It is a plug, an unsliced rectangular prism of hard pressed tobacco, 3cm wide by 10cm long (c. 1.2 x 4 in). I place it on a small plastic cutting board and, with a very sharp Japanese kitchen knife, cut two slices across the narrow width, each slice about 2 mm thick. (Make sure you are holding the plug firmly, with you fingers away from the blade.)

I do not rub out the slices, but stuff them into a smallish meerschaum and fire up. As usual with unrubbed tobacco, it is hard to light. Once it catches on, however, it burns steadily and slowly, just the way one wants Virginia to do.

The taste is smoky but not ashy. It has a quiet delicate sweetness, like a semi-sweet English biscuit cookie. Not sugary. It is not at all heavy of body, intense though the impression is tasting it. Unusual and delightful. It burned, with a couple of relights, for nearly two hours.

Very reasonably priced and extremely well manufactured, I'd say this is quite a find for the Virginia smoker. Top recommendation.