Cornell & Diehl Eight State Burley 2021

Reading some of these (early) unfavorable reviews caused me to open a tin from the stash to investigate. I typically don't open ANY C&D or GLP for at least two years, and most certainly don't form a conclusion until at least half the tin has been consumed.

Eight State mechanically is an absolute champ. Burns true, cool and dry with no no relights. It's not goopy or greasy like many drugstore blends. There is a slight vanilla scent when opening the tin, but almost as if it's coming from what might be little flecks of Cavendish mixed throughout, not from an overall topping. On days two and 3 after opening, that scent has morphed into a faint chocolate. Taste wise, I feel the white Burley dominates, and that can be an acquired taste if you haven't smoked much of it. The orientals are a nice addition, and if anything, I wish they were a little more present, but that would probably subtract from the fact this blend is a Burley showcase. Eight State is just fine. My anxiety from reading some of the early negativity is now gone, and I'm actually thankful for those reviews, as now I'll have a tin under my belt to match against the experience that's coming in two years (as originally planned).

I will be honest. I am not a huge Burley fan. I primarily smoke Virginias and Va/Pers and the occasional English/Balkan when it's not blistering hot outside. I've dabbled in Aromatics, but they're not my thing. I'll have a couple of bowls and then I'll get tired of them and toss them. I do like some Va/Bur blends (some are my favorites), but I generally stick to the Va/Per blends.

However, I've learned that when C&D puts out a Small Batch blend, then I should at least get a tin or two to try, even if it doesn't fit into my usual taste profile. I almost passed on the Eight State Burley because, well, I don't usually smoke Burleys. But when I read the description and watched Shane's Tasting Notes video (not that he's ever going to say anything but praise for the blend, but I trust his palate), I decided to order a couple of tins.

A few days later, I had the tins and since this was primarily a Burley blend, and given the fact that the components already had some age on them, I wasn't intending on aging them. So I went ahead and popped one of the tins. The aroma was amazing, but I had some raised eyebrows because at first sniff, I really thought it was a true Aromatic because of the amount of sweetness I was getting from the tin note. But the component tobaccos were still evident and I was intrigued.

I loaded up a bowl and started puffing. I was very surprised at how much I was enjoying this blend. Yes, there is a slight casing, but it is very subtle and only accentuates the natural flavors in the leaves. And around the 1/3 of a bowl, the casing is completely undetectable and the condimental tobaccos start to make themselves known. I immediately ordered 3 more tins.

Here is the breakdown for me:

Tin Note - slightly sweet with chocolate, spice, earth, toasted nuts and a little sour note;

Mechanics - moisture content was perfect for me and it loads and lights with no issues; burns cool and even with minimal relights; no moisture left in the bowl.

Strength - this one can hit pretty strong with the N if you're not careful, but the overall body of the smoke and intensity of the flavor is a firm medium.

Taste - subtle sweetness but more brown sugar than cloying syrup; predominantly toasted nuts, baking spice, earth, leather, some floral and sour notes; a well-rounded blend that can be an all-day smoke or a last bowl of the evening to wind down.

Room Note - I don't generally comment on room note because I smoke outside and frankly I'm more interested in the taste. However, I bring it up this time because last night I was standing outside watching a hockey game from our sliding glass door and my wife commented on how good this blend smelled. This is important, because she HATES my pipesmoking and has never liked anything I smoked. Even the few Aros that I've tried. She didn't like it enough to let me come inside to watch the game, but it's still noteworthy.

Overall - since it's pretty much sold out, this might be a moot point, but if you like an easy-smoking blend that can double as an all-day smoke and as a contemplative smoke, then you should try this. Is there a slight casing? Yes, but it does not detract from the overall quality of the component tobaccos and the casing is undetectable after the first few puffs anyway. I am curious to see how it will age as I will finish this tin (I'm already halfway through it) and will let the others sit for a few months while I finish up some other open tins that I have.

