G. L. Pease Spark Plug
(3.78)
A quality English blend from renowned G.L. Pease, Spark Plug's tin art immediately denotes its inspiration: A Union Jack comprises the foreground in recognition of the English blends that dominated British pipesmoking preferences in the early 20th century. These original mixtures offered a distinctly spicy and smoky component though the use of Latakia and Oriental tobaccos overtop a Virginia base. Pressed into a dense plug, Spark Plug can be sliced thick or thin, based on individual preference, and it presents a deep, powerful flavor profile, marked by a campfire's smokiness and aged leather from the Cyprian Latakia, married to rich and spicy Orientals from Greece and Turkey, and sweet bright and red Virginias. Like the classic cars that inspired its invention, Spark Plug is charming and satisfying. Take it for a test drive before setting aside to age or enjoy it at full throttle straight out of the tin.
Details
| Brand | G. L. Pease |
| Blended By | Gregory Pease |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Plug |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.78 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 22 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 19, 2020 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Spark Plug is a very special blend from GL Pease. Think Squadron Leader on steroids. It’s dark, dank, greasy, and campground smoky in the tin, with the varietal leaves pressed pretty well together but still plainly variegated, black, brown, red-brown, and golden, so it’s easy enough to identify the constituent tobaccos. As for the tin note, the Latakia is well forward, then the Oriental/Turkish, then the VAs, which include flue cured lemon and air cured red. The scent is concentrated; if you can imagine a sort of Nespresso English. Nice. I keep a small, thin piece of tropical hardwood handy for use as a cutting board, and I usually carry a sharp pocket knife that I use to slice thick-ish “flakes” off the plug. I roughly rub out a flake or two then re-blend a representative load for my pipe. It loads and lights fine straight from the tin, and it burns down OK, but it burns better if it’s dried some before lighting up. A group 4 English briar works great for me. This is a very fragrant blend that ramps up smoothly from mild to over medium. The Latakia is excellent, with only the best additives and an amazing “creosote” taste. The Orientals are top of the line, a flowery goat pen, with woody, exotic, savory, spicy, sour Katerini, Basma and Izmur pulling together to saturate the Latakia, and they very nearly succeed. The VAs are like a hip chorus, never overstepping but always lending more than mere support from meadow grassy, fragrant lemon and bready, savory, earthy red that is cased just right to balance the blend. The lot is well met, tasty, and interesting top to bottom, getting sweeter and sourer both, to the end. Strength builds to over medium, likewise the tastes.. Room note is wonderful for those who like Turkish tobacco, hopefully tolerable for autres. Aftertaste is spectacular, savory, sweet, sour and smoky, and it keeps getting better and better for a good, long time.
Just when I thought I was English’d out, here comes Spark Plug to knock me out and drag me back to the fold! Four stars for my young tin, and this stuff will age beautifully, as well.
Just when I thought I was English’d out, here comes Spark Plug to knock me out and drag me back to the fold! Four stars for my young tin, and this stuff will age beautifully, as well.
Pipe Used:
dedicated Group 4 briar
PurchasedFrom:
Liberty Tobacco
Age When Smoked:
young, from the tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 07, 2022 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
Spark Plug gets an overall 3.8 on this sight for good reason. I saw the adjectives “balanced intensity “ on one review and on another “beginners beware” as this tobacco is not for the light of heart. Read all of the 4 reviews and just agree with them cause if ya don’t like this then I can’t imagine why you would smoke a pipe. If I had to pick one adjective for Spark Plug it would be memorable because every time I get pissed off at the high price of mediocre pipe tobacco, I get reminded of why we do what we do when we light up.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
City Tobacco in New London Ct.
Age When Smoked:
?
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 18, 2021 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Gran mezcla, de quema lenta, una gran fumada, siempre he disfrutado de las mezclas inglesas y este plug es realmente excelente, si lo vas a fumar debes tener el tiempo suficiente, es una fumada larga y placentera.
