Dawson D.
Badges

Reviews


Cult - Blood Red Moon 50g
A blend you can actually taste
Seeing many reviews of this blend i heard many people try to describe what it smells/tastes like. I've heard some people say "fresh cherries" and others say "twizzlers". When I first opened the tin it WAS familiar, but it wasn't any of those things but I finally was able to put my finger on it. This blend is identical to a Cherry flavored tootsie pop. Its probably the vanilla and chocolate notes that make it so distinctly "tootsie pop" that are hidden behind the strong cherry aroma. This Aromatic was one of the first tobacco blends where I could unapologetically TASTE something. ACTUALLY taste it too, not in the "upper nasal area" or the "effervescence" but like I was eating actual cherry candy. Pairs very well with Pepsi Wild Cherry would be my drink pairing recommendation.

G. L. Pease - The Virginia Cream 2oz
Not an Outright Aromatic
Buying this tobacco I was expecting a good strong vanilla note with nice natural tobacco flavors holding through. It being a GL Pease blend i probably had high expectations. With that being said, its not bad, but it does tend to leave more to be desired. More sweetness from the virginias, more cream from the topping, more of that dark fired kentucky to shine through (you barely even see a flake of it in the tin), and even just downright needs more moisture in the leaf. My tin was practically already dried out when I opened it, to the point I was thinking about dehydrating it with some more bourbon, because the bourbon barely comes through too. With all of those grievances out of the way, the flavor isn't bad, with subtle vanilla and tobacco essences gracing the smoke every now and then. Once in awhile the blend can come off as cigarettey and harsh due to how dry the leaf comes packaged. That dryness can result in a "pepperiness" that doesnt compliment the blend if you puff too hard.

G. L. Pease - Navigator 2oz
A shared experience
So I have read and watched dozens of people review of this blend and there seems be a shared experience that everyone seems to have (as well as myself). From what I have personally experienced and others, upon opening the tin, the tin note smells great. Virginia, dark fired kentucky type of aroma (which makes sense, because that is exactly what it is). However in the smoke it was harsh, unenjoyable, with notes of "pencil shavings" that some people describe dark fired kentucky having. Was sorely disappointed because I was looking forward to another navy style blend (my favorite type of blend). I jarred it up and gave it a couple months. After getting some aeration time the blend changes completely. In the smoke the dark fired kentucky starts off the blend with strong bbq and smokey notes, but maybe after 15 minutes it flips. The sweet virginias take over. Towards the end of the bowl the dark fired kentucky is practically unnoticeable to me. The rum offers sweet molassesy notes throughout the smoke that compliment the dark fired very well. My advice: jar it up, give it its wait time that it needs, and then you'll enjoy it later. Trust me.

Peterson - Royal Yacht 50g
A plummy tin note
Upon opening you notice the nice tin note, which I have read, is a Plum topping. This is noticeable. The smoke is nice with a slight sweetness. The plum does come out in the smoke. It can also be a bit cigarettey and harsh if you puff it too hard. A lot of people have stated that this blend packs a wallop in the nicotine department, but I haven't experienced this in the slightest. Maybe im more tolerant that others. I've done big bowls and have felt nothing, but enjoy at your own risk.

Peterson - Nightcap 50g
Was my first English I ever tried
Many pipe smokers believe that English blends should be the type of blend new pipe smokers start with, due to its cool burning tenperature, without taking into account that English blend in it of themselves are an acquired taste usually understood and appreciated after years of enjoying the hobby. Well Im glad that I was able to enjoy other types of blends before I tried an english because when I first tried this one I believed it was very un-enjoyable. Being on of the number one English blends this just made me figure that I must not like English blends is all, but as my pallet changed and as I let the blend age and air out a bit I found it more enjoyable. Its salt and peppery, with notes of smokey leather, and a slight plummyness. I think there are better englishes out there for the money, but I can appreciate the journey that this blend went through throughout history.

Cornell & Diehl - Miskatonic Mixture 2oz
A true hidden gem
Its not often you find a blend you didnt expect much from and it ends up being a hit. This is one of those time. The tin note offers very little aroma which was surprising to me, but instantly, it all came out in the smoke. Fruityness from the virginias, baking spices from the orientals as well as light floral notes, and bma good bit of body from the black cavendish. A good contemplative smoke. Good for enjoying at night, reading, studying, and in deep thoughts of the unknown...

Low Country - Santee 2oz
Its not bad for an autumn smoke.
I bought this blend because it was described as being "like fresh apples, perfect for enjoying in the summer time" which probably why I was so disappointed in it at first. It is not fresh apples at all, and not at all a summer time smoke, but that doesnt mean its bad. I do get the apple-y-ness but its more of a brown sugar baked apple with spices, heavy emphasis on the brown sugar and spices, and because of that it is actually a fairly nice autumn time smoke. The issue is that around autumn time there are better alternatives out there if you want to a seasonal blend. Autumn Evening, Sleepy hollow, scarecrow, but if you want more of something within that ball park then give it a try, but if you want a better autumn time smoke than go more for the aforementioned.

