Connoisseur Scottish Ribbon
(3.75)
A mild, lightly scented Virginia flake mixture in the best Scottish tradition—an all-day companion.
Details
| Brand | Connoisseur |
| Blended By | Ed Burak |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | Virginia Based |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | Other / Misc |
| Cut | Broken Flake |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production |
Profile
Strength
Mild
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Very Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 12, 2008 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I first tried Scottish Ribbon upon Ed Burak's recommendation when I purchased three fantastic pipes of his on a recent visit to my home town of NYC. Connoisseur Pipes is located on the concourse level of the UBS building at West 52nd and Ave of the Americas.
To make sense of this review, a short background. I first started smoking pipes seriously at the age of 15 (Troost), but soon discovered English/Latakia blends (Balkan Sobranie and John Cotton No. 1). However in 1994 I relocated to Saigon, Vietnam where it's just too hot and humid to enjoy them anymore, and where there are zero tobacconists. I occasionally picked up a tin or two of My Mixture 965 in Singapore which I found flat after BS and JC. So gioven the weather here, I called it quits to my pipes.
Then while in NYC recently, I visited Ed who told me to try straight Virginias. Who can say "no" to such an eminent name in pipes and tobaccos as the great Ed Burak? So I bought 14 oz bulk of his own Scottish Ribbon, and tried it back at the hotel. The next day I returned to Ed's shop and bought a pound of it.
What a revelation. Even in newly smoked, yet to be broken-in pipes, SB is fantastic. Back in Saigon, I've been smoking it consistently for a few months now, and it just gets better and better (as well as my new Connoisseur pipes). It's the perfect strength for this climate. It's a loosely rubbed out flake so packing and lighting are an ease. It needs a bit of drying out (but don't we all on occasion?) Like any other VA, SR needs to be smoked slowly, but patience will be rewarded by a cool. long lasting and flavorful smoke.
As for flavoring, there is little to none. The taste is full, sweet with hints of nuts, autumn and frankincense. It is downright intoxicating.
As perhaps the ultimate homage to Scottish Ribbon, my Vietnamese wife claims that SR smells better than the joss sticks she burns in our home shrine. Even the gods approve of SR.
To make sense of this review, a short background. I first started smoking pipes seriously at the age of 15 (Troost), but soon discovered English/Latakia blends (Balkan Sobranie and John Cotton No. 1). However in 1994 I relocated to Saigon, Vietnam where it's just too hot and humid to enjoy them anymore, and where there are zero tobacconists. I occasionally picked up a tin or two of My Mixture 965 in Singapore which I found flat after BS and JC. So gioven the weather here, I called it quits to my pipes.
Then while in NYC recently, I visited Ed who told me to try straight Virginias. Who can say "no" to such an eminent name in pipes and tobaccos as the great Ed Burak? So I bought 14 oz bulk of his own Scottish Ribbon, and tried it back at the hotel. The next day I returned to Ed's shop and bought a pound of it.
What a revelation. Even in newly smoked, yet to be broken-in pipes, SB is fantastic. Back in Saigon, I've been smoking it consistently for a few months now, and it just gets better and better (as well as my new Connoisseur pipes). It's the perfect strength for this climate. It's a loosely rubbed out flake so packing and lighting are an ease. It needs a bit of drying out (but don't we all on occasion?) Like any other VA, SR needs to be smoked slowly, but patience will be rewarded by a cool. long lasting and flavorful smoke.
As for flavoring, there is little to none. The taste is full, sweet with hints of nuts, autumn and frankincense. It is downright intoxicating.
As perhaps the ultimate homage to Scottish Ribbon, my Vietnamese wife claims that SR smells better than the joss sticks she burns in our home shrine. Even the gods approve of SR.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 06, 2016 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Medium | Very Pleasant |
This has been my No.1 favorite tobacco for many years. Burak told me it was layers of Virginia, each layer sprayed with sugar water. It has been compared with Mac Baron's Scottish Mixture; some say that was what it is. Regardless, I'm glad I have pounds of it stashed away . . . enough to last a life time. I agree with a previous reviewer that it was better fresh; Burak has also said that. But, the old stuff is better than the complete lack of this delicious tobacco.
Pipe Used:
Great in any pipe; smokes slower in tall bowl.
PurchasedFrom:
Connoisseur . . . various other smokers
Age When Smoked:
Minimum 7 yrs. Connoisseur closed in Feb. 2009
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 16, 2012 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Can't add much to what others have said, an excellent smoke. I have a few pounds cellared for over 10 year and I don't think it improved the tobacco, I like it better when fresh.
When I started smoking I found it identical in taste to the old MacBarens Scottish Mixture. In fact we had a discussion that perhaps that's what it actually was, repackaged MacBarens, but no proof ever came to light.
When I started smoking I found it identical in taste to the old MacBarens Scottish Mixture. In fact we had a discussion that perhaps that's what it actually was, repackaged MacBarens, but no proof ever came to light.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 2017 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
Scottish Ribbon is another Connoisseur blend that I really miss. Lighter Bright Virginia dominated the blend that tasted really firm despite the lack of strength in the blend. I'm told that many old timers considered this their go to all day smoke because it was so naturally sweet and could be smoked all day with no bite. I preferred to smoke it in the evenings with some of my blending Latakia for what was a real palate pleaser.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 13, 2010 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Very Pleasant |
All I can say....It is a shame this blend is no longer available. To me, this was the best virginia flake I ever smoked; an "all day"..."all time" companion. Burak was able to create a subtle "virginia sweetness" here that I have not found in any other virginia blend....ED! BRING THIS TOBACCO BACK! I know you are retired but, me, and a multitude of other pipe smokers miss this fine smoke...Scottish Ribbon was simply the best!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 16, 2008 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild | Very Pleasant |
A real good Virgina Blend for summer !!!! Ed Burak From the conniosseur recomended this blend to me as he dose to everyone being his personal favorite as he proclaims. This is a mild scottish blend. And aAs with all of Ed's blends this is a Slow slow slow slow smoke. Puff very soft and slow to capture the wonderful essence of this blend. THis is why it is an all day companion. To smoke it right you must smoke it slow. SR leaves a perfect white ash. There is a very so faint hint of a vanilla & whiskey aroma to this blend. Very top shelf leaf used here. Well worht the price. Also if you are in his shop check out his pipes. That he designs. Why you can grab a second for $40. to $50. bucks. The same qaulity as his art pipes which range from $255.and up. A great little shop and a great guy to talk to about everything. A real treat. I suggest you go to his shop he is the last of his kind. You can also order his blends over the telephone.
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