Gawith Hoggarth & Co.’s Kendal Dark Classic Cut is a fine shag cut blend of Malawi Dark-Fired and Indian air-cured Virginias. Kendal Dark is also available in several other formats including a ribbon cut (dubbed Vintage Cut), a flake, and a plug.

Upon lighting up, you will soon discover that the blend is rich, bold, and dark. It offers strong black pepper spice on the palate and in the retrohale. The flavors are smoky, spicy, and earthy, with pronounced notes of espresso and what can best be described as the crusty char of roast beef. The finish is powerful, spicy, tangy, and meaty.

It is a potent blend and is both full-bodied and full-strength. To my mind, it is the pipe tobacco equivalent of a La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Maduro cigar. The shag cut burns quickly, so you need to control your cadence as you smoke, lest you overheat the bowl.

This is definitely not blowing smoke if (like me) you enjoy strong full-flavored tobacco and cigars. Not for the beginner, nor the faint of heart!