Customer Reviews (36 Total)
GONE! - I WILL CRY IN MY CLOSET!
August 08, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Foolish me only bought 3 tins of this tobacco. IF I liked it, I would come back and buy more. Well, I love it! Always a fan of oriental laced tobaccos, this sounded like a very interesting blend, especially with the local harvested honey. Some ori... Read More
ental taste, some aromatic taste, it was great. When I opened the tin, I thought it was perhaps a little too moist. Well, I decided to try it as it was and not wait even 5 minutes to let it dry some. If I had trouble, I could let it air out and dry. Lighting was easy, gentle tamping, I never had to relight. It did not get hot on me, I smoked it slowly. I don't know if it can be pushed to being too hot. It burned very well to the bottom of the bowl. It passed my 2 ultimate tests - - I wanted another bowl immediately and I wanted to buy more. Didn't think all 4500 tins would be gone in 3 or 4 days. This has instantly become one I could smoke all day and enjoy immensely. A great change of pace My Dunhill pipe liked it too. Will there EVER be more? Read Less
If mead were a tobacco
August 10, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
By the Gods!!! I ordered two tins thinking it’d be pretty decent stuff & I would be okay with it being limited but damn was I wrong. This tobacco is AMAZING! It’s like I’m smoking mead from Odin’s mouth himself & really wish I would have bought way m... Read More
ore tins of this stuff.
I hope they bring this one back! Read Less
Sweet and Relaxing
October 12, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
The great thing about this blend is that even if they do another run, the flavor will be similar, but not exactly the same. If they do decide to do another run, I will purchase more than two tins.
The blend I didn't even know I wanted til I had it.
September 22, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
About a month ago Cornell & Diehl released Sun Bear as a Small Batch offering. Initially I was intrigued by the inclusion of Jeremy Reeves' own bee's honey as a flavoring. To keep bees is a labor of love. To use their honey in a tobacco may just ... Read More
border on eccentric dedication to the craft. More power to you Mr. Reeves if you keep producing the likes of Sun Bear. I am a fan of Virginia/Oriental blends and no stranger to honey-flavored aromatics, but I had never thought to marry the two. Sun Bear shows just what a great combination this produces. This flake has a nice mottled color and Goldilocks moisture level. The tin has an aroma that reminds me of Fig Newtons and this carries over into the room note as well. The flavor is the best part, full of Virginia fruity goodness with a mild figgy flavor. And, it's supposedly made from Bright VA, not Reds? The orientals are SO there and yet SO tame. Perfection. They come across similar to a ultra-mild Lakeland but are quite sweet at the same time. So easy to smoke, I kept waiting for the Orientals to blanket the flavor, but they just stayed mellow and let the Virginias lead the way. A bit old fashioned tasting in my book, like that special something in a homemade pie that you'll never get from store-bought. Sun Bear captures that “something” in a big way. I wanted to take it all in before writing a review and now I see it's sold out, but if it comes around again you should definitely try some. As is always the case, I wish I had bought more. Read Less
The best blend
August 14, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
What an amazing blend!! I kick myself for only ordering 2 tins. It has a suttle floral note and such a fresh grassy hay like flavor. There is definitely another deeper, richer note that I can't quite figure out. But yeah, this is the blend. I hope it... Read More
will be more readily available. A must try!!! Read Less
Thank you Jeremy
July 29, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Rejoyce it is back again ,the happiest tobacco moment of the year (for me)This blend is the very top of the top line .No other like this ,so it is standing alone as the best C&D blend of all times .Thank you Jeremy Reeves ,bless you man!brought m... Read More
e so many happy moments . Read Less
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
This is a GREAT blend. A wonderful mingling of flavors that develop and deepen as you smoke. After my first bowl I immediately wanted another. I could kick myself for only picking up one tin. I sure hope it comes back soon. I plan on stocking up.
The amazing tin note of Fig Newtons!
August 11, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
The tin note makes my mouth water. The honey & elderflower sweetness balance the spice of the orientals. The Virginias give me both sweet hay and fresh baked goods. I love Pease's Embarcadero and Sun Bear is a more sophisticated version. So for t... Read More
hose of us that can't smoke Sun Bear as often as we would like, I think Embarcadero will help scratch the itch.🌞🐻💘 Read Less
Wow that went fast.
