Cornell & Diehl Speakeasy

I find this blend to be everything I want in a Virginia Blend without the tongue bite. This is simply no harshness to this blend whatsoever. There is a slight molasses/rum-like flavor to it that gives it a nice touch to the apricot and hay flavor. Overall C&D did a really nice job on this one.

Very nice to look at in the can . Nice cut and a pleasure to pack into the pipe . The flakes are supple and easy to work with . No tin note that I could make out . So far , so good . The problem is that it had no taste at all , only smoke and that's all . I had two smokes , both in seasoned Barling pipes but nothinh happened , just smoke . I know my taste buds are working because earlier I had some Vauen#14 and that sure had great Virginia taste . I wonder what all these other reviews are about . Maybe I am missing something but I think not . I know that this is a cellar series tobacco but in 15 years I will be close to 90 .I would rather get something that gives some taste right now .

Cornell & Diehl - Speakeasy.

A lot of the blend is a broken flake, it's medium brown, and has an aroma where the rum's easy to identify. The moisture's good.

This was my 'wake-up' smoke today, and the nicotine amount makes it only suitable for that slot, for me, it's quite potent! The rum isn't particularly strong in the smoke, but definitely present. Of the tobaccos the Kentucky races ahead, but doesn't mask the others. The Perique and Virginia are about equal in weight, giving the Kentucky a support of fruit, spice, grass, and hay. The burn from Speakeasy's exemplary, and the smoke doesn't bite.

Nicotine: quite strong. Room-note: tolerable.

To me, this isn't an all day smoke, mornings only! But, I'll still recommend it:

Three stars.

I like American spirits. I use the word American very loosely, as I think of lots of beautiful drinks from both North and South America. I am particularly fond of fine Tequila like I had when I visited the interior of Mexico, but Caribbean rum is just as delightful and has a similarly complex tradition of distilling styles and taste. I love flake tobaccos in general and Navy Flakes in particular. The addition of rum can make an average blend soar, at least in my opinion.

Speakeasy comes in an attractive yet simple tin, that says: estimated peak: 10-15 years. I don't know about you but I couldn't wait that long. When you open the tin, there is a nicely packed, mostly dark brown broken flake. The tin note smells of raisins, rum, fermented Red Virginia, and bread. It comes at a decent moisture level for lighting and enjoying. And it packs well and lights well.

When lit a delightful bready matured Red Virginia comes up front, soft and smooth. Next I taste a very raisiny, plummy, and mildly spicy Perique, followed closely by a barbecue, herbal, nutty Dark Fired Kentucky. The topping doesn't cover the other tobaccos, but smooths them down and rounds them out. The rum adds molasses, sweetness and spice. Even though this is quite smooth, it's complex.

The taste I give a medium. Even with the complexity this blend doesn't overwhelm your senses. The strength is a medium, and Lady N is here for a medium affair but nothing wild. The room note is interesting, and it may be so to some non-smokers as well. Even though I opened this right after I bought it, I've let it sit for a month now just to see if I could notice a difference in age. I can. It was a bit more rough around the edges when I first bought the tin so I can only imagine what it would be like to open in a few years.

When the tin says you age this for 10-15 years you feel a little guilty when you are smoking it at 6 months from tinning...

The cut is a broken ribbon and the tobacco is dark with smaller lighter pieces in it. The tin note has a slight but not overpowering rum smell. The moisture and cut makes it possible to smoke straight from the tin.

It takes a couple of lights to get going and rewards you with a spicy smoke. The nic content to my taste is higher than medium and it's better on a full stomach, with a glass of good rum to sip with it.

The flavor is steady through the bowl and I really find myself enjoying the "darkness" of the smoke. I'm sure with the recommended age it will only get better.

Speakeasy Navy Blend is best taken straight from the tin, lightly packed and gently. Instead of rum there’s a faint creamy sweetness, but I can’t place it. Not the best VaPer either. The perique (or something else) is peppery but this strong blend smokes one dimensional. It’ll get you there, but whether you wish to revisit is another thing.

I've decided to review to cellar series blends from C&D upon purchase (or thereabout) and after the recommended amount of aging to see the changes. I intend to update the review after that period of time has elapsed.

Now:

Smell is like a VaPer, a bit more sweet, there's a note similar to strawberry.

I do not taste the rum, at all. I suspect it is the influence in the tin note that was sweeter than usual for a VaPer, but not really there in the taste. Perhaps it will come through more with age. Unaged, this tastes like a VaPer, sweet Virginias and spicy Perique, with a strong dark fired sense. It's prevalent the whole time and makes for an interesting VaPer experience as it differs from the norm for that style.

You can view my video review of the unaged blend here:

https://youtu.be/Aqd8GdF6b4o

Aged:

Stay tuned.

For a while I was put off by the idea of rum topping. Especially after a not so good experience with Black Frigate.

The tin note is rum but it's not heavily applied. I do get the ripe fruit quality from the Virginias. The flavor is mostly Virginia with a molasses sweetness from the rum topping. No alcoholic flavor thankfully. The rum really enhances the natural sweetness of the Virginia. About midway the hickory wood flavor from the dark fired starts popping in with a little spice from the perique. The strength starts to pick up at this point too. By the last third the flavors push more to the dark fired flavors and a boldness kicks in from the flavor. The rum stays in the mix but becomes more subtle. Burns clean and cool.

The only issue is I have to smoke it in one setting. I can't take breaks if I need to without it loosing its flavors from relights.

That being said, this blend by far is the best addition in the cellar series that I've had. I enjoyed Oak Alley but I like this a little more.

Updated 10-11-21

I've dropped this blend down to 2 stars. While the flavors are good, the tongue bite I get from it is not.

This is a nice broken flake with a light rum topping. I found the underlying tobaccos well-balanced Kentucky and VA, with the Perique a soft, integrating presence between the main tobaccos and the rum. Those who like their rum blends light on the rum and not sweet should consider this a pleasant alternative to most of the mild rum Navy Flakes, as the Kentucky gives it a bit more body.