Customer Reviews (17 Total)
Give any man too much rope...
January 16, 2019
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
The Black Irish X was one of my first rope twist tobacco I ever tried. I'd heard about and seen them plenty of times but never wanted to try them for several reasons. First, they had no descernable aroma, nothing friendly anyways. Next, they seemed l... Read More
ike more trouble than it was worth. Finally, their scarcity made me think if I liked it and couldn't get a hold of it...well, I've got enough tobaccos like that. But, once I tried it, none of that mattered. Over the years I've come to realize that what a tobacco smells like usually has nothing to do with how it tastes, that the ritual of preparation is a big part of the hobby and usually tobaccos that require it are worth the extra effort, and if you want something bad enough you will find a way to make sure you have it on hand. I keep a nice chunk of Black Irish X in a jar for when I'm in the mood. I use a cigar cutter to cut it into coins that I rub out and dry before smoking. I've tried to smoke it in coin, but it requires too many re-lights. Also, I seem to taste the deep rich flavors better when I let it get a tad dry before loading. It smokes best (for me anyways) in a wide shallow bowl. It is strong. The rumors are true, you will want to have a full stomach before partaking. I've turned green from smoking this too much under the wrong conditions. But, if you give it the time and respect it requires it can be a nice change-of-pace smoke for anyone wanting to try a heavy hitter from time to time. This is definitely not the Virginia you're used to and absolutely not for beginners. Hope this helps. Read Less
Acquired taste
March 15, 2018
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
It tastes of burnt rubber, charred meat, with a sprinkle of leather boot. The bag note is particular. I enjoy it.
Like burnt BBQ tips
March 15, 2018
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
Had to look up at first how to cut properly and rub out but after that I was good to go and it smoked perfectly fine and was very delicious
You may not be ready for this.
February 12, 2018
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
This is a frustrating tobacco— difficult to light and keep lit even when cut, rubbed out, and desiccated beyond all reason; the first light stings your nostrils like getting water up your nose at the public swimming pool; and then the flavor... whoa.... Read More
You know that smell when someone blows out their birthday candles? Burnt paraffin? Black Irish ☓ tastes like that smell. And yet, the experience as a whole is not completely unpleasant. I think to myself, this is how G H & Co. made this tobacco— on purpose— and it makes me want to "get it" all the more. I feel it may be like when I was a teenager trying single-malt for the first time. I had a lot of growing up to do before I could discern that slap in the face I was getting from my drink was actually delicious. I'm not sure I'll ever think Black Irish X is delicious, but I can say I find myself craving its peculiar, deliberate foulness from time to time. The 4oz. portion I ordered took me more than a year to finish, but then, I think my first bottle of single-malt did too. In short, a tobacco which demands you meet it halfway. Read Less
Backyard BBQ Chicken
November 28, 2017
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
I got this due to negligence on my part, after really enjoying Brown Irish X. This proved to be a happy accident, as I enjoy this one, though not in the same way. The taste of this tobacco is reminiscent of licking one's fingers after eating a piec... Read More
e of nicely-charred chicken straight off of the charcoal.
Preparation is fun, in a ritualistic sense. I love slicing coins off of the rope with my knife, breaking it up, and drying it...and you will need to dry it some to keep it lit. Read Less
Good One!
December 13, 2019
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
Eat well before trying this one the first time. It mixes well with the brown rope. Try preparing it in different ways. It will need some drying time but it is well worth it IMHO.
Boot leather goodness
December 29, 2018
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
I was going to give this a four stars only because you cannot smoke this on a regular basis this is like a fine scotch or whiskey only to be enjoyed every once in awhile. I would also recommend that you have a separate pipe for this as it will ghost ... Read More
anything you put it in even clay or meerschaum. The nicotine level is high and we'll put you on your arse if you do not be careful. The Taste is raw and very different then most tobacco's I cannot put my finger on it but it is very earthy and dark chocolate. The Room note is pungent I imagine it would not be very pleasant for people around. A little bit of drying time is required for a better smoke. Over all I like this as a change of pace and when I would like something strong this also goes great with a dark beer if you're trying to find something to pair and drink with it. Read Less
Mild of flavor and strength
November 18, 2017
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
Black twist was the first GH twist tobacco that I smoked, and I've had some in a jar for several months now. Smooth, mellowed dark fired and Indian air cured flavors that in my opinion are much less pronounced than the brown variety. There's an arom... Read More
a and flavor i can't describe adequately and others have done so well so I'll leave it to them. Though a worthy tobacco in and of itself I find myself reaching for the other GH dark fired tobaccos much more frequently. Black twist doesn't satisfy as much as I prefer for a regular smoke, but it is a tobacco that can be smoked all day. I like to blend black twist with Mac barens bold Kentucky 50/50 to liven the flavor and strength a little. The stoving changes the blend enough to separate it from its unstoved counterparts, and I would say if you like GH tobaccos but find them too strong then black twist might be for you, though it has a different flavor. Low moisture in the bowl for me, and above average number of relights especially further down the bowl. Rich and creamy smoke that should satisfy those with a predilection for medium strength natural tobaccos. Read Less
Not Happy Bogey but...
