Cornell & Diehl Repose
(2.86)
A different sort of aromatic, not sweet but nutty with a full bottom. Repose adds Turkish with a flash of golden Virginia to a base of cubed burley. This is delicately topped by a master blender's hand with fine rum for a cool, fragrant and winning smoke that won't fatigue or become cloying through the day.
Details
| Brand | Cornell & Diehl |
| Series | Serenity Series |
| Blended By | William Serad |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | Aromatic |
| Contents | Burley, Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Rum |
| Cut | Coarse Cut |
| Packaging | 2oz Tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild to Medium
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.86 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 22 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 16, 2019 | Medium | Mild | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
A most interesting kind of aromatic for me! The description is pretty good already "another kind of aromatic.. nutty, but not (too) sweet" - they should've added "and with loads of tobacco-y goodness!" to it.
Once you take a whiff from the tin you'll get reminded of Blockade Runner and/or Black Frigate by C&D, if you've already smoked them. Yes, it's the very same rum-topping, of that I'm sure! It's more pronounced in the tin note than in the smoke itself though, so don't let the tin note fool you.
Interesting mixture of ribbons, coarser tobaccos and small cubes. In the pipe it reminded me of Pegasus - tobbaco wise! The cube cut Burley gives that pleasant nutty and spicy, mildly sweet foundation, that I love so much! The other burleys amp up the spice and add some earth and body. Then the Orientals kick in... and oh my... this was the idea of a genius to add Turkish to the blend! It gives a very pleasant spiciness, as well as slight sharp edges, which may also come from the burleys. It contributes to the "semi-aromatic" feeling... what do I mean by that? I mean that it's flavored...yes! But definetly far from what we europeans consider an "aromatic"! Far, far from that!
Plenty of tobacco goodness, refined and augmented by the pleasant, sour-fruity and slightly spicy rum topping, which I've grown to love so much in Black Frigate. It's nutty, earthy, spicy and slightly herbal/ethereal (from the Oriental)... paired with the mild sweetness of the Virginias and he rum topping... excellent blend!
One thing I'll have to contradict to though: They say you can smoke bowl after bowl without getting tired of it... that doesn't come true for me! One bowl a day pleases me enough and the attempt of smoking another bowl (back to back) I quickly got tired of the flavor! To me this is a wonderful addiditon to any Burley-Blokes rotation, as well as to lovers of flavored blends that still offer plenty of tobacco in the taste.
|| Personal rating: 3,5-stars | Attempt of an 'objective rating' : 3,5-stars || Granting it all 4, as it's close to being 'a perfect (semi-)aromatic blend' to my taste.
Once you take a whiff from the tin you'll get reminded of Blockade Runner and/or Black Frigate by C&D, if you've already smoked them. Yes, it's the very same rum-topping, of that I'm sure! It's more pronounced in the tin note than in the smoke itself though, so don't let the tin note fool you.
Interesting mixture of ribbons, coarser tobaccos and small cubes. In the pipe it reminded me of Pegasus - tobbaco wise! The cube cut Burley gives that pleasant nutty and spicy, mildly sweet foundation, that I love so much! The other burleys amp up the spice and add some earth and body. Then the Orientals kick in... and oh my... this was the idea of a genius to add Turkish to the blend! It gives a very pleasant spiciness, as well as slight sharp edges, which may also come from the burleys. It contributes to the "semi-aromatic" feeling... what do I mean by that? I mean that it's flavored...yes! But definetly far from what we europeans consider an "aromatic"! Far, far from that!
Plenty of tobacco goodness, refined and augmented by the pleasant, sour-fruity and slightly spicy rum topping, which I've grown to love so much in Black Frigate. It's nutty, earthy, spicy and slightly herbal/ethereal (from the Oriental)... paired with the mild sweetness of the Virginias and he rum topping... excellent blend!
One thing I'll have to contradict to though: They say you can smoke bowl after bowl without getting tired of it... that doesn't come true for me! One bowl a day pleases me enough and the attempt of smoking another bowl (back to back) I quickly got tired of the flavor! To me this is a wonderful addiditon to any Burley-Blokes rotation, as well as to lovers of flavored blends that still offer plenty of tobacco in the taste.
|| Personal rating: 3,5-stars | Attempt of an 'objective rating' : 3,5-stars || Granting it all 4, as it's close to being 'a perfect (semi-)aromatic blend' to my taste.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 05, 2007 | Mild | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I had basically given up on aromatics when I purchased Repose. After smoking a number of dressed up aromatics from class outfits like CAOs blue note, and nat sherman offerings I thought it was all terrible. My expectation and experience with aromatics was a sweet smoke that would quickly burn away its artificial flavor and burn hot and or wet for the second half. Not so with repose.
