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Cornell & Diehl - Burley Flake #5 2oz
One of the Few Great Kentucky Blends Left
I wouldn’t say this is entirely Kentucky forward, but there is enough to consider it a Kentucky blend in the vein of Irish Flake and Stirling Flake. I don’t want to compare this blend too heavily, as it stands on its own in greatness, but the similarity is there with the anise flavor mixed with a bit of Kentucky spice. It’s a stout tobacco, with good moisture from the tin and a heavenly bouquet of anise and Kentucky bbq flavor, mixed with the nutty cacao of good burley and the tart sweetness of red Virginia’s. Really a top shelf blend showcasing burleys as only C&D can do.
G. L. Pease - JackKnife Ready Rubbed 2oz
One of a Few
I’ve enjoyed Jackknife for many years, alternating between this and Mac Baren Bold Kentucky. With the demise of Mac Baren, options are extremely limited for lovers of Kentucky forward blends. It’s down to Jackknife and Irish Flake. When I want a pure Kentucky taste, this is what I reach for and it never fails to satisfy. More on the floral side of the Kentucky flavor profile, it’s BBQ and smokiness. I tend toward the ready rubbed for my daily enjoyment, as it’s easy to manage, although it burns a bit fast. The plug version is nice for those moments of slowing down and really focusing on the tobacco. Plugs are fussy, so ready rubbed has become my Bold Kentucky replacement. Now if they’d only make a replacement for the Rustica line.
Cornell & Diehl - Firebird Flake 2oz
A Treat for Kentucky Lovers
C&D has been on fire (pun intended) with Kentucky blends lately. Firebird takes the torch and carries it to new heights. The flakes are well presented, a bit more moist than usual but it lights just fine. And once lit, the taste hits your palate and never stops. The floral Kentucky’s and fragrant orientals are in perfect balance in a way that is totally unique. This blend uses one of the more discernibly fragrant orientals which I find takes a perfect lead, with the Kentucky’s adding a floral, spicy backdrop. They pair so well together, a feat I didn’t think was possible. Pretty consistent flavor throughout the bowl, enough nicotine to satisfy but won’t knock you out. A real pleasure from start to finish. I think this one will go down as a true classic.
Toscano - Maestro Puccini 2oz
A Kentucky Lover’s Delight
Maestro Puccini is everything I had hoped for in a Toscano exclusive blend. It has a Kentucky taste, but unlike the standard Kentucky. Completely unique…this is Kentucky BBQ flavor with generous portions of pepper. The bowl starts with strong pepper underlined with the C&D floral Kentucky BBQ flavor, and as the bowl progresses, this tobacco gets down to some serious business. The flavors deepen, become more rich; the pepper recedes and the BBQ sweetness comes to the fore. Think of a rich BBQ sauce sprinkled with generous portions of freshly ground peppercorns. Throughout this delightful smoke, you will find a wonderful interplay between these two tobaccos, each one taking center stage at different times. This is truly a masterpiece for the Kentucky lover. Bravo to C&D and Toscano…if this were in regular production it would be a daily smoke. The nicotine is strong enough to satisfy the seasoned Kentucky smoker, but for those sensitive, sip slowly and in small amounts. If you appreciate Kentucky tobacco, fire it up and enjoy pure bliss.
Sutliff - Per G. Jensen Bold & Strong
Great Blending Tobacco
Rustica has a mild flavor and mixes well with other tobaccos. The flavor is the only thing mild about this stuff…it hits like a sledgehammer. I mix it with HH Bold Kentucky about 50/50 or 25/75 favoring the Bold Kentucky and it just sings. What else is there to say…it is relatively dry so unless you like Semois level dryness, it’s perfect in every way. It’s good smoked straight as well, with a restrained sweetness, but I swear it’s even stronger than HH Rustica.
Toscano - Sinfonia Flake 2oz
Encore!
An excellent blend, it packs and lights easy. There is a touch more Latakia than I would prefer, but it’s just shy of being a “English” mixture, and remains just unobtrusive enough to overlay the other flavors with a truly delicious smoky taste. Similar to Bankside by GL Pease, but with that Italian Kentucky flair that adds a wonderful smoky floral pop. If you like a touch of Latakia but not a full English, this is a great one to try, especially in the chilly months.
