G. L. Pease JackKnife Plug
(3.43)
JackKnife Plug: dark-fired Kentucky leaf and ripe red Virginia tobaccos, with their deep, earthy flavors, are layered on a central core of golden flue cured for a hint of bright sweetness, then pressed and matured in cakes, and finally cut into 2 ounce blocks. Slice it thick and rub it out for a ribbon cut, thin for a shag, or chop it into cubes. The choice is yours.
Notes: The first blend in the New World Series - JackKnife Plug was introduced in January, 2011.
From GL Pease: This one has been a long time coming. I’ve had more requests than I can count to make a plug, and to make some stronger blends. There’s something about playing with the tobacco, cutting it, rubbing it out, preparing it for smoking, that connects us more closely with the whole process. A plug like this can be sliced thick or thin, so the smoker gains complete control over the way it will pack and burn. It’s quite rewarding.
My favorite approach with JackKnife has been to slice it very thin, about 1/32″, and rub it completely into a fine shag. Filling the pipe carefully, not packing too tightly, results in a wonderful, cool, effortless smoke, and the fine cut seems to enhance the sweetness of the Virginias and bring out the subtle, natural perfume of the dark fired Kentucky leaf.
Details
| Brand | G. L. Pease |
| Series | New World Collection |
| Blended By | Gregory Pease |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Burley |
| Contents | Kentucky, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Plug |
| Packaging | 2 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium to Strong
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.43 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 20 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
I managed to purchase two tins of Jack Knife Plug from an online vendor when all others were out of it. I paid $3 more per tin than the going rate at other sites. Both my tins were dated 1-24-11.
Upon opening the tin, there was no detectable casing or top dressing tin note - just a mild tobacco smell. I was actually expecting something stronger. It is a fairly easy plug to work with - if you want to call it a plug as it was more cake-like and unappealing looking. Like hastily stacked, moistened leaves. It breaks apart easily if you are so inclined not to use a knife (just tear it). All said, I'm not a fan of how the plug is packed as once it is cut, it has a tendency to break apart into mini-like like pieces that resemble fairly large fish flakes. I say this as I prefer my flakes to have been tighter pressed. I chose a meer-lined briar for the occasion - one that I reserve for more natural Virginia or Burley tobaccos. It took to the match with moderate ease and required one or two relights along the way. It burned fairly well - most likely due to the fact that it wasn't pressed as a very dense brick. Overall, it was very easy to prepare for smoking.
Before smoking JKP, I thought it would be like Irish Flake, one of my top favorites, but there is no flavoring like with IrF, but its "punch" is stronger - and it can creep up on you with the tendency to smoke it fast for more flavor. The Kentucky leaf made itself known, although it was too harsh for my liking (and I enjoy Kentucky leaf). Not as good as I thought it would be (considering all the hype). As stated - a bit too harsh for my liking and with little natural sweetness. Actually, pretty flavorless. I prefer IF over this one.
UPDATE 12-30-11: What little flavor there is (very little for me) after letting this sit in its opened tin for nearly one year needs to be coaxed with very slow sipping. After all is said and done, still holding at 2 stars. Still have 2 unopened tins. By the way, there was some tobacco bailing wire embedded in the plug of tobacco - good thing it wasn't a brownie!
Upon opening the tin, there was no detectable casing or top dressing tin note - just a mild tobacco smell. I was actually expecting something stronger. It is a fairly easy plug to work with - if you want to call it a plug as it was more cake-like and unappealing looking. Like hastily stacked, moistened leaves. It breaks apart easily if you are so inclined not to use a knife (just tear it). All said, I'm not a fan of how the plug is packed as once it is cut, it has a tendency to break apart into mini-like like pieces that resemble fairly large fish flakes. I say this as I prefer my flakes to have been tighter pressed. I chose a meer-lined briar for the occasion - one that I reserve for more natural Virginia or Burley tobaccos. It took to the match with moderate ease and required one or two relights along the way. It burned fairly well - most likely due to the fact that it wasn't pressed as a very dense brick. Overall, it was very easy to prepare for smoking.