The nice picture on the canister was the sole reason for my purchase.
Repose is a great smoke. It is sweet, flavorful, and burns extremely well. The smoke starts nicely and stays sweet the whole time. It is mild and aromatic but in a more natural way than I have otherwise experienced. The sweetness never overwhelms and also never turns bitter. The second half develops with a little more strength, but it is still a mild smoke. This tobacco tastes very natural; one does not get the feeling that a sugary casing is being burned up.
The pack and burn are fantastic. My most haphazard packing has still turned out great sessions. The burn is slow and even.
The aroma is pleasant and I have smoked it a number of times at outdoor mixed company affairs with some compliments and no complaints. This is a great blend and was a much needed change of pace for me. I smoke bowl after bowl of this.
The nice picture on the canister was the sole reason for my purchase.
Repose is a great smoke. It is sweet, flavorful, and burns extremely well. The smoke starts nicely and stays sweet the whole time. It is mild and aromatic but in a more natural way than I have otherwise experienced. The sweetness never overwhelms and also never turns bitter. The second half develops with a little more strength, but it is still a mild smoke. This tobacco tastes very natural; one does not get the feeling that a sugary casing is being burned up.
The pack and burn are fantastic. My most haphazard packing has still turned out great sessions. The burn is slow and even.
The aroma is pleasant and I have smoked it a number of times at outdoor mixed company affairs with some compliments and no complaints. This is a great blend and was a much needed change of pace for me. I smoke bowl after bowl of this.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 21, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Very Pleasant |
I was given some of this by a dear friend who also writes on this site,and for that I am grateful. I generally am not fond of the "SERAD SERIES",but this is the exception. I love C&D's Black Frigate which contains a substantial amount of Latakia and rum. This has the rum ,but no Latakia. It is truly a wonderful natural aromatic. If you are a rum lover, you cannot dislike this blend. It burns cool and dry with a stunning natural rum flavor. The Turkish really gives this Burley blend a fascinating dimension. This blend simply works on all levels.I recommend this to those who simply enjoy good tobacco! 3 of 4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 30, 2002 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
When I first found that William Serad (of P & T Magazine "Trial by Fire" fame) was working with Cornell & Diehl on a series of tobaccos I was intrigued and hoping to try some eventually. When given the opportunity to sample a tin for the purpose of reviewing I was thrilled.
Upon opening the tin I was a little surprised at he green specks evident. My fist thought was, "uh oh - too young". This apprehension soon melted away as I packed my favorite Ben Wade and fired 'er up. First light provided a sweet yet grassy aroma, surely the harbinger of good things to come. Second light came with a little effort, probably due to the size of the "cubes" of burley. Any fears of "green-ness" disappeared as a smooth and nutty/sweet flavor filled my palate.
I kept looking for the rum flavor to come in but this never happened. It became obvious to me that the rum was not intended as a flavoring at all but instead helped to mellow the mixture and remove any sharp edges. The turkish lends its mellowness and the VA's are very present in their sweetness but not over-powering. The burley base gives fullness but doesn't over-power either.
I was also pleased that the blend did not become harsh toward the ends of any of the bowls I smoked, regardless of the pipe I smoked.
I would recommend this as a good all-day smoke, especially if you have a little sweet-tooth. This is not to say that Repose is overwhelmingly sweet. It is not. However, Repose does have a sweetness that comes even in the after-taste.
Upon opening the tin I was a little surprised at he green specks evident. My fist thought was, "uh oh - too young". This apprehension soon melted away as I packed my favorite Ben Wade and fired 'er up. First light provided a sweet yet grassy aroma, surely the harbinger of good things to come. Second light came with a little effort, probably due to the size of the "cubes" of burley. Any fears of "green-ness" disappeared as a smooth and nutty/sweet flavor filled my palate.
I kept looking for the rum flavor to come in but this never happened. It became obvious to me that the rum was not intended as a flavoring at all but instead helped to mellow the mixture and remove any sharp edges. The turkish lends its mellowness and the VA's are very present in their sweetness but not over-powering. The burley base gives fullness but doesn't over-power either.
