Staff at The Black Lion have occasionally reported a mysterious whiff of pipe or cigar smoke in the bar area, typically after closing time or in the early morning when the inn is empty and no smoking has occurred. This olfactory phenomenon is attributed to the 'Smoking Gentleman,' a presumed male spirit, perhaps a former patron or landlord who enjoyed a nightly puff by the fire. No visual apparition accompanies this scent, but its distinct and out-of-place nature has been noted by multiple people over the years. It's a subtle yet persistent reminder of the inn's long history of hospitality and the many characters who have passed through its doors.