Black Irish XXX

Black Irish XXX is the black-leaf branch of the traditional rope tobacco Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. has long produced in Kendal. Like all the firm's twist tobaccos, it is spun from dark-fired wrapper leaf; the black ropes are built primarily from dark-fired leaf with a smaller amount of air-cured dark Indian leaf added. The partial cooking of the leaf gives it a milder smoke than the family's brown-leaf ropes.

Even so, the blend is quite full-bodied overall and heavy in nicotine; since it is sold in rope form, the smoker must cut coin-thin slices and rub them out. This is a record for experienced smokers accustomed to dark, smoky tobaccos.