I was also pleased that the blend did not become harsh toward the ends of any of the bowls I smoked, regardless of the pipe I smoked.
I would recommend this as a good all-day smoke, especially if you have a little sweet-tooth. This is not to say that Repose is overwhelmingly sweet. It is not. However, Repose does have a sweetness that comes even in the after-taste.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 2020 | Mild | Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
Upon my initial popping of the tin, I was unimpressed. The tin note was very medicinal - my wife even compared it to Dimetapp. I could pick up bit of VAs and burley... but the Turkish was almost nonexistent.
Once I packed my pipe, though, the experience was very different. The burley took a back seat to the Turkish and VA, and the rum topping was much more pronounced. It was not overwhelming, definitely a dark rum similar to something like Kraken or Capt. Morgan Black. It's definitely the same rum topping used in other C&D blends, as another reviewer pointed out.
The nicotine hit isn't major, but I found it easy to overheat the tobacco and and ruin the taste. This is definitely meant to be sipped and lightly smoked. The room note was also pleasant, according to my wife - not heavy at all.
While it's not something I'd reach for too frequently, I will be smoking the rest of this tin.
Once I packed my pipe, though, the experience was very different. The burley took a back seat to the Turkish and VA, and the rum topping was much more pronounced. It was not overwhelming, definitely a dark rum similar to something like Kraken or Capt. Morgan Black. It's definitely the same rum topping used in other C&D blends, as another reviewer pointed out.
The nicotine hit isn't major, but I found it easy to overheat the tobacco and and ruin the taste. This is definitely meant to be sipped and lightly smoked. The room note was also pleasant, according to my wife - not heavy at all.
While it's not something I'd reach for too frequently, I will be smoking the rest of this tin.
Pipe Used:
Vintage Danmore 166
Age When Smoked:
2 years old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 19, 2007 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I've tried to smoke two tins of this on different occassions. Both times my overall all impression was... OWWW!!! I smoke slowly and all that but this tobacco bit like a badger. I tried it in different pipes, packing different ways and at different levels of dryness. Nothing helped. I usually like the constituent components, but this tobacco was more painful to me than an auto da fe.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 02, 2007 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
So far, this is William Serad's most complete blend, and one of the most elegant and thoughtful tobaccos I have ever tried. The burleys are perfectly cubed cut for even burning properties. No more than two lights are needed to keep this going. The tin aroma is intoxicating. Smoke this in your car and come back about 30 minutes later; pure joy. The rum flavors the tobacco and teases the palate without overpowering; I usually hate boozy blends. The flavors are rasiny, figgy; the aroma, warm, comforting and subtle. The Virginias comfort but never sear the tongue. The Turkish adds an exotic dimension. This is one great tobacco, a crowning achievement. The tin I found is about three years old, so it has mellowed wonderfully. Part of the Serenity Series, hats off to Serad and C & D for putting ecstasy in a tin. Don't miss this one!
Five of five stars
update 2007
Not sure if I let this one age too long, but the first tin was pure bliss and this was, well....let's say I'm no longer that upset that it has been discontinued. Another in a series of C & D sleight of hand changes with regard to blending. I didn't think you could over age a non-aromatic, but in this case, I might've. Or it could've been a poorly blended tin from the get go. In either case, another cascade decline in the C & D line, and rather than saying 'adieu, mon frere,' i'll part by saying 'hasta la vista, baby!'
Two and a half of five stars
Five of five stars
update 2007
Not sure if I let this one age too long, but the first tin was pure bliss and this was, well....let's say I'm no longer that upset that it has been discontinued. Another in a series of C & D sleight of hand changes with regard to blending. I didn't think you could over age a non-aromatic, but in this case, I might've. Or it could've been a poorly blended tin from the get go. In either case, another cascade decline in the C & D line, and rather than saying 'adieu, mon frere,' i'll part by saying 'hasta la vista, baby!'
