Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Dark Plug

Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. - Dark Plug.

A dense plug which I find gives the best results when prepared in my coffee grinder. Sure, it would smoke just as well if I spent ages chopping and slicing but that would take far too long! The aroma from the prepared 'rubbings' is a Lakeland/floral one. Although the plug's dense it hasn't sealed in too much moisture to impair smoking once sliced. It's dark in colour, of course!

The immediate flavour to hit my senses is a Lakeland/floral one. The strength of the topping reduces once the burn's settled but it still doesn't require a detective to seek it out. It isn't 'strong', but a DEFINITE addition. Topping aside, the tobaccos have a full flavour. If there were more air-cured I'd find the flavour ameliorated, but the acrid, sticky, smoky, fire-cured is way too pungent. The burn's good, needing very little attention, manufacturing cool, bite-free, smoke.

The aftertaste is DISGUSTING.

Nicotine: ridiculous. Room-note: nasty.

I'm not even giving this a 'pity rating' of two stars, it's bloomin horrible. Straight into my bin! Not recommended:

One star.

Kendal Dark Plug Aromatic from Gawith Hogarth,I love this one,full sweet taste,a whirlwind of cool virginasmoke

in my moth and nasal cavitys it´s ideal to consume using the "french inhalation"style smoking and it burns safe and

even to the bottom of the bowl without getting foul in taste.This tobacco must be prepared for consumption with a

sharp knife or a windowcleaners razorblade with some tape in the end to prevent fingers from soaking the KDPA

with eagertosmoke blood.I use to cut it in 1-2mm thick flakes wich I rub out in a manner that gives me everything

from tobaccodust up to small chunks.I fill the bowl with the chunks at the bottom of the bowl and progressing

upwards with the finer texrures until I sprinkle the dust as a last preparation for a proper lightup.I smoke this

tobacco preferably in a small Petersonpipe,bent systemstyle and it fits for both shy puffing and aggressive drawing

inbetween.That thick white smoke grants for a nice close up from a hardworksday.Four stars!

Dark plug and Dark flake are congenerous blends *but* do notably differ. The obvious difference being the Dark flake has been pre-cut into flakes. Some of the more subtle differences between the two would be like comparing a Pepsi from yesteryears glass bottles to a Pepsi from an aluminum can, while the initial product is the same, the taste does vary.

This is a strong, old fashioned, Dark-Fired Virginia/Burley blend in a thick, compact black plug, full of flavor and nicotine. Available in the US from Marscigars. This tobacco is not for those delicate flowers seeking hints of this or that or for those who find satisfaction in stuff like 1-Q. But rather it is for lovers of strong leaf and for those with a penchant for pain.

When I ordered Dark Plug from Mars Cigar, I had kinda expected Dark Plug to be about the same as Dark Flake...perhaps just harder to work with.

There is of course alot of similarity in the flavors between the two. However I was quite surprised at how pleasantly melded and harmonious DP was compared to DF.

Upon lighting, there is the Lakeland floral/soapy note in both versions. (I generally dislike that Lakeland note.) DF is a strong, even harsh blend, and is abrasive on the throat. By contrast, DP is strong yet coherent, not at all harsh or abrasive, and the Lakeland note seems to augment this harmony; whereas this floral note seems to me incongruous in DF's in-your-face presentation.

The plug is fairly easy to work with a pocket knife, and the moisture content is about right, making it not too gummy nor too brittle to cut, and minimal drying is required.

Like DF, this is _extremely_ potent in the nicotine arena...I consider DF/DP the strongest blend I've ever smoked. Partly because of this, it is an occasional delight only, yet its quality earns it 4 stars. If you like GH ropes and/or other GH Kendals, its worth a try.

So my old friend Dark xx has been hiding under a different pseudonym at the same time.. This smoke is hands down my favourite smoke,glad I have found it under another name because I thought it was rare. Basically my review is the same as DARK XX in this regard really but will update.. A cigarish ala Cuban leaf tasting ,meaty barnyard of the thickest richest tasting smoke I have ever experienced in a pipe.. Thick oily chewy smoke,old time tastes of roast beef,sea salt,drift wood,marmite. Really forgiving cool long lasting smoke.Great indoors or out. all weathers;nothing can mute it be it fog,wind or freezing.. Sums up a magic experience always. The plug is easy to tear up with your hands if you have to;it smokes well almost any way you prepare it really. I use a 6" carpenters pincers to nibble flakelets out of it and cube cut it down and sprinkle in bowl. Smokes the same more or less whether wet or dry. Its one of the few baccies I don't have to worry about moisture because its own oils preserve its integrity. My latest sample is loose weighed and its just as good as the pouch in everyway. Full 4 stars****

Very dark, smooth, and full nicotine strength. The flavor is best enjoyed with a very light cadence of sipping. If you want pure tobacco strength and flavor of dark fired old English tobacco, this is it. I don't really know how better to describe it. Women around you will be driven out of the room by the note, but the flavor is a real treat.

I've smoked it while working, but I think it pairs best with relaxation and kicking your feet up enjoying things slowly.

Certainly isn't something I like to smoke in the morning.

If you have ever slapped yourself awake after almost falling asleep at the wheel, you know why you need this. As advertised, and as others have noted, this is strong stuff. It is challenging in many ways - hard to come by, difficult to prepare, and smoking requires quite a bit of attention. That said, I found that Dark Plug was well worth the effort. There is some light-colored leaf, maybe 10%, but you wouldn't know it from the flavor. It's very spicy on the lips and in the nostrils, with much dark, tangy bitterness. In my opinion, this would be a good tobacco to tuck away with your emergency supplies. I guarantee this tobacco will take your mind off of whatever is bothering you.

Dark Plug is Amazing

I just reviewed Dark Flake, which is about the same as Dark Plug. The flavor profile of both tobaccos are unique among other blends that I have tried. It is musty, slightly smokey, and tangy. I find the plug to be a little richer than the flake. The dark fired leaf is not as strong as it’s American cousin in that it doesn’t contain that oaky smokiness. It is more musty, slightly sweet, and less nutty. Somehow, the dark fired leaf does not overwhelm the flavor profile. The other tobaccos add a huge amount of depth to the smoke and a solid earthy foundation. Dark Plug and Dark Flake might be the smoothest smokes in the G&H line and are a must try. They are in my top ten blends.

I acquired a small sample of this a month or two ago from a tin dated 3/17/19 and just got around to trying this. This has the typical dark fired smell of Malawi and Indian tobacco somewhat like horse manure or a barn. The piece of plug is as hard as 3Ps for those of you who have had that one. I broke it up as well as possible but was a real b to light and keep lit. The first few puffs had the Lakeland scent to it but that faded away almost instantly. This is good tobacco and reminds me of strength like Irish Flake. I like it but it is sort of like a clone of other dark fired tobaccos. Same genre if you will. I would buy some if you like the strong more natural taste of tobacco. I used a cob and other than having to light it a hundred times it was great. Must work on my plug technique I suppose.