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Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Maple Twist
Sweet, but not candied.
Typical brown rope from GH&C in many ways, but somehow, with less harshness around the edges. I’m confused by a recent review saying this isn’t sweet at all, and agree with the reviewer comparing the topping favorably to the Mac Baren maple sugar of old. Delicious. No, there’s no candy goop, and it sure ain’t Peterson Sweet Killarney, for example, but it’s not supposed to be an aromatic. Prepared by cutting into coins, and then shag-cutting, with no drying. Lights and stays lit well. Like all such ropes, it’s strong, and not for new smokers at all. Smokey as expected, with a wonderful maple topping. Not complex. You could talk me into a 4.5 rating, but being torn, and the rating here being way too low, I went with 5.

Cornell & Diehl - Kajun Kake 8oz
Disappointing. Low-quality perique.
I’m a notoriously easy rater here, with multiple five-star ratings. I try to rate things on what they’re supposed to be, rather than just what I like. But here, I’m a perique-lover, and this is supposed to be a perique bomb. And that’s exactly where this falls flat. First, the positives that kept this from being a one-star. Nice presentation, beautiful cake. Loads, lights, and burns easily. Typical, prodigious perique smoke. But it still doesn’t taste very smoky, and worse, only the mildest of typical perique spice is present, despite the high perique content. Many condiment perique applications in expensive blends have perique spice that comes through stronger. I doubt aging will help much here. Not so bad I won’t smoke it, but it’s hopelessly bland. Light smoky flavor, light spice, and the dominant flavor is of a burnt leather boot sole that’s been out in the rain.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Black Irish X
Smoke, sweetness and strength.
Another excellent rope from GH&C! The title says it. Simple, but incredibly delicious. Smoked in the form of cut coins, then chopped into a shag cut, without drying. Lights, burns and stays lit easily. Sweet smoke by the tons. Still strong, and not for new smokers, but the harsh edges of the brown ropes are nowhere to be found. Incredibly smooth. Consistent throughout, with no unpleasant changes throughout the bowl. Only potential knock would be if you only enjoy incredibly complex mixtures, this isn’t it, with only dark fired and regular Virginias here.

Samuel Gawith - Balkan Flake 50g
Criminally underrated.
First, the short version: Purist's perfection! An incredibly cool-smoking, medium strength, simple Virgina-Latakia blend in the perfect proportions, with high-quality tobaccos all in balance. But if you're just a HUGE fan of either Virginia OR Lat., you probably won't like it, for precisely that reason. And the longer version: The rating question here is how well this tobacco does as a simple, medium strength Virginia-Latakia combination. About half the reviews are about anything but. First, the only hint of even possible Lakeland essence I get is a little citrus on the Virginias, which can occur even in the absence of it. No old lady perfume. No detergent. Second, with only two ingredients, we have those from both sides dinging the ratings a bit. The Lat hounds don't like it because it's a medium, and not a strong, Balkan blend, and the Virginia hounds want what amounts to Full Virginia Flake with a light Lat. topper, which isn't even a real Balkan. If that's you, buy some Lat. to sprinkle on your Virginia blends, because if this has too much Lat. for you, you won't likely find an English or Balkan blend you truly like. First, with only two ingredients, you will indeed taste even the unaged Virginias more than in most English/Balkan blends. The typical Virginia sweetness is present. It's just in the background, as it's supposed to be (ironically, if you really want strong Virginias, go for the Burnt Ends version of this, which shortcuts the aging process and makes the Virginia sweeter and smokier, to meld with the Lat.) in even a light English/Balkan, and this is a legit. medium. Still, with no perique or orientals to confuse your palate, it's easy to pick out the Virginias. Perfect balance, in fact, and will age well and to the thrill of Virginia fans. The flakes are moist and can be dried, but still burn well, and stay lit. Beautiful tin presentation. Flakes stay together for those of us who prefer to fold and stuff instead of rub out. The overall feel here is of a tobacco with extremely high quality components and a simplicity that calls the mind back to a simpler time as well, so suitable for a company that got started in 1792. You will probably only like this if you want a simple, classic, purist, medium Balkan (which by definition puts the Lat. out front at least a bit). It's what it claims to be, and it's what it is. If you want incredible complexity in all your English/Balkan blends, this isn't it, with only two ingredients. But this stuff is a high quality, smokey-sweet, nostalgic experience. And the smoke is the coolest I've found.