Cornell & Diehl - Crooner 2oz
Im glad I got to try it
So I picked up a tin of this blend for the reason I'm sure so many others have done for as well, to get to try one of the blends the great legend bing Crosby himself enjoyed from his personal cellar, and for that reason alone I'm glad I got to try it. Now on its own, I'm not a huge fan. Maybe I'm just not a straight white burley kind of guy, or maybe its something else. Upon opening its what you'd expect for the tin note. Some describe it as "barnyard" like, and others define it as a "hamster cage" aroma which I think is accurate. In the smoke its nutty with hints of cocoa. This blend is said to be Sweetened with a bit of molasses and maybe that comes through but its very light. I do enjoy it more than when I first tried it, but still not by a great margin. Now I do like burley as a complimentary leaf, great in blends like Windjammer and Sleepy Hollow, but for this particular blend it falls flat and is very "one note" throughout the bowl. It does have a good bit of nicotine, as burleys tend to do, so keep that mind. The deer tongue adds a bit of herbal-ness to the blend, but again very minimally. Some describe the taste of deertongue as "vanilla" and i would have to disagree. Try it the way its meant to be tried if you do happen to pick some up, in a savinellis bings favorite, listening to white christmas around the holidays, as I did, to get the true experience.

Cornell & Diehl - Blockade Runner 2oz
A piece of history in a tin
Like how so many people have mentioned in their reviews, this is not what I expected when I cracked the tin, but it wasn't off putting at all, but boy was it BOOZY. Lit up a pipe of it and was surprised about how it was different than the aroma. Smokey, woody, grassy, with very little sweetness, and once in awhile you get that boozy rum from the tin note. Wasn't crazy about it at first. Figured I had better stuff out there to enjoy, until something happened. One week I took my entire stock with me jarred up when I went away and I ONLY had this stuff every night I wanted to have a pipe. It grew on me the more I had it. That made me think about something in retrospect. Sailors and workers back then didn't get to have "50 different jars" and a "cellar of 10 year aged tobaccos" they only had on them what they took, and I'm sure it made enjoying that little bit of comfort all the more enjoyable when that WAS the tobacco blend that you had. This blend is C&D's oldest recipe blend (from the 1800s I believe) and this is quite literally what sailors would've been smoking in the 1800s. Nothing fancy, nothing crazy, but yet it still holds up to some more modern stuff. That in it of itself is what makes this blend so special to me. The story of it, the history of it, and the people that enjoyed it.

Cornell & Diehl - Dreams of Kadath 2oz
As complex as the tale it accompanies
When I first tried this blend, it was the first blend at the time that I tried with dark fired kentucky in it. Was worried about what I would think of it. Upon opening it I got punched with smokey, sweet, and sour essences. Didn't really know what was what when I first tried analyzing it and breaking it down. Was sure if the sourness of the blend was associated with perhaps the orientals of the blend (which do sometimes add a little) or perhaps it was something else. Being now a long time later, now being much more experienced and familiar with other blends (such as blockade runner and navigator) I realize that the sourness of the blend is heavily attributed to the fact that this blend is heavily based in rum in the blending process. Could be why this blend comes very moist in the tin. If you do not dry this blend out it will leave moisture in the bottom of your bowl, but if you dry it too much out I have found it can come across as harsh and losing key elements of its distinct favor profile. I enjoyed this blend the way it was intended, by reading some of HP lovecrafts "the Dreams-quest of the unknown Kadath" while smoking. The blend surprisingly goes incredibly well with the mysterious and unknown elements of the book, being as that I was not quite able to wrap my head around what kind of blend this is. Sweet as a virginia, but lacking the composure, Smokey as a burley blend, but lacking the percentages, as complex as an English blend, but lacking the latakia. It's perfect for a night time read, with your thoughts intertwined within some cosmic horror. (I did knock off half a point because sometimes half way though the bowl the blend can turn bitter and acrid, but this can be avoided with proper drying, and slower cadence).

Per Jensen - Legacy Collection: Port Guardian 2oz
Ive waited long to try to try this blend!
When I heard Per Jensen made this blend based on Capstan blues 1960s recipe, I was excited to try it. Per is an excellent blender and I loved reading the history and sediments associated with the blend he crafted. Along with kings watch, this has got to be one of the most gorgeous looking blends upon opening the tin. It's described as a "flake" but its super pressed together to almost form a sort of crumbly cake like consistency. The moisture level is perfect upon opening as well as being greeted by a delightful fruity aroma with dried dark fruits like raisins and prunes as well as having a light sour grassiness to it. That slight sour grassiness is also present while smoking it, along with the dark fruits, and a good, clean tasting, straight tobacco. Is it like capstan from 1960? I can't really say, but what I can say, is that its an excellent blend, with a beautiful history to it. Some final words, the tin art is some of my favorite tin art that I've seen in awhile, and it makes a great conversation piece talking about the meaning of the design as well. Edit: oh yea I haven't seen anyone write this at all, but this was the first blend that kicked my butt after enjoying and I ended up crashed on the couch for the evening afterwards. Not sure why cause there no perique or nothing in it.

