Cornell & Diehl Burley Flake #5

As I have stated before I attend a pipe club at a local brick and mortar and try to buy something to support the establishment and chose this one. I did not realize it is like a series of Burley Flake but I guess the #5 should have tipped me off. I tried it that day and it was okay. It has a very fragrant tin note that if I did not know better, I would think it was aromatic and the flakes, actual flakes this time as C&D likes to label their product flakes and when you open the tin you find it is a broken flake was really moist. Most people would probably let it dry but for whatever reason I just never do. I do not see how a few minutes makes that much difference but to each their own. I do the fold and twist method and smoked it in my Meerschaum and had some more this evening while sitting on the porch in the dark at a little after five o’clock and watching it rain. My 15-year-old Shih Tzu, Nellie was sitting by me waiting for her Momma to come home from work. I get home at 2:30 while she gets home at around 6:00. This starts out nice and mellow and shortly thereafter a little strength kicks in, harsh is not a good word to use but we will go with that term but not in a negative way. I am in no way a Burley expert but it is actually a nice pleasant smoke. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon, sitting on the porch, man’s best friend sitting by you even though she is a Momma’s girl, cup of Joe, dark, rainy afternoon and smoking a good Burley and trying not to think about anything.

If Jeremy Reeves and G.L. Pease were working on similar blends and debating their differences, G.L. would make Jackknife and Jeremy would make this one. They’re similar but each has the thumbprint of a different master blender. The Burley Flake has a subtle floral note that’s absent with the Jackknife both from a freshly opened tin and that note is present in the flavor, otherwise the two blends compare well for my taste and I might have either of them going for one of my extended drives through the New Mexico mountains...likely have both tins with me for a subtle change of pace. Best in a tall narrow bowl after a vigorous rub out. Lights and burns well and with a nice rich smoke that’s definitely got some DFK to accompany the Burley and Red VA. If you’re a Burley lover, you should be in good company with this one.

Burley Flake #5 is a tasty, savory, smooth, full bodied, natural earthy tobacco blend. It's consistent, not overly complex, but rewarding in its competency. The tin note is really interesting with the red Virginia and dark fired tricking the senses into perceiving something akin to sweet, nutty chocolate covered cherries. It's well behaved in the pipe and smokes wonderfully. The Burleys are manly with dominant earthy notes of espresso, walnut, carob, bitter cocoa and cigar. The carob, cocoa note strengthens in the later half of the bowl. The dark fired doesn't offer much smokiness but plays that consistent cigar note and spice on the retrohale. The bright and red Virginia add a noticeable grassy hay note throughout the bowl, sweetening and balancing the earthiness of the burley. The mechanics are solid, lights easily, stays lit and produces volumes of smoke. For me, Burley Flake # 5 occupies a unique spot between cigars and pipes. It satisfies my cravings for both. Some reviews say it's not as strong as the other BF#s in the series but believe me the nic hit is strong. This is a meaty, savory blend. In the cigar world it would be considered full bodied and robust.

C&D - Burley Flake # 5 . This blend came mostly all flakes stacked in the tin . Very soft flakes C&D style . They rub out easily if you want . I dried it slightly though it’s probably good to go from tin . A Molasses flavor stays all the way down the bowl . Slightly nutty with a little spice . A fruity sweetness .A little buttery . Not complex at all but a very nice smoke . Nicotine is there but not too strong . Good morning smoke or when i want something with a little less nic then Haunted Bookshop or ODF . It satisfies. On the sweet side . 3 1/2 stars . I would buy more .

Presentation: Thick and non uniform flake. Some flakes are longer and bigger than others. The tin I had contained a massively thick flake about 3/4 inch thick and two inches long. Medium brown burleys, a few light and red Virginia leaves throughout and a decent portion of dark fired layered in between. Good amount of intact flakes with some broken and smaller remnants at the bottom of the tin.

Palate: Burleys are not my favorite, and being that Cornell and Diehl is most popular for this leaf, I found myself struggling to find my place with this blend. The burleys provide a nice molasses, nutty, and a touch of brown sugar. Not a lot of chocolate that burleys are famous for. The Virginia adds a touch of sweetness and that supplements the somewhat bitter aspects of burley. The dark fired provides the semi coarse salt rub spice you might find on a nice brisket. While the blend sounds appealing on paper, it runs a little flat in the smoke. I couldn't find anything about this blend that I would write home about. It taste hot and dusty and there is an acrid aftertaste that itches my throat.

Performance: The flakes rub out pretty easily but may take a little longer to prepare with some of the flakes being gigantic. It smokes with relative ease and leaves no moisture at the heel. Produces a fine ash that can easily be dumped out with no additional work. Burns at a moderate speed and contains a nice nicotine hit. Not an all day blend, although for a burley lover this could be smoked multiple times a day.

Conclusion: I never cared for burleys that much, and it takes a lot to convince me on buying a new burley blend. However, I think that the Burley Flake series has a healthy range of options that I may want to try a different type and see how they fare, but as for now, Burley Flake #5 isn't cutting it for me. I didn't rate it 1 star simply because I love dark fired, and I know that Cornell and Diehl uses quality leaf, but despite that the actual feeling of smoking this makes me feel like I am parched for water. It's a very dry blend for my palate. I'm not sure if age will make this one better as I have had this tin jarred for over a year with not much improvement.

Burley Flake #5 has the best tin note of any Burley I've ever had. Then I smoked some and found it merely good. Meh, par for the course for C&D.

Then I smoked the whole tin and my opinion was different by the end.

BF5 smells like grain and molasses in the tin. It's truly a magnificent tin note that recalls, well baking I guess. Just from the tin note I am going with heavily cased, and that is fine as far as I'm concerned provided the casing and the tobacco works together.

Smoked, it's not quite as magical as the tin note would have you hope. It's not HU good, but it is good. I've smoked the other C&D flakes now, and this one is a firm #1 for me.

What I like about BF5 is that while the smoke doesn't live up to the tin note, it's still a way above average Burley. You get a whisper of that grain and molasses note but mostly coarse and earthy Burley. I'm sure the Kentucky helps in giving this blend backbone and an earthier flavor profile. Like OJK, there is a bitter edge to this.

Why do I give this a strong 3 when it sounds like I'm describing a 2? In addition to being a decent Burley, it is one of the exceedingly few Burley blends that has a portion of strength. 1792 and GH Dark Flake have become favorites, and that makes most tobacco come across as a little thin. So BF5 is elevated by having a little strength.

This blend will be a 2 for most, too strong for most, but for Burley lovers, I think you'll agree it's a solid 3.

This hits the sweet spot. Easy to light, pack, smoke. Robust flavor, high quality leaf. Leans heavily on the darker end of burley, with a perfect amount of VA for sharpness and sweetness that helps highlight the burleys. The Kentucky is perfectly in balance to add oomph and bass notes and a touch of occasional spice. It's a heavily applied condiment. I had been casting about for a blend like this one and bought it based on descriptions, and holy cow this is almost perfect. I could smoke this exclusively if i had to. Healthy amount of nic to match the flavor. It has everything.