Two and a half of five stars
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 14, 2006 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This blend has very good bones (I have yet to smoke a C&D blend that doesn't) but I just cannot get interested in it. I have smoked half a dozen bowls of this and have come to this conclusion: This is a very good blend if you love Burley, I am more of a VaPer man and lean more to C&D's light english as well as their aromatics. This is smooth, cool, and does not bite, but just seems very bland to me. As I said, Burley lovers will probably like this blend. And also, I over the years have tried liquor cased blends and almost all of them have tasted bland to me, so maybe I am a bit jaded. Still, as with all C&D blends,top notch tobacco used which has been expertly blended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 23, 2004 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Very Pleasant |
I am not sure what to make of this weed yet. I enjoy the taste and the fragrance for certain, and I have experienced only cool dry smokes, however I am suspicious of aeromatics and therefore worry that the strength of the casing could impart itself into my beloved pipes. I was assured by a friend that this would not happen as Repose is a light aeromatic. We shall see. The tin note reminds me a bit of apples? Is that it? I think this is a great tobacco to enjoy and I will continue to buy it when this tin is empty, I may even devote a pipe to it.
Update: I have smoked 10 or so bowls of this blend in many different pipes, I found some cubes or burly mixed in with the ribbon. I usually find it most enjoyable smoking blends of any tobacco leaf on the verge of a slow smolder, and I deffinitly taste apple, be it topping or natural it is present. I also taste the Virginia leaf peeking its headed intonations out occasionally.
This is a great outdoors in the woods smoke for me. My brother lives in Indiana and I am visiting him for the Thanksgiving holliday, today I smoked this all day while following old paths that I ran along with my dogs as a young pup myself. It was there that I found this weeds great strength, and perhaps you can too.
Update: I have smoked 10 or so bowls of this blend in many different pipes, I found some cubes or burly mixed in with the ribbon. I usually find it most enjoyable smoking blends of any tobacco leaf on the verge of a slow smolder, and I deffinitly taste apple, be it topping or natural it is present. I also taste the Virginia leaf peeking its headed intonations out occasionally.
This is a great outdoors in the woods smoke for me. My brother lives in Indiana and I am visiting him for the Thanksgiving holliday, today I smoked this all day while following old paths that I ran along with my dogs as a young pup myself. It was there that I found this weeds great strength, and perhaps you can too.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 11, 2003 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
What the heck kind of name IS 'repose' for a tobacco, anyway? I like Cornell and Diehl products, but where DO they get these names?
According to the tin description, Repose is supposedly a "non-sweet" aromatic. I found the "rum" flavoring to be pretty strong- pleasant, but strong none the less- and not rummy, at least not like other rum-flavored blends. (So... if you shy away from spirit-flavored aromatics, don't be put off by this one.) It seemed almost flower-like when I first opened the tin, but lost some of that character after being open a while.
At any rate, this seems sweet to me, which is OK. Must come from the virginias, I guess. The turkish component is a somewhat novel addition to a burley-based aromatic, but it seems to work here.
My tin was at just the right moisture, no modifications necessary. The taste, at least initially, was similar to the tin aroma, but then the turkish/virginia combo kicked in and the taste became more natural tobacco-ish. Still, the topping taste lingers throughout the bowl. I have never found burleys all that nutty as some do, and I did not taste nuttiness here.
I seemed to experience a bit of a bite from this blend on some occasions. Not sure if this was a delayed reaction from another tobacco or not. Doesn't seem like it should bite...
This is an aromatic worth trying. It reminds me a bit of MacBaren Plumcake (which also reputedly has a rum topping) but does NOT have the bite that the MB offering possesses. Repose does not stand out from the crowd for me, but the flavor might be just right for some.
According to the tin description, Repose is supposedly a "non-sweet" aromatic. I found the "rum" flavoring to be pretty strong- pleasant, but strong none the less- and not rummy, at least not like other rum-flavored blends. (So... if you shy away from spirit-flavored aromatics, don't be put off by this one.) It seemed almost flower-like when I first opened the tin, but lost some of that character after being open a while.
At any rate, this seems sweet to me, which is OK. Must come from the virginias, I guess. The turkish component is a somewhat novel addition to a burley-based aromatic, but it seems to work here.
My tin was at just the right moisture, no modifications necessary. The taste, at least initially, was similar to the tin aroma, but then the turkish/virginia combo kicked in and the taste became more natural tobacco-ish. Still, the topping taste lingers throughout the bowl. I have never found burleys all that nutty as some do, and I did not taste nuttiness here.
I seemed to experience a bit of a bite from this blend on some occasions. Not sure if this was a delayed reaction from another tobacco or not. Doesn't seem like it should bite...
This is an aromatic worth trying. It reminds me a bit of MacBaren Plumcake (which also reputedly has a rum topping) but does NOT have the bite that the MB offering possesses. Repose does not stand out from the crowd for me, but the flavor might be just right for some.
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