Robert McConnell Black and Gold

BLACK AND GOLD: This mixture is peculiar because it contains Perique but it isn’t a Va/Per and it is flavored but it is not a real flavored blend. And of course it is not a natural aromatic mixture. Aromatic yes, but in a broad sense. Perique is perceived very well but also the flavoring is evident (although a little more hidden). BLACK Cavendish AND GOLD Virginia are without any doubt the main actors. Turkish Dubec is hidden and I do not perceive it. Maybe in the last version of the blend there is no oriental leaf. This blend is mild, delicate, but it is also too mild and too light (IMO of course). It could be a great mixture if it had more strength and more body. Anyway it is ideal for all those who prefer mild, light and aromatic mixtures. In my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 7 and two and a half stars.

IMHO tobaccos branded McC and produced by K&K have a common thing ... the understatement. I have found that in Oriental, Scottish Blend, Glen Piper and Maduro, the exception being - at the moment - Scottish Cake only (but I have just the Scottish Flake ready to start).

B&G is far long to be a substantial smoke, but it's polite and pleasant. Notes of raisins and figs in the tin aroma, and a very attractive topping kinda liqueurish/flowerish. The smoke is faintly sweet and also liqueurish, mild and non biting if smoked properly. A bit much flat and boring as all-day on weekly basis, as I'm doing...

As I have noticed with Scottish Blend, the current production has been flattening down in comparison with the small round tins production of the early 2K. I still have one those tins of B&G (I found three of them three years ago) and all the features were more pronounced, and bit stronger. I really liked it, cannot say the same now.

Again maybe it's a problem of aging, but I'm wondering why so many tobacco should be bought today for being smoke the next two years. The producer should bear the costs of immobilization of capitals, or not ?

This review pertains to the 2022 version, and not the previous incarnations, which were different. The lead component is the spicy fire cured black cavendish, which mainly acts as a carrier for the rich syrupy apricot and mild creamy vanilla. They tone down the tobaccos without totally drowning them out. The bright Virginias provide a lot of tart and tangy citrus, vegetative grass, sugar, bread, floralness, a little spice, honey, and light sour lemon. They are in a support role. The spice and plums from the earthy, woody perique is barely noticeable. Even though Turkish is not mentioned in the current description, I sense a little floralness, spice, herbs, sour note which indicates it is present in a very small amount. The strength and taste levels barely reach the medium mark. The nic-hit is a couple of steps behind them. No bite or harshness present. Barely has a rough note. Mildly moist, it burns cool, clean and slight slow with mostly consistent sweet, floral, spicy, mildly sour, lightly bitter, syrupy flavor that extends to the lightly lingering after taste. The room note is very pleasant. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires a couple more than an average number of relights. An all day smoke. Two stars.

-JimInks

First of all, I’m quite sure it has been reformulated, I guess that’s why of the mixed reviews here. The producer's website (K&K) doesn’t list Orientals, indeed I detect any Oriental in it and even the presentation makes me doubt: no black and gold but tan, dark brown and black! Anyway, I’m not too impressed by B&G, it’s very light in body and flavors, I’ve smoked it fresh and dried out and it always tasted empty; it’s a sort of middle of the road blend: not a true Vaper (a vapid Virginia and little to none Perique) nor an Aro (there’s just a faint trace of vanilla and room note is not so good), in my opinion it’s just an average Virginia/Cavendish. Best thing is that it smokes cool and refreshing at least, very summery. Definitely, I can't say it is bad, just unsexy.

A great semi-aromatic in my opinion. Fruity (Plums) with a tiny hint of vanilla. Good solid earthy tobacco taste throughout. I wish there were more aromatics in this genre out there, an uncomplicated blend, nicely understated. Non nonsense stuff, if you like VAs with a pinch of perq. and a little aroma added, this should do it for you.

This is a good blend for the new smoker. Very light in taste and nicotine but also promising for the pipe smoking experience that is to come (from other blends though...) Also, I really cannot recall any perique...