Robert McConnell Scottish Flake

I am a big fan of McConnell's Scottish Cake so it was a no brainer for me to pick up a tin when I saw Scottish Flake at my B&M that had just recently arrived. A very nutty Red Virginia Flake spiced with Kentucky and Perique. I did not taste or smell the rum but I'm sure it's addition adds to the overall pleasure and would be missed. As usual the quality of this blending house is off the charts, the presentation is fantastic and the tin art just screams Victorian era elegance. My flakes were pliable and easily rubbed out but I found that after a short drying time were easy to stuff and light making for a cooler smoke than rubbed out with a small loss of complexity. The Virginia's are top shelf and toasty with the Kentucky and Perique in the background giving some strength but this is still a mild to medium Flake and has enough nicotine to satisfy me after a largish bowl. No bite but as with all Virginia's, one must let the flake smolder at the point just before going out to achieve the best flavor but fear not, this Flake DGT's remarkably well, I love smoking half a bowl before bed and having an amazing toasty and nutty second half for breakfast that only a quality Red Virginia can provide. I will be ordering more of the other Robert McConnell offerings as they really are a cream of the crop blender and produce some amazing blends!

Oh yes. Oh, yes.

I usually don't go for these types of blends and can find them bitter and harsh, but this sings from the off and is delightful.

The tin note is earthy and deep, with some grassy VA and nutty Kentucky easily detectable.

The light is easy, and right away its a glorious aroma. Immediately to my nose the KY sings out loud, and its mighty fine stuff. Really smooth and easy, I slightly overpacked it so it was hard to draw, but it did not bite at all even when the furnace got hot.

For me, it's KY/Burley forward with some VA and Perique playing second fiddle as a combination. I cannot think of many other blends that have tried this, but this really was something.

Got deeper and tastier as it went on, perfect ash and very little maintenance needed.

Not much to compare it too, but I just found the whole thing a pleasure and will certainly be investigating more from McConnell and will be adding to my store of this for future consumption.

Top class.

A nice thinly sliced flake. I don't get any hints of Kentucky, Perique, Turkish, or casings. To me (YMMV of course), this is a fairly straightforward VA with some dark fired VA (I suppose that could be a touch of Kentucky). Not fancy, not very complex (I suppose the bit of complexity could be some underlying Turkish, but I never would guess it was there), but enjoyable. Since I know there are many tobaccos out there I would rate a 4, the question arises would I rebuy this particular tobacco, assuming my tastes don't change much more. In this case, the answer is probably not.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one as it was my first foray into the world of McConnell's tobaccos, however the wee tin gave me a slightly larger, if less cute, reminder of Holger Danske's Royal Navy Flake.

The tin aroma, upon opening, is something similar to that fine virginia flake, if more mild. The packing and lighting on this are of supreme ease, probably the easiest for any flake I've tried so far, so hat's off there to Mr McConnell. The flavour of the smoke, not sure on this one, hints of toffee and lemon perhaps.

This one can't help reminding me of Royal Navy Flake but not in the best way. The small tin, the tin aroma and the flavour seem to be too similar for comfort for me. Who came up with which tobacco first, I don't know. This is a good tobacco on it's own merit, don't get me wrong, but Royal Navy Flake would be my preference.

The name is O; Pinochi-O. And here I am, Smoking this pipe... as a real boy. When I take in puffs of smoke I am reminded of my night of Mayhem that I had on a little place called "Pleasure Island."

I was supposed to be on a mission to lead a good, honest and selfless life to make myself into a boy of flesh, but Pleasure Island presented far too many opportunities. Opportunities to Get laid, smoke, play pool, get wasted, ride roller coasters, and kill whoever you wanted. I couldnt pass it up. I remember the whole time my conscience Jiminy kept giving me the same old stupid lecture he always gave about doing right and letting my conscience be my guide... I got so sick of his crap, you know. I told the stupid cricket to shove it. He wasn't my boss and were he to be in my shoes, he would be all over that cricket tail. Stupid bug thought he could control me. Jiminy was the biggest joy-killing cock block in the world. GOOOOSHHH.... Couln't ever have fun with that hardass always chirpin down my neck!

Pleasure Island was a trip! When we got there my new best friend, Lampwick and I decided to get laid. So we found some action at the Pleasure Saloon. Then on our way out we killed a man just cause of the way his face looked. Now you may be asking yourself how does a wooden boy get up?.... I lie. Thats how!

I gotta say Lampwick was a real cool guy, he was his own boss and really knew how to have a good time. Didn't have to take order from some know-it-all cricket. I really liked that about him. He did his thing. After that we went to play some pool while we got hammered drunk and did a couple lines of coke.

