Gold Label is another fine SP from Wilsons. It and Grand Cairo share the distinction of being truly unique among the Wilsons SP family (Some Wilsons SPs tend to be little more than subtle variations on a theme).
That said, GL starts with a different tobacco base than Wilsons other SPs (Virgina instead of Zimbabwe) to which is added a full but balanced helping of bergamot.
The grind is just a bit coarser than Tom while the Nicotine and moisture are standard for the line.
The flavor is deeper than Tom or best SP which both seem brighter (this is probably due to the different tobacco base used in GL). In fact, the depth is reminiscent of Best Dark or Lemon Grove. And here is the kicker............I spent countless time pondering what the faint but familiar scent was lingering just beneath the bergamot. It's sandalwood. In fact, GL tastes exactly like someone took 4 parts Tom Buck and mixed it with 1 part F&T Santo Domingo
Now let me add I'm not a big sandalwood guy...........I tend to avoid it.............but in GL it works- playing off the rich tobacco base and quietly beneath the SP citruses.
This is a very good SP and a nice change of pace that nonetheless remains faithful to the genre. Not a first buy IMO but definitely a second or third round pick.
One final note:
There seems to be two types of Gold Label out there or there seems to be some old stock that has not aged well. The first GL is what I described above. The second is dryer, lighter in color, dusty and resembles a faded Tom Buck.
From the discussions over at Snuffhouse it seems that the label on the regular (good) GL is the normal Wilsons Label. Thus right below the snuff name you will find "Est.1737.............Made in the UK"
The older dustier variant seems to only say "Est.1737" below the snuff name.
Thus my advice is to purchase GL either from Wilsons home page or from a snuff seller that moves his inventory (sells a lot and thus has fresh stock). Mr. Snuff, Nicotine Rush, The Snuff Store are a few that come to mind-- where as this might be one that I am a bit more hesitant to buy from Northerner or an on line pipe shop.
That said, GL starts with a different tobacco base than Wilsons other SPs (Virgina instead of Zimbabwe) to which is added a full but balanced helping of bergamot.
The grind is just a bit coarser than Tom while the Nicotine and moisture are standard for the line.
The flavor is deeper than Tom or best SP which both seem brighter (this is probably due to the different tobacco base used in GL). In fact, the depth is reminiscent of Best Dark or Lemon Grove. And here is the kicker............I spent countless time pondering what the faint but familiar scent was lingering just beneath the bergamot. It's sandalwood. In fact, GL tastes exactly like someone took 4 parts Tom Buck and mixed it with 1 part F&T Santo Domingo
Now let me add I'm not a big sandalwood guy...........I tend to avoid it.............but in GL it works- playing off the rich tobacco base and quietly beneath the SP citruses.
This is a very good SP and a nice change of pace that nonetheless remains faithful to the genre. Not a first buy IMO but definitely a second or third round pick.
One final note:
There seems to be two types of Gold Label out there or there seems to be some old stock that has not aged well. The first GL is what I described above. The second is dryer, lighter in color, dusty and resembles a faded Tom Buck.
From the discussions over at Snuffhouse it seems that the label on the regular (good) GL is the normal Wilsons Label. Thus right below the snuff name you will find "Est.1737.............Made in the UK"
The older dustier variant seems to only say "Est.1737" below the snuff name.
Thus my advice is to purchase GL either from Wilsons home page or from a snuff seller that moves his inventory (sells a lot and thus has fresh stock). Mr. Snuff, Nicotine Rush, The Snuff Store are a few that come to mind-- where as this might be one that I am a bit more hesitant to buy from Northerner or an on line pipe shop.
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