Peter Stokkebye - PS403 Luxury Bullseye Flake
A price so nice, it rated a 5!
In a vacuum, this is a 4-star copy of Davidoff Flake Medallions, with some rough edges (literally), and less consistency in construction. It’s just a hair away from being as smooth and delicious, BUT…it’s a lot cheaper. Good moisture. Folds, stuffs, lights and burns easily. Medium strength. Could be an all day if you smoke with patience. Virginias have good flavor and sweetness right away, without aging. Thick smoke and smoothness from the cavendish. If you grade on a cost curve like I do, it doesn’t get better than this for the money.

G. L. Pease - 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee 2oz
Couple small gripes, but a 5 despite them.
Basically, if you want a Virginia forward, pre-aged, Va/DF blend made with premium tobaccos, this is it. Near perfection on taste and flavor for these two tobacco types. Just a medium strength to my feeling. Flakes don’t stick together for folding, and needs a short drying time out of the tin, or you’ll get tongue bite and gurgling from anything but a straight pipe. Still can’t take away even half a star, because of the brilliant execution of the rest.

Peter Stokkebye - PS41 Cube Cut
Wonderful.
Rating revised upward. Saw another reviewer had noted this was a cool smoke, while I initially found it nippy. Tried going from a standard pack to a gravity pack, and the heat issue went away completely. Love the cube cut. Easy to load, light and burn. Love the burley forward. This is good quality burley, too, that takes me back to when we grew it on our Tennessee farm. Nutty flavor up front, with earth and molasses, and sweetness from the Virginias not far behind. Medium strength, and could be an all day smoke if you’re an experienced smoker. With proper patience, a bowl can last you a good while.

Samuel Gawith - 1792 Flake 8oz
Unique and supremely delicious.
You really can’t compare this to any other Va/DF blend out there. It’s its own animal. Typical but completely balanced flavors from the components. And the components are exceptional quality. Strength is a legitimate 4/5, as above, but I have to give this a 5 on flavor. Every bit the equal of Brown #4 rope in that department, and to the expected sweet Virginia and smokey and cocoa Dark-Fired flavors add in the vanilla creamy sweetness of the tonquin, tying it all together. Dark and rich as a chocolate cake. Lights and burns easily after a short drying time. Not for new smokers. Will bite if you try to smoke it like a freight train, but not bitey, otherwise. A favorite and top 5 choice, overall. Simply extraordinary. Nothing else like it out there.

Samuel Gawith - Balkan Flake Burnt Ends 8oz
Delicious, but tougher to prepare than rope.
The flavor is caramelized, very sweet Virginias, with Latakia barely behind as the secondary player. Smoky, dark sugar. Really not a Balkan anymore. It’s wonderful, if simple. But these flakes are bricks. They stick together in some cases and won’t separate. Forget about rubbing them out. You’ll rub your finger skin off. Use a sharp knife and cube cut it, then clean and sharpen your knife afterwards. This would be an easy 5 star if not for the prep difficulty. If you dry it and cube cut it, it rewards you with a bite-free and smooth smoke. Despite this, it smokes very hot, very un-like the regular, cool-smoking Balkan Flake, so be careful not to smoke this in a cherished, high dollar briar. Medium strength and flavor. Got a coffee grinder just for this stuff, as suggested by another reviewer. It works well, so as promised, I upped my rating to a 5, despite this blend being a pain in the butt to smoke.

Davidoff - Scottish Mixture 50g
Better than expected from other reviews.
Tin note is earthy and peaty, over usual English blend scents. Strength is mild-medium. Easily an all-day smoke if you like it. But the flavor shines far beyond the strength level. Lights and burns easily. Not rushing avoids tongue bite. More sweetness from the Virginias than a usual English-type blend, and more peat due to the whisky. Quite tasty, but not on the level of SG Bothy Flake. I did hope for more sweet, dark fruits from the whisky.

