Robert McConnell Scottish Flake

I have recently realized a simple technique for the preparation of pipe tobacco flakes which has recreated my (mainly 9mm filter) pipe smoking enjoyment to a notable degree. Many reviewers on site remark on the desirability of airing and even of drying out divers blends before smoking. This is, IMHO, an error. The friable condition of Scottish Flake, as received, and its subsequent further dehydration led me to what I now consider to be a masterstroke. Using a thin sponge to which a small quantity of mineral water is applied, the sponge not dripping but moist, the flakes are hydrated in situ, in the tin. The flakes may be turned in the stack before retiring and should be found to be evenly moistened on the following day. The product of this action is at once realized to be a boon. Previously, we regarded hydration of this sort as a therapy for dried up tobacco, for resuscitation, but now, by virtue of pre- hydration, the mollified tobacco is a consistent delight to smoke. Where formerly, the first half of the pipe was somewhat 'bread and bread' followed by more engagement with the smoking experience in the second and perhaps the enjoyment of a juicy heel, we now experience a gratifying smoke which quickly delivers taste and flavour without harshness or bite and which exhibits a satisfying and homogenous character throughout the smoke. At once, your pipe is more of a pal and you look forward confidently to more congenial flake smoking than previously known. After practicing this course for a month, I am now convinced of its value and would estimate my pipe smoking enjoyment to be 50% to 70% enhanced. I preclude any prospect of smoking a flake blend without this timely tip for treatment and strongly recommend smokers to try it. Here's why; Flake tobacco, as received, could be said to be in a torpid condition. The moisture present is locked up in the tar and oil of the tobacco. Prehydration of the flakes avoids the repeated tussle with that locked in moisture and opens the door to pipe smoking bliss. Experience it and you know that this is how the blend should perform. Hydrate!

Update

Surprisingly, this is the only tobacco so far that does not do well with aging. I've opened a 2 1/2 years tin and it has considerably dried out.

Original review - 11/27/2007

I would be very surprised that this breed bares any turkish, Havana or medium Kentucky...for the sake of clarity, the tin description says: "Medium strength red virginia,naturally sweet".

And the taste is of sweet, matured red virginia, I did not detect anything else.

Scottish flake is a medium brown and red flake contained in a very conservative looking tin. The tobacco aroma is that of a fine port.

Smoking is indeed deliciously sweet, combined with the reliable and comforting taste of high quality matured virginias. I've noticed that past mid-bowl, the flavor becomes sweeter, without sacrificing the virginia taste.

A great companion to complete the true joys of a philosophy treaty and a fine glass of Cognac.

I've been puffing in this for a little while and I'm finally at the dregs of the tin. I don't know much about the McConnell blends, but I bought this one because I was trying to find something to replace my Three Nuns Green with now that it's discontinued. Like TNG it has Virginia, Perique and Dark Fired Kentucky and I heard that this is supposed to be a similar match.

When I opened the tin I found a nice neat stack of flake which are a light brown color. When I stick my nose in the tin I smell autumn leaves, molasses, earth, raisins, toasty bread and spices. The leaf hay like aroma is slightly reminiscent of TNG with just a hair less of the Perique. The flakes are not as sturdy and tend to rub out and crumble easily so some care is required to use the fold and stuff method which I prefer, but it smokes well either way. It takes a light well.

It burns relatively slow and it is best sipped. The taste is medium bodied, Virginia bread forward, dark fruity, and has a tang. The Dark Fired is an element I really enjoy in this blend with a woody spice, and the Perique is condimental and fruity. According to the manufacturer there is a rum topping but I can barely taste it, if anything it just lightens the blend a touch. It's not strong and more to the mild side. If it was more readily available it could be a daily smoke for me. As for replacing TNG I think Doblone d'Oro has this barely beat but the more I smoke this the more I'm willing to change my mind. If you want a no fuss oldtimey mixture this might be for you.

This was an enjoyable tobacco that led with Perique but had smoky hints of Kentucky. This is one tobacco that I smoked through the tin, rather than jar, as I tend to do with ones I like less - hoping that they'll age well. I won't add it to my regular rotation, but it was a good one to try.

