SETHTAYLOR

Reviews


Cornell & Diehl - Billy Budd 2oz
A Unicorn in The Cellar
I just popped a tin of this I’d let age for 5 years, and whoa! It’s got so much going on, and by mid bowl you’re just along for the ride. For such a strong and forward tobacco, there is a pleasant subtle sweetness that creeps in. It’s reminiscent of a smoldering campfire and roasted nuts. No tongue bite or gurgle whatsoever and smooth as silk until the last wisp of smoke. Maybe the time in the can mellowed out the sharp edges. Either way, I’m glad I let it age a while.

Cornell & Diehl - Briar Fox 2oz
Brand Name Burley
A perfect combo of sweet Virginia and earthy Burley. Have you ever had the pleasure of standing in a Kentucky tobacco barn in late October, where the burley has been air curing since the summer, and you can smell the one of a kind aroma in the air around? Smoking this blend is very reminiscent of that. Excellent blend.

Cornell & Diehl - Carolina Red Flake 2oz
The Prime Rib of Pipe Tobacco
I waited almost two years to crack one of my ‘24 tins, and I just can’t find the words to give this tobacco the credit it is due. It is amazing that so much complexity and beautiful flavors can come from a straight Virginia. It’s sweet, rich, and savory. Like the smell of freshly sliced warm artisan bread with a whisper of baking spices and fermented dark fruits. Not cloyingly sweet or overpowering in any way. The Vitamin N is definitely there, so I would recommend a smaller sized bowl (group 3 or 4), and a slow pace. The aftertaste hangs around long enough to let you know you’ve just had something decadent and delicious. I can only imagine how much better it can be with some time in the cellar.

Cornell & Diehl - Three Friars 2oz
Time In A Bottle
I bought three tins of this back in 2019 and crammed it all into a 16 ounce mason jar. It was very good right out of the tin, but as I have returned to it occasionally over the years, the sweetness has developed into something that is exquisite. It has taken on a flavor similar to sassafras candy with dark berries and subtle spices. Given the quality fresh out of the tin, the product availability, and the apparently excellent aging potential, I would rank this blend above most of my collection. It just needs some time in a bottle (jar) to get there.

Cornell & Diehl - Steamworks 2oz
Outstanding. It’s Worth Waiting For.
Jeremy knows what he is doing and it’s abundantly apparent in this blend. I’m currently smoking the 2023 release after having cellared it for a little over a year. From charring light to the bottom of the bowl, it’s a wonderful, rich, and flavorful experience. I look forward to replenishing my stock of this blend when it comes back around!

G. L. Pease - Maltese Falcon 2oz
An English Blend for The Beginner.
This is a blend that taught me how to smoke a pipe. It taught me to appreciate the delicate tastes that can hide in a great blend. It also taught me to go hunting for the nuances that are subtly added to the mix. More than anything though, it was a blend that made me want to explore more English blends.

Cornell & Diehl - Haunted Bookshop 2oz
A Household Name
This blend is one of those products that can define a brand. It is not boisterous or flat. It’s just fine. It’s a blend you can reach for all day, everyday. It’s good with coffee, a Diet Coke, or a good whisky drink. You can taste all aspects of the Virginias, Perique, and especially the burley. It really is a timeless blend.

Cornell & Diehl - Innsmouth 2oz
This one grows on you.
My first couple of bowls of this left me unimpressed as I couldn’t really pick out the nuance of the delicate flavors provided by the orientals. The perique is detectable on the tin note, but was hard to find in the smoke flavor. As my palate developed though, this one became a favorite that I always have on hand. The orientals are so good and it burns very cool. The peripheral does become more evident around the half-bowl mark for me.

Cornell & Diehl - Bluegrass 2oz
Very Nice. Sweet and Spicy.
This is my favorite of the Appalachian Trail series. It’s got all the good qualities of a decent Va-Per, but the DFK really shines through with that wonderful sweet and spicy smoked flavor. This is one that makes you want to chew the smoke. A fresh tin smells like good BBQ sauce.

Cornell & Diehl - Miskatonic Mixture 2oz
Mysteriously Delicious
This is a very well rounded blend that will have you savoring the natural flavors till there is nothing left!

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