Plum Pudding Special Reserve Flake

Plum Pudding Special Reserve Flake is the premium version of the Plum Pudding recipe, signed by Seattle Pipe Club's founding blender Joe Lankford, presented in pressed-leaf form. The base is built on mature red Virginia leaf; Cyprus latakia, Turkish-Oriental leaves, perique, and some cavendish are added on top. It differs from the standard version by being reinforced with long-aged sun-cured leaves and by pressing the whole leaf into flake form; according to records, the blend is produced at Cornell & Diehl.

On the smoke, Latakia's smoky, tar-like core sits alongside the Virginia's dark, fruity sweetness; perique adds a plum-and-pepper sharpness, while the Oriental leaves bring a layer of dry hay and spice. Because of the flake structure, the smoke is slow and cool, and the leaf needs to be rubbed and aired for a while. Suited to smokers accustomed to flake preparation who seek a Latakia-forward, unflavored, intensely sweet blend.