ATOM Labs

The Jaffa Cake is a small cake – or possibly a biscuit, but more on that in a bit – created by the confectionary company McVitie and Price (better known just as McVitie’s) in 1927. It’s a circular snack traditionally 2 and one eighth of an inch in diameter with three layers – a Genoise sponge base, a circle of orange flavoured jam and a coating on the top of dark chocolate.

Because McVitie’s neglected to trademark the name ‘Jaffa Cake’ – so named after the Jaffa oranges that originally provided the flavour for the jam section – other manufacturers are free to make similar products with the same name.

In the UK, VAT is payable on chocolate covered biscuits, but not chocolate covered cakes. During a tribunal with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in 1991, McVities had to argue that the Jaffa Cake was indeed a cake after it was claimed that due to the size, shape and the fact most people ate them as an alternative to biscuits, VAT was therefore applicable.

McVities countered by explaining the sponge base was made the same way as a cake would be, and even made a giant version to prove this was the case. They also argued that when a Jaffa Cake is left out and goes stale, it hardens as a cake would, as oppose to a biscuit which would go soft. This was enough to win the case and Jaffa Cakes continue to be sold as, well, a cake.

The Jaffa Cake range of spirits – a Vodka, Gin and Rum -  was launched in the Spring of 2020 by Atom Labs and is made by vacuum distilling orange peel, cocoa powder and actual Jaffa Cakes with a base spirit to emulate the flavours of the classic sweet treat. They are bottled at 42% ABV

Want to know more? Watch the video review!