Robert McConnell Scottish Cake

Given that this is one of those blends that is so hard to find (in the U.S.), like so many European brands that became scarce during the whole FDA scare, I reluctantly coughed up $21.99 + tax when I saw this at a B&M during my travels. I'll just say right off that it's not worth that kind of money. In fact, it's not much of a 'wow' blend at all, but because it burns so cool and steady and has no perceptible faults, it's one of those blends that you can just put in your pipe and let your mind wander onto other things.

Just by coincidence I popped this tin and a tin of Fribourg & Treyer Golden Mixture on the same day. They smell almost identical! I looked on the back of the tins and both are made by the same producer in Germany, with UPC codes that are only one number different. I'm certain that the same Virginia is used as a foundation for both blends and the flavor profile is about 90% the same between the two. Pronounced aroma of orange marmalade, which is unusual enough that the connection between the two was obvious.

This is a broken flake this is easy to load and burns slow and steady. The differences in taste between this and the F&T are due to the Kentucky and Perique in this blend, which give noticeably more depth and backbone to the smoking experience.

While the slightly milder F&T Golden Mixture might be suitable for a beginning piper, this one is best reserved for someone with more experience: if one accelerates the burn rate with aggressive puffing there will be some harsh notes that come into play. Best to sip and savor or use a 9mm filter which takes away any harshness and emphasizes the oatbread and malt foundation.

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.

First tried this about 15 years ago. Decided after 2 tins I really liked it and bought a few to stash away. Brought one out of hiding about 2 weeks ago dated June 2005. Have to say, I am still very pleased. A cut reminding me of Marlin Flake, but very moist in the tin. Needs an hour or more drying time for me. Burns very well surprisingly. Dark tobacco, great smell both in the tin and smoke, very little perique to my nose and taste, but an overall great VA all day smoke. Have one more saved for the next ten years. Worth buying.

*Brief review: McConnells Scottish Cake - Tin note is interesting and has some similarity in its breadiness to Royal Yacht and 221b Baker Street but has some real sweetness too like stewed plums maybe. Easy to pack although quite moist but I didn't wait to dry it just pinched and filled and it took the flame immediately and actually, surprising due to it's moistness, burned really well and only took one relight but that was because I put the pipe down for a few minutes. There is a real Perique pepperiness going on that gets more pronounced down the bowl but midway through there is a fantastic sweetness that is akin to Honeycomb toffee. No bite whatsoever and I am quite a hard puffer but lots of creamy smoke which is always satisfying. All in all a great tobacco, not a Cake like our continental friends would create I don't think although maybe Kake is different altogether but definitely a blend that is worth enjoying in a larger bowl as I did and savouring. About to become a regular Sunday Morning smoke for me I think and one I would highly recommend to any Vaper lovers out there who dont mind a bit of Kentucky thrown in for good smokey measure....

Open the tin and comes out smell from vinegar and tobacco , in moist dark broken flakes. Needs to be dry some hours or else produce high temperatures and hot air without flavor . When is dry is much better , a soft sweetness from the red virginia , earthy from the kentaky and fruity from the perique all this compine from light topping . Produce many moist in the smoking . Good level nicotine is not strong is not weak . Interesting tobacco but not an all day for me .Is three stars for the taste but two stars for how is burning , in total 2,5 .

Scottish Cake or Scottish Fake?

I've had the most the most bizarre experience with this tin, purchased one year ago from a German retailer.

When I opened it two days ago, I expected to be greeted by the raisins and molasses etc everybody is talking about here. Instead, vinegar. Sour-sweet, like balsamico, not pleasant in any case. However, I packed a small pipe, went for a walk, and was pleasantly surprised - nice, mellow Kentucky rounded up by sweet Virginia. No bite, gentle. No noticeable Perique either, but I didn't care, it was nice.

The next day, I noticed that the smell had improved, more sweet less sour, and that the flakes were darker. I packed a bigger pipe this time, expecting a better taste too, but after a while I realized... there was nothing there anymore! No Kentucky, no Virginia, no nothing, just like water steam! A faint memory of Kentucky earthiness from time to time, nothing else...

I thought: maybe it's me. Wrong day. My taste buds are on strike. Went there again this morning with the small pipe: same result. Emptiness. Where once was taste, now is a gazing black hole of nothingness. It burns well, no bite, no gurgles, but no taste and no aroma either!

So, I don't know what to think. Especially considering the reviews here. Maybe if I keep it there in the box a few months, it will improve. Maybe it's good for mixing with things that are too strong and need to be watered down. Right now though, I just feel like I want my money back.

UPDATE: Yes, it can be used to tame more rustic things such as Italian Comune with satisfying results. I would perhaps buy it again for 5-6 euros, but not for 9, certainly not for 19 (Italian ludicrous price)...

I don't remember why I bought this one. Maybe it just sounded good reading the description.

In the tin it looks nice enough. Very fragrant, dates, raisins, bread and maybe molasses. Very moist, but it dries quickly enough. Whatever treatment it has is natural as far as I can tell. It burns better for me rubbed out fully, but works well in its ready rubbed form. It gave me a little tongue issue when I smoked it too damp and a it too fast the first time.

Very tasty. Sweet, but with a nice body to it. The darker elements play a nice supporting roll. The perique starts out very fruity and finishes nice and peppery. Very good blend that changes through the course of the bowl. May have to get some more for cellaring. Nice nic content to it, not too strong though. Could be an all day smoke.

This is a decent blend. A ready rub more than a cake, this tobacco burns slow. Flavorwise, there is a lot of Virginia mid-range, and a bit of bass from the Kentucky. I find the perique a bit subdued in this blend. Overall, I think this blend lacks sweetness, and can be a little...hollow. There is an earthiness to Scottish Cake that is pleasant, but can be a bit overwhelming without sweetness to round the edges. All in all, a pleasant tobacco, but not quite a great one...

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!