Cornell & Diehl: Byzantium 2oz Pipe Tobacco

A different em . I appreciate ir very much . Now it is on my buy list .

This mixture has great balance between the component tobaccos; not too much Latakia to overpower everything allowing the orientals to shine through. Has a smoky sweet and sour flavor that I am looking for in a Balkan blend. It's available in bulk so you can stock up!

I love latakia and perique. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with English blends made of non-traditional component combinations, so this one was on my “try” list. First of all, Cornell and Diehl had me with the name. I’m a history buff, and devout Catholic, so anything named Byzantium gets my attention. Over all a really good and satisfying blend. I don’t always like perique in my English blends. But once in a while, I want something with a little spice to it. So I expect this to become a go to for such occasions. That said, it wasn’t as full bodied as I expected. The best I can describe it is this. It’s like there’s a lot of Latakia on one side and a lot of perique on the other, with not much in the middle. Lots of cool stuff on the perimeter but sort of empty in the middle. It just seemed like it needed something else. That said, what is there is great! When I want something with some spice and incense without any sweetness, which does happen regularly, I’ll definitely pick it up again. Update: I mostly take back the part about it seeming to miss something. If you make sure it’s dry enough, though it doesn’t come that wet, and smoke it gentle and slow, boy the interplay of Latakia and perique really shines! To me, orientals are way in the background supporting; they come through more in big puffs and retrohales. This food for me because I do not like oriental forward blends. Flavor is woodsy, incense, musty, slightly peppery, piquant, tangy notes all melding together. Good stuff! Upgrade to 4.5. The only reason I don’t give it a 5 is that I don’t always want perique in my englishes. But when I do, this one satisfies!...Read More

Absolutely beautiful and harmonious. My senses tell me that I'm in the woods. Instant reliever.

If Constantine the Great was still alive, he’d love this! I have nothing bad to say about this blend. It’s luxuriant, smoky, and smooth and pairs nicely with black coffee. It has a pronounced woodsy/fir tree/wet forest/peaty taste that reminds me of my canoe camping trips in the Canadian wilderness, as well as a fragrant incense taste that wouldn’t be out of place in the Hagia Sophia (when it was still a Cathedral). There is little to no sweetness. The smoke is cool with zero bite, and it’s not pungent like a cigar, yet still full bodied and strong. Nearing the bottom of the bowl, it doesn’t have this unpleasant ashy taste that the vast majority of tobacco has. Byzantium is nothing short of incredible. I can confidently say that this is my favourite tobacco. If your body is a temple, then this is the incense you need to purify it!...Read More

I've just returned to pipe smoking after twenty years away. I was a Balkan Sobranie guy before so like Virginia with heavy Latakia. I was to Cornell and Diehl because of their wide selection and, frankly, because I grew up in Horry County. I tried about half a dozen. I really wanted to like Professor since I am one. But Byzantium is the one. It's the closest I've found to old Balkan Sobranie black label--latakia forward. Smokes dry and cool. It'll be my go to....Read More

Earthy, no sweetness, a change of pace when I am looking for something different. A keeper in my regular rotation

Originally, I was searching for a tobacco that had the components of an English blend without the Virginia's. Man, I found a winner in Byzantium! Upon first lighting, there is a nice spiciness to the smoke. As the bowl burns down, the spiciness mellows a bit and a mellow complexity, reminding me of hot buttered popcorn, seems to develop. Most definitely a great choice for anyone interested in a top notch smoking experience!...Read More

A good buy. I enjoy the flavors and aroma. Pretty rich and intricate