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Gary B.

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Captain Earle's - Ten Russians 2oz
Not What I Was Expecting
After reading some reviews calling this a nic bomb I was expecting to be punched in the face but it was not like that at all. This is a first bowl review and it is safe to say that this will make it into my rotation but maybe toward the back. I am a very huge fan of the Captain Earle lineup so I was happy to get my tin in the mail. It is definitely stronger than the other blends in this line but it is supposed to be. Upon opening the tin I found the usual Captain Earle crumble cake all nice and handsome. That is one thing I really like about Captain Earle blends is that they are all cakes. The break apart easy, rub out and pack easy. Lighting was no problem and had only a couple of relights. Probably won't make many friends that are non pipe smokers when you light this one up unless you are around a fire pit. Ten Russians is not for a pipe smoker just starting their journey but for the seasoned pipe smoker could be repeated during the day.

Cornell & Diehl - Black Frigate 2oz
Reall Good Blend
I wanted my title be something like Yummy Yummy I taste Rummy but I saved ya'll from that. I was thinking that my journey to find blends to build my rotation was ending when I came upon this blend. I had seen it listed before but just never really paid it much attention-until now. Soon as I cracked the top of the tin and took a big whiff I knew that I was onto something special. When I first started exploring English blends I thought myself to be a Prequie freak and wasn't too much into Latakia. But that has changed now and I am a big Latakia fan. This has just the right amount of Latakia for me. It's not a Lat bomb but you know it's there. I find the nic hit to be just a little north of medium. It was just a little damp upon opening the tin but it took just about 20 minutes drying couldn't fix. This packs really easy. Did the char light and then it took just one light. Burns cool with rich white smoke and down to nothing but white ash. I have read on TR that this would not be an all day smoke and they may be a little right about that. I could for sure smoke it at least a couple of times during the day. This blend will make it into my rotation and likely reside at one of the top spots. I will order more on my next order. I will not be running out of this blend. It has a 4.5 rating but I could see it as a 4.8 easy. It is IMHO an under rated blend that deserves more attention than it appears to get. Try some I think you will be glad you did.

Captain Earle's - Mystic Blend 2oz
Another Great Blend
This is truly a great blend. In reading the reviews of this blend I was a little hesitate to buy into that it doesn't smoke the same way twice but after trying it myself I totally agree. It's a surprise in every bowl. Nightwatch is still my #1 Captain Earle blend but this is a very close second. I have a couple of other blends in this line and enjoy them too. Every day I am moving closer and closer to smoking just blends in this line. I have a few other blends that I enjoy but not as much as I do the ones in the Captain Earle line.

Missouri Meerschaum - Let Freedom Ring Rob Roy Bent (6mm)
Another Winner
Just received my Let Freedom Ring Rob Roy this week and had my first smoke with it. I am so pleased with it that I have just ordered two more. In the past I have not been drawn to the unfinished cob but decided to give this one a try. Pictures do not do this pipe justice. It just looks great simple as that. It has a good natural feel to it too. It has a real good draw too. The Rob Roy shape is one of my favorites and I can see this one becoming one of my go to pipes. I have the Let Freedom Ring 5th Avenue too and expect it to be just as good. To be able to get this pipe for $6.95 makes it even sweeter experience. Hope they carry this pipe for a long time.

Captain Earle's - Honor Blend 2oz
Another WInner
This was the second blend in the Captain Earle lineup that I have tried and i was not disappointed. This is the only blend that does not have latakia in it. I have grown to enjoy latakia blends though. This is a great smoke- packs well, lights good and burns evenly. Reading other reviews I was a little gun shy but I do not find this blend to be over powering but that is just me. If you enjoy a good Perique smoke give this one a try. I think you'll enjoy it. There will be several tins of this fine blend in my cellar very soon.

Seattle Pipe Club - Plum Pudding 2oz
The Real Deal
I just received a sample of this from a friend and tried it for the first time last night. I was a little curious after reading all the rave reviews on this blend and so I was glad that I was able to get a sampling of it. It is a very rich tasty smoke unlike any I have had so far in my tobacco blend journey. I would say high medium on the flavor. Did not bite and had only a few relights. I think my sample might have been a little damp. I let it air out for about 20 minutes before packing my pipe so next bowl will get just a little more dry time to see if that makes a difference on the relight count. I could smoke this one all day. Really nice blend. I will be ordering a couple of tins with my next order.

Captain Earle's - Nightwatch 2oz
Where Did This Come From?
This is the first Captain Earle's blend that I have tried and now I am wondering why it took me this long to try one. This is one smooth blend. I am search out Virgina/Perique blends and thought I had found the ones that I would besticking with. Then this happens. I am not a huge Latakia fan but I like it as long as it's not a Lat bomb. I have not smoked a more smooth Latakia blend than this one.Will be ordering more for sure. It's got me in that can't wait til the next bowl mood. I have not until now found a blend with Latakia in it that smoked this smooth. It usually take at least a couple of bowls of a new blend before I move it onto my top tobacco list but after the first bowl I am already calling this one a top 5 blend. Nightwatch is something special. Give this one a try I do no think you will be diasppointed.

Cornell & Diehl - Exclusive
The Real Deal
Being a Perique freak I was bound to try this blend. Listed at 50% Perique I was looking for a knock out blend and I found it. It is strong and super spicy but it's oh so good. Already got a half pound in the cellar and will be getting at least another half pound on my next order. Since it's arrival it's been all that I have wanted to smoke. If you love Perique and looking for something different than the average run of the mill Virigina/Perique blends then it's time to try Exclusive. This blend is all that it says it is.