Samuel Gawith - Bothy Flake 50g
Wonderful Scottish!
First, purists will no doubt complain the added Scotch makes it not a “real” Scottish blend, but so be it. I love it! Dark and smoky and traditional English flavors, but with sweetness and dark fruits, like plums and figs. Delicious! Glad I bought 5 tins before it went out of stock, and sad I ONLY bought 5 tins. Medium strength. Lights and burns easily. Could be an all-day smoke for an experienced smoker.

Samuel Gawith - Kendal Cream Flake 50g
Very nice, without aging!
No Lakeland whining from me. No old lady scents or flavors. No detergent flavors to be found. Creamy, floral and citrus, over the natural sweetness of the Virginias. No sugary taste. While I’m a hair lower than the average on rating, this is a huge aro rating for me, and to be fair, maybe that’s because the aro component is so light they have it categorized as a Virginia blend here. A favorite, and I’ll order again.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Balkan Mixture
Very, very good, but can’t quite award the full 5th star.
Almost, but not quite, as good as Chelsea Morning, Quiet Nights, Nightcap, or Plum Pudding Special Reserve, if you enjoy all English/Balkan blends but prefer the strong stuff. Better than Super Balkan, to which I gave 5 stars, but…this is nearly twice the price, and nowhere near twice as good. An excellent all day English/Balkan. Smooth, no bite, and no rough edges. Sophisticated and somewhat subtle. Some similarities to Pease’s Chelsea Morning. The lat plays well with the other ingredients and doesn’t just dominate. Those who ONLY like very strong Balkan blends, or those who like lat bombs, won’t be happy. But I’ll always try to have some on hand. The best Balkan from England I’ve tried, bar none.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Brown Twist
High potential with aging.
4th star for being sliced, which removes all the rope prep except drying. Three phase smoke, like a good cigar, but that’s where it falls down. First third you get some Virginia sweetness behind strong spice, and the second third has delightful char, if you like char as I do. But the last third of the bowl has a burnt taste that just dominates all the other flavors. I have to believe the rough, harsh edges will be smoothed out by aging. Very strong as noted. Not for new smokers at all. Lights and burns easily.

Cornell & Diehl - Adagio 2oz
Excellent LatBur!
This is a bargain at the standard C&D price. Should be higher rated, IMO. Better and stronger flavor than Bow Legged Bear, but I wish this came in a cake. Lemon notes, as others have stated. Subtle sweetness, too, even though no Virginia is present! No cigar leaf, but vaguely similar to Billy Budd, which comes in bulk. Surprisingly sophisticated and complex smoke. Burley adds nuts, body and a little strength. Almost, but not quite, on the level of a Pease blend. Not a must-buy, but I’ll likely buy again, for the price. A must buy if ever offered in bulk, though.

Cornell & Diehl - Bourbon Bleu 8oz
Likely a 5 after aging…
…if the bourbon doesn’t dissipate, as often happens. But make no mistake, this is very good right out of the tin. Cake consistency and appearance is nice. Burns readily and stays lit. The dark fired Kentucky is smoky-delicious, and the Virginia sweetness comes through, and isn’t overwhelmed. The bourbon scent in the tin is wonderful, and adds to the taste of the mix, all in balance. Nic-hit is medium. As Virginia blends go, not overly bitey.

Cornell & Diehl - Super Balkan
Best bulk Balkan, by far.
I rate based on what something is supposed to be, not some abstract standard of perfection, and this is the best bulk, $50 a pound, Balkan you can buy. As a $15 tin, it would be a 3-star, and it only rises to a 3.5 rating at the $13 price point. But it’s an excellent, strong smoke (though I think it’s not a 5 on Vitamin N), and could be an all-day smoke for the experienced smoker. All the ingredients and typical flavors are there, plus some delightful hay! The in-bag scent is wonderful! More importantly, there’s nothing there you won’t like, if you like Balkan blends. Does get a bit bitey if you smoke too quickly. Simply put, this is a more EMP and Chelsea Mornings smoke than Nightcap, Quiet Nights or Plum Pudding on flavor, meaning I’d like a tad more Perique and Lat for this strength level. Has just a few too many stems. But if someone, anyone, has found a better Balkan in bulk for this price, I’d love to hear it. I’ve never smoked it. Best on the planet at the price per pound, period.

