What's in the Mail? - 2021

It has been quite some time since I last tried a tin of a Kane's of New Zealand tobacco. I was delighted when I recently discovered that their signature blend, Lamb Cake Slices, is back in production. The MacGillicuddy recipe for Lamb Cake had been lost years ago in a barbecue pit when heirs of Rutherford G. MacGillicuddy were having a family reunion by roasting lamb chops. From what I understand, it was an annual family tradition to work up a batch of Lamb Cake Slices in the same pit that Rutherford used to make this tasty blend. While putting together the ingredients, a strong wind blew the recipe out of the hands of a granddaughter right into the fire. My tobacconist tells me that after more than 20 years of trying to recreate the original, a great grandson was able to reconstruct the components to perfection.



What makes Lamb Cake Slices so unique is, of course, the casing sprayed liberally on the Old Belt Kentucky leaf which is then mixed with quality Virginia and Perique before being pressed into cakes. I remember how cautious I was in trying my first bowl after learning that the topping used was actually freeze dried leg of lamb (roasted and triple basted), that had been crushed and sprinkled throughout the tobacco. Once I finally lit up, I was glad I did!



Lamb Cake Slices is a very mild combination with a very strong essence of lamb taste. The combination somehow works as the smoker detects a meaty taste throughout the bowl. It does stay lit well and burned evenly down to a clean, snow white ash. Highly recommended!