Whats Your Favorite Plug Tobacco?

[hawky454]

This is a really helpful thread. Can anyone offer some tips about preparing a plug to pack and smoke?

I highly recommend getting a plug cutter. Can be found on eBay for a decent price and they cut through those dense plugs like butta.

 

[wolflarsen]

Isn't Plum Pudding a crumble cake as opposed to a true plug that is formed from whole leaf threshed tobacco?

Yeah, it's a cake. It's way more dense than things like Frigate, Kadath or Temple Bar but not as dense as the real plugs mentioned.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

My current favourite UK plugs are:
1. Warrior
2. St James
3. Full Virginia
4. Revor
5. RB

 

[jpberg]

If you can prepare it with your hands, it’s not a Plug.

 

[shanez]

I don't believe SPC Plum Pudding and Dreams of Kadath are plugs, however I prefer them when prepared as if they were. This means I like to cut 1/8"-ish slices off, rub out the slice, and then smoke away.

For some reason it seems like something isn't right (and they don't seem to burn as well) if they are simply broken up by hand.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Heinrich's Curly Block is superb. SG FVP, SJP and Kendall Plug. I like the last 2 more, I think the flavor is enhanced more with those two than with FVP. C&D Seersucker is an under the radar gem, for me at least.

 

[hawky454]

Yeah, it's a cake. It's way more dense than things like Frigate, Kadath or Temple Bar but not as dense as the real plugs mentioned.

There are some major differences here though Black Frigate and Plum Pudding are pressed ribbon cut whereas Dreams of Kadath & Temple Bar are pressed whole leaf.

 

[jeff540]

Peterson's 3P had something in it that made me sick.

My favorite plug that has not been mentioned thus far is Wessex Gold Brick. It's good, simple, medium body and lightly sweet.

 

[mingc]

@Casual: Thats the problem. They might work if they used more Gum Arabic as a binding agent, however you would still wind up with something that feels like an off cut from a length of Balsa Wood as opposed to a heavy dense plug. Even the Germans make pretty good plugs and Salty Dogs is an well made plug so I just cannot fathom with all our expertise we cannot seem to do it here in the U.S.

McClelland used to make some rather dense flakes, so they did know how to make proper plugs, presumably here in the US. That art and/or the machine seem to have been since lost.

 

[trubka2]

So yeah, that’s the one I was thinking of, is Krater Plug not a real plug?

I'd say it's a real plug, but it's not nearly as dense as things like Dark Plug, Salty Dogs, etc. It's basically the same consistency as regular K&K flakes. No a knock, but it smokes differently than the denser plugs. Here's a pic:

 

[hawky454]

I'd say it's a real plug, but it's not nearly as dense as things like Dark Plug, Salty Dogs, etc. It's basically the same consistency as regular K&K flakes. No a knock, but it smokes differently than the denser plugs. Here's a pic:

View attachment 21823

Oh yeah, still definitely aim at putting some of those in my cellar eventually. Thanks for the pic!

 

[rushx9]

Any second now Woodsroad will surface and enlighten us on getting certain manufacturers to grasp the true definition of a plug! I keep trying to get him to write the Standard Tobacco Company of PA history since it is screamingly funny.

I want to read this!!!

 

[Bengel]

Woodsroad will surface

@woodsroad
We can only hope!

 

[paulfg]

I highly recommend getting a plug cutter. Can be found on eBay for a decent price and they cut through those dense plugs like butta.

indeed they do

 

[condorlover1]

Thats not a plug cutter its a circumcision device!

 

[hawky454]

View attachment 21842
indeed they do

I just love the one you got there @paulfg! Mines not as perdy but it gets the job done and does it well. To put it short, I had to get one of these as I love plugs so much but I have some arthritis in my wrists and that made cutting a plug with a knife painful, this way you can get perfect, even, thin cut flakes and no pain in the wrists... definitely worth the investment if you are a plug enthusiast.

btw, it’s good to see you again, Paul.

 

[hawky454]

Thats not a plug cutter its a circumcision device!

It’s a twofer.

 

[Bengel]

I know links are not kosher, but this post talks about the ultra compressed Irish plugs and has great artwork!

Irish Plug Tobacco - A Pictorial & Historical Survey of Their Far Famed Renown - Christian Pipe Smokers

 

[hawky454]

I know links are not kosher, but this post talks about the ultra compressed Irish plugs and has great artwork!

Irish Plug Tobacco - A Pictorial & Historical Survey of Their Far Famed Renown - Christian Pipe Smokers

That is the great work of misterlowercase. I sure miss those types of posts. He was one of a kind and filled with passion regarding all things tobacciana.

 

[Bengel]

That is the great work of misterlowercase. I sure miss those types of posts. He was one of a kind and filled with passion regarding all things tobacciana.

Thought it looked familiar, google found that one, I guess he posted it here as well? Very informative. Yes, me too?