G. L. Pease - Chelsea Morning 2oz
Exactly what it claims to be.
I like stronger English/Balkan blends, so on a subjective rating, I’d give it a 3.5, and say it needed more flavor, especially more Latakia. But it’s not supposed to be strong, or have a lot of Latakia. Not everyone likes the strong stuff, especially upon waking up in the morning. Packs, lights and burns flawlessly. All the flavors of a great Balkan are present, and in perfect balance, just without the taste of a stronger blend. Nic-hit is just shy of medium, and for an experienced smoker, this could be an all day blend with ease. Less lat does let the orientals shine through a bit more, perhaps. A touch sweeter than the average Balkan. Subtle and finesse are the watchwords here. I plan to keep some on hand for an occasional change of pace.

G. L. Pease - Windjammer 2oz
Needs aging.
Bit of a letdown, frankly. The burleys far outweighed the Virginias, and they are typical burleys with typical, mild, nut and earth burley taste. No heirloom burleys to be found. The Virginias were a no-show. This is a rum-burley blend, out of the tin. Only medium in strength. Good presentation in the tin. I expect aging will bring out the Virginias more and make them sing more loudly in a couple of years. If so, I’ll re-visit my review.

G. L. Pease - Navigator 2oz
Perfect balance…
…between ingredients you don’t normally see employed together. Not complex, but oh, so delicious. The Virginias taste sweet, like good Virginias normally do. The dark fired Kentucky tastes smoky as always. And the sweet addition of rum ties it all together. Not too much or too little of anything. Lights, burns and smokes well straight out of the tin. Folds and stuffs beautifully. But sneaky strong in a way navy blends of any kind usually aren’t, and not a blend for newbies, unless they’re used to a lot of vitamin-N from elsewhere. This one’s a keeper. No aging required.

BriarWorks - Bacon Old Fashioned 2oz
Agree with most of the description.
This is not really an aromatic, though, as it has little if any room note beyond tobacco. The mere presence of Virginias or cavendish with a topping don’t automatically qualify a mixture as an aromatic, IMO. That said, if the description otherwise appeals to you, it’s spot on. Bacon from the dark fired, Bourbon and citrus toppings. All come through in balance and harmony. Nuts from the burley and smoke from the cavendish. Tasty. Medium in strength. Packs, lights and burns flawlessly.

Samuel Gawith - Brown No. 4 Rope 8oz
Simply amazing!
And that’s even with the drawbacks I’ll discuss. First off this is the only tobacco blend that to me truly is a 5 in strength, taste and room note, all three. I’m not Nic sensitive at all, but this stuff will let you know you’re smoking it. NOT for new smokers. Deliciously sweet, extremely smoky (almost unbelievably so), and a hint of black pepper from the cigar leaf. Mind-blowingly tasty, if you love dark fired. Despite this, it’s hard to light, requires drying and cutting, and when you get it hot enough to finally burn, it’s then more than hot enough to burn you. Be careful and sip slowly. Still a 5, still awesome, and my second favorite blend of all time. More than worth all the trouble.

Three Nuns - Three Nuns 1.75oz
Almost a 5.
And would be, if it were less expensive, but it’s fair to hold to a higher standard. The only ding against this blend is the coins are a bit jumbled, and the tin presentation is not nearly as pretty as Mac Baren Dark Twist, even though the tobacco types are the same. No downgrade for having a molasses-tasting topper, even though I prefer the maple sugar of the Mac Baren blend. That’s just personal preference. Do note that if you’re looking for the original, this is not it, as it had perique. Medium in strength. Very nice, molasses tin note. The overall flavor is of sweet bacon, with just a hint of nuts from the burley in the background. Makes more smoke than the average blend. Have bought again.