Cornell & Diehl - Fires on the Levee 2oz
What a way to kick off the year
So I thought for sure I had my top 5 blends of 2025 decided on until c&d dropped this bad boy right at the end of the year and boy I'm glad they did. When I cracked it open I was greeted with an aroma of maple, and barbecue-y sweetness, almost like an aromatic. Not what I expected at all. After lighting up that sweetness and maple take a backseat to the smokey, barbecue notes, with even bits of glazed strip of bacon? Delightful! I hope they release this every year, because it could be up there with one of their best small batch releases, up their with sunbear, steamworks, etc.

Per Jensen - Legacy Collection: King's Watch 2oz
An unexpected treasure
Picked this up because I loved the tin art, history, and straight virginias. Didn't expect much but was greatly shown something truly special. I was first greeted by the bready, sweet, lemony, virginias, than was accompanied by great notes of baked goods and spices. I end up reaching for it more than most of my blends to the point where I have to talk myself into exploring other blends. Most people are going for and are more interested in other per jensens new blends, but this honestly needs more attention in the series! Quality stuff! Also was perfect moisture levels upon opening and had one of the best natural tobacco tin notes.

Cornell & Diehl - Steamworks 2oz
Unlike anything I've had before
When I first tried this blend I was worried. Some people described it as "odd" and "funky in a bad way" and that it was prone to molding. Because of that I wanted to crack it open ad soon as I was able to. I could see why some people managed to experience molding on this blend in their stockpiles because it was the wettest tobacco I've personally have ever experienced. Even wetter than most aromatics that I've encountered. But I will say the tin note was DIVINE! Some people described it like raisin bran cereal and I can get where they are coming from. I let a few flakes dry out for an hour in low Arizona humidity and that helped a lot. Definitely needed it cause it took quite a bit to get lit. At first I didnt know what to think. It was different... but not bad somehow. It was sweet, fruity, funky but in a good way, and with caramelized sugar undertones that added to the ensemble (probably due to the steaming process). I decided to have it again the next night and I thought it was even better, than another bowl and even better, before I found myself reaching for it almost every night. I found that letting it aerate in a jar for a week gave it everything it needed. It's a dang good blend. Will have to buy more than one jar next time it come around.

Cornell & Diehl - Autumn Evening 2oz
"Mmm... maple syrup"
The days are getting darker, and the nights chillier. The Leaves are falling in the wind as the trees turn into a beautiful ensemble. It is the time for hay bale rides, corn mazes, trips to the pumpkin patch, and apple picking. As do many people, I love autumn, and this blend not only let's me enjoy it in the fullest, but also brings along anyone who loves the fall just as much as I. It is the number one blend my fiance asks me to bring along wherever I go, because it is that good. And whenever I enjoy a pipe of it she always says with a smile on her face "mmm... maple syrup".

Orlik - Golden Sliced 50g
Smells like summer and happiness
Perfect for a summer day, lounging in a field, working around the farm, and enjoying the simplicities in life. The blend exhibits notes of warm citrus, orange peal, and a third thing I couldn't quite put my finger on for quite some time. Then it eventually came to me. The best way I can describe that missing descriptive note in the blend, is an added drop of happiness.

Cornell & Diehl - Sun Bear Navy Cask 2oz
Unfortunately, now a favorite
When this blend first arrived I was extremely excited. Cracked open the tin, but I didnt get much honey which was odd to me. Went down to the park and relaxed in the shade under a tree and decided to try it for the first time. Rubbed out a flake and INSTANTLY I get hit with this STRONG honey aroma! That made me excited again! Filled up a bowl and tried it for the next hour while watching the clouds. Than I was confused again. I didnt taste much of anything... My fiance told me that it smelled very much like honey in the aroma so at least there was that. I was dismayed. I jarred it up and let it sit for a week before going to give it a try again. Cracked it open, filled up a bowl, and sat out on my balcony in the later evening not expecting much again. Well this time something interesting happened when I least expected it. As I was sitting there trying it again I was hit with an EXPLOSION of everything. The orientals carried the blend with their distinct spices, with the virginia balancing everything out. TONS of fruitiness and honey like sweetness, even picking up traces of brown sugar what I presume to be the rum. I dont thing I get much bourbon barrel but its definitely a night time "late summery" type of blend. At this point I've now had several bowls of it, all of which were at night time on my balcony and it has been CONSISTENTLY good! Honestly one of the best blends I've ever tried, but that saddens me because I only have a few tins of it, but that only means I now save it for times of celebration. And the touch of honey makes the celebration... Just a "little" more sweet.

G. L. Pease - Windjammer 2oz
Made for a Sailor on the cold seas
Unlike most rum coated tobacco blends, this one is not for enjoying the tropics and the warm Salty ocean air. No this blend is precisely for the sailors out in the freezing rain, harsh blowing winds, unforgiving ocean weather, and the cruel crashing waves. At first you get the bready virginias, comforted by a brown sugary, molassesy sweetness, and all followed by a smooth nutty burley. Not all Sailor blends are made the same. This one's made for the sailors that WILL have to do the difficult jobs. Crack out this blend when you get that crispness in the air by the cold, salty ocean winds and you'll know exactly what I mean.

Favorite Products