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Sometimes it pays to know what you're smoking. As much as one can love a robust straight Virginia or a complex English, you get used to seeing the same couple of components mentioned. But then you look at a component list and see something new and are left asking: what the hell is that? One recent example for me happened while smoking on a tin of Gentleman Caller. As I was browsing its components, I discovered the mention of Deertongue. You may have heard of it but may not know what it is. So what is Deertongue and why is it in tobacco?
What is Deertongue?
Deertongue, or Dichanthelium clandestinum, is a native member of the Grass (Poaceae) family. It's also referred to as dog's tongue and vanilla plant. It offers an exotic bamboo-like appearance and is local to North America's coastal region from North Carolina to Florida. Characterized by basal clusters of deer tongue-shaped leaves followed by a three-to-five-foot central flower stalk, with purple flowers appearing in late summer, Deertongue prefers partial sun, moist conditions, and sandy soils like those found near the Carolina Bays or pocosins and flat pinelands. Because of the plant's tolerance to high levels of aluminum and acidic, thin, infertile soils, it is often used to revegetate reclaimed land, such as mine spoils.
Deertongue has been used for a variety of purposes over the years; in early homesteads, Deertongue leaves were placed in bureaus to impart a pleasant smell to clothing or hung in bundles in rooms to freshen the air. Native Americans and early settlers used it medicinally as an all-purpose cure and tonic, in addition to Deertongue concoctions used as stimulants and sweat-inducing agents.
However, Deertongue was most commonly used in tobacco products before the 1970s. The dried leaves would be ground up and placed in a variety of products to provide pleasant, vanilla-like aromas, but it was phased out when Deertongue harvests began to dwindle and substitute ingredients were found. In the modern era of tobacco, Deertongue is seldom used. The only remaining blends that I know of still containing it are within a few of Cornell & Diehl's creations.
Deertongue Blends
Cornell & Diehl: Engine #382 Pipe Tobacco
Named for the passenger train driven by the famous Casey Jones, Engine #382 combines Dark and White Burley, Bright Virginia leaf, and unsweetened Black Cavendish with the soft, vanilla-like flavor of Deertongue, making for a pleasant and unique smoking experience.
- Components: Burley, Virginia
- Cut: Cake
Cornell & Diehl: New Market Pipe Tobacco
An equal mixture of Bright Virginia ribbon and unsweetened Black Cavendish with just a dash of Deertongue added for spice, New Market is an exceptionally fascinating Virginia blend.
Available in: Bulk- Components: Burley, Virginia
- Cut: Cake
Cornell & Diehl: Gentleman Caller Pipe Tobacco
C&D's Gentleman Caller is a blend of Virginias and Burleys, with a dash of Deertongue for a vanilla-like sweetness and a smidge of Perique for spice. This mellifluous mixture is so fragrant that Grandma always kept a few bowls around as potpourri to make her favorite beaus feel right at home when they came calling.
Available in: 2oz | 8oz- Components: Burley, Virginia
- Cut: Cake
Cornell & Diehl: Crooner Pipe Tobacco
A specially cut, cube-style Burley and Deertongue tobacco, Cornell & Diehl's Crooner is an authentic copy of Bing Crosby's private blend, shared with C&D by one of his closest friends.
Available in: 2oz | Bulk- Components: Burley, Virginia
- Cut: Cake
Deertongue is an interesting old-school tobacco component, seldom used in the industry in modern production. It's worth exploring with the few remaining blends that use it to experience this interesting facet of tobacco history for yourself.
Bibliography
- Bullard, A. J. (2006). Deertongue.. TNCpedia. ncpedia.org
- Deer-tongue grass (dichanthelium clandestinum).. TNCpedia. illinoiswildflowers.info
A note on the tobacco information.
Strength: a measure of the tobacco's body and nicotine. One is the lowest. Five s is the highest.
Room Note: a measure of the pleasantness or intensity of the smoke's odor to everyone else in the room. One is the least intense room note, while five s would be the most noticeable to others.
Taste: A measure of the the power and fullness of the smoke's flavor, with one being the most mellow and five s being the fullest.
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Comments
Being a long-time smoker of Dunhill's My Mixture 965 (and now the Peterson rendition) I remember that Deertongue was listed as a component of the blend. I never knew what it was until I read your article. My compliments on explaining a longstanding befuddlement. I remember buying 5 pound bags of Dunhill My Mixture from Lane Limited for $115 per bag, I've even saved the labels decorating my humidor with them. So I guess I'm a dedicated 965 smoker because it is my favorite for a long time, but I notice that the Peterson variation does not list Deertongue as a component. May be what's missing. Perhaps I can find some and add it to the Peterson Mixture 965? Thanks for the great info and service I always receive from your company. My wife tells me I should buy stock in it (Hee Hee).