Cornell & Diehl Old Joe Krantz Blue Label

Summary: modified from the original, this uses more Burley and bright Virginias, aiming for an old school OTC vibe.

"Old Joe Krantz" the original delights because it balances a great deal of rough dark Burley flavor against the deep sweetness of red Virginias paired with white Burley, given a little jam-and-pepper flavor from a moderate amount of Burley. "Old Joe Krantz Blue" changes the formula by adding more white Burley and replacing most of the red Virginia with bright Virginia; this makes sense when you realize that bright Virginia and white Burley are processed quickly, therefore are more cost-effective in terms of labor than dark Burley or red Virginia. The result tastes like "Haunted Bookshop" or "Sir Walter Raleigh" in that most of what you taste is a nutty Burley like a roast walnut, with a little acidic and lemony sugar floating around the edges. While this is not bad, it is not particularly compelling, either, compared to the range of flavors that "Old Joe Krantz" original and "Haunted Bookshop" offer. Mine came as a ribbon cut, and if they pressed the Virginias and worked in a little more Maryland or red Virginia, would be a heck of a smoke.