Review of GH Coniston Cut Plug – A Tale of Betrayal

[Whenry]

There’s a pain that comes with seeing somethin’ you loved—somethin’ you thought was timeless—get twisted into a shadow of itself. That pain hit me square in the gut with GH’s Coniston Cut Plug. What once was a masterpiece, a true gem among tobaccos, has been turned into somethin’ so far beneath its name it might as well be called somethin’ else entirely.

The Glory Days of Coniston Cut Plug:​

I remember the first time I laid eyes on it, felt its texture, and caught that aroma. It was like meetin’ an old-fashioned gentleman—refined, dignified, but carryin’ a touch of mystery. The scent was a perfect storm of old-school male cologne, rich and bold, drawin’ you in like the smell of leather and cedar in a fine shop. The texture? Rubbery but pleasant, like it was askin’ to be handled with care.

Then came the smoke itself—full-flavored and complex. On one hand, it had a rough edge: spicy, smoky, and earthy like a campfire on a cold night. On the other, it had a smoothness that felt like it was reachin’ for somethin’ higher. The floral notes danced with the smoky ones, and the room note—ah, the room note—took me straight to a church sermon, incense hangin’ heavy in the air, transportin’ you somewhere beyond yourself. It burned slow, lettin’ you savor every puff, every moment. It wasn’t just tobacco; it was an experience.

The Fall of a Giant:​

Fast forward to my second purchase. The first sign somethin’ was wrong? It didn’t even look the same. That rubbery texture I loved? Gone. The smell? Off. Close, maybe, but close ain’t good enough when you’re talkin’ about somethin’ this special. Spongy, they made it—soft in all the wrong ways, like it had been watered down in spirit and soul.

Then came the ultimate betrayal: the smoke. What used to be a symphony was now a dull hum. Flat, uninspired, like someone stripped all the beauty and left the bones. The room note? Forget it. Gone was that rich, incense-like aroma, replaced by somethin’ so mediocre I can barely even recall it.

A Rubbish Rebranding:​

I tried. Lord knows I tried to make peace with it, to find even a shadow of the old magic in this new imposter. But the more I smoked it, the more I realized this wasn’t Coniston Cut Plug—it was somethin’ else entirely, and it didn’t deserve the name. GH oughta be ashamed of themselves for takin’ somethin’ so beautiful, so unique, and turnin’ it into rubbish.

Final Thoughts:​

The old Coniston Cut Plug was my introduction to GH tobaccos, and I thought I’d found a companion for life. But they’ve destroyed it, and no amount of nostalgia or blind hope will bring it back. What’s left is a hollow imitation that does nothin’ but remind me of what’s been lost.

Call it somethin’ else, GH. You don’t deserve to call it Coniston Cut Plug anymore.

 

[jpberg]

How long was it between your first and second batches?

 

[coming to_falling too]

I've noticed some changes in blends as well. Brown Flake comes to mind, as well as Louisiana Perique Flake. Still decent smokes, but nowhere close to what they once were.

I get tobaccos change, sources change, crops change, shit happens. But it's sad knowing how great a favorite smoke once was.

 

[Whenry]

How long was it between your first and second batches?

A year. I can’t help but notice somethin’ started shiftin’—and not in a good way—round about August 2023. That’s when I first got the sense GH tobaccos weren’t what they used to be.

 

[Whenry]

I've noticed some changes in blends as well. Brown Flake comes to mind, as well as Louisiana Perique Flake. Still decent smokes, but nowhere close to what they once were.

I get tobaccos change, sources change, crops change, shit happens. But it's sad knowing how great a favorite smoke once was.

First it was Coniston Cut Plug—I could tell right off somethin’ wasn’t right. Then came Bosun Cut Plug and Dark Flake Aromatic, followin’ suit like a bad omen. I’ll admit, when I first noticed things startin’ to change with GH tobaccos back in August 2023, I held on to hope—figured maybe it was just a few blends caught in the storm, not the whole damn fleet. So I kept buyin’, tryin’ different blends, hopin’ I’d stumble on somethin’ that still carried the old glory, somethin’ that hadn’t been tampered with.