Before smoking JKP, I thought it would be like Irish Flake, one of my top favorites, but there is no flavoring like with IrF, but its "punch" is stronger - and it can creep up on you with the tendency to smoke it fast for more flavor. The Kentucky leaf made itself known, although it was too harsh for my liking (and I enjoy Kentucky leaf). Not as good as I thought it would be (considering all the hype). As stated - a bit too harsh for my liking and with little natural sweetness. Actually, pretty flavorless. I prefer IF over this one.
UPDATE 12-30-11: What little flavor there is (very little for me) after letting this sit in its opened tin for nearly one year needs to be coaxed with very slow sipping. After all is said and done, still holding at 2 stars. Still have 2 unopened tins. By the way, there was some tobacco bailing wire embedded in the plug of tobacco - good thing it wasn't a brownie!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 15, 2020 | Strong | None Detected | Mild | Tolerable |
In my first order from smockingpipes.com I purchased a range of American tobaccos not found in Europe, and aimed at covering a range of blend types. JKP was among that order, the date of the tin suggested it was already 6 months' old, so I decided to give it a year before cracking open.
I'd just come off a major HH Old Dark Fired bender and was eagerly looking forward to it, only to be badly, and sadly disappointed.
First of all, as noted by several other people, this is not what I understand of as a plug. I am thinking solid European, homogeneous plugs, this one's not it. It is more layered tobacco leaves that you have to handle with care or it'll simply scatter like a deck of cards. I think the reason is that GLP and C&D keep their tobaccos as natural as possible with regards to casings and toppings. The pity is that for my tastes this basically doesn't work. I guess I am not refined enough and need tobacco to have been through several processes, and have had a lot of additives to it.
The tin note is faint dark fired Kentucky and Virginia, but very faint. The taste...where is the taste?
This is the biggest disappointment for me, I was looking forward to a different version of MacBaren HH Old Dark Fired but found not a lot at all in Jackknife Plug. There is Virginia here and there, there is a hint of DFK here and there, and it is quite strong in (stronger than C&D's OJK and Haunted Bookshop, the other two blends I tried recently and got no taste out of them. It also dried my throat a bit.
Overall it just left me a dry taste and little else. I think I can be mellowed by mixing with something like MacBaren Vanilla Cream, giving it some body and much needed strength, and gaining sweetness, juiciness and actual taste.
It gets 2 stars for the name of the blender and packaging, and not to mess up its rating too much on the site. For me it is a 1 star because I don't have enough time to lose by smoking something I find to be tasteless.
This concludes the 6 different C&D/GLP tins I had, two of them, Bayou morning Flake and Byzantium I enjoyed immensely, the other four I did not. I'll stick with my region's blenders (Europe).
I'd just come off a major HH Old Dark Fired bender and was eagerly looking forward to it, only to be badly, and sadly disappointed.
First of all, as noted by several other people, this is not what I understand of as a plug. I am thinking solid European, homogeneous plugs, this one's not it. It is more layered tobacco leaves that you have to handle with care or it'll simply scatter like a deck of cards. I think the reason is that GLP and C&D keep their tobaccos as natural as possible with regards to casings and toppings. The pity is that for my tastes this basically doesn't work. I guess I am not refined enough and need tobacco to have been through several processes, and have had a lot of additives to it.
The tin note is faint dark fired Kentucky and Virginia, but very faint. The taste...where is the taste?
This is the biggest disappointment for me, I was looking forward to a different version of MacBaren HH Old Dark Fired but found not a lot at all in Jackknife Plug. There is Virginia here and there, there is a hint of DFK here and there, and it is quite strong in (stronger than C&D's OJK and Haunted Bookshop, the other two blends I tried recently and got no taste out of them. It also dried my throat a bit.
Overall it just left me a dry taste and little else. I think I can be mellowed by mixing with something like MacBaren Vanilla Cream, giving it some body and much needed strength, and gaining sweetness, juiciness and actual taste.
It gets 2 stars for the name of the blender and packaging, and not to mess up its rating too much on the site. For me it is a 1 star because I don't have enough time to lose by smoking something I find to be tasteless.
