Cornell & Diehl King Cake

Happy Mardi Gras 2019

In honor of the day, I popped a tin of King Cake which I just happened to get in the mailcall today. I know the Cellar series is supposed to age for 10 years or whatever, but I couldn't wait that long.

Once you pop the can and open it up, you find one typical C&D "Brownie" in the can. The tin note is incredible sweet and fruity. It does actually remind me of King Cake (minus the baby).

I picked a few pieces from the top of the cake and crumbled them into a smaller Belge shaped Morgan Bones. They were moist to the touch but not soaking wet. A quick charring lite, tamp, and then true light.

the fruitiness was on top which I'm guessing is the casing. I quickly got some stewed fruit which I'll say is the Perique. Sweetness came through which added to that sweet cake experience. The aftertaste and retrohale had more nuttiness in it.

I can't say this is a blend that I'd want to smoke everyday, but much like the holiday blends at Christmas it will be a nice treat.

I was gifted this by a good friend and I appreciate the gift wholeheartedly. However, this tobacco won't be made a permanent member of my rotation. I like a good topped tobacco and most "aromatic" blends that contain full tobaccos without the bane of goopy black cavendish. This blend, though, is in no way goopy or even have a constituent of a majority black cav, but C&D was a bit too overly zealous with the flavorings. I have to disagree respectfully with JimInks who noted that the hazelnut was not as apparent in the smoke as the rum and plum. Hazelnut was all I tasted for over half the bowl. The next night I broke some up and left it on the dresser overnight to air out. This helped the blend immensely and toned down the hazelnut flavor to a tolerable level. It was actually enjoyable after some of the casing had dissipated. The Virginias, Perique, and Turkish are wonderful in this blend and work together quite well.

I know this seems like a negative review and there are problems I do have with this blend. However, it is really good for a change of pace from my usual VAs, VaPers, and Burleys. I do think the casing is overdone in my opinion. I also wonder why they included a blend with such a low percentage of Virginias in a series that consists of tobaccos formulated to aged. Oh, well. I do like it, but it's over the top for me.

A really nice take on a Vaper. The plum/liquor flavor is very mild and does not overshadow the Perique. The cavendish and Virginia smoke sweet and cool. There is still a good amount of tobacco taste. I have a hard time picking out the Orientals in this blend. The best part is that this is a great cross over tobacco- smokers of all genres will find something to love about it.

Tin note of Nutella, rum and fig newtons. Tobacco cut is Krumble Kake, the chunks of tobacco are marbled light brown, medium browns and a little dark brown. Tobacco breaks apart easily and rubs out fairly easy, it is also a bit moist and probably could use some drying. Burns moderate with normal amount of relights. The strength is mild-medium and nic is mild. Flavoring is mild, with background notes of spiced rum, overly ripe plums, and sweet nuts. Taste is medium and mostly consistent, with notes of tangerines, ripe fermented fruit, lemon grass, pumpkin spice, dry earth, stewed Rasins, maple, mild cedar and moderately peppery retro. Virginias are leading with Izmir supporting. Cavendish is keeping pace but remains in the back. Perique is all over the place. Room note is pleasant, and aftertaste is great.