Plumcake

Plumcake is one of Mac Baren's old blends, dating back to 1957. Its base holds matured light Virginia leaves; Burley, the maker's own black Cavendish, and a small amount of Latakia are added to these. The blend is ribbon cut, and once the mixture is complete, it's flavored with dark Jamaican rum. So it isn't a pure aromatic but a hybrid structure with a smoky leaf slipped in.

In the smoke, Virginia's matured sugar and a tangy sweetness from the rum come forward first; the plum association comes from this. Though the Latakia proportion is low, the smoky trace is noticeably felt, and the Cavendish builds a spiced base. Moisture is high straight out of the tin, requiring some airing. Falls to those coming from aromatics who want a bit more leaf character, or those wanting to try English blends in softened form; smoked quickly it's prone to running hot and biting the tongue.