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking pipes
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 22, 2020 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Wow, what a wonderful pipe tobacco. Never been a fan of plug offerings, this is the exception. The tobaccos contained are married together perfectly. Dare I say the taste is reminiscent of Dunhill 965. On the sweet side of the road. None of the ingredients overwhelm the other. Wow again!
Pipe Used:
Caminetto, Dunhill Shell, Cobs.
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking pipes.com
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Strong |
When I opened the tin for the first time, it gave off one of the best smoky aromas I have had the opportunity to smell in my short life as a pipe smoker. Just for the fact that I find that smell every time I go to smoke this mixture, for me it already deserves two stars in the review of this page.
After removing the cardboard lid, a tender plug appeared that invited to be handled slowly, enjoying its color, aroma, texture ... before being cut, dried, shredded and loaded into the pipe. The scent in your tin has evoked in some pipe smokers the aroma of car workshops, motor oil... There may be some of that, or perhaps the name of the mixture, the image that comes on the outside of the tin and the color and aroma of the plug have created some kind of suggestion. Once lit, the high dose of latakia is balanced by another no less high from oriental and accompanied by bright red virginias that add a touch of sweetness to the mixture, making it very tasty throughout the smoke. The smoke is quite creamy and its smell evokes at times that of church incense, which is why some pipe smokers with many years of experience associate this tobacco with English blends from the last century.
The only problem I have had with this mixture is that regardless of how long I have let it dry (I have let it dry up to four hours) I have always needed frequent relighting.
Of course I have already taken care of having another tin in my cellar since it seems that it can improve by aging it.
After removing the cardboard lid, a tender plug appeared that invited to be handled slowly, enjoying its color, aroma, texture ... before being cut, dried, shredded and loaded into the pipe. The scent in your tin has evoked in some pipe smokers the aroma of car workshops, motor oil... There may be some of that, or perhaps the name of the mixture, the image that comes on the outside of the tin and the color and aroma of the plug have created some kind of suggestion. Once lit, the high dose of latakia is balanced by another no less high from oriental and accompanied by bright red virginias that add a touch of sweetness to the mixture, making it very tasty throughout the smoke. The smoke is quite creamy and its smell evokes at times that of church incense, which is why some pipe smokers with many years of experience associate this tobacco with English blends from the last century.
The only problem I have had with this mixture is that regardless of how long I have let it dry (I have let it dry up to four hours) I have always needed frequent relighting.
Of course I have already taken care of having another tin in my cellar since it seems that it can improve by aging it.
Pipe Used:
Stanwell Pipe Of The Year 2011, Freehand Missouri
Age When Smoked:
4 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 18, 2020 | Medium to Strong | Medium | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Okay, Greg has done it again. He hits my budget with a new creative blend. Really not expecting to like this. I normally don't like much Latakia in a blend. So the nose scared me a bit, but there was a richness so I lit it. Happened to be having a gin and tonic by the pool and good golly this was a great pairing. I am all into what goes with what. This is ideal. When weather cools I will try it with a single malt. Anyway, smoke about 5 bowls a week of the stuff and have had to order more. The Latakia and the other tobaccos just sing together. So the cheap Santoku knife will be busy chopping this plug up for a few months at least.
Pipe Used:
Ashton Old Church, Dunhill Tanshell
PurchasedFrom:
4 Noggins
Age When Smoked:
3 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 09, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
Great tin art.
Tin aroma is smoke and leather. Its consistency is more like spanikopita than a plug, but that's not a bad thing.
As far as the name is concerned: I cut off a slice, and after rubbing it I noticed an oily black residue on my hands, almost as if I had been working on a car. Looks very promising...
...and I was not disappointed. It's a tiny bit slow getting going, but once it does it's a mouthful. Smoky, leathery, sweet, a little incense...all the good things, plus a deep flavor from, I think, a stronger VA presence than what I'm used to in my favorite English/Balkans. Complex, and easy to smoke for a fan of Latakia, which is prominent but well balanced. No bite, and smokes cool.
