Cornell & Diehl Pegasus

MY sample came with some larger fragments of tobacco, looked sort of like a tobacco salad, not very attractive and makes one wonder of quality control. Well, Well, what have we here? This is a nicely medium strength, medium bodied blend. I taste good tobacco flavor here, a little harsh at times and a little green (I detected some ammonia) This is not all bad though, just like some fine Brie has an ammonia component...I was not turned off by this. I like this, I don't love it, but I like it. It had enough smoke volume and tingled nicely when exhaled through the nostrils. Good blend.

I was highly disappointed with the cut quality of this tobacco. There were distinct, large pieces of tobacco, oddly shaped...I actually found the lower part of a tobacco leaf with the stem attached. Poor quality control to be sure. Smoking this blend was pleasant, but not really remarkable in any way.

This one really didn't do it for me. I didn't get much flavor out of it unless I dgt'd it and despite 9 months of age, it had a bite to it. Likely the reason I don't like it is that it is mainly red VA and I like a more full burley taste. If you are a VA smoker who wants to try a VA/Burley blend, you might like this. In fact, I've got a tin for you, send me an email!

I'm afraid I have to agree with Grampa with this blend. For years, with rare exception, I've avoided blends with burley. Recently, I've come to enjoy a number of them including some by Cornell & Diehl. There's something about Pegaus that really turns me off. I suspect it has something to do with either they type, processing, or the amount of the burley. Whatever it is, I just don't enjoy the flavor.

Add a star or two if you're a big fan of burley, as notwithstanding what I have said, as this is surely a quality blend.

This was another tobacco that surprised me, during my exploration of burley blends.


I ordered an ounce or two of this blend and received a bag full of mostly yellow and light brown ribbons with a smattering of black ribbons mixed in. Comes ready to load and smoke as is, without any drying time. The tobacco in the bag smells like some fruit with some hay and earthy notes with maybe just a hint of cocoa.

Very easy to load in the pipe and this tobacco burns down quick into ash. It stays lit after the two light method (charring and final) with moderate tamping from time to time and a regular cadence. I found this to be one of the easiest tobaccos to manage in regards to puffing and tamping.

This tobacco produces big clouds of smoke. The flavors are interesting, and this is where I was surprised at how much I enjoyed and later craved this tobacco, specifically even with the sour/bitter aspects (from the burley). I got flavors or grass, earth, with a bit of fruit (very slight), some nuttiness and some cocoa (not sure if this is from the cavendish or some topping) with some definite sour/bitterness. It wasn't bad, the bitterness, but seemed to pair well with the flavors. There was a tiny bit of sweetness that helped bring it all together. Very pleasurable smoke and was one I reached for after a long day. Seems to pair well with a nice beer.

Smoking now:

*bias alert*

I am not a fan of burley tobaccos. So keep that in mind.

The tin note is woody, vegetative, and sour? Yes sour. It smells awesome.

Packs and lights just fine, no dry time needed. The flavor was consistent all the way though the bowl. It’s a dry, tree bark, woody, earthy flavor. Burley usually bites me and I’m happy to say that this did not. I suspect that’s due to the Virginia and Cavindish, however this did dry my mouth out as burley usually does. It’s dry in flavor. It’s not what I like, but maybe you do? Smoked a bit fast but consistent flavor. The nic hit is higher than I usually like I’ll say it passed the medium mark for me. Again not a burley smoker but I try and keep an open mind. If you like burley then this is recommended.

Comparatively, Pegasus is neither an excessive nor a complex recipe. In fact, it’s rather honest constitution presents an authentic Burley-based mélange that is fundamentally basic in nature. Uncomplicated all be it, but rather distinctive in nature as I was to discover. Largely comprised of three distinct Burley types, the mix charters a presence of Tennessee White Burley tendered in both handsomely ribboned and cubic configurations that have been equitably laced by coarsely cut ribbons of Kentucky Dark Burley. With a cursory visual inspection, I would estimate the noted triplicity comprises about 60% -70% of the total mass. The remaining ingredients are modestly inserted by the lesser complements of Bright and Red Virginia along with a sparing portion of straight Cavendish.

As I broke the seal of the bulging sample pouch of tobacco, I instantly noted a state of exceptional dryness. Nothing too detrimental but nonetheless by all appearances exhausted of any trace of moisture. Grabbing a pinch of tobacco, my fingers met with springy tufts of ungainly strands. The texture dynamically animated itself, sensitizing as roughly processed and ostensively grainy. Upon closer inspection, I surveyed a husky compilation of brown-tinted assortment highlight in appreciable streams of yellow and golden hues. Scant rugged wedges of blackened Cavendish held tight to the wad of Burley as granular segments of the cubed strain and delicate shags of Virginia fell freely from my grasp.

As the airs of Pegasus lofted freely from the polybag, an alluring fragrance of earthy soft nuttiness merged with spicy wood caught my attention. Leaning over the pouch a deeper inhalation found a much more embellished colorization. The registration suggested hints of cocoa, prunes, sour/tartness, and a mild indistinct sweetness mimicking a fascinating vanilla-citrus like quality. One further observation is that with extended smelling, the blend’s base essence tended to move towards a sweet cigarette aroma as I was able to eventually sense a faint sugary grassiness way down low.