Cornell & Diehl - Carolina Red Flake with Perique 2oz
One of the Best
Best VA/Per on the market at this time, IMO. Fresh out of the tin, it’s excellent. After a few years aging, it is transcendental. Every pipe smoker should try this at least once. Worth every penny.
Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation - Twilight Mixture
A Blend to Wind Down With
I love the name, but what caught my attention is the components. Some of my favorite, and I feel underrated, as you usually see these components with Latakia. It seems the Virginia/Oriental mixtures are having a Renaissance at the moment. Mechanically, it does the job. Packs easy, burns slow and fairly cool. Good moisture content…right in the sweet spot of dry/moist so you can load it right away, unless you like your tobacco bone dry or sopping wet. Flavor…what a treat! Virginias provide some sweetness and there is more than a bit of perique in the mix, but they set the stage for the orientals to really shine. I wouldn’t say any single component dominates, however. All in perfect balance. The closest tobacco I can compare this to is Regent’s Flake by GL Please, but this is a bit more bold, with an assertive perique note that is vastly more subtle in Regents Flake. If you’re a fan of VA/Orientals, this is one to try…and with the budget-friendly bulk options, why not?
G. L. Pease - Géométrie 2oz
Bavarian Rye Bread
A shining example of an overlooked type of blend...Virginias and Orientals. The virginias have a dry bread quality, and the orientals provide just the right amount of intrigue. It really reminded me of Bavarian rye bread. Regent's Flake has been a favorite for a long time, and it has a richer, more oriental-forward flavor. geometrie is a bit more subtle, with the taste of bread at the front, supported by the zaftig quality of the orientals. Regent's Flake is an incense-filled bohemian cafe, while geometrie is a cheerful pub in the Bavarian countryside. Yet another masterpiece in the Zeitgeist series!
Low Country - Edisto 2oz
Finest Everyday Virginia
If you like the stewed fruit, slightly spicy, rich taste of a red Virginia, this is among the best available. Packs easy, lights easy, burns easy. Rub it out or stuff and puff, it performs well either way. Capstan Blue has been my favorite Virginia but this might unseat the mighty Capstan. Reminiscent of the original Carolina Red Flake, but smoother with less spice. A classic in the making.
Dan Tobacco - Hamborger Veermaster 50g
10 year old tin
Virginias are known for aging well, so I opened a 10 year old tin as my first experience with this tobacco. Even with 10 years, the taste was VERY mild and did not taste aged. It was a darn good, well behaved smoke. The flavor was very subtle. Not a bad thing, but if you’re expecting it to get vastly better with age, you might be disappointed. I have a few more fresh tins and will enjoy them sooner instead of waiting. This is a great, reliable tobacco, but subtlety is the keyword. Not for lovers of big, bold taste…but an unobtrusive companion when you want to puff on something nice.
Hearth & Home - Smoky Mountain 1.75oz
For Lovers of Kentucky Leaf
Absolutely smooth, with a savory, rich barbecue taste. Slightly dry crumble cake that breaks up easily and smokes slow, just the way a good Kentucky tobacco should. Sweetness and tang from the virginias in perfect proportion with the American and African Kentucky leaf for a perfect mix of floral notes and mesquite. Nicotine isn’t a sledge hammer but absolutely satisfies.
McConnell - Scottish Cake 50g
Slow Starter
The first several times I smoked this, I was not crazy about it. But it has grown on me and now I quite enjoy it. Burns cool, no bite, and stays lit even though it comes a bit wet in the tin. Good, flavorful anytime tobacco with just enough nuance to be interesting. Burns clean down to the bottom of the bowl and a decent kick of nicotine but not overpowering. More of a slow crescendo. Closer to a ribbon cut than a broken flake and it burns a little faster than I would like, but that’s personal preference; I prefer flakes for the slower burn. Similar to Royal Yacht and C&D’s Five o’clock Shadow. If you like either of those, you will probably like this.
Cornell & Diehl - Derringer 2oz
Fully Loaded Virginia
Savory and sweet as only C&D can pull off. This isn’t a subtle Virginia, but it is still a Virginia with excellent nuance. Reminds me of a toned-down, less spicy Carolina Red Flake...but that’s not to say it is inferior in any way. No chance of bite, and cool burning for a Virginia. Enough nicotine to satisfy but it won’t clobber you over the head as a kentucky might, and absolutely smooth on the palate.
