Cornell & Diehl Carolina Red Flake w/Perique 2020
(3.50)
Combining equal parts stoved and unstoved red Virginias from 2018 with a generous portion of matured, St. James perique from 2002, Carolina Red Flake with Perique is a powerhouse of flavor. Layered with satisfying complexity, it offers an enticing melange of flavors and aromas, balancing pepper and piquancy with undertones of port wine, stone fruits, and citrus. The maturity of the perique lends an unparalleled richness and nuance to the mixture, complementing bright notes with figgy sweetness, breadiness with earthy spice. While incredibly complex right out of the tin, it's a blend that will increase in complexity and continue to improve with age.
Notes: "We created Carolina Red Flake as a tribute to the Old Belt, to the traditional harvesting and processing of Carolina tobacco straight from Carolina soil. Building on that tradition, we now introduce Carolina Red Flake with Perique, elevating equal measures of stoved and unstoved red Virginias from 2018 with a generous portion of genuine, 18-year old St. James perique. The resulting flavor balances pepper and spice with undertones of port wine, stone fruits, and citrus. It's rich, deep, and complex. It's how a Virginia/Perique flake should be." - Jeremy Reeves, Head Blender at Cornell & Diehl
Details
| Brand | Cornell & Diehl |
| Series | Small Batch |
| Blended By | Jeremy Reeves |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Perique |
| Contents | Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 2 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.50 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 16 of 16 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2020 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Going into this blend, I was curious how it would compare to the 20th Ann. XX Dark Flake put out by Smokingpipes and C&D, as their makeup and components are very similar.
Upfront, the Perique stood out in its pepperiness. I agree with others that the Perique seems to be stronger in this blend than in the XX Dark Flake. The red Virginas were certainly evident however (especially at mid bowl till the end), bringing forth dark fruity and earthy notes. The fermented character I assume comes from both elements.
If you are a lover of Perique, this blend will definitely satisfy. Their age and quality is evident. The Virginas are enjoyable, though age is needed I believe, to bring them forward and pull the Perique back a bit. Not a top VaPer for me and it settled slightly below my expectations, but it is still a solid blend that I will pull out of the cellar from time to time.
I would give XX Dark Flake a 9/10 and this blend a 7/10 (though age will no doubt boost the rating up)
Upfront, the Perique stood out in its pepperiness. I agree with others that the Perique seems to be stronger in this blend than in the XX Dark Flake. The red Virginas were certainly evident however (especially at mid bowl till the end), bringing forth dark fruity and earthy notes. The fermented character I assume comes from both elements.
If you are a lover of Perique, this blend will definitely satisfy. Their age and quality is evident. The Virginas are enjoyable, though age is needed I believe, to bring them forward and pull the Perique back a bit. Not a top VaPer for me and it settled slightly below my expectations, but it is still a solid blend that I will pull out of the cellar from time to time.
I would give XX Dark Flake a 9/10 and this blend a 7/10 (though age will no doubt boost the rating up)
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 2020 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This blend is delicious. The red Virginias have a tangy sweetness to them with a little earth, while the perique is equal parts pepper and raisin, and makes an interesting presence throughout the bowl. The smoke is creamy and pleasant all the way through. Easily 4 stars. This will be an excellent candidate for aging.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 04, 2020 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
As common with C&D, this came more as a broken flake than in whole flakes. If you like straight red VAs with a touch of the raisin/spice of Perique and nothing more, then this is one you should try. The red VAs are forefront, with a little extra structure from the Perique. The smoke can be a little rough after the halfway point, but young red VAs should be more about flavor than sophistication. Of course that may change with some aging.
This isn't a strong blend; it's medium in most aspects, more satisfying/solid than impressive.
This isn't a strong blend; it's medium in most aspects, more satisfying/solid than impressive.
