Coniston Cut Plug

Coniston Cut Plug is one of Gawith, Hoggarth & Co.'s classic plug tobaccos built on fire-cured leaf. Records indicate roughly three-quarters of the mix is dark fire-cured leaf, with the remainder split equally between Malawi Burley and Virginia. After the mixture is pressed and cut, it is broken into broken-flake form; this coarse structure gives a slow, cool burn.

A light Lakeland topping reminiscent of clove is applied; the topping doesn't mask the tobacco taste but adds a sweet, floral edge to it. In the smoke, the smoky, woody body of the fire-cured leaf leads. Within the brand's dark trio, it carries a more measured strength than Dark Flake and Bosun, so it can be seen as a gateway into blends built on fire-cured leaf. Still, the nicotine load is notable and may be heavy for newcomers.