My favorite part was the tin note, with the Perique fruitiness coming forward. Plus, I love pressed flake for rubbing out or stuffing. Definitely in a category of its own, everyone should try it.

First review, this is my tobaccopocalypse blend. If all production of all blends were to cease tomorrow, then I have enough of this blend cellared to survive on until the end of my days. I won't go into the nuanced flavors, but I do wish it contained just a trace more treacle or a drop more of licorice. Knowing full well that if it had that tiny bit extra, then the whole perfect symmetry would be lost.

Brief review for now having tried a couple of bowls from a friends stash. I'm sure I'll get some and will update this at some point.

Nice dark flakes, very neatly presented in the tin. The aroma in the tin is alcoholic and plummy, I'd say there may be some fruit in the rum topping. It lit with ease and burned evenly in my Falcon pipe. Smooth and mellow smoke, the topping is subtle in the background with a sweet fruity character complementing the tobacco. Not very strong, but tasty.

I really like Scottish Flake and I also liked Scottish Cake but having smoked the second more than two years ago I am not sure wether it is the same tobacco offered in different cuts...

The flakes are very neatly packed and very thin so that they can easily be folded or rubbed out according to preference. If rubbed a surprisingly large quantiy of tobacco is produced, but I think it smokes better when folded. Tin note is fruity reminding me of Turkish delight with orange aroma. Yeasty notes are abundunt as well and I can also sense some grassy flavours. The presence of some very mild casing must be presumed.

Preparing and packing cannot be easier. Moisture is just about right, with just a few minutes of drying it is perfect. Lighting is easy as well as is the draw. One of the most user friendly tobaccos to be sure. Taste is very nice as well sweet and tangy with some fruity notes and as a background a slightly bitter and smoky taste presumably from the Kentucky. Very harmonious smoke with no element standing out and nothing overwhelming. Towards the end though the Kentucky seems to take prominence and then the smoke tranforms to sublime.

Strength is medium as is nicotine. For me this is an excellent all-day tobacco which should appeal to smokers new to the pipe not least because of easy of handling. Yet this tobacco when sipped becomes sublime.

This is a blend from what I could consider my "intermediate" pipe smoking period, when I started to smoke something else than aromatics. While in that time I liked Peterson's University Flake, this was probably the first tobacco that I fell in love with and made me realize that pipe smoking is so much more than aromatics.

The tin note has a pretty sweet, grassy, almost barn-like smell from the Virginias, but the smoking experience offers something a bit more different (more on that later). The tobacco is pretty moist, but a 20-30 minute drying time on a paper towel should be enough. One flake is enough to fill a medium-sized bowl. A personal note on flakes: I tend to rub them and filling the pipe, rather then the folding and filling method.

Mechanically, this blend behaves very nicely: packs and lights easily, doesn't require many relights, burns slowly and dry although, being a Virginia-type blend, it does tend to heat the pipe a bit.

Now for the flavors. Throughout most of the bowl, I mostly felt the chocolate, nutty, almond taste from the Burley/Kentucky and it took a while until the Virginia came forward. The Perique is there to offer a bit of spiciness to the blend, particularly in the retro. I could detect a slight casing of rum, but it's very faint and doesn't get in the way of the actual taste. The Virginia is there, but I would consider this blend to be more on the Burley side. All in all, a well balanced smoke that can give you a pleasant, warm feel. Room note is also pleasant.

This is a high quality, medium-bodied blend that can be an all-day smoke. At least, it is for me. I can see myself smoking this in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evenings. A personal favorite of mine that I will most definitely include in my permanent collection. A very delicious blend!

Improperly called Scottish Flake this is more correctly a perfect Virginia/Perique mixture. There is a lot of Perique in this blend and you can taste it from the beginning to the end. Tasty and easy to smoke, the mixture as a whole is very good. Much better than the “namesake” Scottish Cake (always from Robert McConnell) that - contrary to what is declared - has no Perique inside and is not so tasty. In my opinion and in my personal rating system (from 1 to 10), my score is 8 and three stars.