This concludes the 6 different C&D/GLP tins I had, two of them, Bayou morning Flake and Byzantium I enjoyed immensely, the other four I did not. I'll stick with my region's blenders (Europe).
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipe.com
Age When Smoked:
1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 09, 2017 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Despite C&D's third rate Va's, GLP has managed to produced a library of blends that are critically praised and well thought of. Despite my jaundiced view of what he has to work with, I still count two or three of his as all time greats, and I respect what he is doing with the rest even if I don't like them enough to smoke regularly.
JKP is a very American take on a tobacco I would consider very English, a plug of Va and Kentucky. Comparing this to Revor Plug or Dark Plug, I think it has a decidedly American body and shows bright notes you wouldn't get with those. The best way I can describe this tobacco is Worcestershire sauce. It is meaty, smoky, sweet, sour, and spicy. It can produce a smoke that is monolithic or layered in nuance. It is espresso to the classic American Burley blend's coffee.
I don't think Bob Runowski got to try this before he passed, but he would have approved and would have wrote the best forum post about its merits. I like strong tobacco in a Prince on nights I don't have as much time to smoke, and on nights where I have more time than usual and squeeze in a second, small bowl.
22Aug2021 update after years of comparison to Dark Flake, 1792 and Irish Flake, I am taking one star off my review of JKP. It's acrid, creosotic and rough compared to the ones I mentioned. I use it to give backbone to weak kneed Burley blends, but I won't smoke it straight anymore. For a guy that markets himself as a gourmand and tobacco blender, he sure uses components in his blends that are hugely monolithic and destroy any hint of nuance. At this point the only blend of his I would praise is Raven's Wing, you can have the rest.
JKP is a very American take on a tobacco I would consider very English, a plug of Va and Kentucky. Comparing this to Revor Plug or Dark Plug, I think it has a decidedly American body and shows bright notes you wouldn't get with those. The best way I can describe this tobacco is Worcestershire sauce. It is meaty, smoky, sweet, sour, and spicy. It can produce a smoke that is monolithic or layered in nuance. It is espresso to the classic American Burley blend's coffee.
I don't think Bob Runowski got to try this before he passed, but he would have approved and would have wrote the best forum post about its merits. I like strong tobacco in a Prince on nights I don't have as much time to smoke, and on nights where I have more time than usual and squeeze in a second, small bowl.
22Aug2021 update after years of comparison to Dark Flake, 1792 and Irish Flake, I am taking one star off my review of JKP. It's acrid, creosotic and rough compared to the ones I mentioned. I use it to give backbone to weak kneed Burley blends, but I won't smoke it straight anymore. For a guy that markets himself as a gourmand and tobacco blender, he sure uses components in his blends that are hugely monolithic and destroy any hint of nuance. At this point the only blend of his I would praise is Raven's Wing, you can have the rest.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 03, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Update 02/21/2013
Merr...There is a strong downside to this plug. I noticed it is not quite a plug in the proper sense of the word, like Peterson 3 P, for example. When I rub out the slices, the leaf that unveils is quite of a coarse cut. And the plug is not one solid block, it started separating in two quickly.
That is not an issue in itself, of course. But if I prepare slices that are rather thick, the smoking experience can become very harsh and strong.
As much as I enjoy the deep, rich taste of the DFK in this plug, this "side effect' is most unpleasant. And it is not an isolated case, it happened to me the last 3 times, to the point where I stopped smoking and emptied the pipe whan it was not even smoked a full one third. I just could not continue smoking harsh and unrefined strong tobacco.
Such a pity. i will not buy again, unfortunately, and PIF still has my clear preference when it comes to DFK tobaccos.
Original Review 02/03/2013
JKP reminded me a lot of PIF because both contain a fair quantity of DFK.
But JKP, right off the bat, is creamier, smoother, more refined.
Don't look with complexity of flavours with this plug.
But if you are looking for a rich, tasty, strong and creamy smoke, JKP has what you are seeking.
I think it will just be fantastic once aged a minimum of 2-3 years.
