Robert McConnell Scottish Cake

One of my all time favorites. This is awesome leaf.

I have no idea what took me so long to finally get around to writing a review on this stuff. Sometimes, I feel that there is nothing particular of note that I can add to other reviews that will be helpful. Then again, sometimes I like simply to put in my two cents worth.

Scottish Cake is an "old timey" feeling tobacco, but not quite along the lines of the Gawith & Hogarth. In strength and character it is more like some of the Germain blends, including those made for Esoterica. But, it has a much livelier flavor than any of the offerings from this aforementioned fine company. This is a pretty straightforward, simply VA/Per blend. Nothing fancy, just good flavor and moderate nicotine strength.

In the tin, it smells delicious; sweet, tangy tobacco goodness. It lights relatively easy, and stays lit all the way to the bottom of the bowl, at which point you are going to empty out a little bit of fine white ash. The flavor is slightly sweet, slightly tangy, with a noticable perique tartness lingering in the background. What impressed me about this blend is that it is so well crafted that the flavors marry perfectly for me. All the way through the bowl, the flavors maintained their integrity without one or the other fading or dominating.

I believe the only other va/per blend I could really compare this to is Escudo. But, where the perique in Escudo can leap out at you, surprising you sometimes, in Scottish Cake it behaves very well, and stays just where it's supposed to. The virginia is nice full bodied, and it doesn't really seem to develop an acrid or ashy taste. This is a tobacco that, if you really like it, you don't have to worry about dedicating a pipe to it, as the flavors are straightforward rather than subtle. It's virginia and perique.

Scottish Cake, though not a standout tobacco in comparison with some other blends I smoke, is a very solid choice for an "anytime" smoke. I don't think I would smoke it all the time, but I could definitely smoke it anytime.

McConnell Scottish Cake.

A welcoming mild aroma is detected when open the tin/jar: lightly earthy/grassy, such as you are in the grassy park after a rainfall, a mildly dark fruit note and raisin. For some bowls, I may leave the tobacco to sit in the air for 20-25 minutes, occasionally may let it in the air for 10 minutes only and smoke it slightly on the wet side, but this time will use a pipe with pretty thick walls that prevents any tendency for the bowl to get hot. Great VaPer with a detectable amount of Kentucky. The Virginias are of high quality and lead, but I felt the perique coming second providing some level of spicy experience which I noticed from early stages of the bowl. The Kentucky is relatively on the background providing additional smokiness and woodiness to the blend (occasionally, Kentucky and perique are experienced to be at the same level). It smokes so well, moderately slow and overall cool as long as you sit back and relax while puffing. Pay attention: you may be addicted to Scottish cake 🙂

3rdGuy

I really enjoyed this one. This is a Dark Virginia blend with a lesser amount of Kentucky and Perique to give it some interest and boldness. It is a bit of a solid smoke, plenty of flavor and it could be a bit on the strong side for those not used to a fuller flavor smoke. I however love it. Highly recommended and I cellared deep on this one.

As far as Virginia/Perique blends go, this is the benchmark. Smooth, sweet and with the right amount of Perique. Difficult to come by as it doesn't release often and sells quickly, so get yourself some when you can.

This is a fine tobacco. Right from the tin it smells like pure Virginia, but once in the bowl, it reveals rich flavours. The Kentucky adds some tangy notes, while the sparingly added Perique provides just a little pepperiness without being too intrusive. The blend smokes nicely with no relights and develops its full taste mid-bowl. That is also when the Perique seems to kick in. Balanced, quite mild and delightful. An all day's smoke, which also lovers of pure Vrginias may find satisfying. Definitely a good choice for Vaper fans.

Was reading a discussion elsewhere on the merits of this vs. Scottish Flake. Since I really like the flake I felt I needed to try this as well. Well, my thanks to the folks who caught my interest with their discussion!

There's no doubt that this is very different from the flake, but I'm hard-pressed to tell exactly how. If I had to pin it down, I'd say it's deeper, more flavorful, but still gentle on the tongue and palate. I'm smoking it in a cob right now, can't wait to try it in a briar or a meer. If you haven't tried either of these, you owe it to yourself to do so. Immediately!

Dark Virginia and Kentucky with some Perique. The Kentucky taste is straightforward with the Virginias in the background. Now the Perique gives even more body and strength to an already potent English mixture. This is my kind of tobacco when I need a buzz of nicotine while still enjoying a full bodied blend. A must for natural tasting, Kentucky driven mixture aficionados.

Virginia lover

This is a great tobacco blend. I can smoke it any time of the day. It has a natural tobacco taste. It burns evenly, with not many re- lights. It's slow smoking. The taste is mellow with no bite. It is all-around a great smoke. Esoterica's Dunbar and McConnell's Scottish Cake are now my two favorite blends. My only criticism is that in the US, I have only found it in 50g tins. I wish I could buy this in bulk, or at least a larger tin.