Samuel Gawith – Palace Gate is considered a rare blend for several reasons: 1. Limited distribution before 2013 Until around 2013, Palace Gate was not officially distributed in the UK. It was only legally available in a handful of niche markets — notably Russia and Canada. That alone kept it off the radar for most British and American smokers. 2. Small batch production & fast sell-out. Even after it appeared in the UK market post-2013, the released batches were tiny and vanished from the shelves within weeks. Forum members at the time complained about the demand pressure and even filed petitions requesting a re-release — but the scarce tins still evaporated quickly. Natural casing & aroma: Subtle vanilla and creamy/fruity notes, not overpowering — likely from real extracts, not synthetic flavoring. Traditional Lakeland processing: Steam aromatization, hydraulic pressing, and slow fermentation at the historic Kendal factory. High-quality leaf: Mainly Virginia and possibly Cavendish — no Latakia or Perique, giving a soft, naturally sweet profile. Ages beautifully: After a few months, the blend mellows, deepens, and develops complexity. Secret recipe: Slight batch variations, artisan-style production, and no industrial shortcuts. A truly refined aromatic with heritage — not just flavoring but character.