Cigar: La Paz 'Wilde Cigarros' (4.5/10)

La Paz is a well-known Dutch brand of cigar and cigarillo manufacturers, and this is not surprising. They make an adequate cigar that is really quite inexpensive. The Wilde Cigarros are a panatela size roughly 12cm long and 30 gauge. They are 100% tobacco, made of a Javan Besuki wrapper and a blend of Havana and Brazilian filler. It was difficult to determine whether the filler was long (full nice leaves) or hybrid (mix of leaves and cheap little bits), but they did have some small stems running through and this affected the smoothness of the burning. 

The cigars smoked rather quickly- only about 10-15 minutes. The smoke itself was quite light and slightly sweet- one website noted the wrapper was aromatic. They were not considerably tarry and the ash held up well before falling off (likely due to the stems). Unfortunately they became incredibly hot towards the end because of the lack of tar. Overall, the La Paz cigars were neither pleasantly nor unpleasantly smokable and without being in any way memorable.

In the UK, they will cost about £7 for a pack of five, but in the EU, about €4 for the same package. Even so, £7 for five cigars of this size and quality is an excellent price.

• Smoking time: 10-15 minutes
• Flavour: 4/10
• Smoke Sweetness: 4/10
• Tar (1=very wet, 10=very dry): 7/10
• Value for Money: 8/10
• Indulgence Factor: 2/10
• Overall Rating: 4.5/10

Pipe Tobacco: Louisiana Flake (6/10)

There is absolutely nothing wrong in any way with the Kendal Louisiana Flake by Gawith and Hoggarth... but... I cannot say it is a favourite. The Louisiana is air cured and made of a blend of Virginia and perique tobaccos. I am not considerably knowledgeable about different tobacco types, but I do know that periques tend to be quite strong and spicy.

Strong and spicy is exactly what the Louisiana Flake is... indeed the name is quite apt and the tobacco is comparable to a jambalaya in flavour, or gumbo (though thankfully there is no taste of old boot). It is slightly sweet, and I would say has a distinct savoury spiced nuttiness. The Gawith and Hoggarth website claims the Louisiana Flake has a chocolaty flavour, though I didn't experience that myself with this tobacco. The smoke is quite thick and strong and although seasoned pipe-smokers might love it, I suggest trying lighter tobaccos first if you are new to smoking a pipe. If you want to try something strong in flavour and nicotine-buzz, definitely give the Louisiana Flake a try.

• Flavour: 9/10
• Smoke Sweetness: 3/10
• Tar (1=wet, 10=dry): 6/10
• Value for Money: 6/10
• Indulgence Factor: 5/10
• Overall Rating: 6/10

Pipe Tobacco: Sliced Black Aromatic (1/10)

As smokers in an ever more non-smoking world, we must learn to accept those people who do not understand smoking. Those people who, even while open-minded enough to try different tobaccos, cannot taste the difference, all they taste is smoke. Well, the Sliced Black Aromatic by Gawith and Hoggarth is the tobacco for those who are utterly hopeless when it comes to tobacco connoisseurship, for it is so absolutely and horribly terrible no one else should have to bear to smoke it... ok, perhaps I am guilty of hyperbole, but it really is bad!

The tobacco lacks any flavour except smoke. That is all it tastes of, plain simple smoke. Thus for those of you who like your smoke to taste of something, don't buy this one, you'll be disappointed. Thankfully we were given only a small amount to try for free, so in these times of being constantly skint, I cannot complain too much... But seriously, give this one a miss.

• Flavour: 1/10
  
• Smoke Sweetness: 3/10
• Tar (1=wet, 10=dry): 5/10
• Value for Money: 1/10
• Indulgence Factor: 1/10
• Overall Rating: 1/10

GUEST REVIEW: Pipe Tobacco: American Black & Gold (7/10)

Xirius has been struck down with Glandular Fever and won't be smoking for a while, so I, Ragados, have been drafted in to do another guest review (any more of these and I'll be on the staff!). This time it's the American Black & Gold by Gawith and Hoggarth. Jim the tobacconist recommended this to me as I looked for something a little different and heavier than the light flavoured pipe tobaccos I tend to smoke. 

