1792 Flake

1792 Flake is one of the best-known Samuel Gawith blends produced in Kendal. It is obtained by pressing steam-processed (stoved) Virginia leaf together with fire-cured Kentucky into flake form; a casing evoking tonka bean and whiskey is applied on top. The tin yields dark-colored, often high-moisture, partly broken flakes; airing is needed before smoking.

On the smoke, tonka's floral, spicy scent comes forward, with an intense tobacco taste carrying a smoky, woody, near-caramel sweetness beneath it. Nicotine is, according to records, very high and tends to bite the tongue as pace increases; hence it is used in small-chambered pipes with a slow smoke. Suited to experienced smokers familiar with strong, intense, and unusually flavored tobaccos; not a blend that would be a pipe newcomer's first choice.