Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Balkan Plug

Balkan Plug is the unsliced, plug-form presentation of the jet-black cake Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. produces by pressing and cooking Virginia and Cyprus latakia; records indicate it comes from the same dough as the firm's Balkan Flake. Since it rests as a plug, it retains its moisture for a long time, and the smoker chooses their own cut. Cooking softens Virginia's harsh side while bringing out the blend's earthy, smoky character; woody, spicy, and leather-like notes round this out.