Cornell & Diehl - Exclusive 2oz
Another Keeper
Just started smoking this blend and I have really enjoyed. It is not for the faint of hearts- it does pack a punch but I like that. Will be ordering a pound of this with my next order. Thank you Cornell & Diehl for another great blend.

Cornell & Diehl - Tuskegee Airman 2oz
New Favorite
I usually do not do a review of a new tobacco after just the first bowl but I am going to make an exemption for this blend. I have been wanting to try this blend for some time. The tobaccos in this blend is what drew me to it. I am a Perique freak so it was going to happen. It smoked cool from the start and only tried to burn a little hot at the very end. Very nice flavor not sure exactly how I would describe it but I love it. The only trouble I encountered on with this bowl was that at the start I drew a few small pieces through the stem but that is on me for not taking more care while packing it. It will crumble out nicely and it can crumble into some small pieces so I will be a little more watchful next bowl. When I was smoking it it made me think of the man that taught my dad how to fly. During the war he was a flight instructor for the P-51. The smoke led me to remember him and my dad and the hours that my dad logged in his planes. I also reminded me of my regret of not spending more time flying with my dad when I had the chance. But I was young (14 years old) and I had other things on my mind at the time. In closing I can say that this blend has cracked my top 10 and quite likely the top 5 favorite blends. I wish they sold this in bulk. I will be buying more to put in the tobacco closet. I can also see me logging a lot of time on the patio in the rocking chair with the Airmen. I will be interested in seeing how this blend ages if I can let it age. I would suggest that you try just one tin and see for yourself. Thank you Jeremy and Cornell & Diehl for yet another great blend.

G. L. Pease - Sixpence 8oz
Another WInner
Received my tin in the mail today and couldn't wait ti light it up. I was very pleased with this blend. Rubbed out nicely and lit well. Smoked in one of my favorite cobs and really enjoyed it. I had to just recently been a C&D blend smoker but this blend tells me that I have more to explore. I will be buying more to cellar and I am looking forward to seeing what a couple of months of aging does to it. Very well done Mr. Pease. Very well done.

G. L. Pease - Quiet Nights 2oz
Very Nice
Picked up my first tin of G L Pease Quiet Nights and I am very glad I did. I am a very devoted fan of C&D blends and I was just a little skeptical at first. Those worries are now gone. This is a very good blend from start to finish. I will be adding more to my cellar and will be sampling more of the Pease blends. This is on track to land at the #1 slot in my rotation. Highly recommend this to anyone who loves Perique and Latakia blends.

Missouri Meerschaum - American Patriot 1.5oz
Was Surprised
Got to admit I was a little skeptical before I ordered this but not any more. You can tell right off the light that this is a Latakia base blend but it's not a Lat bomb either. It came ready to smoke right out of the pouch with no drying time needed. Packed good lit good. I was pleasantly surprised with this tobacco. I will be buying more to put in my cellar. Only draw back that I have is that it only come in 1.5 ounce pouches. Wish it came in bulk.

Cornell & Diehl - Epiphany 2oz
Really Good Stuff
Packs well and lights well too. This one will be added to the rotation for sure.

Cornell & Diehl - Nutty Irishman
A Nice Retun Visit
Since October of this year I have been on a VaPer quest and in all honesty fought about the Irishman but this morning when I was selecting by morning smoke I saw my jar of Nutty Irishman and decided it was time to get reacquainted. I was not disappointed. Great smoke on a cold December morning. Glad I have a large jar of this in the cellar.

Cornell & Diehl - Speakeasy Navy Blend 2oz
Really Good Stuff
Just received my first tin of this and having read the reviews couldn't wait to try a bowl. Very easy to light and stays lit smokes cool with a very good taste. If this taste better after 10-15 years I hope that I am around that long to try iy because it's pretty good right now. Will definitely be put more of this in my cellar. It's an easy 4.5/5 in my book. It could easily be an all day smoke.

Cornell & Diehl - Orient Express 2oz
Like It
Just finished my first bowl of Orient Express and am loving it. Rich smoke and great flavor. Have found another one to stock up on. Just hard to beat C&D. I make myself try other blends but nothing I have found so far beats a Cornell & Diehl blend.

Cornell & Diehl - Bayou Night
New Player In Town
Just got my order of Bayou Night today and couldn't wait to fire up a bowl. Wicked good. I have just started sorting through all the English blends and really wanted to try this one. Glad I did. The presence of the Perique is very noticeable especially on the retohale. Not too strong for me but it did get my attention. I will be ordering more to put in my cellar. If you love Perique you can't go wrong with this blend. Go out there and grab you some- you'll be glad you did.

Cornell & Diehl - Bow-Legged Bear 2oz
New Friend
I have recently come back to pipe smoking and started the journey to find some blends that I really like. I have tried some aromatics and now exploring English blends. Don't know what drew to the Bear but man am I glad I tried this blend. It comes out of the tin right ready to smoke. Easy to light and keep lit. I will be stocking up on this. If you haven't tried Bow Legged Bear you owe to yourself to get a tin. You will not be disappointed. Just a quick shout out for the extra quick service. Ordered it and it was here in two days. Can't beat the blend or the service.

Cornell & Diehl - Habana Daydream
What A Find
I recently tried Cornell & Diehl's “Habana Daydream” while at Low Country Pipe & Cigar and man am I glad I did. I have just recently stated a journey to find me a Va/Per and I have found a keeper. It is a very relaxing smoke- easy to light and stays lit. Will be buy more of this in bulk real soon

Captain Black - Cherry 1.5oz
Good Smoke
Not the strongest cherry flavor but a good smoke- I see where people have said that it bites and burns hot but I have not had it to bite me or burn too hot.