BriarWorks - Back Down South 2oz
Surprisingly good VaPer.
First of all, very little similarity in taste to Orlik, by which I mean this has some, and without aging! Figs, tiny bit of pepper, sweetness, and tangy orange. What little taste Orlik has is more lemony. No figs or pepper or oranges or even much sweetness (without aging) to be found with Orlik. If you like VaPers, and tangy tobaccos, this blend is for you. Sweet and very sour tin note upon first opening. Beautiful slices that stick together for folding. Not too moist to light and stay lit, however. Average nic hit.

Cornell & Diehl - Eight State Burley 2oz
Incredible burley-forward blend!
This may indeed be the best burley blend sold today, er, every now and then. I just popped the top on a cellared tin from release before last, and it was even better than when fresh. No toppings, just quality ingredients, all in balance, all in harmony, and all with mouth-watering flavor. Sweetness from the Virginias. Nuts, cocoa, earth and more subtle sweetness from the burley. Sour and tangy, plus a little spice from the orientals. Not a nic monster, as some burley blends are. Packs, lights and burns flawlessly. Also burns surprisingly cool. Anxiously awaiting the next release. I’ll be buying the max of tins per person for several days straight.

Cornell & Diehl - Chopped Cigar Leaf 2oz
Disregard the stars, and read the reviews!
Star rating is supposed to be about how good of a cigar leaf this tobacco is, not whether someone likes cigar leaf. News flash: If you don’t like cigars, you won’t like this at all, unless it’s effectively hidden from you as the least ingredient in some other blend. That doesn’t mean it’s bad cigar leaf, to be rated poorly. It just means you don’t like cigars. Which is fine, but then why try it anyway, and downgrade it? This is high quality wrapper leaf, not junk, that tastes delicious, especially if you like Penn. Broadleaf wrappers. Great for mixing or use as a condiment, and if you like cigars, great by itself, too! Strong nic, so not for new smokers. Strong earth, black pepper, leather, slight note of sweetness, cocoa. Packs, lights and burns flawlessly.

Peterson - Nightcap 50g
Best Balkan ribbon cut.
First things first. Peterson may not tell you, but this is a Balkan, not a classic English, with the floral and dark fruit orientals always prominent. But everything here is in balance. Premium tobaccos, strong flavors. Dark, deep, rich and smoky. Spice from the perique, too. Smooth as silk. Beautiful tin note. Never bites. Bit of a nic-kick, but not as much as rumored. Still not a blend for new smokers. Packs, lights and burns flawlessly. I prefer the cakes of SPC Plum Pudding Special Reserve and Bourbon Barrel Aged (soon to hopefully make a comeback), and Pease Quiet Nights, but if you prefer ribbon cut, it doesn’t get any better than this classic.

G. L. Pease - JackKnife Ready Rubbed 8oz
Simple, but perfectly what it aims to be.
It doesn’t get any better than this for dark fired lovers. Some folks just think all ingredients are created equal, and dark fired is dark fired. It isn’t. This is the premium stuff. Smoke, smoke, and then to top it off, more smoke. Earth, and a bit of cocoa. A hint of sweetness from the Virginias in the background. Perfection! And for the lazy like me, already rubbed out for you. Smells delicious in the tin. Burns and packs well. Not for new smokers, as it has the typical dark fired nic-hit. The equal or better of Peterson’s Irish Flake, at a less expensive price. And if you don’t herf it like a cigar, it won’t bite you. The only problem is it’s tempting to herf it like a cigar!

Per Jensen - Legacy Collection: Brothers in Arms 2oz
Upon further review, I can join those raving.
Typical ribbon cut. The tin notes are of smoke and cocoa. Could do with some drying. Requires relights out of the tin. Prodigious, meaty smoke. Underlying sweetness from the Virginias, with delicious, smoky, dark fired dominating heavily. Slight spice from the perique. Cocoa, as advertised by the scent. The burley and orientals made themselves known, subtly, on the second and even more, the third bowl after opening the tin. The equal of JackKnife, a favorite dark fired blend. I do still prefer the plug and ready-rubbed to the ribbon here. Strength is a 4, as is flavor. Not for the new smoker, or the nic-sensitive. The slight imperfections don’t keep it from a 5-Star rating,

