Hogshead

Hogshead is a pure Virginia entry that departs from Seattle Pipe Club's better-known Latakia-forward line. The blend is prepared by heavily pressing orange and red Virginia leaves aged around ten years, then slicing them into a thick plug. No additives are used; the flavor comes entirely from the leaf's own sugar and the maturation that occurs during pressing.

The pressed structure concentrates the smoke and brings out a bready, honeyed, faintly sour Virginia character. The plug format asks preparation of the smoker: how the slice is crumbled and aired is decisive for the burn. A blend designed for smokers who want to follow the flue-cured leaf's own taste in its plain form and who make time for a slow smoke.