Cornell & Diehl Pegasus

I smoked this one blind, having no foreknowledge of what to expect. From the onset, this one struck me as spicy and a little bit brash. It didn’t exactly bite, but it was hot and “rough” in my mouth. I figured there was burley in it. I picked up some nuttiness and spice. I was certain this was a burley/virginia blend with a good dose of perique. I was surprised to find there was no perique, as the spiciness did not go away at all. There were a few hints of sweetness (from the black cav) and a woody note that I picked up occasionally.

Not a bad smoke at all. It may not react well with me particularly, as it is a little rough in the back of my throat, even after I am done with it. If you are a burley fan, especially C&D burleys, give this one a shot.

After aging my tin for 3 years my first couple of bowls were surprising in the sense that I felt confident that this would be a favorite. Right off the bat I found Pegasus to be more of an aromatic than a Runowski burley blend. Despite our political differences [I'm a progressive that's left of FDR, more like Elenore ;-)], I love just about everything Morleysson ever blended; don't tell anyone, but through emails and postings on various chat groups I even like Bob personally. 🙂 For reference, Haunted Bookshop is in my top 5 blends; and I consider myself a burleyphile, favoring Solani ABF and Edgworth Sliced over Edgeworth RR and Prince Albert. Bob's blending has turned me on to an era of pipe smoking that I missed.

First of all, Pegasus bit my tongue, something only cheap aromatics do to me. I can smoke McClelland Virginias all day without tongue bite; I'm a pretty slow smoker. While coming in perfect humidification right out of the tin, I let it breathe for 3 months with the plastic lid on. Finally I've transferred it to a Mason jar. Last night I finished the evening with a couple of bowls and this morning I've started my day with a few more bowls of Pegasus. In two of my coolest smoking pipes the bowls got very hot. While not terribly uncomfortable, this third bowl is causing my tongue some sensitivity that could get worse if I'm not careful. The burn is fair. If I pack it with care I can smoke through without a relight, but my pipe's bowl gets hotter than I prefer. Could that be caused by the wide cut of Pegasus? The taste is pretty good, perhaps a little sweeter than I prefer. My beef here is that I think the Cavandish is overpowering the burley's nutty flavor that I love so much. As one of the previous reviewers said Pegasus has a "chewy mouth feel" that I do like and a lovely room-note. Moreover, it's made of terrific leaf.

I will finish this tin and see if Pegasus grows on me. Perhaps I'll even get another tin. I would hate to miss out on the experiences my fellow reviewers have so adoringly described. I really am surprised this isn't more to my liking.

Pegasus presents as a light brown chunky ribbon, with a few black flecks mixed in. Relatively dry, easy to work with, easy to smoke.

The predominant flavor here is clean dry burley. I do occasionally pick up a hint of the sweetness of the black cavendish, but it's faint and not always there. The Virginias don't speak to me at all. In fact, if not for the description, I'd swear there was no Virginia at all.

On paper, it looks like it would be right up my ally. But it just doesn't ring bells for me. Straight nutty burley, a bit too heavy in flavor, virtually no sweetness, dry and astringent. I don't find it offensive, and I keep trying out small samples in hopes that it will grow on me, but it just doesn't rock my world.

I find little to be enamored of in this blend. Although it smokes coolly, the smoke is dry in my mouth. A draft of Pegasus is like drawing in a mouthful of unscented talcum powder. I taste nothing but dry.

Pegasus stays lit well and smokes to an ash with no dottle. Nicotine is medium and the room note is tolerable. I taste neither black cavendish nor virginia. Dry, dry, dry.

Somewhat recommended.

Pegasus is a very popular blend in the same "family" as Haunted Bookshop and OJK, but much less nicotine than either. It's a nice burley blend with a little virginia and unsweetened cavendish thrown in. IMO those two tobaccos don't take the edge off the burley enough. You are left left with a slightly harsh tasting smoke. Good for mixing with aromatics.

It's a decent blend but nothing outstanding. C&D offers far better classic American blends such as Old Joe Krantz and Haunted Bookshop. This to me seemed a bit harsh and bitey. There just isn't anything special about this blend.

I tried this tobacco based on a review by Bob Runowski and I must say his review is right on. This is a good choice for the smoker that likes a natural "English" without the latakia. It starts off a bit harsh but smooths out a little farther down the bowl. I found it necessary to hydrate this one to take out some of the bite. The cut is good and it burns easily. Definitely one to try for those looking for no-nonsense tobacco.

Well folks, I know this is a great blend because of all the accolades it gets here, from more experienced pipers than I. But the truth is.....I just don't get it. Is it a bad blend? Does it taste terrible? Does it burn hot or poorly? absolutely not. Is it interesting for me at all? Nope.

In the bag, a mix of cube cut and ribbon. Mostly medium and dark. There is definitely a sour or acidic note in the bag, but I do really like the bag note. I have never liked the smell of burning cigarettes, but the unlit cigarettes in the pack? One of the best smells in the world, and this reminds me of that a bit.

No dry time needed whatsoever here, and definitely no flavoring added as far as I can tell.

Once lit....yup, it's fine. I don't mind burley blends at all, but I rarely reach for them for a wow factor. For me they are usually a fishing/mowing the lawn/ breaking in a new pipe blends. Carter Hall being my go to for these purposes. Maybe I expected too much from this. Maybe I thought this was going to a Carter Hall plus, based on the quality of the blend, and it is quality. In the end...not gonna lie, I personally prefer the Carter hall.

Definitely might be your thing though, so give it a go.

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.