But winter 2024 came along, and with it, a twist drop. That’s when I picked up Rum Twist, eager to remind myself why I’d fallen for GH in the first place. What I got instead? A tobacco that felt like a stranger wearin’ the name of an old friend. It wasn’t just different—it was completely off, like they’d swapped out the soul of it for somethin’ cheap and hollow.

Then spring rolled around, and there was another GH drop, and I tried my luck again—this time with Bosun Plug and Louisiana Flake. And wouldn’t you know it, both of ’em were different too. Bosun Plug had lost its depth, its edge, like it’d been watered down for folks who don’t know better. Louisiana Flake? Same story. What once was rich and memorable was now flat and forgettable.

I kept hopin’ I’d find a blend that hadn’t been ruined, but the more I tried, the more it became clear—this wasn’t just a bad batch or a few unlucky blends. Somethin’’s gone wrong at GH, and it feels like they’re draggin’ their whole lineup down with ’em. It’s a damn shame, and it’s hard not to feel betrayed.

 

[coming to_falling too]

First it was Coniston Cut Plug—I could tell right off somethin’ wasn’t right. Then came Bosun Cut Plug and Dark Flake Aromatic, followin’ suit like a bad omen. I’ll admit, when I first noticed things startin’ to change with GH tobaccos back in August 2023, I held on to hope—figured maybe it was just a few blends caught in the storm, not the whole damn fleet. So I kept buyin’, tryin’ different blends, hopin’ I’d stumble on somethin’ that still carried the old glory, somethin’ that hadn’t been tampered with.

But winter 2024 came along, and with it, a twist drop. That’s when I picked up Rum Twist, eager to remind myself why I’d fallen for GH in the first place. What I got instead? A tobacco that felt like a stranger wearin’ the name of an old friend. It wasn’t just different—it was completely off, like they’d swapped out the soul of it for somethin’ cheap and hollow.

Then spring rolled around, and there was another GH drop, and I tried my luck again—this time with Bosun Plug and Louisiana Flake. And wouldn’t you know it, both of ’em were different too. Bosun Plug had lost its depth, its edge, like it’d been watered down for folks who don’t know better. Louisiana Flake? Same story. What once was rich and memorable was now flat and forgettable.

I kept hopin’ I’d find a blend that hadn’t been ruined, but the more I tried, the more it became clear—this wasn’t just a bad batch or a few unlucky blends. Somethin’’s gone wrong at GH, and it feels like they’re draggin’ their whole lineup down with ’em. It’s a damn shame, and it’s hard not to feel betrayed.

I've not tried any recent batches of their blends. I think the newest I have is from a few years ago. But even that is different from what I'd had from years earlier.

We should hear shortly how nothing has changed haha.

 

[jpberg]

I admire all you fellas with the sharp taste buds.
I’m pretty sure we’re not seeing anything drastically different happen with tobacco than what has been happening forever with tobacco.

 

[brooklynpiper]

I used to smoke coniston when I went to the horse track. Just felt right.

 

[scottbtdmb]

Just a theory, but Coniston, Brown Flake, and Dark Flake all utilize Malawi leaf. Perhaps something has changed…either they are getting it from a different source or the crop variance is just way different than it used to be. I have smoked Dark Flake unscented and scented for years and there has been a drastic difference in the past few years. I have done back to back smokes with older and newer varieties and there is a huge difference in the taste, even when considering the effects of the tobacco aging. I still enjoy Dark Flake immensely and am thankful they continue to produce it. Who knows…they may change suppliers again or the crop may yield different results at some point, and it may wind up better than ever! I deal with the same stuff with craft beer, as ingredients and supply chains change over time. It is what it is, but I certainly understand how frustrating it can be when a go to tobacco changes and just isn’t the same!

