Cornell & Diehl Speakeasy

This is my kind of blend.. my 3 favorite components and the perfect dash of rum (not too much not too little).. it is fairly stout which is what I prefer.. similar to navigator but with quite a bit more spice and a hair less rum.. the Kentucky leaf adds a great deal of body and character to the smoke.. My tin tastes great with 2 years on it.. Obviously 10 years would improve this type of blend.. but it is really satisfying as is.. the occasional sweet aftertaste from the rum and Virginia is a highlight when juxtaposed against the earth and spice of the Kentucky and perique.. im enjoying this very much in the cool weather.. Cornell and Diehl is all over the map with their blends but I do consider a few of their virginia based blends to be very good indeed.. this one is like a much more flavorful version of Mcconnell Scottish flake.. more emphasis on the Kentucky for sure...

I watched a video of Jeremy Reeves , head blender of C&D .He said Speakeasy Navy Flake was comprised of 80% Carolina Red Flake with Dark Fired Kentucky,Perique and Orientals . I cracked my tin open after watching the video on YouTube of course! This is a great blend . The Rum Topping is perfect for this blend . It is very fruity and the Kentucky gives it some body with some floral notes and nutty smokiness . The Perique gels with the Red Virginias. Spicy with prunes and figs . I really can’t seperate the Orientals as they may hide behind the Kentucky leaf . I really do love some Virginias with Burley and this blend is a home run for me . I will be cellaring this one for sure . Pipe smoking is a great hobby .

This blend was released shortly after I swore off buying any more tobacco as I had recently surpassed what I had estimated to be a lifetime supply of tobacco within my cellar. When I seen the tin and the ingredients, I kind of knew I would like it, but jumping on impulses such as that is why my cellar so quickly outpaced my smoking.

Anyway, I was fortunate enough to have a friend hand me this sample at the Chicago Show a few weeks back and confirmed the fact that I do, indeed, like this blend. And like it a lot. It tastes how a VaBurPer should in my opinion and the use of Dark Fired Kentucky really amps up the body in the blend. The rum topping was the only thing I wasn't sure of as I have had both good and bad experiences with that topping, and with Rum itself for that fact. But it is wisely applied and compliments the primary components nicely.

Of note to this blend is a better than normal sidestream aroma to the blend than I typically experience in this genre. This smells fabulous from the top of the bowl, perhaps a benefit from the Rum or possibly the Kentucky which I find to be quite fragrant when it is burned.

My sample gave me four bowls, which I would normally cautiously give three stars, but as the likelihood of adding tins to the cellar seems low at this point, I am putting four stars on it as it was exceptional to my tastes. A very good blend.

The Kentucky is most noticeable especially off the light. The rum is just enough to influence the blend and is tastefully applied. Virginias are there to balance out the Kentucky and rum and do so nicely. The perique I feel is what makes the blend really stand out. It adds another layer of complexity that really sings with plum and spice when playing off the nutty smoky woodiness of the Kentucky and the feint alcohol and sugar note of the rum.. really enjoy this blend. Burns well and needed no drying time. Broken flake took a little effort to get lit with the tobacco rising up again and again but smokes perfect once lit almost like your sipping a rum cocktail with some blackberry brandy. Fans of Kentucky, Burley, and/or Perique should enjoy this.

This is like Small Batch Carolina Red Flake just got a smidge of dark fired leaf and a whisper of Perique added to it. Sweet and sugary red VA varietal like used in Sansepolcro and Red Flake, with a bit more strength and spice from the two additional leaves, and an almost undetectable hint of rum. I loved this stuff right from the start. Smoked a couple bowls side by side with Carolina Red Flake (I still have several unicorn tins) and I confirm it's the same leaf without doubt. Knew it from the first bowl, definitely knew with the side by side smoking both at the same time. With some really good long term aging this Speakeasy broken Flake is going to be a gem. If you like sweet red Virginia with a dash of spice and hint of rum this is right up your alley.

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.

In general I like Navy style blends, and I absolutely love Carolina Red Flake.

With the strong base of Carolina Red Flake, the addition of Rum, Dark Fired, and Perique it's a home run for me.

Aging will allow the rough edges to mellow and the components to marry.

If you're not a Red Virginia , Dark Fired, Perique fan, then this is not for you. If you are, then I suggest you get some. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.