Cornell & Diehl House Reserve

The red and bright Virginias provide some tart and tangy citrus and lemon, a fair amount of grass and hay, toast and bread, mild sugar, a little tangy ripe dark fruit, earth and wood, very light floralness, slight acidity, a few drops of honey, and a pinch of spice. They are the lead components. The woody, earthy, nutty white and dark burleys offers these very aspects: molasses, cocoa, and a sharp, dry note in a support role. The unsweetened black cavendish chips in with some toast and sugar in a condimental position. The spiced rum, molasses and plum toppings mildly tone down the tobaccos, which leads me to classify this blend as a semi-aromatic. The strength and nic-hit are a step short of the center of mild to medium. The taste is in the center of mild to medium. No chance of bite or harshness here, and it sports little roughness. These broken flakes are mildly moist, and I didn’t see the need to dry them. Burns cool, clean, and slightly slow with a very consistent, moderately fruity sweet, lightly spicy flavor from start to finish. Leaves little dampness in the bowl. It does require a couple more than an average number of relights. The short lived after taste and room notes are very pleasant. An all day, rather comfortable mixture in the old tradition that doesn’t wear out its welcome. Three stars.

-JimInks