Cornell & Diehl - Five O'Clock Shadow 2oz
One of C&D’s Finest
C&D has lots of great offerings, but this really stands out as a tobacco done right. Easy to break apart, easy to light, and stays lit till the end. It starts with a slightly bitter note but that calms down into a smooth, enjoyable smoke. It packs a punch in the nicotine department and is perfect for a work day or night when you want an easy, no fuss, tasty tobacco.
Peterson - University Flake 50g
Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
Perfectly balanced burley flake with a berry topping. The berry topping is more apparent in the tin than in the smoke, but it is there and plays perfectly with the nutty cocoa of the burley. This one is a winner in my book. No tongue bite at all and enough nicotine to satisfy, but if you are sensitive to nicotine, use a small bowl and go slow.
Dan Tobacco - Bill Bailey's Balkan Blend 50g
A Mixture Done Right
Wonderful oriental flavors with unique notes from the Kentucky tobacco. All components are in perfect balance, even the Latakia. This does not come across as a heavy Latakia mixture. Just a wonderful oriental forward with an added smokiness from the Kentucky.
Prince Albert - Prince Albert 1.5oz
Cocoa and Hazelnuts
A simpler version of something like Aged Burley Flake. Great in the morning with coffee or any time of day. I’m pretty sensitive to casings and toppings, but I don’t notice any real “chemical” taste as some have noted. Just good honest burley cocoa taste with a bit of nuttiness. A faithful companion when you don’t need something complex or challenging, but still want an easy going pipe.
Mac Baren - HH Bold Kentucky 1.75oz
Sweet and Savory
Freshly tinned it is good. A few sharp notes here and there. The flavor has sweetness and I think the “bold” has more to do with the kick of nicotine than flavor, but there is plenty of Kentucky and Virginia flavor. Recently opened a 5 year old tin and aging makes this tobacco brilliant. All sharp notes have faded, leaving behind a really sublime smoke.
Cornell & Diehl - Burley Flake #4 2oz
Meat and Potatoes
The tin aroma is nothing short of delicious. As a burley fan, I had high hopes but my first bowl was very disappointing. Any tobacco with such a delicious tin note must be great, in the right pipe. So the second time I opted for a larger, wider bowl. And boy did it sing! I found Morley’s Best to be a little more forgiving, but once #4 is matched to the right pipe, you are in for a real treat.
Cornell & Diehl - Morley's Best
Hearty, Savory
A wonderful meat and potato’s kind of blend. That wisp of Latakia adds just the right amount of complexity. The burley are truly delicious. In a wide pipe, it loses subtlety and smokes more like a savory, simple burley. In a narrow bowl, the complexity from the Latakia comes out, but only just. This is one magnificent blend.
Seattle Pipe Club - Wild Man 2oz
Simple, delicious
Really great everyday blend. A bit more rough than some other SPC blends, but I think with some age it will be truly sublime. The orientals are present, and perfectly balanced with the Virginia’s and Latakia. The Latakia is there, but all of the components are perfectly balanced and no individual component runs away with the show. If you're a fan of SPC blends, this is a GREAT one to try.
Cornell & Diehl - Visions of Celephaïs 2oz
Top Shelf
This is a great blend, even if you’re not a fan of aromatics. There’s enough complexity in the component tobaccos to keep it interesting throughout the entire bowl, unlike many aromatics that fall flat once the flavoring burns off. The overall flavor profile fits perfectly with the Old Ones series and if you like the other offerings, this is absolutely worth a try. Not a sugary sweet aromatic. Smokes dry, no tongue bite. A great aromatic for the non-aromatic smoker...I liked it so much that upon finishing the first bowl, I immediately reloaded and smoked a second bowl.
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Smoking Serenity: A Closer Look at Cornell & Diehl's Serenity Series- ► I’ve been thinking of attending the Las Vegas show. Would be great to have a friend there!
- ► Never tried the Serenity series but it sounds pretty good. Being a huge fan of Bayou Morning, I think Comfort might appeal.Friendly Piper: you are a credit to this community. If I were in your area I would be delighted to meet up for a pipe and good conversation.