Mac Baren - Navy Flake 3.5oz
Excellent, if you like burley-forward Navy Flake.
Virginias offer a sweet and sour background to the sweet smoke of the cavendish and the nutty, earthy strength of the burley and the rum. Beautiful presentation. Moist slices hold together for folding and packing, but lights and burns well. More flavor than most Navy Flakes without aging. Doesn’t burn overly hot for a blend with Virginias, but will gurgle if you smoke it too quickly. Nic hit is medium. Dinged half a star for the tin note, which smells of cheap rum, although the tobacco doesn’t taste like the rum was cheap at all. Truly a complex and layered offering. EDIT: Bumped up to a 5. The more I smoke it, the better it gets.

G. L. Pease - Westminster 16oz
A flavorful all-day, everyday English.
This gets 5 stars from me as what it aspires to be, not against all English blends. Rated against Plum Pudding Special Reserve, Nightcap and Pease’s own Quiet Nights, it’s only a 4. But for anyone looking for something they can smoke all day and every day that doesn't have a big nic hit, but still has flavor, this is nigh on perfect. Perfect moisture right out of the tin. Good tin note. As a ribbon, packs, lights and burns easily and flawlessly, as you’d expect. No bite. The overall flavor level is far above what I’d expect from an everyday, however, especially with only 3 tobacco types present. No burley. No cavendish. No Perique, as many blends now include. But that allows this to really be a Balkan, and in turn lets those orientals sing! The only people I can see not liking this are those who like only a touch if any orientals in their English blends.

Cornell & Diehl - Granby Station 2oz
Off the beaten Aro path.
I only occasionally smoke aros as a change of pace from my usual Balkans, and gave this one a whirl because it has applejack, a rare flavor. You can really taste it, which is awesome, and the addition of burley and perique make for a more complex experience than a usual aro. Smells nice in the tin, and packs, lights and burns well. I just wish it had a touch more strength and flavor. Would be a 4.5, a big aro rating for me, but dinged half a star for not being very, well, aromatic for an aro. Room note is soft and bland for an aro.

Peterson - Sweet Killarney 50g
Beloved Aro of a Balkan and Dark Fired smoker.
I like a change of pace from my usual fare from time to time, and like a little dessert candy smoke. This isn’t vanilla or cherry like seemingly every other brand is, but delicious caramel you can taste, and crème. Smoke smoothness from the cavendish, and underlying sweet and sour from the Virginias. 4 is a large rating for an aro for me, and that’s after docking it half a point for requiring slow sipping to avoid tongue bite. Lovely room note, too.

BriarWorks - Country Lawyer 2oz
As good as a $30 cigar.
This is best described as a kitchen-sink blend, except no Lat. Everything else is there, in balance and harmony. Underlying subtle sweetness from the Virginias. Earthy and dark spices and chocolate from the cigar leaf, and smoke from the dark fired. Nuts from the burley. Rich and complex. Tastes like a cigar, but one you’d pay dearly for. The longer you smoke it, the better it gets. A favorite!

Cornell & Diehl - Bow-Legged Bear 8oz
Not bad at all, but a bit weak on flavor and strength.
Like some other reviewers, I had high hopes for this blend. I’m primarily an English/Balkan guy, and it checks all the boxes upon description. All the ingredients. Rates 4/5 on taste and strength. The cake is gorgeous, breaks apart easily, and may be the best burning English I’ve ever encountered. And indeed, all the flavors are present, but they are more along the lines of a 2 to 3/5 to my palate. Nic hit is medium, as well. The flavor has much more in common with EMP or Chelsea Morning than it does with Super Balkan or Nightcap. No bite. Not a bad choice for an all-day English; it’s just that the description was off for me.

Davidoff - Flake Medallions 50g
Exquisite, delicious finesse.
As a primarily English/Balkan smoker, I nonetheless enjoy variety, and am always looking to try highly rated tins in other categories. I like bold taste, and have been let down by many a nearly tasteless Virginia blend, but this stuff is a revelation. Presentation is beautiful, with dense, gorgeous coins fit for folding and stuffing. Lights and burns well, without drying. Flavor is always above subtle, but never strong. Good smoke production for a VaPer, and while the spice from the Perique is always present, they are always sweet spices, to compliment the lightly tart but sweet, creamy, and bready Virginias. All perfectly in balance, and all sweet without candy topping.