July 30, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Wow, that went fast. Must have sold out in record time. :(
Great Tobacco
July 29, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
I just saw that it is back in stock - 8 tins have been added to the shopping list - wanted to pay 15 minutes later but too late - all tins are gone. This is one of my top 3 tobacco. The honey is the obvious topping here, the alcohol a little, but not... Read More
too far in the background. Same with the sweet elderflower, it is there but in also not that dominant. Could have a touch of more oriental but all in all it is well balanced and an interesting combination of all ingredients. It is a smooth sweet and slightly sour smoking experience. The flakes are easy to break and can therefore be packed perfectly into the pipe. No bite, cool smoke, low to mid on the nic, no drying needed but recommended, easy to light up. The perfect summer tobacco. Read Less
Stolen from Elfenheim
December 22, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
I bought my tin when it was available and i was lucky to get one.Ok i thought it will be some light aromatic(i dont smoke aromatics)so i didnt payed too much atention,i decided that i will open my tin at the Yule celebration 21st of December(i am Pag... Read More
an).Now is Yule ,i just opened the tin ....myghty Gods!!!Jeremy Reeves went to Alfanheim where the Elves lives and stole this tobacco from there or it was gifted to him to share.The humidity of the tobacco is perfect ,works out easily,but the smell and aroma of it is something never experienced before,i just can not fathom the mind which composed these tastes together .I read other reviews saying that taste "floral"or "honey",what that even mean.The taste i can describe is like the embodyment of "Goodness" of elegance however nothing foreign from the tobacco leaf ,it taste like tobacco leaf grown in Fae-land .Bless you Jeremy and thank you for this jewel, and if it would be six stars i would give it . Read Less
A delicacy of a smoke!
August 13, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Tin note: cinnamon and clove. Fermented prune. Very sweet and fruity. Gorgeous semi- broken flake. Golden toasted almond brown with deep walnut and mahogany hues; very attractive. Came a bit wet but not bad… definitely not on the level of say a ... Read More
Samuel Gawith tin.
Took a little coaxing to get lit. Stays lit well. First light: a little flash of harshness giving way to a very full smoky mouth feel. The honey hits with intensity: sweet, rich and somewhat dark. Red Virginia shows its maturity and rounded smoothness. Brights are crisp and go well with the sophisticated bouquet of the delicate accent leaves. The orientals lend Mediterranean flavor and aroma: sweet, floral; exotic and pungent. The warm spiciness is unique. It coats the tongue and is dry in the mouth. It doesn't sting say on a retrohale the way perique does. It is more of a subtle tingle on the middle of the palette and the tongue when the ember hits a pocket of Basma/Izmir.
I wouldn't smoke this all day. It's more of a delicacy blend. It is so very rich and complex. It takes focus and intention to really enjoy. It's a contrast to a Orlik or PS Luxury Flake or Squadron Leader. I could pack bowl after bowl of these while enjoying a late afternoon in the sun with friends. Sun Bear asks to be experienced in solitude with few thoughts. It should be savored and consumed with meditative consciousness. It's perfect and lamentable in its rarity. The rareness of the aged oriental leaves. The rarity of the limited production. The singularity of its profile. There is no other blend to compare it. It stands quite alone. It is a beautiful blend. It is one I will enjoy slowly over many years. I'm certain it will continue to elevate itself unimaginably the older it becomes. Bravo C&D. Bravo Mr. Reeves. Read Less
Sweet goodness!
January 02, 2021
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
I got the 2020 batch.. sweet goodness in a tin!!
Summertime in a tin
August 05, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
This is extremely enjoyable. It smokes cool and its light and refreshing. Perfect on a sunny summer morning with a cup of coffee to get the day going. It’s not an aromatic like some folks are saying. There is a difference between a casing and a toppi... Read More
ng. You can taste the wonderful honey and elderflower and tequila, however the honey takes front stage. With those slight casing flavors, you still predominantly taste quality Virgina tobacco with the aged orientals dancing in the background. This is probably my all time favorite blend. I bought as many as I could. I will buy as many as I can again, if it’s re-released. Highly recommended to give a tin or two a try. Read Less
Thanks Jeremy.
August 03, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Easily the best blend I've had this year. This is not an aromatic, the flavorings are perfectly applied. Tastes just like summertime.
Sun Bear...
August 03, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
...is a delicious blend, whether fresh or aged. I enjoyed the refreshing flavors of a new tin, and the deep flavors of an aged tin (I had one from last year).