November 17, 2016
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
Perhaps I was a bit let down since I bought it to hold me over until Happy Bogey became available. Still, it very good. It's not as strong or as flavorful but it's still potent and (as stated) has a nice meaty flavor. I prefer the twist since I tr... Read More
avel a lot and this stays fresh much longer. I strongly recommend cutting at least a half a day before smoking. I put a cigar cutter on a table and trim off the twist for a nice, even ribbon. Read Less
Nothing But Barbecue
September 08, 2016
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
There's an unmistakeable flavor of barbecue here. Nothing like barbecue sauce, not exactly meat or char. I'm not in love with this tobacco, the Brown Bogie rope is much better, but I'm sure there will be times when it'll end up back in my pipe. Quali... Read More
ty tobacco, just not my thing. Read Less
A solid tobacco
August 27, 2015
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
The smell of this tobacco is very good straight from the bag. It is VERY moist - so I recommend drying what you want to smoke ahead of time, otherwise you face a challenge of lighting and a possibility of running too hot in the pipe.
All that said t... Read More
he smoke smells like the moist leaf - a great thing. I personally didn't get much flavor out of this while smoking, but I could taste it afterwards - which again tastes like the moist leaf.
I also cut off a piece for chewing and it is strong stuff - much like the smoke there is a kick to the leaf. Don't bite off more than you can chew.
If you are a history buff and into how our forefathers smoked prior to tins - this is it (less the zip-lock bag this comes in).
A solid three stars. Read Less
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
I received my order of Black Irish Twist yesterday. After work, I cut some coins and rubbed out a bowlful for my small SMS Meerschaum, taking into considertion what others have said about this tobacco. My wife found the room note somewhat objection... Read More
able, so I headed for the man cave. The nicotine hit is strong, but not what I would consider overpowering. I love the flavor...it is rich and earthy, with hints of leather. I didn't get the burnt steak or motor oil flavor. I will definitely order more of this, but it may be while...this is not something I would smoke everyday. Read Less
FLAVOR!!!!
August 14, 2014
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
After finishing off a bag of sliced black twist, I knew I had to try the unsliced. I did the same thing that I 've learned to do with other twists; slice off a bit and put it in the coffee grinder (call me lazy). This is the perfect smoke on those ... Read More
days when it seems like my taste buds are asleep. Great flavor, cool smoking, long lasting smoke. Excellent with strong coffee. Read Less
odd indeed
March 05, 2014
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
So first impression was what in gods name have I done. Not appealing to look at at all. Looks like a bag of poop to be honest. I cut it into thick coins again confounded by the bazaar texture ( that of a wet cigar). Once broken up and packed I was ag... Read More
ain dumbfounded by how hard it was to properly light. After the third match I began to feel I had wasted my money. But, then it sparked and I was in for a glorious hour and a half long blissful flowering of sweet earthy smoke with no bite that unlike the English's I normally smoke got milder as I went deeper. Could very easily replace any favorite I've ever had. Reccomended for anyone, new to the game, or seasoned vet. In my opinion you haven't smoked till you've tried this.
PS:(update) I get the niccups every time I smoke it. Read Less
Strong stuff
September 22, 2013
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
I like English blends and I wanted to branch out and try a twist tobacco, so I got an ounce of this Black Irish X. I cut a few slices off the rope, rubbed it out, and let it dry for about an hour before smoking it in a corn cob. I didn't have too m... Read More
uch trouble lighting it or keeping it lit. It has a strong nicotine kick as other reviews have said. It sort of reminded me of Copenhagen chewing tobacco as far as flavor. I probably wouldn't buy more, but it was interesting to try. Maybe mixed in with other milder blends it might be good. Read Less
Black Irish X [Twist]
July 24, 2013
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
Black Irish X [Twist];
Star Rating = 4.75;
Rating Scores - 10 is the Best and 0 is the Worst;
Pouch Note = 10;
Room Note = 9;
Flavor = 10;
Bite = 9;
Burn = 10;
After Taste = 9;
Raw Score = 57;
Rated Percentage = 95%;
Comment = Smooth, Stro... Read More
ng Strength, Full Body Natural Tobacco Flavor, lots of BTU’s need to Ignite, White Ash Burn.
If you are one who likes to “play” with your tobacco, by all means get this “Twist” form of tobacco, you can spend countless hours “Slicing, Dicing and Drying” this “Twist” tobacco before it is ready to smoke. I admit I am a lazy pipe smoker so I didn’t find this necessary extra preparation exercise to be of any value to heighten my pipe smoking enjoyment. You had better have a sizable ignition source on hand because you are going to need a lot of BTU’s to get this “Twist” tobacco to light. Once you achieve the first ignition you will need to have your best “Tamping Tool” at the ready to handle the endless re-packings and re-lights that this “Twist” form of tobacco requires. Perhaps you have detected that the “Twist” form of tobacco is not my “cup of tea”. Read Less
An odd one
April 29, 2013
Product: Gawith Hoggarth & Co. Black Irish X Bulk
The taste of the tobacco is rather unique. While it sounds disgusting, there's something about it that honestly smells and tastes like an over-cooked steak. Smokes well, though, and has a good nicotine kick. I prefer the brown, as its scent isn't nea... Read More
rly as pronounced, but this one's a good one nonetheless. Of course, as a rope there is the usual hassle of preparing it, but it's fun to play with prepping variations. Read Less