Motzek Tom's Plug

A wonderfully blended tobacco, that will also appeal to smokers who aren't too much into Latakia - like me! First off: It's more a "Crumble Plug" than a firmly pressed one, you might think of. It breaks apart very easily, you can cut slices, but they can be rubbed out by hand.

The pouch aroma is intriguing of red, stoved fruits, brown sugar and a little bit of smoky Latakia to it.

In the pipe the Latakia is only a seasoning condiment, yet always noticeable in the back. It's smoky, creamy and slightly buttery. The stars are Virginias and Perique, who offer lots of red, stoved fruits, some honey and caramel, as well as peppery spice that harmonizes excellently with the Latakia condiment. Leaves a very pleasant, smoky-sweet aftertaste. The Cavendish adds a slightly toasted dimension to it, as well as brown sugar. This is quite sweet, but balanced by the peppery Perique spice and the smoky Latakia. The Burleys is a minor background player that gives spice, boldness and a hint of nuts

I love this blend, even though it has Latakia in it! In blends - like this one is - where the Latakia is only mild in the taste-profile it can be very exciting and pleasingly smoky-spicy. This is for the Latakia-newbie, as well as for English smokers who like some "tamed" Latakia blend. Virginia or Va/Per fans might also find joy in it!

Wonderful blend, definetly a 4-star one! Edit: This baby ages wonderfully Tom Darasz says... and with already after 3-4 months my plug has gained a smoothness, that's exciting. The fruitiness fades a bit, and it becomes a tad more piquant. I'll update in half-a-year on the aging process!

The bright Virginia provides a lot of tart and tangy citrus, grass, sugar, bread, some floralness, vegetation, mild spice, sour lemon, and a very light essence of tea and honey, along with a touch of acidity. It takes a small lead. The red Virginia offers plenty of tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, sugar, vegetation, a pinch of spice, and a touch of vinegar in an important support role. The spicy, earthy, woody, sugary stewed fruity (plums and raisins) perique is a notch below the creamy, brown sugary black cavendish in terms of effect. Due to its sweetness, the black cavendish is virtually a secondary player, though it never rivals what the Virginias bring to the experience. The very nutty, earthy, woody, light molasses sweet burley is just above being a condiment. The smoke, woody, earthy, leathery, floral, mildly sweet Cyprian Latakia is an ever present condiment. The strength and nic-hit are medium. The taste is a rung short of the center of medium to strong. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. Barely has any rough edges. The cake easily breaks apart, and needs no dry dry time even though it’s mildly moist. Well balanced and complex, it burns cool, clean and a little slow with a very consistent, deeply rich creamy, sugary fruit sweet, mildly floral, spicy, smoky, rather smooth flavor. Leaves little dampness in the bowl. Requires some relights. Has a mildly lingering, pleasant after taste, and room note. Though it has a little punch, the sweetness level may make this an all day smoke for the veteran, and repeatable for the less experienced. Four stars.

-JimInks

I have to agree with JimInks on this one in every regard. I would add only that after five years aging in a Mason jar tucked away in a dark cabinet, this plug now delivers smoking satisfaction so sublime that it leaves my supply of Stonehaven and Penzance neglected.