Similar to MacBaren Navy Flake
August 03, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
The tin note is remarkably mince pie; raisin, clove, cinnamon, pastry bread and bit of vinegar... smells wonderful! The flakes are moist and loosely pressed. The taste is sweet - honey sweet, with a bready nuance. The Orientals are zesty and will n... Read More
ip and tingle your tongue and lips. Dried a bit and smoked slow, it's sufficient. C&D produces blends and mixtures of a 'rustic' nature and this follows in that vein. Personally, I enjoy C&D's style more than any other, though I'm not a fan of VA in general. Sun Bear isn't as refined as say SG FVF or HH Virginia Flake, and it's not as mellow as 1931. It's very similar to MB Navy Flake. It's good in it's own right and though I ordered only one tin, I'm fine with that. Nicotine is 2.0 out of 5. Read Less
This is Fantastic!
August 01, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
I am an english guy who dabbles with Vi/pers. However, I always buy the small batch stuff no matter what it is because they are so dang good. I missed this one last year. though. However, the wait was worth it because this is the most enjoyable smoke... Read More
I have had in a long time. The summers in Arizona are the worst and the englishes in this heat, do not go well together. Sun Bear does though! It is a light but, flavorful blend. The kind that just makes you smile and after the first puff you know you are in good hands. Put 3 in the cellar and popped one tin right away. Dried a bowls worth for about an hour, although I dont think that necessary, and smoked away. It was wonderful. Mostly I got a nice virginia on the figgy side with some sweetness from the honey. A little floral booziness comes out at the end but, very faint. Again, light but flavorful. I absolutely love it! Cheers! Read Less
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Looking at all of the reviews from many respected pipers,I was eager to get my tin,I'll not crack my tin open for a few months,but as noted by others is already well aged,dark,and rewarding..an indication of this blends popularity is..it was all sold... Read More
out EVERYWHERE online within 24 hours of its availability..my tin will live among my many other C&D blends,awaiting its opening and enjoyment..if you missed it ,I'm so sorry,hoping will be available once again next summer2021. Read Less
So good, I sent my last time to a friend.
July 29, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
This is a great blend. I bought some last summer and really liked it. I was sending some of my own blends to a friend and sent him one of my tins for his son. The young man 's taste is more to liking this blend than the strong VaPers and English I se... Read More
nt his dad. Read Less
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Amazing tobacco. I just loved it. Definitely worth the wait and price
Easy and tasty.Thank you Jeremy!!!
September 08, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Tobacco has a very pleasant aroma of bourbon. Fresh and moist. Smoking is pleasant and soft. Very satisfied.
Update 12.12.21.
This is the best treat..I smoked a can of 2019 issue recently.With age, it's hard to even describe it.Delicate, spicy and ... Read More
airy.When it appears on sale, collect a full bag and run to pay.Do everything quickly. You won't regret it.And remember always!! It will be sold out in 120 minutes. This is not the first year of record sales!!! It's a masterpiece. Thank you Jeremy!!!"I take off my hat." Read Less
4 1/2 stars
August 31, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Heavenly . Honey upfront , with a slight floral finish on the retrohale. Pleasant after taste. Was lucky enough to grab 12 tins. Well see how the other 11 age. Fantastic fresh. Can’t wait to see it age year by year. Well maybe I’ll age 10 since ... Read More
this tin is growing thin. :p Read Less
Delicious
August 29, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
It feels mean to write a review about a tobacco that has immediately sold out, but I wish I bought more. Mellow and the honey comes through nicely. C&D don’t let this be a one time release!
Suh-WEEET!!
August 24, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
With the Orientals and the honey topping, this is a really sweet and delicious smoke. And it tastes just like the tin note. Plus, no tonguebite. I'd order again if it was still available; unfortunately I only bought one tin to try. I doubt we'll see ... Read More
another like this batch again.
