J. F. Germain & Son Plum Cake Mixture
(2.84)
Blended from Virginia tobacco with dark cavendish and extra matured black cavendish. Flavoured with a delicate and barely discernable plum topping whose ingredients are known only to the owners of the company.
Notes: This is a traditional pipe mixture of which 80% is prepared from seven different types of Virginia leaf. The remaining 20% is a specially prepared black tobacco made from Cavendish and Negrohead. A rare air-cured leaf. This is possibly the only British made tobacco containing this particular ingredient. The unique added flavour gives an agreeable taste and pleasant aroma. Origin Channel Islands.
Details
| Brand | J. F. Germain & Son |
| Blended By | J. F. Germain & Son |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | Virginia Based |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Plum |
| Cut | shag |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin, 50 grams pouch |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild to Medium
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.84 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 20 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Perusing the reviews, I have become convinced that people are smoking two utterly different tobaccos. Plum Cake has a magical dark, dried fruit smell in the tin, and is a shag pressed into a small block. Like all Germain blends, waxed paper--never cellophane--is used to pack it. Upon the light, one expects a strong aromatic element due to the tin note, but it's not there, except as a pleasant backdrop to a dusty, savory brown VA which I find pleasant but not extraordinary. With 20 minutes of drying it's ready to smoke--right out of the tin it's too wet, and as with all shag cuts, rehydration would be a disaster, and it will bite like hell. But that is not a quality of the tobacco--when properly dried, even smoking a pipe that is normally mean to me if I stop paying attention, I found no bite whatsoever. I am especially sensitive to bite, smoking mostly brown Virginias, and so I can't see what all the whinging is about. Different palates, I guess, or improper drying. The aromatic element is not "chemically" at all--again, I am especially sensitive to polypropylene and detect none at all in the feel or in the mouthfeel of the tobacco. I will be buying some to cellar, as I'm sure the quality of the VA will do nothing except improve. It is my opinion that what some people refer to as a 'chemical' taste in their tobaccos is nothing but the soapiness of natural African Virginia leaf. There are no chemicals in this tobacco--or really in any Germain mixture; it's not their style. All in all, a fine tobacco that burns beautifully and quickly (like any shag cut), but just distinctive enough to scare off some smokers. I think that we need to be a little more careful with 'accusations' of heavy casing, since you should be able to tell simply by handling the tobacco--if it is tacky to the touch and shows no drying after 24 hours, it's probably cased. If it leaves a pool (not just dottle, but a pool) of liquid at the bottom of your pipe, it's probably cased. Germain's blends do neither of these things, and while technically an aromatic, the casing is minimal and tasteful.
Pipe Used:
Dunhill 463 Group 2 1962
PurchasedFrom:
The Briar Shoppe; Houston, TX
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2014 | Medium | Strong | Very Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
On initial opening, the tin aroma is very powerful and doesn't evoke happy pleasant memories of anything in particular, at least not in me. (I don't have much experience with plum cakes so that could be a reason!). That led me to feel this is a rather synthetic and unnatural product. but not unpleasant, just odd. And at the same time, the tin says it is "a unique smoking experience" - it is, so no marketing fibs there; and it also says it is based on an 80 year recipe which means it was "a la mode" sometime around 1933 which was the very year that the London Passenger Transport Board (LT to londoners - red buses and tube trains to the rest of the world) was created. It is also around the time that my newly married grandparents bought their brand new semi detached house, no doubt full of anticipation and excitement for their life ahead, on the slopes of Shooters Hill (a house that I got know and love 4 decades later); an era of art deco, streamlined steam engines beating world speed records', talking movie pictures - and all of a sudden, I have a smell to associate with a bygone era and I really quite like it!!! The smoke is a bit on the hot and steamy side but controllable with care, and a little bit flat on the flavour side but not too bad. As the bowl develops I seem to get an ocassional faint sense of smoked bacon; I can't make my mind up on this between 2 and 3 stars but for the happy (and somewhat synthetic!!) evocation of a bygone but very optimistic age, It gets 3 stars! It also remains smokable well after opening the tin.
Postscript: after writing and posting I took a look at what others had to say - seems there is at least one other reviewer for whom this tobacco takes them back through the decades -for RCUSElder it is London in the 1880's, for me, London in the 1930's - so pick your preferred decade from years gone by, open a tin up and boom - you're there!,! Magical!
Postscript: after writing and posting I took a look at what others had to say - seems there is at least one other reviewer for whom this tobacco takes them back through the decades -for RCUSElder it is London in the 1880's, for me, London in the 1930's - so pick your preferred decade from years gone by, open a tin up and boom - you're there!,! Magical!