Pipe Used:
cobs
PurchasedFrom:
smoking pipes
Age When Smoked:
1 month
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2023 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
This is one I picked up a few years ago during the heart of the Pandemic and I've had it sitting in my cellar for a while. I love VaPer's, they're pretty much my go to so I thought this would be good with a little age. This is a small batch release that comes out every year as far as I know. This particular blend had Perique from 2002.
Opening up the tin there was a soft row of flakes, dark brown in color. The smell is rich. Deep bready, velvety Red Virginias, and very dark fruity, musty Perique. The flakes rub out very easily and pack well. It is a near perfect moisture and only requires a few minutes of dry time.
Once I light up the Virginias are up front and center: soft and very velvety, they are bready, with the lightest touch of citrus. The Perique is noticeable with dark fruit, a deep musty curb to the natural sweetness of the Virginias. This a very flavorful and enjoyable smoke.
The taste is a solid medium. It fills your mouth and has a pleasant mouth feel. The strength is is middle of the road. All in all this is a pleasant VaPer, and a pretty unique one at that. It's very easy to puff on. I'm sad I only bought 1 tin.
Happy Piping!
Opening up the tin there was a soft row of flakes, dark brown in color. The smell is rich. Deep bready, velvety Red Virginias, and very dark fruity, musty Perique. The flakes rub out very easily and pack well. It is a near perfect moisture and only requires a few minutes of dry time.
Once I light up the Virginias are up front and center: soft and very velvety, they are bready, with the lightest touch of citrus. The Perique is noticeable with dark fruit, a deep musty curb to the natural sweetness of the Virginias. This a very flavorful and enjoyable smoke.
The taste is a solid medium. It fills your mouth and has a pleasant mouth feel. The strength is is middle of the road. All in all this is a pleasant VaPer, and a pretty unique one at that. It's very easy to puff on. I'm sad I only bought 1 tin.
Happy Piping!
Pipe Used:
Peterson Irish Harp 150
PurchasedFrom:
B&M
Age When Smoked:
3 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I am reviewing tin 07072 out of 10000.
After opening the tin, the tobacco presents dark broken flakes with many sugar crystals that shine when viewed through a magnifying glass, and on the nose it presents the typical aroma of perique ferment. The humidity is quite correct to be able to load the pipe immediately, although a few minutes of airing are not bad for any tobacco. After the first ignition the flavor is very rich, predominantly a lot of dark fruit and with a pleasant bittersweet aftertaste. It burns well, without the need for more than average relighting, and does not bite the tongue even when the smoke is rushed.
In short, a great va/per that has not disappointed me at all, since the small batch series always offers very good quality tobaccos. Having finished the first tin I would say that in my opinion it is one of the best va/per that has been produced in recent years and I am so glad I got a few tins of this. I can't compare it to the 2021 version yet as I haven't tested it. I hope it's as good as this one...
After opening the tin, the tobacco presents dark broken flakes with many sugar crystals that shine when viewed through a magnifying glass, and on the nose it presents the typical aroma of perique ferment. The humidity is quite correct to be able to load the pipe immediately, although a few minutes of airing are not bad for any tobacco. After the first ignition the flavor is very rich, predominantly a lot of dark fruit and with a pleasant bittersweet aftertaste. It burns well, without the need for more than average relighting, and does not bite the tongue even when the smoke is rushed.
In short, a great va/per that has not disappointed me at all, since the small batch series always offers very good quality tobaccos. Having finished the first tin I would say that in my opinion it is one of the best va/per that has been produced in recent years and I am so glad I got a few tins of this. I can't compare it to the 2021 version yet as I haven't tested it. I hope it's as good as this one...
Age When Smoked:
2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 04, 2021 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Sweet, spicy and a little earthy. Don't know how this fairs against the standard red flake, don't have too many of those tins to spare unfortunately. This is pretty wet out of the tin, even a year later, but it's easy to pack and light. Not an all day smoke, but I can see myself smoking a couple of bowls consecutively. Only bites if provoked. Leaves a nice creamy after taste.
Age When Smoked:
1 year
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