Merr...There is a strong downside to this plug. I noticed it is not quite a plug in the proper sense of the word, like Peterson 3 P, for example. When I rub out the slices, the leaf that unveils is quite of a coarse cut. And the plug is not one solid block, it started separating in two quickly.
That is not an issue in itself, of course. But if I prepare slices that are rather thick, the smoking experience can become very harsh and strong.
As much as I enjoy the deep, rich taste of the DFK in this plug, this "side effect' is most unpleasant. And it is not an isolated case, it happened to me the last 3 times, to the point where I stopped smoking and emptied the pipe whan it was not even smoked a full one third. I just could not continue smoking harsh and unrefined strong tobacco.
Such a pity. i will not buy again, unfortunately, and PIF still has my clear preference when it comes to DFK tobaccos.
Original Review 02/03/2013
JKP reminded me a lot of PIF because both contain a fair quantity of DFK.
But JKP, right off the bat, is creamier, smoother, more refined.
Don't look with complexity of flavours with this plug.
But if you are looking for a rich, tasty, strong and creamy smoke, JKP has what you are seeking.
I think it will just be fantastic once aged a minimum of 2-3 years.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 13, 2012 | Very Strong | None Detected | Full | Strong |
G. L. Pease JackKnife Plug is a nice strong blend that Is very nice after a large meal in the morning or at night. To me it has tastes of coffee and pepper much like a cigar. Also it has a strong kick to it so I would suggest having a full stomach before smoking.
Update: I have realized as much as I love the flavor of this tobacco I just cant handle the nicotine content it is simply to strong for me I have had two bowls of Dunhills nightcap in a row before and I still cant take more than half a bowl of JackKnife Plug... I suggest that you only get this blend if you know you can handle really strong tobacco
Update: I have realized as much as I love the flavor of this tobacco I just cant handle the nicotine content it is simply to strong for me I have had two bowls of Dunhills nightcap in a row before and I still cant take more than half a bowl of JackKnife Plug... I suggest that you only get this blend if you know you can handle really strong tobacco
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 15, 2012 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Just to let the reviewer before me know that most of the reviews of this tobacco (50 as of this writing) are listed under G L Peases's New World Collection. Enjoy the reviews!
ORIGINAL REVIEW 1-31-11, listed under New World Collection: Jackknife Plug: I managed to purchase two tins of Jack Knife Plug from an online vendor when all others were out of it. I paid $3 more per tin than the going rate at other sites. Both my tins were dated 1-24-11.
Upon opening the tin, there was no detectable casing or top dressing tin note - just a mild tobacco smell. I was actually expecting something stronger. It is a fairly easy plug to work with - if you want to call it a plug as it was more cake-like and unappealing. It breaks apart easily if you are so inclined not to use a knife (just tear it). All said, I'm not a fan of how the plug is packed as once it is cut, it has a tendency to break apart into mini-like like pieces that resemble fairly large fish flakes. I say this as I prefer my flakes to have been tighter pressed under pressure. I chose a meer-lined briar for the occasion - one that I reserve for more natural Virginia or Burley tobaccos. It took to the match with moderate ease and required one or two relights along the way. It burned fairly well - most likely due to the fact that it wasn't pressed as a very dense brick. Overall, it was very easy to prepare for smoking.
Before smoking JKP, I thought it would be like Irish Flake, one of my top favorites, but there is no flavoring like with IrF, but its "punch" is stronger - and it can creep up on you with the tendency to smoke it fast for more flavor. The Kentucky leaf made itself known, although it was too harsh for my liking (and I enjoy Kentucky leaf). Not as good as I thought it would be (considering all the hype). As stated - a bit too harsh for my liking and with little natural sweetness. Actually, pretty flavorless. I prefer IF over this one.
UPDATE 12-30-11: What little flavor there is (very little for me) after letting this sit in its opened tin for nearly one year needs to be coaxed with very slow sipping. After all is said and done, still holding at 2 stars. Still have 2 unopened tins. By the way, there was some tobacco bailing wire embedded in the plug of tobacco - good thing it wasn't a brownie!