G. L. Pease - Sextant 8oz
Unique and delicious.
My guess is the more adventurous English smoker will love this blend, and the Navy Flake bunch will not. Ever smoke a traditional English or Balkan, and ask yourself if it wouldn’t taste better with a little Dark Fired and sweet rum topping? Then this is for you. A sensitive Virginia smoker who likes subtle tastes and flavors, each perfectly balanced? The blend isn’t for you. Very smoky, with the addition of Dark Fired to the Lat. Contrary to one review, the orientals come shining through for me, and the strong rum sweetness makes it unlike any other English. It does, however, along with the smoke, overshadow the Virginias, making them body and burn more than flavor. If you don’t have to taste the Virginias in your English blend, this is a strong, rich, deep, flavorful and new take on tradition. Dinged half a star for a slight lack of complexity.

Cornell & Diehl - Mad Fiddler Flake 2oz
A hidden gem, and a bargain!
Not always do you get what you pay for with tobacco, but usually, there’s a reason the more expensive blends are more expensive. But never dismiss the standard C&D lineup out of hand. There are delicious bargains to be found, and this is one of them! This stuff could pass for a Pease or SPC or Peterson blend. Lovely notes of dark fruits out of the tin. Soft and moist, yet lights and burns well throughout. Beautiful appearance. Perfect construction. Packs easily and stays together. No tongue bite. None. Light citrus blends with the earthy, lightly sweet cigar leaf, and then quickly behind are the dark fruits: figs, raisins, grapes and plums. Medium in strength, but loaded with taste and complexity, this could be an all-day blend for many experienced smokers.

BriarWorks - Pete's Beard's Blend 2oz
Surprisingly good for a blend with only Lat and Virginias.
A true, simple, all-day English. No bite. Pure tobacco flavor. Exceptionally well balanced, with the Lat always there but not shoving the Virginias out of the profile entirely, as often happens. Agree with the reviews saying this is for purists, and is underappreciated. Without an overpowering Lat presence, the subtle flavors of the Virginias, with citrus, crème, bread, and sweetness, begin to reveal themselves, and all without aging, though it does improve when cellared a couple years. Only a mild to medium nic hit. You can puff on it mindlessly while you work and enjoy it subconsciously, or close your eyes and find the flavors.

BriarWorks - Smokehouse 2oz
Name and first sentence are a perfect description.
Objectively, this is only a 4-star tobacco unaged, but I love smoke BBQ flavor. And with both Lat and Dark Fired, it has that in spades. Beyond the smoke, there’s some light and faint sweetness and cream from the Virginias, but it’s not a complex mix out of the tin, and I have to believe it will be after some aging, due in large measure to the Virginia content. Buy some for now, and some to cellar. It has 5-star potential.

Cornell & Diehl - Pirate Kake 8oz
Good, but not complex enough.
I’ll give nearly any English blend with decent Lat a 3-star review, as I’ll enjoy it, so take the review with that in mind, but it doesn’t taste much if any stronger with 75% Lat than many blends with 50% do. It does reduce the room in the mix for the burley and orientals, however, and dominates the whole smoking experience. You’d better like Lat here, not because it’s so strong tasting—because it’s not—but because it’s nearly all you’ll taste. Too much of a one-trick pony for a 5th star, though it is good.

Cornell & Diehl - From Beyond 2oz
Different, and amazingly complex, but…
…I agree with the reviewer who said it will be even better with aging. Some rough, bitter edges on first light keep it from a 5, and I have to believe aging will fix that. At first, trained English and Balkan smokers will react as if something’s off. The Turkish Lat gives off a more BBQ flavor than does the more common Cyprian. The Basma adds to the Izmir in similar fashion, and after thinking it’s a funky, off, English blend for the first third of the bowl, once you settle in, you just keep picking up dark flavor after dark flavor, many you can’t place or call to mind. It is dark, strange, and wonderful, but doesn’t rise to a 4 on strength. Packing and burn is great, and typical ribbon. All I wish is that the flavors it has were a little stronger. I expect a little cellar time will remedy that.

