Mackie’s of Scotland Potato Crisps – Haggis & Cracked Black Pepper

As odd as it sounds, it’s hard to find legit, authentic haggis in Canada because the traditional style includes sheep lung, which is deemed unsafe for consumption by North America as a whole. I’m not clear on whether this would change the texture or taste of it substantially or not, but even with modified versions, I haven’t had much luck finding it. I’m probably just going to the wrong places.

I find that as I get older, I’m not quite as adventurous as I like. Compared to some of my similarly aged friends, they too have become settled in to a routine and less willing to try new things, especially when it comes to foods they haven’t had before. Probably more than me, but that’s no excuse for me. Or is it? Maybe as we get older we become more acutely aware of the fact that there isn’t as much time left, and we play it safe because some risks aren’t worth taking?

Either way I hope I don’t completely lose that desire to try new things, as long as it’s not alive and trying actively to kill or maim me. Eating live insects? That’s a no from me bro.

I finally got the guts to try the exotic sounding haggis and black pepper flavour, and I’m actually pretty excited to see how this taste. Now, to be clear, I’ve not had actual haggis (as far as I know), so I can’t speak to whether this tastes like haggis. What I can say is how this taste as a flavour on it’s own. The flavour has a nice cracked black pepper to it, but it isn’t overpowering. It’s only after a few pieces you notice the pepper flavour building on the tongue. Even then, it’s more of a nice after thought then taking over. The predominant flavour is a savoury, almost meaty taste. It doesn’t have a distinct taste, and the closest common meat I would compare it to is probably a pork based sausage. It’s hard to pin down exactly what, but I assure you it’s nothing very exotic tasting, so less adventurous snackers worry not. No indication of blood pudding, or offal sausage here.

As I mentioned in my other review, the texture is very different from your typical potato chip. At least the standard ones you find here in the frigid North. Who knows, maybe this is par for the course over on the other side of the pond. They are indeed more crisps than chips, and while not as crunchy, they have a heartier bite to them. The also have actual potato flavour to them, rather than just being a crispy piece of fried whatever. I believe these are also baked for part of the process, which I’m actually a big fan. Not because it’s healthier, but because it gives it a nice texture. It tends to dry the chips out a bit and leave them less greasy.

I’d also mention that these aren’t quite as salty as the cheese and onion flavour, and while I wouldn’t say these are less flavourful, it’s not nearly as powerful or in your face, which I appreciate. While both flavours would go great with a nice tall drink, I feel like this one is better served with a nice dark ale. Something about that black pepper perhaps.

I’m pretty happy with this purchase, and I would definitely buy this again. While I enjoyed the cheese flavour as well, I feel like this one is more unique, and has managed to strike a really good balance with the black pepper. Using black pepper is double edged sword – use too much and it’s painful to eat, use too little and people ask what the point is. Not with this though. It’s just right. If you see this anywhere, grab it and give it a go. You’ll see what I mean.