ORIGINAL REVIEW 1-31-11, listed under New World Collection: Jackknife Plug: I managed to purchase two tins of Jack Knife Plug from an online vendor when all others were out of it. I paid $3 more per tin than the going rate at other sites. Both my tins were dated 1-24-11.
Upon opening the tin, there was no detectable casing or top dressing tin note - just a mild tobacco smell. I was actually expecting something stronger. It is a fairly easy plug to work with - if you want to call it a plug as it was more cake-like and unappealing. It breaks apart easily if you are so inclined not to use a knife (just tear it). All said, I'm not a fan of how the plug is packed as once it is cut, it has a tendency to break apart into mini-like like pieces that resemble fairly large fish flakes. I say this as I prefer my flakes to have been tighter pressed under pressure. I chose a meer-lined briar for the occasion - one that I reserve for more natural Virginia or Burley tobaccos. It took to the match with moderate ease and required one or two relights along the way. It burned fairly well - most likely due to the fact that it wasn't pressed as a very dense brick. Overall, it was very easy to prepare for smoking.
Before smoking JKP, I thought it would be like Irish Flake, one of my top favorites, but there is no flavoring like with IrF, but its "punch" is stronger - and it can creep up on you with the tendency to smoke it fast for more flavor. The Kentucky leaf made itself known, although it was too harsh for my liking (and I enjoy Kentucky leaf). Not as good as I thought it would be (considering all the hype). As stated - a bit too harsh for my liking and with little natural sweetness. Actually, pretty flavorless. I prefer IF over this one.
UPDATE 12-30-11: What little flavor there is (very little for me) after letting this sit in its opened tin for nearly one year needs to be coaxed with very slow sipping. After all is said and done, still holding at 2 stars. Still have 2 unopened tins. By the way, there was some tobacco bailing wire embedded in the plug of tobacco - good thing it wasn't a brownie!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 01, 2011 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Better than triple play and like it will let it age for a while.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 09, 2011 | Medium | Mild | Mild | Unnoticeable |
I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion and I don't like to be the first reviewer to start off this string with a so-so review but here goes anyway. I have smoked several of G.L. Pease's blends and I am about to break into my second one of Jackknife Plug and I have to admit it is a fair tobacco but only that. Fair.I know that this will come as a sort of slightly blasphemous statement to all the diehard Pease fans but that is how this blend affected me. Good even at times but not great. Does it lack something? I don't know. Maybe. I am not that much of an expert having only smoked Virginia blends and Virginia/Perique blends since 1973 so I may be wrong in my assessment. I didn't notice any flavorings and to me that is a good point and I don't give a rat's patootie about the room note so that's irrelevant to me.The "flavor" is a good medium strength and somewhat enjoyable use of the time smoking but to me there is no "Wow" factor in this blend. Would I buy more of it? Probably not unless it was seriously discounted pricewise. Do I reccomend it to the committed Pease fans? Sure do. I just don't believe I'm one of them.I'll keep on trying Pease blends though in hopes of becoming a true-believer someday and maybe one day? All those singing the fulsome praises for Pease blends must be enjoying something I apparently have missed out on. Who knows? It could happen.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 22, 2011 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Good tobbaco,Fair taste and burn qualities but nothing to get all that excited about. Crumbled the whole plug not bothering to go to the trouble of slicing it. i really on' see what all the hoopala is about though.Have tried several of the Pease blends and the same reaction to them all. Probably just me but I've yet to become worshipful Pease fan especially considering the prices.Glad to see ohers love it so much and maybe litle aging will improve this somewhat.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 15, 2019 | Very Strong | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Holy moly this has a lot of nicotine. And I smoke haunted bookshop and old Joe Krantz all day long. This does not have anywhere near as much flavor as I expected. Old Dark Fired is the only other Kentucky blend I have smoked, and this tastes nothing like it. The Virginias are too young, and at these prices I shouldn't have to age this. But it shows some real potential. I guess I recommend this. It is definitely a smooth smoke. Mostly somewhat grassy notes with a slight nutty spiciness. Two and a half stars
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