and packed it lightly in my Calibresi- it was a bear to light. Those first few puffs were memorable- Whoa! I felt as if I had swallowed tobacco juice! I started hiccuping- and really didn't detect anything too pleasant. I had to put a flame to the pipe with just about every puff I took. I was thinking of just putting the pipe down and trying again later....but I couldn't! I said to myelf "I'll take a few more puffs and then quit". But after every "last puff", I felt compelled to have more! The hiccuping stopped, and after just a few puffs, the tobacco seemed to settle down and mellow out quite nicely. I smoked the whole load (which, IIRC, was about 3/4's of a bowl)....and I still wanted more! The next night, I tried another bowl. Still hiccuping at first...but didn't experience the tobacco juice thing. It didn't seem to have much flavor- but again, I was compelled to keep smoking it. By my third or fourth time smoking this, I was used to it. No hiccups...and I was starting to experience some of it's subtleties and flavor. Brown Rope is still growing on me- having only smoked half a tin, so far. All I can say, is that everyone should give this 'baccy a try- and don't judge it by your first few puffs, or first bowl-full. As other reviewers have stated, persistence pays off with this one, wioth handsome rewards- one just must give it a chance and get acclimated to it. The smoke is rich and full; The taste seems to vary with each bowl-full- but I do get some "cigar taste" (which I like). It did not seem complex or flavorful at first, but the more I smoke it, the more I get from it- you truly must acclimate your palate to it. A very interesting smoke which pays dividends to those who are willing to put a little time and effort into it. I'm now to the point where I can keep most other 'baccies lit for at least half a bowl...but this one still requires a lot of relights- but that's O-K, because when I smoke this, it's not just "something to smoke", but an activity unto itself. As for nicotine content: It definitely has a lot- but quite frankly, I find Irish Flake to have more. Not an everyday smoke, but for when you want something special. I'll definitely be keeping some of this on-hand, always. Can't wait for a cold winter's day...as this will be just the ticket! It just gets better as you go along. After these "strong" tobaccos, I am no longer satisfied with my English blends. This is the real deal! Try it!

UPDATE: Unfortunately, after you get used to this tobacco (which happens very quickly) it kinda loses it's appeal and becomes a little boring. I wish every time I smoked it, it could be like the first few bowls.....but now....now that my tin has aged and I have grown used to #4, it is just a rather flat, bland tobacco :(

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-02-10		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I'm using a cigar cutter to slice them thick and cut them in the middle , that's the way i think brings the best out of the rope. Lakeland aftertaste. Sure not for beginners .

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-03-31		Very Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Very Strong

They say rope tobacco is the strongest of them all. And after this one, I believe it. Very heafty, full bodied, harsh, and smoky. Only a little will do. Good to try at least once.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-05-23		Strong	Extremely Mild	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Love it or hate it, I do not believe in the middle of the road on this tobacco. My frist small group 2 bowl from my 1lb. bag, strong, WOW what have I got myself into. Second bowl group 5 and I find that for me this tobacco has many different taste going on as the bowl size grows larger. Sweet, salty, cigarish, earthy. I love this tobacco. Get a tin and try it, smoke a few, 3, 4 bowls.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-11-18		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Overwhelming

This is something not everyone will like, however, the way I find it - it is smooth and rich; but one must be patient - as time consuming as it is to prepare this tobacco - you mustn't lose your patience until you finish the bowl because although this one doesn't need to be re-lit constantly, it seems the flavour will change quite a bit if you don't tamp out and start over every few puffs. It burns to a very fine ash. The room note is like a breakfast of bacon. I taste a very rich citrus flavour as I smoke it. I recommend this for experienced smokers.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2008-08-12		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I was gifted a tin of this with a pipe I bought. After everything I had read about Brown Rope Number 4, I was prepared to be knocked for a loop by the nicotene. I don't know if it is because I have dipped Copenhagen fine cut moist snuff for years or if I have a naturally high tolerance to nicotene, but the nicotene whallop didn't happen. In fact, I've never gotten it from a pipe tobacco at all.