Orlik - Golden Sliced 100g
Off to the cellar for at least a couple years.
I had high hopes, as so many folks swear by this stuff. The presentation inside the tin is lovely, and the slices are beautiful and cleanly cut. They hold together if you prefer to fold instead of crumble. The tin odor is typical sweet Virginia, with a citrus overlay, very pleasant. It lights and burns well, even when folded. But the taste is where it let me down. I could barely taste anything except the faintest whisper of what I was supposed to and hoped to, sweetness and citrus. Hopefully aging will solve the issue.

Cornell & Diehl - Night Train 8oz
This one’s different, but a keeper!
The initial smell when opening the tin was almost overwhelming, and not in a good way. The Virginias and Perique were a nose-burning mix of citrus and acrid spices, but only upon that first opening. Smells delightful after a brief airing out. Strongest VaPerBur (really it’s a BurVaPer) I’ve ever tasted, both in flavor and nic. Smooth but strong, nutty burley is overlaid on top of the sweetly sour Virginias, plus the strong spice of this Perique. Delicious! The cake breaks apart easily, and it lights and burns consistently and well. Docked half a star for the initial tin note, plus the fact you must sip-smoke this train slowly, or the bite will run you over.

Cornell & Diehl - Billy Budd 8oz
So much more than just an English blend.
From the Latakia smell from opening the tin that sets the mouth watering, to the strong flavors, I can’t get enough of this stuff! To the Lat add a strong burley presence, giving you flavors of earth, leather, nuts, and BBQ. You could almost convince me this has a little Dark Fired in it, but no. Then if you love cigars, you’ll love the ever present and generous amount of cigar leaf, giving you dark spices and black pepper. No throwing in a sprinkle of cigar leaf just to say it includes it. You WILL taste it throughout the bowl. I’m not a huge ribbon fan, but as usual, it’s easily packed, and lights and burns easily and consistently all the way to the bottom of the bowl. But the strength, while delicious, means Billy is not an all-day smoke, nor is he recommended for new smokers or the nicotine-sensitive.

Cornell & Diehl - Briar Fox 2oz
Maybe I got a bad tin?
I was shocked, and had high hopes from all the glowing ratings. One of the worst tobaccos I’ve ever tried as an experienced smoker. No taste from the Virginias. Only the faintest of flavors from the burley, and unfortunately, they tasted like cigarettes. Little aroma from the tin, too. Only thing to praise here was the nice appearance of the cake, which crumbled easily, and burned consistently without drying. I’m hopeful aging will bring the sugar out of the Virginias. May try another tin to see if I got a one-off bad tin, and if so, I’ll revisit my review.

G. L. Pease - Quiet Nights 8oz
Close 3rd best Balkan-English I’ve ever had…
…after only Plum Pudding Special Reserve and Nightcap. The cake is better than Nightcap’s ribbon cut. This stuff is less hammer and more scalpel. Exquisitely blended, perfect burn characteristics, and very strong without overwhelming flavor. The cake crumbles easily. Tasty aroma from the tin, and smoking it backs it up! High-quality, complex flavors from the Lat, and not all Latakia is created equal. Despite being in the Old London Series, it has enough orientals to be considered more of a Balkan. As a primarily Balkan and English smoker, I feel even third place for me deserves 5 stars, and many will prefer it to my top two. I keep a couple 8 oz. tins on hand and never want to be without any. Not an all-day smoke, but a real treat.

Peterson - Royal Yacht 50g
Best Virginia-only mix out of the tin.
I’m primarily a Balkan, English, and Dark Fired guy, but like occasional variety. Unaged Virginias usually are near tasteless to me, and I wanted to see if I could find a Virginia-only mix that actually had some flavor right out of the tin, without 5 years of aging, and this is the bomb! Virginia sweetness, crème, and bread from the first to the end of the bowl. Very little if any bite. Silky smooth, but more strength than I anticipated, a good thing for me, but would be a large nic-hit for new smokers.

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