 

[tschiraldi]

There’s a pain that comes with seeing somethin’ you loved—somethin’ you thought was timeless—get twisted into a shadow of itself. That pain hit me square in the gut with GH’s Coniston Cut Plug. What once was a masterpiece, a true gem among tobaccos, has been turned into somethin’ so far beneath its name it might as well be called somethin’ else entirely.

The Glory Days of Coniston Cut Plug:​

I remember the first time I laid eyes on it, felt its texture, and caught that aroma. It was like meetin’ an old-fashioned gentleman—refined, dignified, but carryin’ a touch of mystery. The scent was a perfect storm of old-school male cologne, rich and bold, drawin’ you in like the smell of leather and cedar in a fine shop. The texture? Rubbery but pleasant, like it was askin’ to be handled with care.

Then came the smoke itself—full-flavored and complex. On one hand, it had a rough edge: spicy, smoky, and earthy like a campfire on a cold night. On the other, it had a smoothness that felt like it was reachin’ for somethin’ higher. The floral notes danced with the smoky ones, and the room note—ah, the room note—took me straight to a church sermon, incense hangin’ heavy in the air, transportin’ you somewhere beyond yourself. It burned slow, lettin’ you savor every puff, every moment. It wasn’t just tobacco; it was an experience.

The Fall of a Giant:​

Fast forward to my second purchase. The first sign somethin’ was wrong? It didn’t even look the same. That rubbery texture I loved? Gone. The smell? Off. Close, maybe, but close ain’t good enough when you’re talkin’ about somethin’ this special. Spongy, they made it—soft in all the wrong ways, like it had been watered down in spirit and soul.

Then came the ultimate betrayal: the smoke. What used to be a symphony was now a dull hum. Flat, uninspired, like someone stripped all the beauty and left the bones. The room note? Forget it. Gone was that rich, incense-like aroma, replaced by somethin’ so mediocre I can barely even recall it.

A Rubbish Rebranding:​

I tried. Lord knows I tried to make peace with it, to find even a shadow of the old magic in this new imposter. But the more I smoked it, the more I realized this wasn’t Coniston Cut Plug—it was somethin’ else entirely, and it didn’t deserve the name. GH oughta be ashamed of themselves for takin’ somethin’ so beautiful, so unique, and turnin’ it into rubbish.

Final Thoughts:​

The old Coniston Cut Plug was my introduction to GH tobaccos, and I thought I’d found a companion for life. But they’ve destroyed it, and no amount of nostalgia or blind hope will bring it back. What’s left is a hollow imitation that does nothin’ but remind me of what’s been lost.

Call it somethin’ else, GH. You don’t deserve to call it Coniston Cut Plug anymore.

That is disappointing. I have a bit of old Coniston put away. I was thinking of ordering a bit more but you may have changed my mind.

 

[coming to_falling too]

Just a theory, but Coniston, Brown Flake, and Dark Flake all utilize Malawi leaf. Perhaps something has changed…either they are getting it from a different source or the crop variance is just way different than it used to be. I have smoked Dark Flake unscented and scented for years and there has been a drastic difference in the past few years. I have done back to back smokes with older and newer varieties and there is a huge difference in the taste, even when considering the effects of the tobacco aging. I still enjoy Dark Flake immensely and am thankful they continue to produce it. Who knows…they may change suppliers again or the crop may yield different results at some point, and it may wind up better than ever! I deal with the same stuff with craft beer, as ingredients and supply chains change over time. It is what it is, but I certainly understand how frustrating it can be when a go to tobacco changes and just isn’t the same!

Yep, not bad, just not the same.

I've never claimed to have sharp taste buds ever, just saying that I've noticed a difference in the blends I smoke. Won't stop me from buying them.

