Brown Irish X

Brown Irish X is a traditional Lakeland tobacco produced by hand-twisting fire-cured Virginia leaves into rope form. Unlike the black ropes, it does not go through a long cooking stage under pressure, and is left as it comes off the twisting machine. Because of this, the leaf's raw strength and natural oils are largely preserved; the product is sold unsliced in rope form, and the smoker cuts and rubs out coin-shaped pieces themselves.

In the smoke, the smoky, woody, leather-like taste of the fire-cured leaf dominates, accompanied by tones reminiscent of caramelised sugar and dark chocolate, with a peppery sharpness. The nicotine load is very high, making this one of the strongest ends of the Gawith, Hoggarth catalogue. It suits small-bowled pipes, a full stomach, and slow smoking; it is a record for experienced smokers accustomed to rope tobaccos.