Pipe Used:
Falcon
PurchasedFrom:
4 Noggins
Age When Smoked:
New to 10 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 16, 2010 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Tolerable |
My first review here and I wanted to redress the balance slightly as I feel that, for some people at least, this blend could prove more enjoyable than they might expect given its overall reception so far.
As someone who doesn't usually smoke aromatics I was a bit wary about ordering a tin, but I needn't have worried. This is not a heavily flavoured, cloyingly sweet or chemically tasting smoke - rather it is one where the slightly unusual aromatic flavourings blend nicely with the slightly unusual tobacco flavourings.
The taste in the pipe matches up to the smell in the tin, a slightly musty, fruity aroma that to me is reminscent of the filling from a mince pie. There is no bite or irritation here and with a bit of drying time the fairly fine shag cut smokes cool and dry all the way to the bottom, retaining its character as it does so.
Nicotine is on the medium side of mild (as opposed to the mild side of medium) and works nicely for me as a daytime smoke at the weekends.
The intriguing 'special' black tobacco that is mentioned in the description does impart a flavour which, I can appreciate, is going to be a love it or hate it experience, but I find it makes a nice change and gives the blend a body that it would otherwise lack.
The flavours in Plumcake seem to me a bit more grown up than the usual vanilla and cherry offerings most of us think of when we think 'aromatic'. I will be buying more. If you fancy trying something a bit different and like to be able to taste the tobacco in your aromatics then you might do well to pick up a tin yourself.
As someone who doesn't usually smoke aromatics I was a bit wary about ordering a tin, but I needn't have worried. This is not a heavily flavoured, cloyingly sweet or chemically tasting smoke - rather it is one where the slightly unusual aromatic flavourings blend nicely with the slightly unusual tobacco flavourings.
The taste in the pipe matches up to the smell in the tin, a slightly musty, fruity aroma that to me is reminscent of the filling from a mince pie. There is no bite or irritation here and with a bit of drying time the fairly fine shag cut smokes cool and dry all the way to the bottom, retaining its character as it does so.
Nicotine is on the medium side of mild (as opposed to the mild side of medium) and works nicely for me as a daytime smoke at the weekends.
The intriguing 'special' black tobacco that is mentioned in the description does impart a flavour which, I can appreciate, is going to be a love it or hate it experience, but I find it makes a nice change and gives the blend a body that it would otherwise lack.
The flavours in Plumcake seem to me a bit more grown up than the usual vanilla and cherry offerings most of us think of when we think 'aromatic'. I will be buying more. If you fancy trying something a bit different and like to be able to taste the tobacco in your aromatics then you might do well to pick up a tin yourself.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 09, 2002 | Very Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
This blend is sweet in the tin, taste and the room aroma. The light VAs are complemented by a black add that I believe gives the tobacco its fruity effect. I've heard that they treat this portion with oils and whatever they're using imparts a rather unique but pleasant flavor. Perhaps the 'cake' in its name refers to the baked variety since this is more of a ribbon cut preparation in my view. It therefore burns much faster than the flakes that I normally smoke. Moisture content and this cut requires some practice in packing technique/pipe size selection or a difficult draw and hot smoke may result. Once this is mastered, you are justly rewarded with a cool, bite-free smoke without moisture buildup in the bowl. The taste is consistent thruout the smoke and although one dimensional, is good. A smooth, sweet and mild smoke that I enjoy especially in the hot/humid weather like we've been having recently in the Northeast.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 13, 2014 | Very Mild | Mild | Mild | Tolerable |
This tobacco smells like like old wine in the tin. It has absolutely no nicotine effect on me (something strong tobacco smokers might not like). A unique tobacco if not a little odd compared to other aromatics. I buy it now and then but is not a regular in my rotation.
This tobacco has been out of stock with all of the best known suppliers for quite a while. I'd like to get another tin but can't find it anywhere.
This tobacco has been out of stock with all of the best known suppliers for quite a while. I'd like to get another tin but can't find it anywhere.
Pipe Used:
Dr. Grabow Grand Duke, corn cob
PurchasedFrom:
4 noggins
Age When Smoked:
fresh out of the tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2012 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
My experience with this mixture dates back several years and most recently in smoking 100 gr. over the last few weeks.
In reading past reviews it reminds me of how the same tobacco I find pleasing...others find displeasing or not as worthy as I.
However, that being said, I do find this mixture most agreeable, "round" in taste, pleasing aroma and room note, and while I'd prefer it in plug form, it smokes well in almost any pipe. Not a strong tobacco, so morning through afternoon for me.
I have never seen any flakes(broken or otherwise) in this tobacco, rather thin ribbon almost shag cut. For me, I smoke this in a group 5 and larger pipe and have had little issue with lighting and keeping it lit.
Not a go-to for me but one I will keep available in rotation.
...a pipe is to be savored...