I prepared Brown rope Number 4 by using a razor blade to slice off thin "coins" from the rope, then rubbed them out and let them sit on a paper plate under a ceiling fan for about thirty minutes to dry. I noticed a peppery mouth feel upon lighting, which may have been the tobacco or may have been the nicotene. Either way, it was not unpleasant. The taste was a full pure tobacco taste, and it did remind me somewhat of smoking a cigar. I smoked most of the tin, but still have a couple of pipefulls of tobacco left. It was a good tobacco, and I would recommend it for someone seeking a strong tobacco with pure taste. However, I won't purchase it again (or any rope tobacco for that matter). There is just too much preparation involved in smoking a bowl for me, I would rather choose another good tobacco that I can just load and light my pipe.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-12-13		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

good for blending a weaker tobacco and thats about it for me!

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-05-02		Extremely Strong	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Take note...a friend of mine who has smoked illegal types of substances for years tried this one evening while we were out at a local hang out and said he was swearing off that stuff because of the way this bacca made him feel! LOL!

There is only one way to describe this...even with a very full stomach, it will knock your d#%K right in the dirt. The first time I tried it was in a smallish pipe because I had at that time recently tried the 1792 and was expecting to be toasted. Boy was I right. To me it has a great sweet taste of the Virginias that SG uses in all the blends I have tried by them and everyone that has been around me says it smells good. It leaves only a fine ash in the bottom of the bowl and burns very dry. However, I can not express to you enough how STRONG this is. And this is coming to you from someone that likes XX Black Rope!

I obtained this in an already sliced configuration so I don't know how it is fresh sliced off the rope. However, I have tried Irish flake and can say that this is much stronger for sure. One night after a long hard day I smoked two bowls in a row...as I fell softly asleep I had to wonder what I was thinking...I was surprised I woke up the next day...

So, if you are wanting something STRONG this is for you, but do be wise and go with a small pipe...

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-02-05		Strong	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

The "nose note" on this tobacco is about as mild as it gets. If you're looking for an all natural tobacco kindof smoke then this is it. The nicotine is strong but not enough to turn you green. I do recommend cutting off very fine slices from the rope and teasing them out to smoke. This will ensure that you don't have to do too much re-lighting. Enjoy! RF

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2007-01-17		Overwhelming	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

I purchased a few inches of "The Devil's Umbilical Cord" almost ten years ago. Back then, it had a slight incense-like scent of floral casing, and smoking it brought it out even more. Not unpleasant, but it wasn't what I was looking for.

My first attempts at smoking it resulted in an unpleasantly strong nicotine rush. I was only able to get through about a quarter bowl in my smallest Dunhill before the room began to sway. A friend who was brave enough to tackle it turned positively green and has sworn never to touch it again.

The rope sat untouched for years until I finally worked up my courage and decided to see if age had tamed it. I filled my pipe with partially rubbed out slices. I found that the first few puffs brought to mind a strong cigar such as the Opus X. My mouth was soon tingling with a peppery flavor, and so far I'm liking it. About a quarter of the way down, the nicotine starts to kick in. The tobacco burns well, resulting in a fine gray ash. The flavor is dark, spicy, and the incense smell and taste is noticeably and thankfully absent. Tongue bite is also nonexistent. Smoke is copious and resembles a full bodied cigar more than any pipe tobacco. I'm a fast puffer and I had to make a conscious effort to pace myself.

I made it halfway through the pipe before I ran out of time. I think I could have finished the bowl without ill effects if I smoked it slowly enough.

I believe it would be no problem for a tobacco chewer or cigarette smoker, but for an occasional smoker like me, it is strong medicine. It's a tobacco that I'd love to explore more, but its strength is a detriment and gets in the way of enjoying it.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-09-08		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I expected this to be stronger than the black rope form SG. I surmised that the extra cooking the black rope went through would drive off more nicotine and harshness, too.

Nope, Brown Rope #4 is milder to my taste, though it is not mild at all. Still, it is tolerable if you like nicotine in large doses. The good tobacco flavor makes this worth a go.

I get the taste of Lapsang Souchong tea smoking this, probably from fire-cured leaf. Whatever the curing method, it is smokey, full of flavor, and no where as harsh on the mouth and throat as the black rope I previously reviewed once medical assitance was provided.

I let the moisture reduce almost entirely, but still leaving pliable strands after cutting off chunks with a cigar cutter. Crumbled and loaded into a Missouri Meerschaum.