Jiminy started to screw with my head while we played pool telling me the island was cursed, told me that Lampwick was turning into a Donkey. But you know, Lampwick always looked like a donkey, so i wasnt convinced til i started to grow a tail, myself. I hated it when Jiminy was right! We eventually escaped that place, but not before I took some angel dust to resell in the village back home. Jiminy had the bright idea of us jumpin into the ocean to get off the island. that idiot, I almost got waterlogged. Jiminy was such a tool.

Once I got home and became a real boy, the first thing I did was smoke Scottish Flake! And Jiminy kept being a pain, still trying to make moral suggestions to me and I got real sick of it. So one day one the way to school I threw that creep into a spider web and left him there to die. He swore vengeance on me, but I dont see that happening any time soon!

P-O out!

I like stronger full flavored tobaccos. I’m not an aromatic guy. I like natural tobacco flavor with at least medium nicotine. So 4 stars for that.

Scottish flake was a surprise to me. I’ve never had a Scottish tobacco and wasn’t sure what to expect. The first few bowls were pretty good , unique and interesting. I smoked about a quarter of the tin and put it in a jar. It sat for about two months. I just finished the last bowl and it has been a very nice smoke after it aired in a mason jar for a couple months. The natural tobaccos are what I taste and there is a slight topping but very, if not extremely mild. hardly noticeable, but it all works together so perfectly well. I am already missing it as I take the last of the Dottle to fire here to enjoy it to the very end. I already have another tin on the way. Burns cool and dry and very satisfying. This is one I will smoke often and always keep around. Outstanding!

I suspect that the recipe has changed since some of the earliest reviews were posted here. I certainly find no evidence of black Cavendish or Latakia. Going by the most current manufacturer info both this and the Scottish Cake look very similar on paper, but I'm certain that different Virginias are used and the casings are different.

In a side by side comparison the Flake is smoother than the Cake, and does not have the underlay of orange citrus. It also has less of the zingy pepper of the the Cake. If the Cake is white bread, orange zest, white pepper and coriander, the Flake has a deeper, more nuanced flavor of toasted poppy seed roll, malt, and fleeting wisps of something vaguely sweet like marshmallow or sassafras.

Good from the start but really something by bowl's end. If the Cake is an energizing blend to stimulate the appetite this one is a relaxing blend to sip and savor and let all your problems melt away.

The subtle addition of rum is barely perceptible on the nose or palate, just enough to marry the Virginias and the Perique, and deepen the flavors overall. The first few minutes are fairly straightforward before the deeper, more delicious, flavors emerge. I do enjoy rum flavors in my tobacco but compared to anything else I've tried this is probably the most restrained. I point that out just in case the addition of a spirit scares you off, or conversely, if your expectations are for something with a really obvious rummy taste.

To me this is a class act from start to finish, now a keeper in my rotation.

McConnell Original Scottish Flake - Hand selected dark Virginia tobaccos,spicy Kentucky,and a hint of Perique pressed into the flake . This is what my tin reads on the back . The Virginias are dominant here and they taste and smell very similar to SG Best brown Flake to me . I assume the Virginias are African like BBF . They are toasty and bready and sweet . There is a citrus tang and honey as well . The description above on this site says a Rum flavoring . It is welcomed as it adds some more flavor and enjoyment. The Kentucky adds some nuttiness and cocoa and takes over at times .The Perique is subtle and seems to maybe add a little to the fruitiness and minor spice notes. This is one fine smoke IMO and I plan on stocking up when available. This smoked best for me in a wide pot folded and stuffed . One of the best blends I have ever tasted . Be aware though that you will taste the Rum topping . Highly recommend.

I have to go along with the general consensus here.. this is a great flake.. very similar to folded flake, but different slightly.. the Virginia character of this is considerably stronger than in folded flake.. more on the sweet, tangy, fruity side at times.. the Kentucky builds as you go down the bowl but it never quite takes over completely.. this is a somewhat stout smoke in terms of flavor. Great for evenings.. not too much nic.. but enough. The perique is very condimental.. I don't think there is a high percentage in here.. but sometimes perique is a chameleon.. this is a top flake in my opinion. I didn't detect any turkish.. seems like the recipe changed over the years.. I also don't pick up on the rum topping.. it must be light, or it hides well in the blend.

Update.. I am now picking something up on the background.. it's sweet and floral almost.. could be rum.. although I know this once had Turkish in it too.. it's almost slightly indicative of that.. but my mind could be playing tricks on me