In reading past reviews it reminds me of how the same tobacco I find pleasing...others find displeasing or not as worthy as I.
However, that being said, I do find this mixture most agreeable, "round" in taste, pleasing aroma and room note, and while I'd prefer it in plug form, it smokes well in almost any pipe. Not a strong tobacco, so morning through afternoon for me.
I have never seen any flakes(broken or otherwise) in this tobacco, rather thin ribbon almost shag cut. For me, I smoke this in a group 5 and larger pipe and have had little issue with lighting and keeping it lit.
Not a go-to for me but one I will keep available in rotation.
...a pipe is to be savored...
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2007 | Mild | Medium | Very Mild | Very Pleasant |
I found the pleasant looking tin to be the best thing about this blend. It is nothing like Mac Baren's Plumcake (which I enjoy once a year or so)..... This mixture is a little wet out of the tinand took awhile to dry out before loading into my pipe. I liked the fermented fruit type smell coming out of the tin and the rich ripe Virginia flavor, added with the casing, that one tastes immediately at the match.
Germain is a terrific blender and this Plum Cake is another hit.
Germain is a terrific blender and this Plum Cake is another hit.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 31, 2002 | Very Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
This is another hit in the Germain line, but a lightly aromatic one( I normally don't like many aromatics except for some lightly scented flakes or some old Edwards blends, etc.), but this is nice. Not hot or wet or anything like that.
Now it has a viriginia base so it should be packed in layers (with the top most firm), tamped occasionally during smoking, and puffed slowly, or it could bite some. We don't want that. But with proper packing and puffing technique, it is fairly cool and a delightful light virginia aromatic. I've smoked it indoors and outside in a large Bjarne bulldog. It's not really wet at all for an aromatic with a pressed cake for its formation. It's really quite dry smoking for a sweet blend.
I would call this a light Three Star Blue or a one-half or less CAO Blue Note in flavor. I can't tell what's in it, but is seems like a light grape or wine essence to me. I haven't tried MacBarens blend of the same name, but from the write-ups in these reviews, this blend must be cooler and lighter than MACs.
Now G's Plum Cake has not a lot of flavor, and it is lighter but sweeter with their Royal Jersey Perique for instance. (It's lighter and sweeter than Edward's cool Brandywine blend too.) I'd recommend this Germain blend for a light aromatic change of pace for natural smokers or as a mild dessert blend. It is probably not rich enough for a true aromatic smoker, but even for them it could be a change of pace into something a little more to the natural side yet sweet.
Now it has a viriginia base so it should be packed in layers (with the top most firm), tamped occasionally during smoking, and puffed slowly, or it could bite some. We don't want that. But with proper packing and puffing technique, it is fairly cool and a delightful light virginia aromatic. I've smoked it indoors and outside in a large Bjarne bulldog. It's not really wet at all for an aromatic with a pressed cake for its formation. It's really quite dry smoking for a sweet blend.
I would call this a light Three Star Blue or a one-half or less CAO Blue Note in flavor. I can't tell what's in it, but is seems like a light grape or wine essence to me. I haven't tried MacBarens blend of the same name, but from the write-ups in these reviews, this blend must be cooler and lighter than MACs.
Now G's Plum Cake has not a lot of flavor, and it is lighter but sweeter with their Royal Jersey Perique for instance. (It's lighter and sweeter than Edward's cool Brandywine blend too.) I'd recommend this Germain blend for a light aromatic change of pace for natural smokers or as a mild dessert blend. It is probably not rich enough for a true aromatic smoker, but even for them it could be a change of pace into something a little more to the natural side yet sweet.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 05, 2017 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
A very nice aro that's a little unique. As far as natural flavors, the Virginias take the initial lead and then give way to the Black Cav and the "nor cavendish". I can't describe the "nor cavendish" flavor as I've never tasted anything quite like it. It's very mild in flavor, but what I can taste of it I like. The topping is pretty much the star here and I get mostly plum and licorice. The combo is very pleasant. Overall a nice tasting blend that smokes smooth and burns fairly cool.
Medium in body. Mild to medium in taste and flavoring. Burns very well.
Medium in body. Mild to medium in taste and flavoring. Burns very well.
Pipe Used:
MM Little Devil Cutty, Little Devil Acorn, Marcus
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 09, 2024 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Unnoticeable |
Germains Plum Cake Mixture- It is fruity sweet with a wine and herbal floral thing going on . What herbs and spices? I have no idea what it is but it is certainly unsual . The air cured leaf gives the blend some body and strength to contrast the sweet flue cured Virginias. It reminds me of no blend or flavors I have tasted before . It has a slighly bitter note sometimes in a good way . It has some fig like and vanilla notes also . If you want something different to try , this is it . Truly original . 3
Age When Smoked:
New
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