Cornell & Diehl Haunted Bookshop

Well I thought I'd review a blend that has very polarizing reviews: Haunted Bookshop. I've heard plenty that hate it saying it tastes like cigarettes, and I've heard plenty say it's their favorite smoke and an all day blend. Burley is the key component in most cigarettes, and I understand why that might turn off some from buying a blend that might remind them of cigarettes. The truth is as you will see that Burley can be a very satisfying smoke.

When you get your tin open the first thing noticed is a pretty even ribbon cut. There are a few stray stems but the blend packs well and comes at a reasonable dryness for smoking. The blend smells toasty, nutty and chocolaty. Lighting is pretty simple and the blend tends to burn pretty well without getting too hot. This blend does best when puffed slow, fast puffing will yield an ashy taste.

Once lit I taste the Burley's nuttiness, some chocolate, some earthiness. There are other components in this blend like Perique that add interesting characteristics. I definitely get the spice from the Perique and some dark fruits. There is Virginia in here and I'm going to assume it's a red, it adds breadiness, and hay to the mix. The Perique is quite strong in the nose on the retrohale.

The taste here is a solid medium. I feel the smoke has an average easy characteristic to it. As to strength Lady N doesn't know what she wants. I want to give this a medium edging onto medium-strong. The amount of Perique in here could easily warrant something being eaten before smoking this. All in all I think it is a decent blend that I return to every now and again. Three Stars.

For a Latakia-friendly version you can try Haunted Pirate Ship which is: 50% Haunted Bookshop 50% Pirate Cake.

Musty , spicy and earthy in almost a cigar like sense. Nutty and toasted, robust flavor from start to finish with strong/dry after taste. If you’re grandpa was a macho ranch hand type...this was his burley smoke. It’s rugged and unabashedly American as a pair of wrangler jeans...and just as unpretentious and practical.

Need a smoke that tastes like tobacco? Haunted bookshop. In need of a nicotine fix? Haunted bookshop. Looking to please non/smokers with a pleasant room note? Not Haunted Bookshop.

I was hoping for something a bit different due to all the hype, but as a rugged, unpretentious burley blend...this one is successful . It does smell rather haunted in the bag/tin, evoking a sensory experience similar to entering an antique store - equally musty and dusty.

I’m summary, it’s moderately strong and a grizzled tobacco man’s kind of smoke. I like that about haunted bookshop, and you just might too.

This kicked my ass. The perique in this blend is too much for my weak stomach to handle. I'm used to smoking "rocking chair" blends and this knocked me clean out of it.

I kept seeing people tout the positives of this weed, so I pushed down my aversion to C&D products, saddled into the Mystery Machine, and joined the gang to solve the "is it any good?" mystery.

The bag opened to some lackluster nose appeal. As advertised, there were no Aromatic flavors inside, nor was there much presence from the background Virginia, just the subtle damp earth Burley to greet you. The cut was pretty shaken apart for being coarse (likely due to being a bulk), but there were still a few flakes to rub apart. Great moisture and packed like a champ. My first puff (and I have no idea why) caught me off guard and I actually started coughing, my second puff (after calming down), while still strong, brought me to a world reminiscent of a cigar. The effect was a leathery, unapologetic, deep tobacco taste, which I didn't hate, but was overwhelming for my default Aromatic sensibilities.

I got used to the smoke midway, and ended up being less intense than a heavy English, so it was within the realm of smokable strength for me, just not something I personally crave (again, think cigar here). The room afterwards reminded me of the air that hangs in a well worn smoke shop, likely filled with dozen of customers who crave this type of concoction, so to that extent, I get why folks gravitate towards this Haunted Bookshop, but for myself, I'll be down the aisle reading another book.

Okay, so before anything this is the first non aromatic I have ever tried. I have been trying aromatic blend after blend, but never had that special moment where my vision of what pipe smoking would be, suddenly became reality. I have been hesitant to try a natural flavor tobacco because of things I have read, like soapy, cigarettey, ashy etc. but ultimately I wanted to see for myself. I started watching matches860 on YouTube and he loves this stuff so I figured I’ll give it a try for my first. Tonight I sat down on my back porch and suspiciously loaded a bowl thinking “I won’t like this, I know it.” But, to my surprise I had that Aha! moment where vision became reality. To me it had a little bite to it, like some cayenne, a little nuttiness, and hint of sweetness. No cigarette taste to me as I’ve read from others. Oh and the best part was how well it burned for me. I can tell that this tobacco is going to be a friend for life and constantly in rotation. Rip matches860, I now understand why you cherished this blend so much, and thanks for the introduction. To anyone thinking about trying this blend, but are hesitant, just give it a shot like I did. You might love it!

I love this blend, I decided to try it after trying Pegasus and loving it. There is an earthy, musty, comforting Burley base to the flavor of this tobacco, over which the Perique provides some spicy highlights. There's enough sweetness from the Virginia, I find this blend has a great melding of the flavors into one delicious treat.

It does pack a nicotine punch and if I pack to big of a bowl, I'm likely to end up woozy.

Smells like dirty feet and is very strong and peppery I get how you could like it just not for me

Dusty,musty, old warehouse that needs sweeping all come to mind with this selection. Falt tasting, tounge burning trash.

Now I know why they call it "Haunted Bookshop" - everybody who smoked this expired.

Worst. Tobacco. Ever. Like smoking floor sweepings.

Save yourself the hot, dry, ghastly grief. DO NOT buy this vile blend.