Cobblestone English Plug

The Cyprian Latakia offers smoke, wood, little incense, light mustiness and some sweetness as the lead component. The floral, earthy, woody, herbal, vegetative, dry, sour and lightly buttery sweet, spicy, tangy Orientals play a strong support role. The very nutty, earthy, woody, lightly molasses sweet burley sits in the third position. The red and brighter Virginias provide a lot of tart and tangy dark fruit and citrus, earth, wood, light grass, and a little "barbecue". They play just below the level of the burley. The red Virginia is a little more prominent than the bright. The strength and taste levels are a couple of steps short of medium. The nic-hit barely passes the center of mild to medium. Won’t bite or get harsh, and hardly sports any rough edges. The plug easily breaks apart to suit your preference. Burns cool, clean and slow. The mildly sweet and more savory, spicy, deeply rich, complex, well balanced flavors are very consistent from start to finish. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires some relights. Has a lightly lingering campfire after taste, and stronger room note. Can be an all day smoke. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

I love this stuff! Upon opening the tin you’re greeted with a savory, woodsy, smoky, and just a tad bit salty aroma. It looks like a dark brown brownie with very small yellow and light brown streaks and speckles spread across the top.

English Plug is a dense and somewhat heavy kake. When you first reach in and lift it up it crumbles and falls apart easily, practically under its own weight. It has a fine soft texture and to the touch the moisture feels spot on. In a way it kind of reminds me of peat.

Upon first light I immediately taste the savory smoky Latakia. The Virginias and Orientals brighten the flavor and amp up the incense component while the Burley extends the savory bass note. This is a very well behaved tobacco. It stays lit and smokes easily. There’s no bite, bitterness or harshness. As a matter of fact one could say this stuff smokes as smooth as silk. I didn’t experience any pipe gurgle and the flavor is fairly consistent throughout.

For me this tobacco is for special occasions. Smoke it too often, it may get boring and a person could get weary of it. I think it would be best right after finishing a big juicy savory steak with a glass of peaty, smoky, single malt Islay scotch, 16 yr Lagavulin would be my choice, all while sitting in front of a mesmerizing crackling fire…