With due respect and being pretty new to this, I’d learned that plug and rope predated tinning as a portability method for varying portions of tobacco blends, and the flavor came from the pressing.
I think there’s a benefit to smoking pressed tobacco in its pressed form for some, but while perhaps different, I haven’t found the flavor to me much diminished by rubbing out-it’s about the same level of difference one gets smoking a ribbon cut blend at tinned moisture level vs dried for a while.
I know that for me personally, preparing a plug or rope in a manner that allows me to enjoy the smoke without constant tending and relights is worth it (as I also know that for others the constant tending is part of their enjoyment).
Here’s at least one guy that probably is more knowledgeable than me that doesn’t seem to think plug is meant to be smoked compacted:
But as he mentions, enjoying yourself is the goal.
I guess I should have worded my post better.
Like you said, the pressing(condensing) of the tobacco gives it a richer, deeper flavor. As you rub out the flake, plug or rope, the flavor will obviously change because you have less tobacco in your bowl....less tobacco burning.....flavor change.
And yes, originally plug and rope tobacco came about as an easy way to carry/store your tobacco and it would stay more "fresh" because there is less air touching the tobacco. Flake is just sliced plug.
But, as many blenders website or tin description states, the plug, rope and flake tobacco is still very popular long after the need for easy carrying because the pressing or twisting changes the flavor and has a deeper, darker flavor. And that the point of compacting the tobacco is to get that rich, deep flavor from putting two flakes in a pipe, versus one flake rubbed out.
Again in this thread my point is NOT to say one method is better than another. Its pointing out that the flavor and strength of the flake, plug or rope does change....some more than others.
And my point for ever even mentioning this is that I have heard a lot of new smokers say they were taught to always rub out flakes and plugs. Im just letting people know that there are other ways to smoke pressed tobaccos.
I personally do it all. Some flakes smoke better wet and stuffed, some taste better rubbed and dried. Some taste better roughly rubbed and wet, some taste better fully rubbed and wet.....or dry.......you get the point.
Im not going to post names, but several times on this site I see people saying they do like they were told, fully rub the flake, but they still don't get the point of flake tobacco. Then someone tells them to try folding and stuffing and they report that they now "get it".......or something of that nature. I see people all the time say you need to rub and dry flake for any possible enjoyment. There are ways to smoke moist flake with relative ease and enjoyment......even G&H moist!!!
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
But in the end, you're 100% correct. Do what you enjoy and smoke what you like, the way you like it.........just know there are other ways.
Dang, I must sound like a real idiot to keep posting in these pressed tobacco threads and moist tobacco threads! But after several years of fully rubbing and drying tobacco, about a decade ago I found a whole new enjoyment from forcing myself to smoke moist, compacted tobacco......some blends anyways.