Possible desert island blend.
EDIT 12/13: Just bought another tin, and it's even better than the first. The plug wasn't as loose this time, not quite as solid as Peterson's Perfect Plug but sturdy enough that it was easier to cut it into nice thin flakes without half of it falling apart. I'd give this 5 stars if I could.
Tin aroma is smoke and leather. Its consistency is more like spanikopita than a plug, but that's not a bad thing.
As far as the name is concerned: I cut off a slice, and after rubbing it I noticed an oily black residue on my hands, almost as if I had been working on a car. Looks very promising...
...and I was not disappointed. It's a tiny bit slow getting going, but once it does it's a mouthful. Smoky, leathery, sweet, a little incense...all the good things, plus a deep flavor from, I think, a stronger VA presence than what I'm used to in my favorite English/Balkans. Complex, and easy to smoke for a fan of Latakia, which is prominent but well balanced. No bite, and smokes cool.
Possible desert island blend.
EDIT 12/13: Just bought another tin, and it's even better than the first. The plug wasn't as loose this time, not quite as solid as Peterson's Perfect Plug but sturdy enough that it was easier to cut it into nice thin flakes without half of it falling apart. I'd give this 5 stars if I could.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Donegal Rocky 01
PurchasedFrom:
Mayan Import Co., Metairie LA
Age When Smoked:
1 month
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 06, 2020 | Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Just when i thought G.L Pease had invented all of the flavors known to Latakia blends he comes up with one that tastes like a hint of cloves and sometimes a hint of cigar for spice. It seems to linger on the pallet for a time after finishing the bowl. When i opened the tin it had a smell of lots of Latakia and a special spice which was ready to smoke upon opening. Some have said it has a hint of Cedar and i concur with that also. The flavors float in and out, but are never totally absent in this great smoke. I can tell you what the tobacco tastes like, but i am not experienced enough to pick up the Virginias or Turkish flavor. For me, Spark Plug has a combination (complex) of flavors which complement each other very well, all the way to the bottom of the bowl. I am now reading it may be best to stop short of the bottom of the bowl to prevent bowl burnout. There is no bite or throat issues with this blend and it seems to be a medium strength tobacco. I suggest it be packed very lightly and sip slowly. Not sure it is an all day blend. This going to be so successful it needs to be packed in 8oz tins. I think this is a special blend where you sit in your back yard or deck, in a comfortable chair, watching the sun go down, slugging down coffee. 4-5 Stars
Pipe Used:
Stanwell Vauen
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes&Cigars
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 23, 2023 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Spark Plug is a delicious, medium-bodied Latakia-forward traditional English blend. It is balanced and very enjoyable. There are hints of cedar and spice and an ever so slight notion of BBQ.
My tin took three days of drying to get to a smokable point. Even then the tobacco felt like tearing apart dry jerky. Totally worth the effort.
A campfire smokiness pervades the room or in my case the open garage. My initial reactions have improved over the half year I’ve had SP. I don’t think it’s as nuanced as Westminster or Gaslight but it’s solid and steady and tasty and really really good!
My tin took three days of drying to get to a smokable point. Even then the tobacco felt like tearing apart dry jerky. Totally worth the effort.
A campfire smokiness pervades the room or in my case the open garage. My initial reactions have improved over the half year I’ve had SP. I don’t think it’s as nuanced as Westminster or Gaslight but it’s solid and steady and tasty and really really good!
Pipe Used:
Ascorti
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 28, 2022 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Profound wood immediately. Never spicy, but smooth with a savory sweet. Mustiness and damp wood mid bowl. Zero bite and a perfumish wood retro. Fans of Balkan Sobranie will find this pleasing. -Spiral Out
Pipe Used:
Mitchell Thomas Series C
PurchasedFrom:
Tobacco Junction, Tyler, TX
Age When Smoked:
2022
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