Cornell & Diehl: Palmetto Balkan 8oz Pipe Tobacco

Product Number: 003-016-0353

A tribute to the Oriental-forward blends of yesteryear, Cornell & Diehl's latest Small Batch release, Palmetto Balkan, delivers a uniquely Carolina-inspired interpretation of the celebrated Balkan mixtures that have captivated so many pipe smokers over the years.

The palmetto is the state tree of South Carolina, and Palmetto Balkan showcases the Lowcountry blending house's prowess. Spearheaded by a foundation of tangy, mature, sun-cured 2018 Basma and 2019 Izmir Orientals with naturally sweet Carolina Red Virginias and a proprietary method for processing Latakia, Palmetto Balkan produces a mellow, balanced smoking experience rich with notes of stone fruits, subtle wood smoke, and a slightly dry finish that calls to mind the signature character of long-lost Syrian leaf. The inventive treatment of the mixture's Latakia component is of particular interest — mellowing the modern Latakia's often dominating campfire note and creating a harmonious equilibrium of flavors.

The first 8oz pipe tobacco in the Small Batch portfolio, Palmetto Balkan is a stunning and inviting mixture — unique and complex enough for connoisseurs of the Balkan family and approachable enough for enthusiasts new to the genre.

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Customer Reviews
Overall Rating:
4.6
63 reviews
Gripe session
May 18, 2022
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
I don’t see any reviews!Just gripes!It would be a shame if artists quit painting,because there was already a Michael Angelo,and we as pipe smokers are very lucky to have master blenders like Jeremy,at Cornell and Diehl! These small batch blends are a great thing let’s not gripe about them!Buy them if you want give an honest review so the next person can decide! As for me can’t wait to try but I’m just happy to have the opportunity!!! By the way I give Cornell and Diehl a 5 not a 4 1/2!...Read More
no good
March 26, 2025
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
A smell of leather is bad.
Transports you
May 19, 2022
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
The aroma, the taste, the blend. All magnificently balanced to do their job. To Transport you to the low country in summer. Humidity, mosquitoes, iced bourbon based drinks, whole hog bbq, friends and family. This is subtle yet refined Balkan that harkens to the classic Balkan blends that many of us love. This is a triumph. For all of you complaining; stop. Be grateful that some folks are pushing the envelope to create amazing new blends. Yes, it’s marketing, but it’s also the blenders having fun. This is a fantastic product....Read More
A masterpiece
May 08, 2025
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
“I don’t like it,” when said of a Rembrandt, judges the critic.
Literally 10 Idiots
May 19, 2022
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
Literally, 10 idiots reviewed this blend here without trying it. Everyone is posting a review about how excited they are, or whining about something. GET BENT. No one cares what you have to say unless you tried it. Screaming your garbage out into the ether does nothing. Your opinions aren't valuable to anybody on the planet. Why don't you all just go back to shit-posting "FIRST!!" comments on some forum somewhere? Adding to the problem, 5 stars.

EDIT: I did grab tin of this blend and just got around to opening it when it was 6 months old. My original 5 stars stands, without question. The Latakia is lightly fruity, and just light in general. Don't take that to mean that the Latakia isn't a prominent component, it is. It just doesn't feel as heavy as standard Cyprian Latakia, even for a Balkan, where you expect the Latakia to have a softer touch. I cannot compare to Syrian, as I haven't tried it, yet. I did get my hands on a tin so maybe I'll come back here to update once I know what the real deal is like. Regardless, as a huge fan of oriental tobaccos, the Basma and Izmir lead the show and mesmerize me. I jarred up 6 ounces to age, since 8 ounces is a lot for me. Even with an ass-load in the cellar, I will have a tough time skipping this when/if they do another run of Palmetto Balkan next year. If you like orientals and Latakia, do yourself a favor.
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Rating against Frog Morten “on the town”.
January 30, 2025
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
I have been smoking pipes for about four+ years now. I, like most, started on aromatics. Quickly I switched to good tobaccos with Presbyterian being my first real foray into quality tobaccos. I highly recommend Presbyterian as a beginners tobacco because it has the Latakia and oriental, but in light amounts as to not scare a beginner too much. It allows lets you see where you want to go in your journey. Unfortunately, I stumble into a nice tin of Frog “On The Town” and quickly realized I love the oriental and the amazing blending McClellands did. Unfortunately, I say, cause $100 for a 100gm tin is stupid. I found Rattrays Black Mallory and really love it for the mixture of Latakia and Oriental in it. It’s a bit stout in oriental but it is a really good tobacco. Sitting at my local pipe shop smoking some Mallory, I asked “hey what’s good like Mallory, but a little more mild like On The Town”? Tony, my tobacco guru, went behind the counter and handed me an 8oz tin of Palmetto Balkan. $60 later I was like “hey let’s have a bowl together”. Needless to say, I bought the three remaining tins he had and I’m so glad I did, since he told me they only make it every other year. If you like “on the town” I highly recommend that in 2026 you pick up a tin or two of this ambrosia. I know I will be doing that....Read More
Superior Blend!
May 20, 2022
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
Just finished my 2nd bowl…perfectly balanced and truly a great Balkan blend from C&D…even the packaging reflects the sophistication and subtleties of this Balkan…great job to Jeremy and the crew for their contribution to the community.
Thanks!
May 21, 2022
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
Light, sweet, and smokey, representative of a balanced Balkan. Thanks to everyone who was tentative I'm doubling down. I'm sure the naysayers will switch gears from crying about risk/reward to crying about the cost on the secondary market after they miss out.
Excellent Virginia Oriental
November 05, 2024
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
The Virginias and orientals in this work together well. The very first blend with berries on the tin tasting notes that I actually picked up. Very surprising. Would buy and cellar.
Maybe my new favorite
October 26, 2024
Product: Cornell & Diehl Palmetto Balkan 8oz
Kicking myself for not buying more because now I am out. Can't wait until more of this beautiful blend is available.