After loading my Jobey briar (big, deep, and wide chamber) quite neatly, the newly found mellow tempered and modestly strong Pegasus began to divulge is standard character. With the initial drawls, Pegasus’ general taste profile rolled out as a splendid interplay between the two distinct Burley strains. This magnetizing presentation remained consistent for the entirety of the smoking session. A tad bit of occasional roughness but respectfully a gentle Burley with a deeply based tone and spirit.

Specifically, a roasted creamy nuttiness much like that of a quality pecan lent by the White colorfully intermixed within the registration with a noble aged wood emanating from the Dark. Gently and wonderfully soured, the flavor was invariably seasoned by decided hints of cocoa and diluted molasses. As the trailing finish tapered in, it was marked with a very notable spiced smoky zest and softened mint, impactful and attention-grabbing. At times I surmised that the White seemed to predominate but then there was movement which presented contradiction to that thought as a wave of the Dark proudly showed its presence. Quite charismatic in nature, the flavor of Pegasus seems to be tempered by a function of how the tobacco is precisely stacked within the chamber. This is logical based upon experience, yet Pegasus appears to be hyper-sensitive to this effect thus presenting an engaging and stimulative smoking experience.

Completing the flavorful registration, a very muted punchy tart grassy-hay element being delivered from the complementing Virginia can be found circulating in the distant folds with evidence of dark sugary earthen Cavendish accents, almost dismissible to a certain degree. Additionally, there was fleeting evidence of some additive that characterized itself as the same vanilla-citrus appeasement duly noted within the pouch, very intriguing and beguiling to say the least. In final, the aftertaste left my palate enlivened by the presence of toasty wood and stringent earthy spice.

Pegasus aflame burns comfortably cool and evenly for the duration leaving a charming white ash with its consumption. The vapor that is produced is a hearty thick blue-gray plume of dense smoke. As it resides within the room, the blend wants to be airy and sweetly fused at first, yet the essence morphed into a heavy robust darkened aroma of classic Burley. Seasoned/sourly spent wood, toasty caramelized nuts are the principal features being supplemented with just piquant trace of burnt tart grass. The permanence and strength of its scent are significant and remarkable making this one most likely unfavorable to non-smokers.

Assuming now a more qualified posture on Pegasus, I would suggest that the mixture could serve as a reasonable entry into the genre of traditional American grown Burley. Nothing too stark or heavy, but it does do a fine job of presenting an introduction to the standard attributes of both varieties of Burley leaf in a gentle manner. These tobaccos are typical of many Cornell & Diehl Burley-based blends. Franky, I believe the very same domestic strains can be found Haunted Bookshop or Old Joe Krantz as they model a seemingly identical taste profile. As with Pegasus, one gets the full spectrum of native Burley which is such a vibrant yet often underrated variety.

In terms of mechanics, the blend tenders nicely in briar or cob based upon my extended trials. The ensuing taste experiences were highly comparable in the end. Commonly some mixtures, however, can bring expanded character by using a specific pipe. Accordingly, as Pegasus spoke to me, I found the geometry and wood of the hefty Jobey Florentine Extra best accommodated its pleasurable smoking. Ideally this venue enhanced the full flavor features and natural distinctions that surround the tobacco’s base persona. What is more, a slow tempo with exaggerated drawls best placates the true witness of the tobacco’s merits.

Summarizing my findings, Pegasus is a classic and noteworthy Burley based offering from Cornell & Diehl, one that I found exceptionally enjoyable. With simple magical traits, Pegasus could feasibly be an all-day smoke as there is no chance of tongue bite and the nicotine effect materialized to be mild-medium in potency. If you are an avid Burley enthusiast or some one looking to venture forth into the species, then without reservation I do recommend that Pegasus gets the nod. Inspirational Burley is meant to be savored and appreciated, Pegasus is, in my opinion, without exception.

Hanna Subjective Ranking; 3.1 Objective Scoring (based upon standard genre attributes, mechanicals, cost) 123/144 @ 85%

A quien le gusté los Burley, éste es un buen tabaco para fumar.

A los sabores clásicos que uno busca en una mezcla de Burley (maderas, cierto cuero, notas a frutos secos tostados) le acompaña una base más dulzona y cremosa que lo atempera. El Cavendish le da una cierta cremosidad muy agradable. Quema bien y su mordida es suave si no lo fuerzas. Un tabaco fácil y cómodo de fumar con ese carácter propio de los tabacos más recios. Buen regusto y un golpe medio-alto de N.

I purchased a pound of this sight unseen based on reviews from Smoking Pipes. I have now smoked three bowls and have the following observations. This Burley blend with Virginia and Latakia is a very sweet tasting tobacco. It has hints of rolled oats and cinnamon. It certainly doesn't bite when smoked at an average rate. It has no blaring faults and has a medium nicotine hit. I enjoyed the way the tobacco stayed lit and required only one or at the most two relights. It burned to a nice white ash and left the bowl dry. I am happy with my purchase so far an would recommend this highly