Watch City Cigar American Cut Plug

This is a good blend. It slightly sweet, slightly spicy from the burley, and a minor twang note that all combine into a enjoyable smoke. It is a load and go smoking experience that burns well and smokes well. It does not burn as good as your classic codger blends, which often require only one light, but it is easy going none the less.

The issue that I have with this blend is a one of personal taste: the blend is often to spicy with respect to the burley and the twang of the reds can sometimes clash on my palate with the burley spice. If you are a fan of burley spice, you will love this blend as a mild experience of that note. For me, I prefer a smoother burly akin to a Granger. So for that reason this blend for me is a three star blend.

Born is the brainchild of the collaborative efforts from master blender Ernie Q and the prolific reviewer JimInks. Featured as an original Watch City Cigar production, American Cut Plug is aptly positioned to target the fussy satisfaction of the average codger piper. Modeling the fundamental conventions within its comprising recipe, this blend presents a common combination of Burley and Virginia tobacco suitably arranged in the honorable compliance to long standing codger preferences. However, common it is not, for this admixture enfolds portions of assorted cut and crushed plug Burleys and the inclusion of progressed Red Virginian leaf as its principal claim to fame. Unquestionably, the two conspirators have arrived at a differentiated and creative slant upon the basic codger-esque requirements.

Visually the American Cut Plug bulk varietal bestows a frazzled patchwork of dense cubed pieces, mangled press strands, coarsely chiseled slivers, and variable ribbon. Barky in its physical texture, the tobacco casts a serious but comfortably warming complexion of moving browns overcast and tempered with shades of ecru, gold, and reddish/orange. Expressly dry in composure, this prostrated mixture lends itself to an easeful accommodation of loading and quick flaming that any true codger would notably appreciate.

In gathering a sense of its characterized pouched aroma, American Cut Plug projects a no non-sensed fragrance of Burley finery foremost. Primarily earthy in tone, what reveals itself are pacifying courses of herbaceous woodiness, modest native sweetness, minor sour notes, and a perceivable gilding of dulled grass. Quite simple in magnitude but meaningful in its desirable effects all said.

By all odds, American Cut Plug epitomizes the fundamental tradition of a simply imagined and uncomplicated composition. With that the blend brings the full appealing genuineness of a typical codger inspired production. Sweet and spicey in the overall character, the registration is enlarged with compelling attention to the full deeper scope of native tobacco flavorsomeness. Its features demonstrate modest movement in the flavor streams, yet the base presentation emphasizes the critical importance of the savory meld of essential ingredients. Overall, what has been achieved ultimately is the well-crafted fusion of timeless savor.

Principally, American Cut Plug’s value is predicated on an artful balance between the comforting sweeter disposition of the White and the headier fullness mounting a determined expanse from the spicy character of the Dark. Supplementing this Burley foray, the Virginian presence is imminent. What is more, the Red selectively feathers the remote upper registration in a cloyed spiral of offsetting accent. Depending upon how the particular varietals cluster within the bowl, you are awarded with a mixed presentation of more accentuated White or Dark overtones. Functionally the roundness of the primary expanded taste bands feels proportional, mellowing, and exceptionally smoky.

As to specifics, the Dark Burley bestows a deeper seedy nuance on the whole. Coming home to roost in its base character are glimpses of sweet cedar molasses, and a lovely earthen spice that plays wonderful homage to a milder cigar. Moreover, attributes of raw cinnamon, raisin/fig fruitiness, and dark bittersweet cocoa as well as spicy anise are invoked to further colorize its flair. And it should be duly noted that the Dark strain does an excellent job of imparting that necessary zest which affords the blend with a little bit of stodginess widely expected by the persnickety codger.

Characterizing the recording of the complementing White leaf, this varietal is centered within a generous bowl of brown sugared walnuts. The ensuing nuttiness reflected within the profile is sweeter and more earthy in appeal. Furthermore, that oh so classic sweetly sour Burley note is encountered as reflections of bittersweet pine sap and an evergreen herbal quality embellish the peripherals of its tasteful worth. The genuineness of the White influence clearly would bring an appeased smile to the wrinkled countenance of the experienced and most meticulous codger that is certain.

The smart accumulation of the floral Red Virginian strain enables the composite profile with complementary enhancements of toasty caramel, brighter tangy seasoned wood, and a sweet-tart fruitiness that leans upon an impression of mulberry like flair, at least that is the leading interpretation that came to mind. What is more there is some evidence of a citrine grass garnishing that typifies a Bright varietal although none are known to be enmeshed within. Providing a refining palatability overall, the Virginian contribution could and did earn high marks on the decisive grading scale of codger approved excellence.

One observation worth noting, this tobacco can assume a little heat if smoked to aggressively but then again why in heaven’s name would any sensible codger do so. With careful contemplative sips upon the evenly burning bowl, you are exposed to a soothing melody of wonderfully excitable flavor. A flavor that returns you to the objective of self-centered relaxation found within the simple joy of a pipe filled with a charmed tobacco.

Still, there is a tad of roughness in the experienced texture but do not let that deter you, for as a codger you learn to deal with it in firmed graces. As to the felt influence of nicotine, being a Burley dominant concoction there is a moderately high dose that is standardly rendered. However, by reaching down inside to vigorously codger-up to that particular challenge, this factor is but an ordinary pittance.

Needless to say, the production of handsome clouds of dense plumes follows with the smoking. And yes, that classic and abiding “pipey” essence proliferates the immediate confines, another mandatory feature according to the formally accepted codger Hoyle. As usual, the American Cut Plug essence is naturally heavy and thick as a smoky blend of spent sweetness entwines with warmed sourness and the deeper impressions of robust toasted herbal woodiness. Exhibiting a tenacity of presence, I can only suggest the fragrance would be tolerable to some, but more importantly, exquisite to the more experienced noses of discernment.

So, there you have it, one man’s accounting of the experiential treatise of yet another significant Watch City venture. I have to admit that my older Jobey, with its deeply seated bowl absolutely relished the chanced encounter. As of the moment, this faithful piece of rusticated briar does seem to beckon with a compelling urge for more. And so as not to disappoint that calling, I will end it promptly at that so as to get cozy and codgerly contented once again with this noteworthy offering of American Cut Plug. Most definitely a keeper in the ranks of my rotational Burleys.

Objective Scoring: (basis: flavor, standard genre/leaf attributes & mechanicals): 112/130 ? 3.0 WAVG.

Subjective Rating: (factored for likeability & cost): 3.7 Pipes.