 

[Whenry]

Just a theory, but Coniston, Brown Flake, and Dark Flake all utilize Malawi leaf. Perhaps something has changed…either they are getting it from a different source or the crop variance is just way different than it used to be. I have smoked Dark Flake unscented and scented for years and there has been a drastic difference in the past few years. I have done back to back smokes with older and newer varieties and there is a huge difference in the taste, even when considering the effects of the tobacco aging. I still enjoy Dark Flake immensely and am thankful they continue to produce it. Who knows…they may change suppliers again or the crop may yield different results at some point, and it may wind up better than ever! I deal with the same stuff with craft beer, as ingredients and supply chains change over time. It is what it is, but I certainly understand how frustrating it can be when a go to tobacco changes and just isn’t the same!

You raise a good point there, and I reckon you might be onto somethin’. The discontinuation of Kendal Flake, Kendal Kentucky, and Dark Bird’s Eye sure does make you think, doesn’t it? Could be tied to Malawi leaf, as you say—or maybe even Kentucky leaf. That would certainly explain why those blends were the first to vanish. But then you’ve got blends like Louisiana Flake, Bob’s Chocolate Flake, and Rum Twist—all of which don’t rely on either Malawi or Kentucky leaf, and yet they’ve changed just the same.

Makes me think it ain’t just about the leaf itself, but somethin’ deeper—like the way they’re processing it. Maybe they’ve gone and changed their methods to save time or costs, or maybe they’ve just plain lost sight of what made these blends special in the first place. Either way, it’s a damn shame to see such fine traditions unravel.

 

[Whenry]

That is disappointing. I have a bit of old Coniston put away. I was thinking of ordering a bit more but you may have changed my mind.

If you’ll have to pay customs charges that cost double the tobacco order itself, then I gotta say—I wouldn’t recommend it.

 

[telescopes]

Of course tobacco blends change. The days of solid tobacco consistentancy are Gone…(wait for it)…. With the Wind.

There are simply too many variables even when keeping consistency and processing the same.

 

[MisterBadger]

I admire all you fellas with the sharp taste buds.
I’m pretty sure we’re not seeing anything drastically different happen with tobacco than what has been happening forever with tobacco.

- As Heraclitus of Ephesus observed, after finishing an unsatisfactory pipe of Coniston Cut Plug: "Πάντα χωρεῖ καὶ οὐδὲν μένει." ("You know, it just doesn't taste like it used.").

 

[telescopes]

I have a sneaking suspicion that any tobacco made on outdated equipment using whatever resources that are not in the direct control of the manufacturer will find consistency a challenge. If you think about your own home kitchen - or even favorite local family owned restaurant - the consitancy of how foods taste over time change. Ingredients from suppliers change a bit here and there, head cooks change, and Hell, even the water changes sometimes. But more importantly, so do we and our memories of how things once tasted betray us just as much as does our own physiology. The plug probably did change in taste for The OP. But for others, the plug may taste better or be a wonderful delight. But when the supplies are gone and the manufactures have folded up, what will all of this got you? Complain, rail, and rage. Shake your fist at the sun. I’ll have more to order for myself.

 

[telescopes]

One last thing. I think of vintages of tobacco the way I think of vintages of wine. Some years are great, some are not. It has never occurred to me to rail against the wine maker.

 

[MisterBadger]

One last thing. I think of vintages of tobacco the way I think of vintages of wine. Some years are great, some are not. It has never occurred to me to rail against the wine maker.

THIS.

 

[sablebrush52]

First it was Coniston Cut Plug—I could tell right off somethin’ wasn’t right. Then came Bosun Cut Plug and Dark Flake Aromatic, followin’ suit like a bad omen. I’ll admit, when I first noticed things startin’ to change with GH tobaccos back in August 2023, I held on to hope—figured maybe it was just a few blends caught in the storm, not the whole damn fleet. So I kept buyin’, tryin’ different blends, hopin’ I’d stumble on somethin’ that still carried the old glory, somethin’ that hadn’t been tampered with.

But winter 2024 came along, and with it, a twist drop. That’s when I picked up Rum Twist, eager to remind myself why I’d fallen for GH in the first place. What I got instead? A tobacco that felt like a stranger wearin’ the name of an old friend. It wasn’t just different—it was completely off, like they’d swapped out the soul of it for somethin’ cheap and hollow.

