Cornell & Diehl: Billy Budd 8oz Pipe Tobacco

I've had a handful of bowls of Billy Budd over the last week or two. Exceptional flavour each time. This review will be my 'live take' of what's probably my fifth time enjoying this blend. Here it goes: I've just lit up a fresh bowl in a Brigham Algonquin 229 (bent Apple shape). Easy to light; stays lit. Burns reasonably cool. Initial flavour is latakia -- oh, beautiful latakia! A few minutes in, the latakia richness begins to fade into a deeper, earthier taste, where the burley leaf now takes centre stage. Amidst this 'transition' there are notes of licorice. One-third into the bowl, the perique kicks in; not overpowering, but just the right amount of spice. Halfway in, I'm now tasting the cigar leaf. With the burley, Virginia, and perique, tastes like a spicy cigar now. Love it! A touch of latakia is now back. Wow! SO MUCH FLAVOUR. The bright Virginia is subtle; I've rarely detected it, but I imagine it -- along with the burley -- is what's bringing everything together. So smooth. I only lit it once -- the original charcoal light -- and it's been going steady: nice and cool and steady throughout. Now in the bottom third, all the flavours are coming together in one symphony of taste. Until now, there have been "soloists" taking centre stage, but now it's one beautiful orchestra playing a harmony of tasting notes. Delicious! The spicy perique is there. The cigar is there. The latakia is there. But the deep burley and bright Virginia are shining through, too. Everyone's working together. Now, in the bottom fifth or so, some of that licorice taste is back; I love it! Still cool. Still smooth. This blend is truly spectacular....Read More

I initially did not care for BB. It is stout. I’ve since learned how to smoke it and appreciate it and it has become a new favorite. When I sit down for a pipe I can’t think about other blends. I am drawn back again and again to this blend. I think it is the absence of orientals and the interplay between the latakia and cigar leaf that makes it so different and enjoyable. And it is strong! Just a very satisfying blend every time. It does well in every pipe I have. No bite. Burns well. But it will not win you friends with the room note and aftertaste! It’s a manly blend that I intend to stock up on! Plus, I love the fact that the name of the blend comes from a lesser known work by the great American author of Moby Dick, Herman Melville. This rugged blend fits perfectly with the theme of the story, which is about a great mutiny in the British navy in the late 1700’s. The opening line of Bill Budd: “In the time before steamships, or then more frequently than now, a stroller along the docks of any considerable sea-port would occasionally have his attention arrested by a group of bronzed mariners, man-of-war’s men or merchant sailors in holiday attire ashore on liberty.” And I certainly imagine their pipes being loaded with something like this wonderful sailor’s blend we have here!...Read More

A somewhat burley forward American style English blend. Reminds of of candied chestnuts eaten by a campfire. One of my top 3 favorite blends.

full bodied, good strength. but im expecting maybe cigar alike. my bad.

Smells great, taste great, smokes great, no complaints.

If you like cigars and getting into pipes. Give this blend a try.

Very good on its own. Love it as it has a hint of cigar leaf added in. Smoked allot and then decided to play with the mix. Used 85% Billy bud, 10% Bob's Chocolate flakeand 5% added cigar leaf. Wow!!! Can't stop smoking this now!!!

Billy Budd tobacco exhibits traits like the character it is named after. A handsome blend that is kind to all, gentle yet packs a punch. The tobacco stimulated each area of the tongue and for a smoker who blows plumes of smoke, like the funnel on a steamship, is surprisingly cool through the whole bowl. Definitely an everyday smoke....Read More

Package note of sharply sour and smoky. Tobacco is a ribbon of dark brown, brown and light brown with a little black mixed in. Moisture content is great. No drying/prep needed. Burns moderate with few relights. The strength is medium and nic is medium. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium to full and mostly consistent, with notes of smoky, sour peaty vegetation, bitter incense, floral spices, pine wood, earthy, toast, dry herbal grassy, spicy cigar, a pine nut and tart citrus background note, and a very peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Burley, Cigar and Virginia supporting. Room note is tolerable to strong, and aftertaste is good....Read More

One of my all time favorites. Some will tell you it is too heavy for an all day smoke. These people are lying. To themselves and to you.