Davidoff Scottish Mixture Pipe Tobacco Review: A Touch Of The Highlands With Whisky Flavours

Royalty Mixture Look & Feel

• Colour(s): Chestnut & Dark Chocolate
• Cut Consistency: Overall Even
• Aromas: Caramel, Cedar, Vanilla, Brandy Butter

As mentioned above, this blend is absent of any Latakia tobacco. However, it’s not entirely missed either as it’s a refreshing change for Scottish tobacco blends. Instead, we have a warm and thick base of Virginia while a hefty dose of Turkish Oriental tobacco provides a sweet bouquet.

Furthermore, the combination of dark-fired Kentucky and Burley tobaccos provides a subtle yet aromatic accord with an earthy smokiness. Meanwhile, the addition of whisky flavouring isn’t particularly overt. In fact, I found it to be more reminiscent of sherry or cognac.

The resulting aroma is particularly pleasant and features an alluring accord of sugary caramel, soft vanilla and a fresh cedar. A creamy liquor finish evokes thick and warm brandy butter.

Finally, the ribbons were quite consistently cut with only a few thick twigs or chunks. The overall colour was a tricolour of chestnut, café latte and dark chocolate.

Davidoff Scottish Mixture Review

So to provide a complete and balanced review, this tobacco was smoked on several occasions using several pipes. Generally, I found that the ribbon cuts performed best in slightly larger bowls but it was perfectly adequate in an average-sized billard.

Scottish Mixture Flavours

• Body: Mild – Medium
• Notes: Dried Fig, Peat Smoke, Rosewood

Davidoff’s Scottish Mixture is a very mild and subtle blend that rewards slow smoking. If burned too hot, much of the aromas are lost. Therefore, it’s best enjoyed when cool.

Little of the flavoured sweetness present in the tin is to be found in the smoke. While there is a sweet note reminiscent of dried figs, it’s quite subtle and only really perceptible during the retrohale.

Instead, the bouquet consists mostly of earthy notes with a hint of peat smoke while a rosewood finish adds a faint floral touch.

Overall, the Scottish Mixture’s flavour features a very mild body. While this may be an excellent choice for novice pipe smokers, it may be underwhelming for experienced enthusiasts.

Burn & Smoking Experience

• Moistness: Mild
• Combustion: Reliable
• Average Smoke Time: 30 Minutes

I found that the Scottish Mixture was somewhat moister than the Royalty previously reviewed. However, this didn’t hinder the burn, which I found to be more pleasant when fresh than when slightly dried.

In fact, the Scottish Mixture burns very well, which may be another benefit for novices looking to try pipe tobacco. I didn’t experience any issues and it rarely needed relighting even when neglected. This is also a highlight given that it requires slow smoking.

Similarly, I didn’t experience any tongue bite when smoking the Scottish Mixture even after several bowls.

Finally, the overall smoking time came to just over 30 minutes with an average-sized 1.24 x 0.74 inch group 3 bowl.

Ideal Pairings With Davidoff Scottish Mixture Pipe Tobacco

Despite its peated profile, I would refrain from pairing the Scottish Mixture with a Laphroaig Scotch whisky. Instead, I’d be more inclined to enjoy it with a lighter-bodied libation from the Highlands.

For instance, I found Robert Graham’s Ailein Mór to be a more fitting choice. In fact, the pairing was quite harmonious and the peated notes of the smoke extended the whisky’s flavours.

Alternatively, I’d consider marrying the Scottish Mixture with a liquor instead. While sherry came to mind, I found that I worked beautifully with a Delord Armagnac.

As for snacks, a little dark chocolate wouldn’t go amiss nor wood some pretzels for added salty texture.

Overall Experience

The Scottish Mixture is distributed in a dark green 50 g (1.76 Oz) tin. It’s quite well designed if a little understated and the airtight seal provides good storage. However, we do prefer to use Boveda Humidor bags to retain more moisture over long periods of time.

Meanwhile, Davidoff pipe tobacco is known to be somewhat expensive. However, it can be purchased directly from their website for as little as $14.79. Nevertheless, it can be higher depending on the tax in your region.

For those seeking an overtly-flavoured and unctuous tobacco, it might not be worth the investment. That said, it’s probably an excellent choice for newcomers to pipe smoking.

If you’re just getting started and you’re looking for something for special occasions, you can do much worse than Davidoff’s Scottish Mixture.

Its subtle flavours will help develop your palate without being overwhelming. Meanwhile, the reliable burn and combustion makes it relatively low-maintenance.

Closing Thoughts

Davidoff’s Scottish Mixture has experienced some mixed reception from the pipe smoking community. However, I feel that it’s unfairly judged. While it may not be bursting with the same rich flavours as bolder blends, it’s an intricate and subtle choice.

Therefore, it’s perhaps not suitable for those who enjoy blasts of Latakia or punches of nicotine, which is likely the source of disappointment.

Instead, this is a blend that best reserved for those who enjoy subtle smoking experiences. Between the easy burn, balanced flavours and lack of tongue bite, it’s a perfect starter tobacco.

Furthermore, it’s a neutral alternative to aromatics. Therefore, if you’re looking for a transitional tobacco to or from aromatically-infused tobaccos, it’s a wonderful choice.

Further Reading

Now that you have discovered the Davidoff Scottish Mixture, take a look at some of our other related guides and reviews:

• How To Properly Smoke A Cigar
• Bespoke Unit Cigar Reviews
• More Pipe Tobacco Reviews