Whole leaf latakia blend plug - Apertif Clone

Well, hurricane Ian knocked out the power last night so nothing to do but make a Latakia blend whole leaf plug. Worked on destemming the red Virginia and cased it with the plum casing I used for the Virginia/burley

Thumbed through Goff’s book since it was full of English/Balken blends and settled on this recipe called Cajun Muse:

Latakia 37.5% (6 of 16 parts)
Oriental 12.5% (2 of 16 parts)
Virginia Bright 12.5% (2 of 16 parts)
Virginia Red 25% (4 of 16 parts)
Perique 12.5% (2 of 16 parts)

Dropped it in the frame press two weeks ago and then moved it to a C-Clamp the next morning. I have to say I am impressed on how this plug looks. With the summer plugs I would keep them clamped and stored in the hot truck as a poor man’s stoving. The plug was slightly sticky, likely from the perique and sliced up nice but almost like a broken flake.

And made a third plug is made

Plug made 7/27/24