Two stars because I can realistically give others only a mild nudge to try it. If Dunhill tobaccos give you a buzz or make you whoosey, pass on rope tobaccos altogether. Interesting, but unworthy of poetry or limmericks.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2006-05-11		Medium	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

Ok. let me try to be orderly about this.. . . . . First, Strength. Full Virginia Flake gives me a much bigger bang of nicotine. So does Dunhill 965, at least recently. To my grey matter, this is equal in strength to Balkan Sobranie, maybe a little less.

Flavoring, this is the unscented, the U/S.

Room Note. Not too sure. I don't smell it while I smoke it and it doesn't stain the room. My wife says it's not so good.

Taste is cigar-like. It does not taste like a cigar, but has the body and range of flavor of a good cigar. Not a great cigar, but a good one. And that is, in a pipe, a very Full flavor.

I recommend this because it is a good smoke. And, to speak well of the dead again, Brown rope reminds me of Balkan Sobranie. Doesn't taste a bit like it, but the two do share a campfire storytelling sort of soul. Tastes like smoke and a head full of night sky. Gotta go feed the kids, now. Smoke it if you got it.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2005-10-18		Very Strong	Very Mild	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Brown Rope is a very unique smoke. I'm not discounting the wonderful reviews good and bad, but this of course is a very subjective endeavor and very personal indeed.

I don't find the strength objectionable since I smoke it in a small pipe when I want a very strong smoke. Perhaps with a great Port wine or after a big meal. A little goes a long way. I smoke it slowly with small puffs and find it to be a bit more complex than the majority have indicated. It's not something that I would ever load into a big pipe though nor do I ever smoke the real strong stuff that way for both taste bud preservation and the nicotine.

The only way I smoke it is by slicing the rope into thin coins and then gently rubbing them out coarsely, which is quite easy. I pack it gently with a firm final tamp. My experience is that it requires some relighting even with light rhythmic puffing. Nonetheless, it never lets me down. I always know exactly when to reach for it; and more importantly, when not to reach for it.

Cheers, VC

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2004-08-08		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Strong

I love this tobacco! This is a tobacco that I smoke by itself infrequently. when I need a good shot of something strong after a long day and/or big meal this is extremely satisfying. It is rather strong however, and may be an acquired taste for some.

I mostly smoke this layered in with other blends. I just smoked this with Cornell and Diehl "Winchester" and it hit the spot. It can overwhelm the blend rather than enhance it so I use it sparingly when blending. I've also blended this with some aromatics to kick them up and I haven't been disappointed! It's taste isn't as interesting as 1792 Flake (which is great too!) but I actually prefer it as a blend enhancer.

I find the Gawith tobaccos to be more difficult to smoke than C&D and other more traditional blends, but it is very much worth it. I have matured as a smoker a great deal by trying these blends. If you are looking for something strong and a bit different than the norm, give these a try. Be warned though; it is a rich smoke in nearly every sense of the word.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2003-12-28		Extremely Strong	None Detected	Extra Full	Strong

Very strong, but complex. For somebody with a mouth made of iron, this blend would reward repeated smoking. That person is not me. I think I'm going to cut and crumble up my rope, combine it 1:2 with McClelland #5100 Red Cake and let it age a few months. That should smoothen it out.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2002-04-12		Extremely Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Strong

As you might have guessed from the other reviews, this is strong tobacco. I first tried it in a group 5 dunhill chimney and got about half way down before I had to leave to get something to eat. That said, I've really come to like this rope. More often than not I'll mix it with a sweeter virginia ribbon cut, like Dunhill's Apertif, which produces a very nice smokeable blend. I cut it with a cigar cutter into about 1/4 inch slices, then break it up. The outer wrapper comes apart into leaves, but the middle breaks into wonderful little taste chunks. If it is mixed you know when you've hit one while smoking a bowl. If smoked straight it does give me the back of the throat "tickle" from the nicotine; the aromatic version of this rope is a bit smoother (see that review). Taste stays pretty much the same throughout the bowl. Very little moisture. Does not DGT well at all. Very convenient to carry - cut off an inch or so and you're good to go. All said, I like it, but rarely smoke it straight. 7 of 10. - Kelly

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