I'm not sure if this blend will turn me into a diehard Burley fan, but I am intrigued and will probably branch out to some others. I always wanted to try Solani's Aged Burley Flake, so who knows, maybe C&D made me into a convert.

Happy Puffing!

I only write this review to defend this tobacco from the whiny old women that are bitching about this tobacco probably because they hate C&D to begin with.

What a lovely blend we have here, fellas. This is one of the smoothest smokes I’ve had in a while. It’s nice to get away from spicy here and there. This blend is well balanced between the Virginia’s and the Burleys. To me the Burley adds a note of sweetishness reminiscent of OTC Burleys but with a better quality leaf. While the Virgina adds a nice bit of muscle that works hand in hand with the Burleys, while the Oriental is purely condimental, it’s there but not in large quantities. It’s like salt to a dish, highlighting the main ingredients. Jeremy out did his self, here.

To those old women that say this is heavily cased and garbage, get over yourselves.

OK - This really is a great blend, but it was marketed incorrectly by C and D. I think the reason for the mixed reviews here is that people were expecting a more natural BURLEY forward blend, but what we have here is a lightly cased codger OTC burley style blend. Which is fine, its good! Just as the others have described it has nice leaf in it, good cut, and the top dressing is sweet and flavorful. So if you like Carter Hall, Prince Albert, etc etc, you will really like this one, its in that vein as opposed to a natural straightforward burley. If you are ok with a top dressing and some light sweetness....you will love this. I got lucky and found some still in stock at a brick store after buying my initial 3 tins on line. CIRCLE H has the most spot on review thus far Id say.

Don't let the score fool you, this tobacco is outstanding.

Tobacco cut is thick and the smell from the jar is somewhat intense vanilla. Packs, lights and stays lit easily. Flavor is excellent, at the beginning you are welcome with a vanilla flavor that, in my opinion, doesn't overwhelm(and I don't specially enjoy aromatic tobaccos) and slowly transitions to a more burley natural flavor that stays present until the last third of the bowl where an excellent selection on orientals awaits you. Transition between the different flavors are the smoothest I've seen, I'm really impressed, congrats C&D.

I believe the enjoyment of this tobacco is strongly related to ones capacity to tolerate a bit of aromatic flavor and how much one agrees with the selection of orientals made. Also, I believe this tobacco has been terribly advertised by C&D alongside SP who compared it to other more or less burley straight blends like Solani Aged Burley Flake and Wessex Burley Slice with which this one shares nothing in common. So, to those hoarders who bought 20+ tins and didn't like it, joke's on you. I'll wait till next year to taste this marvelous blend once again.

Recommended to those looking for an american styled aromatic burley with high quality orientals in the blend.

Four solid stars.

3rdguy

Finished a full tin of this one in quick fashion. A nice changeup for the burley fan like myself. It has a smilar casing to Sunbear in a honey addition. I am not a big Oriental fan but in the right amount I really enjoy the complexity it can add.

I can see smoking this one year round and glad I was able to cellar 10 tins but I would be surprised to not see this an annual release like most (all?) of the Small Batch series. A must try for the Burley fan.

For me, this pipe tobacco is perfect. If I could buy this in bulk I would definitely make this a daily smoke. I am primarily a burley smoker, I like the taste and the aroma if it's cased correctly, plus burley has the nicotine I crave. I'm not into nuances or a sniffing expert. I like the taste, the aroma, and the feeling Eight State Burley gives me a quarter of the way down the bowl. It's a shame this stuff is a "small batch". I would bet money that this tobacco would sell just like Pegasus, Old Joe Kranz and Haunted Book shop. Other reviews have the room note as tolerable, I find it comforting and nostalgic. It smells like good old fashioned pipe tobacco, not aromatic, but not cigarette and cigar stink. It will remind people of their childhood (if they grew up with tobacco users in their families). I absolutely love this blend. Cornell and Diehl really know their burley, if they are reading this, I pleade with them , please make this available again, it is one of the finest burleys out there and a great "Codger" style pipe tobacco.