The first thing you will notice is the rich aroma of buttery molasses that the tobacco has been soaked in, producing a warm and slightly ginger flavour. The smoke keeps this rich flavour and has a tarry taste that can take a little getting used to, although it is far from unpleasant. There is unfortunately a dryness of the mouth than many not-so-sweet tobaccos seem to cause. Black & Gold is a tobacco for those times you are looking for some weight in your smoke; this is not going to be to everyone's taste but is perfect as an indulgence after a heavy meal, ideally with a snifter of brandy or possibly some tawny port.

• Flavour: 6/10
  
• Smoke Sweetness: 7/10
  
• Tar (1=wet, 10=dry): 5/10
  
• Value for Money: 7/10
  
• Indulgence Factor: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 7/10

GUEST REVIEW: Rollie Tobacco: Strawberry (6/10)

Apparently I have inspired one of our followers to write a guest review, so thanks very much Ragados!

The Gawith and Hoggarth 'Auld Kendal' Strawberry rollie tobacco may sound like just another sweet and fruity flavoured loose tobacco, however, this one is special. Unsmoked, the tobacco has a definite Strawberry scent, though when smoked, the flavour becomes a smooth, almost chocolaty affair. Everyone knows how well chocolate and strawberries combine.

The Strawberry tobacco produces a light, mild smoke, so if you smoke for the nicotine buzz then this is probably not the tobacco for you. I would recommend this if you are smoking around other people who might not like the dry cloying smoke of Drum or Golden Virginia or a more conventional pre-manufactured cigarette. In addition, the Strawberry keeps well for a long time before drying out which is certainly useful for me who only goes through about 12.5 grams per week or less. Give it a try, it is a pleasant, light, smooth smoke.

• Flavour: 4/10
• Sweetness: 6/10
• Tar (1=wet, 10=dry): 3/10
• Value for Money: 7/10
• Indulgence Factor: 5/10
• Overall Rating: 6/10

Pipe Tobacco: Ultimum (8/10)

Terribly sorry for not posting in a while, I have been ill, and TheGreatPhDExperiment has been busy... but here we go:

According to our sources (Jim, the tobacconist), the Ultimum pipe tobacco by Gawith and Hoggarth is relatively new, and supposedly in response to the success of the popular Peter Stockebye tobacco entitled Optimum.

I have to say I really quite enjoyed this tobacco. I was slightly skeptical on seeing it (I'm not one for trendy names labelling tobaccos), but upon smelling it in the jar in the tobacconist, I was quite taken by the aroma and decided to buy some. I have to say I was also quite pleased with the way it smokes. There is a distinct butterscotch flavour to the Ultimum, and it is very lightly sweetened without causing the dryness of the mouth than many not-so-sweet tobaccos seem to cause. The Ultimum is quite tarry, but with a good pint it is not a problem. I would suspect that this tobacco would be an excellent accompaniment to a whiskey old fashioned or a Manhattan for those who are so inclined, and will be trying this theory out myself in short time.

• Flavour: 8/10
• Smoke Sweetness: 6/10
• Tar (1=wet, 10=dry): 3/10
• Value for Money: 7/10
• Indulgence Factor: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

Rollie Tobacco: Vanilla (5/10)

I haven't a lot to say about the Gawith and Hoggarth 'Auld Kendal' Vanilla rollie tobacco. It is exactly what the name suggests- tastes of vanilla. In fact, there is quite an intense vanilla aroma, both in the unsmoked tobacco, and in the smoke itself... strong, but I wouldn't say overpowering. It will be all down to your taste, but I would not recommend this tobacco if you are not a vanilla fan. I would recommend it if you are smoking around other people who might not like the dry cloying smoke of Drum or Golden Virginia.

The Vanilla tobacco is only moderately tarry, and not terribly strong. In addition, it keeps for a rather long time before drying out which is certainly useful for me who only goes through about 12.5 grams per week or less. Give it a try, it is neither spectacular nor bad in any way... just vanilla-ey.

• Flavour: 5/10
• Sweetness: 5/10
• Tar (1=wet, 10=dry): 4/10
• Value for Money: 6/10
• Indulgence Factor: 4/10
• Overall Rating: 5/10