Robert McConnell St. James Park
(2.33)
A blend for later in the day.
Notes: Dunhill Apéritif clone, and was originally called The Appetizer.
Details
| Brand | Robert McConnell |
| Series | Heritage |
| Blended By | Robert McConnell |
| Manufactured By | Kohlhase & Kopp |
| Blend Type | Scottish |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 09, 2021 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
Contrarily to the other review, the content of my tin was quite on the wet side. I have smoked Aperitif quite a few times around 15-20 years ago, and this replica seems to be slightly different: a bit less Latakia, more sweetness, a slightly fuller body. Aperitif tasted slightly drier, cleaner and more smoky, in my memory.
That said, it's an OK blend. I would almost be tempted to give it three stars (recommended) if judged alone, on its own merits. I decided to give it a stricter rating for two reasons: the first is that I don't rave about the presence of Cavendish in an EM, it adds not only sweetness but somehow a "dirty" and mouth-drying note that I find cloying. The other reason is that in the same Heritage line, Notting Hill fits much better the bill of a "medium" latakia mixture: it's just as sweet from the rich Virginias, but I find it more agile, more fragrant and balanced. If you have tasted Notting Hill, this is more or less the same with a touch less Latakia, and the added Cavendish (which is a minus in my book).
Anyway, this is a good English Mixture with a not excessive amount of Latakia, and overall quite "chewy" and rich in spite of not being a heavy one. Quite simply, it doesn't find a place in my rotation because there are alternatives which are more suited to my taste.
That said, it's an OK blend. I would almost be tempted to give it three stars (recommended) if judged alone, on its own merits. I decided to give it a stricter rating for two reasons: the first is that I don't rave about the presence of Cavendish in an EM, it adds not only sweetness but somehow a "dirty" and mouth-drying note that I find cloying. The other reason is that in the same Heritage line, Notting Hill fits much better the bill of a "medium" latakia mixture: it's just as sweet from the rich Virginias, but I find it more agile, more fragrant and balanced. If you have tasted Notting Hill, this is more or less the same with a touch less Latakia, and the added Cavendish (which is a minus in my book).
Anyway, this is a good English Mixture with a not excessive amount of Latakia, and overall quite "chewy" and rich in spite of not being a heavy one. Quite simply, it doesn't find a place in my rotation because there are alternatives which are more suited to my taste.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 01, 2021 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Tin note - Latakia and not much else. Not a powerful aroma, a little dull if anything
Appearance - Ribbon cut, mostly black and dark brown tobaccos with little pale in evidence.
Condition - On the dry side of 'ready to smoke'. The tin came to me from a friend in Germany, and had a paper seal across the tin and lid. I could not see a production code.
It lit easily, probably because of the slight dryness, so I smoked it slowly. There was only one relight and it smoked down to ash.
Impressions - This is McConnell's Aperitif match, so it is not Latakia heavy. It settled down as the bowl progressed, with the Oriental tobaccos, which of course includes the Latakia, predominating. There was sweetness from the Virginias, and enough of a tingle on the retrohale to make you think there might be a touch of Perique in there (there isn't). There was also a slightly cigarette like taste at times, and at others a not unpleasant sour note.
In summary a Scottish mixture that while not a bad tobacco doesn't have the subtlety of taste of others like Red Rapparee, Tree Mixture, Old Dublin, MM 965 and Black Mallory. It joins Charatan Four Leaf on the short list of Scottish mixtures I won't be buying again.
I will update this review when it has had some time in a Mason jar, and perhaps a a little rehydration.
Update December 2021 - no change, still an undistinguished 2 star Scottish mixture.
Appearance - Ribbon cut, mostly black and dark brown tobaccos with little pale in evidence.
Condition - On the dry side of 'ready to smoke'. The tin came to me from a friend in Germany, and had a paper seal across the tin and lid. I could not see a production code.
It lit easily, probably because of the slight dryness, so I smoked it slowly. There was only one relight and it smoked down to ash.
Impressions - This is McConnell's Aperitif match, so it is not Latakia heavy. It settled down as the bowl progressed, with the Oriental tobaccos, which of course includes the Latakia, predominating. There was sweetness from the Virginias, and enough of a tingle on the retrohale to make you think there might be a touch of Perique in there (there isn't). There was also a slightly cigarette like taste at times, and at others a not unpleasant sour note.
In summary a Scottish mixture that while not a bad tobacco doesn't have the subtlety of taste of others like Red Rapparee, Tree Mixture, Old Dublin, MM 965 and Black Mallory. It joins Charatan Four Leaf on the short list of Scottish mixtures I won't be buying again.
I will update this review when it has had some time in a Mason jar, and perhaps a a little rehydration.
Update December 2021 - no change, still an undistinguished 2 star Scottish mixture.
Pipe Used:
Adsorba 9mm bent apple briar
PurchasedFrom:
German website via a friend
Age When Smoked:
Tin arrived this morning
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