Then spring rolled around, and there was another GH drop, and I tried my luck again—this time with Bosun Plug and Louisiana Flake. And wouldn’t you know it, both of ’em were different too. Bosun Plug had lost its depth, its edge, like it’d been watered down for folks who don’t know better. Louisiana Flake? Same story. What once was rich and memorable was now flat and forgettable.

I kept hopin’ I’d find a blend that hadn’t been ruined, but the more I tried, the more it became clear—this wasn’t just a bad batch or a few unlucky blends. Somethin’’s gone wrong at GH, and it feels like they’re draggin’ their whole lineup down with ’em. It’s a damn shame, and it’s hard not to feel betrayed.

First, I want to acknowledge the work that went into your initial presentation. It is very creative and professionally structured and entertaining. I intend that as a compliment.

We're deep into an era of what tastes like consistent inconsistency with a drop in quality overall. It's my guess that the end of subsidies to tobacco farmers in the US played a role in it. A steadily decreasing sales market, at an average 10% a year drop, year after year, over the past 60 years, has something to do with it. Growers turning to more profitable crops, or getting out of farming and selling their land has something to do with it. Natural variations in crops year to year have something to do with it. Increasingly strong weather events have something to do with it. More economical harvesting methods, like machine harvesting instead of hand picking leaves as they ripen has something to do with it. Sources of leaf disappearing without warning have something to do with it. Increasingly oppositional regulation has something to do with it.

So no surprise that batches are different. Truth to tell, in this environment, anyone still trying to process and produce pipe tobaccos of better quality should be applauded for not cutting and running. Look at all of the variables that they can't control.

GH & Co probably would have done WAY better for themselves to have shuttered the place in 2012 and jumped into the Crypto ponzi scheme. But, no, they kept turning out tobaccos as they have for generations, the dumb dumbs.

So, if you are disappointed with the 2nd batch of Coniston you bought, try something else, while there are something else's to try, and maybe swoop back to try a different batch down the road, which might please you better in a different way, because, the consistency we used to enjoy is long gone and may never come back, no matter how hard blenders try to maintain their products, and in the case of GH & Co., their family heritage.

 

[Whenry]

I have a sneaking suspicion that any tobacco made on outdated equipment using whatever resources that are not in the direct control of the manufacturer will find consistency a challenge. If you think about your own home kitchen - or even favorite local family owned restaurant - the consitancy of how foods taste over time change. Ingredients from suppliers change a bit here and there, head cooks change, and Hell, even the water changes sometimes. But more importantly, so do we and our memories of how things once tasted betray us just as much as does our own physiology. The plug probably did change in taste for The OP. But for others, the plug may taste better or be a wonderful delight. But when the supplies are gone and the manufactures have folded up, what will all of this got you? Complain, rail, and rage. Shake your fist at the sun. I’ll have more to order for myself.

Well, I understand there’s plenty of variables that can shift the flavor of a tobacco—weather, crops, soil, and all that—and those are things the manufacturer can’t do a thing about. It’d be unfair to hold ‘em accountable for nature’s whims. But then there’s the other side of things, the parts they do control.

Take the density of a flake, for instance. Whether it’s properly pressed into a good, dense sheet or broken up into loose little bits and scraps—that’s all on the manufacturer. Or think about a twist. A proper twist oughta be sturdy as a rock, packed so tight it takes a fair bit of effort just to prepare. When that same twist turns soft and spongy, smokes too easy, and loses all that rich, bold flavor—well, you can’t tell me that’s just the weather talkin’. That’s a choice, plain and simple.

As a payin’ customer, I reckon I’ve got every right to expect quality, and if I don’t find it, I’m gonna say so. Not to stir up trouble, but because feedback matters. Maybe, just maybe, if enough folks speak their piece, they’ll reconsider and get back to their old ways. Because the way I see it, tradition’s worth holdin’ onto—especially when it comes to somethin’ as fine as tobacco.