First, thanks to Flaky for agreeing to an 'across the pond' tobacco swap. His delicious care package arrived with a wonderful variety of tobaccos that are impossible to find locally. The first two tobaccos which I tried from this group of samples were the aforementioned Warrior Plug & Revor Plug.
This was my first experience with plugs, and after some back and forth with Flaky on how to prep them I followed this process:
a) Place plug shiny side up on a cutting board/surface
b) Grip the plug firmly
c) With a sharp and sturdy knife slice across the grain to produce fine flakes or shavings (I opted for flakes about 1mm or so thick)
d) Rub out the tobacco completely
e) Allow the tobacco to dry for about 15 minutes
f) Pack the bowl firmly (as per rubbed out flake)
Here are my thoughts on both tobaccos.
Warrior Plug - Murray Sons & Co. Ltd.
This plug is dense, with a dark brown to black colour flecked sparsely with brown. The aroma of the plug is sweet and intense, with deep plum and prune notes and big caramelized sugar character. I don't know when this plug was originally opened, but it was still slightly elastic to the touch and sliced easily (I used a curved Japanese wood carving knife... freakishly sharp). Rubbing out and a 15 minute drying window before packing provided a consistent and long burning smoke. This tobacco is a much more mellow smoke (from a flavour and aroma perspective) than I anticipated based on the aroma. The fruit note is present for most of the bowl, but is muted, and the sweet caramelized sugar character takes over (almost a molasses-like sweetness). I smoked this plug in a clean meerschaum pipe.
Revor Plug - Gawith, Hoggarth & Co.
This plug is also dense, and has a shiny/glossy black appearance. While the Revor Plug appears to be slightly dryer than the Warrior Plug sample, it did slice easily, and I rubbed it out and allowed it to stand for the requisite 15 minutes. The aroma on the plug is also sweet, but more in the cocoa/carob spicy sweet camp than the fruitier (to my nose) Warrior Plug. There is also a perfume-like quality to this tobacco which I can't quite put my finger on, but this dissipates almost immediately on lighting. This plug also packed easily and produced a lingering, well burning, smoke. Once lit and burning well the smoke stays sweet and those deep sweets continue to come through but without being overpowering. The Kentucky in this blend does come through loud and clear. I smoked this plug in a brand new cob.
I have to say, that I was surprised with both of these tobaccos. Based on appearance and aroma I expected the flavours to be intense and bold. Both plugs afforded very even, mellow and approachable smokes. The intense aromas melded in both tobaccos to form a pleasing and uniform flavour profile. Bite was not an issue with either tobacco. I will say that both delivered a goodly nicotine boost, and should not be considered if nicotine sends your head spinning.
I'd love to hear from you folks who have more experience with these 'baccys... How'd I do with my review? Is this consistent with your experience?
I would highly recommend both tobaccos.
Cheers,
Pat
This was my first experience with plugs, and after some back and forth with Flaky on how to prep them I followed this process:
a) Place plug shiny side up on a cutting board/surface
b) Grip the plug firmly
c) With a sharp and sturdy knife slice across the grain to produce fine flakes or shavings (I opted for flakes about 1mm or so thick)
d) Rub out the tobacco completely
e) Allow the tobacco to dry for about 15 minutes
f) Pack the bowl firmly (as per rubbed out flake)
Here are my thoughts on both tobaccos.
Warrior Plug - Murray Sons & Co. Ltd.
This plug is dense, with a dark brown to black colour flecked sparsely with brown. The aroma of the plug is sweet and intense, with deep plum and prune notes and big caramelized sugar character. I don't know when this plug was originally opened, but it was still slightly elastic to the touch and sliced easily (I used a curved Japanese wood carving knife... freakishly sharp). Rubbing out and a 15 minute drying window before packing provided a consistent and long burning smoke. This tobacco is a much more mellow smoke (from a flavour and aroma perspective) than I anticipated based on the aroma. The fruit note is present for most of the bowl, but is muted, and the sweet caramelized sugar character takes over (almost a molasses-like sweetness). I smoked this plug in a clean meerschaum pipe.
Revor Plug - Gawith, Hoggarth & Co.
This plug is also dense, and has a shiny/glossy black appearance. While the Revor Plug appears to be slightly dryer than the Warrior Plug sample, it did slice easily, and I rubbed it out and allowed it to stand for the requisite 15 minutes. The aroma on the plug is also sweet, but more in the cocoa/carob spicy sweet camp than the fruitier (to my nose) Warrior Plug. There is also a perfume-like quality to this tobacco which I can't quite put my finger on, but this dissipates almost immediately on lighting. This plug also packed easily and produced a lingering, well burning, smoke. Once lit and burning well the smoke stays sweet and those deep sweets continue to come through but without being overpowering. The Kentucky in this blend does come through loud and clear. I smoked this plug in a brand new cob.
I have to say, that I was surprised with both of these tobaccos. Based on appearance and aroma I expected the flavours to be intense and bold. Both plugs afforded very even, mellow and approachable smokes. The intense aromas melded in both tobaccos to form a pleasing and uniform flavour profile. Bite was not an issue with either tobacco. I will say that both delivered a goodly nicotine boost, and should not be considered if nicotine sends your head spinning.
I'd love to hear from you folks who have more experience with these 'baccys... How'd I do with my review? Is this consistent with your experience?
I would highly recommend both tobaccos.
Cheers,
Pat