C&D, you guys really hit it out of the park with this one! Read Less
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
The tin note is amazing. Every time I sniff, even though it is much more complex, I think chocolate croissant! Rich and mature tasting with a real creamy sweetness. No tongue bite at all. I usually smoke VaPers and non aromatics but this is a real t... Read More
reat. This is what an aromatic should be like! I hope they make this blend again in the future. It’s a winner! Read Less
Very Interesting
August 09, 2019
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
I’m not a big fan of Virginias and haven’t experimented with orientals really at all, but I bought this on a whim. It’s a broken flake, and the tin note smells delicious with honey and a faint whiff of tequila. I wish the tequila would’ve been more ... Read More
robust than silver, a nice reposado or añejo with more flavor. The grassy notes and the honey were pleasant to sip, and the zesty spiciness of the orientals were interesting. I’m curious to see what aging will do to the blend. Read Less
Sweet, floral, and fruity
July 31, 2021
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
This blend has an airiness that very much reminds me of a fine Scandinavian blend, but with sweetness from the honey and a well rounded spiciness from the izmir and basma leaf. I also get undertones of grain and dark fruit from the orientals that I f... Read More
ind quite similar to something like raisin bran. It's all smoothed out nicely by the splash of silver tequila. I found the room note to be bready, again, much like a good Scandinavian, floral, and to have a strong presence that reminds me of the smells that the walls and floors of an old 19th century brick and mortar building can give off sometimes. Overall, I found it to be very pleasing. The tin note is very breakfast cereal like. Raisin bran and honey bunches of oats. This is one that I find goes well on a mild early fall day. Read Less
Even better after 1 year
July 24, 2021
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
In anticipation of the Black Locust version being released, I opened a tin of Sun Bear that I bought 1 year ago during the last drop. I had smoked a tin when it was fresh and found it a nice, sweet-ish smoke. Enjoyable, but not memorable. After sit... Read More
ting for 1 year, the flavors opened up and I now taste a lot more of the honey and tequila than I did with the fresh tin. It complements the VA rather than overpowering it. Great tobacco, and I will continue to buy it in the future with the hopes of allowing it to continue aging. Read Less
My Favorite
July 10, 2021
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
The first run of this is what brought about my appreciation for Virginia's. The tin note, I can't recall how many times I just cracked open the tin just to smell it. This is one of my desert island blends.
Delightful Tease
September 29, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
My only regret with this blend is not having purchased several tins on first sight. Because I knew what I was seeing, another Cornell & Diehl limited release concoction that was sure to prove a little piece of magic. And magic it was. It was a deligh... Read More
tful tease, as it sold out so quickly.
Honey heaven, it sure was. I would have guessed bourbon over tequila was included in the topping but upon smoking it, I could detect it in the blend, along with the elderflower the C&D marketing spoke of.
Jeremy Reeves might as well be a James Beard Award-winning chef of tobacco blends, as it’s not that he didn’t just not disappoint with this blend. He left me enthralled. Upon cracking open the tin, I smelled a strong aroma of honey and a touch of some liquor—bourbon? It also smelled like the Nabisco Fig Newtons I’d eat as a boy.
The honey so present in the tin note was sustained on my tongue throughout all stages of the smoking bowl. I didn’t want it to end, and smoked each bowl far slower than I normally do. With this blend, I could have easily become like literature’s most famous detective, keeping my dottle to combine and then light up on a later date. 5.0 stars Read Less
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Very well done. Easily handled. Maintains proper ember without too much work. Sweet, but not overly so. You won’t go wrong... if you find it
Sweet Flavor, Oriental Sweety
August 26, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
Fortunately, I have bought 8 tins. I don't know but I knew, I have to.
Anyway, This is good tobacco.
tin note? little sweet honey flavor.
Taste and flavor, Little Honey Taste and some spicy. I think maybe basma and Izmir added spicy flavor.
and you... Read More
can barely feel the after taste. it will be burn slowly and be the fine ash.
after clean the bowl, little moist will be in the bowl but you don't need to care about this. Read Less
The amazing tin note of Fig Newtons!
August 11, 2020
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
The tin note makes my mouth water. The honey & elderflower sweetness balance the spice of the orientals. The Virginias give me both sweet hay and fresh baked goods. I love Pease's Embarcadero and Sun Bear is a more sophisticated version. So for t... Read More
hose of us that can't smoke Sun Bear as often as we would like, I think Embarcadero will help scratch the itch.🌞🐻💘 Read Less
Product: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear 2oz
5 star blend the tin note was most definitely of dark fruit,raisin,and a touch of honey. The aroma of the tin had my mouth watering I had to pack a bowl right away. The taste was just as good! I found myself gazing off in the tree line by my house an... Read More
d next thing you know the bowl was gone!I recommend this. Sad I didn’t buy 2 more tins. Read Less