Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear

3rdguy

Quickly finished my first full tin of this and really enjoyed it. A few ingredients working well in conjuction here with Virginia, Basma leaf from 2014, Izmir Orientals from 2013, Honey, Tequila...even elderflower! Comes together in a great summer time smoke of sweetness with a touch of incense. No bite, smokes down to a white ash without effort.

I missed out on the first batch from last year thinking the hype was amusing but I am glad I jumped on board this year. I think C&D uses some young Virginia across the board for the most part but they overcame that with the press of flakes and the other ingredients being blended perfectly. I can't imagine this in a few years. I have to say it is one of their best creations.

well first. it's hard to get which makes it fun. it is limited which makes it a challenge. taste, it's pretty darn good. i stored mine a year before smoking. nice mellow and fruity with that touch of honey makes it better than average. i enjoy it from time to time as a treat to me. sure, there are similar flavor profiles out there but getting this is just fun and challenging. already got two tins of the 2022 for next summer to enjoy and talk about. Small batch adds to the excitement of the indulgence.

This is a review of the 2021 blend:

Tin Note of honey and cream, vanilla. I get hints of alcohol but not as much as I'd get from Sixpence, for example.

However, the Tequila stands out a bit more in the smoke, not as a cheap alcoholic flavor that disappears after three puffs, but as a quality addition. A bit of lemon zest as well. The honey is prominent, but not overpowering. I would've believed that this has light vanilla if someone had told me so. Maybe that's the elderflower but I don't know, I've never smelled an elderflower.

It's very smooth and creamy. The sweetness and lemon zest are brought together with the Virginia and Turkish leaves to give this a tea-like taste. I'm not into iced tea, but this tastes like a wonderful summer tea with a bit of lemon, honey, and a drop of Tequila. Perfect summer blend.

As the smoke progress, it becomes a bit "warmer". While cheap blends tend to lose their topping flavor quickly, this one really holds on to them and even brings them forward more after the first third of the bowl. I get more good quality alcohol and brightness from the Virginia and honey. Towards halfway through the bowl I get a lot more spicy notes. First, it's the type of spice you would get from some spirits but soon it becomes more similar to a hot pepper. Sweet and spicy, like a Chinese dish.

The flake is easy to prepare, pack, and smoke. No tongue bite, couple of relights. Moisture level is ok out of the tin but can use just a bit of drying time. Could definitely be an all-day smoke if this wasn't a limited edition.

Medium in body, mild-medium in strength. Perfect balance throughout the smoke of all the flavors and I'm told that it has a fantastic room note.

The hype is real. Glad I got several tins.

From 2020:

Tin note is honey. A floral and sweet aroma. Some tart and hay like Virginias in the back ground. Nice broken flakes, moisture level is perfect.

The taste is very much the same. Lots of sweet honey, floral notes, woody spice, some grassy and slightly tart notes. The honey dissipates half way though but there’s still plenty of sweetness. The tequila became more prominent as the honey dissipated and took the lead on the second half of the bowl. There is a sharp retrohale but you’ll pick up some sour and floral notes. The orientals are definitely noticeable in the blend. I wouldn’t push this one but when kept cool at a moderate pace it was quite enjoyable on a summers day. A different kind of Virginia blend. One that I would try and pick up again.