Cornell & Diehl Bayou Morning

This blend (perhaps I should say "mixture" as no casing will be found here) is all about the Perique. It is somewhat similar to Old Joe Krantz in both the nicotine and perique departments alike. Just like the latter, it will develop harsh spots, maybe not as sharp, if you don't keep an eye on your smoking cadence. C&D seems to be using its proprietary Virginia leaf in different ratios all across its ranges and different blends. That is to say you can actually purchase their red and bright Virginia leaf, and Perique of course, and have a go at blending your own mixture yourself for a fraction of the price. As a matter of fact, I have achieved similar results to this going down this road. Having said that, Bayou Morning is a good mixture everyone who is into Perique should probably try at list once. This tobacco, because of its high Perique content, leans a little bit onto the more-moist-than-usual side of things, but it smokes perfectly fine straight out of the bag/tin. The red and bright Virginia leaf adds sweet and hearthy undertones, but not as pronounced as in other blends. As for the Perique, it adds a very nice tangy undertone that will get stronger and stronger the more you progress with your bowl. Despite its high nicotine content, it could be an everyday smoke as no tongue-bite is detected, but this of course is down to your personal preferences. Not quite reaching a 4 star rating, but a very good and honest baccy for what it is: no strings attached here.

This is a very well mannered VaPer. But if you puff away like a run away freight train it can get a bit harsh (but no bite). A very smooth ribbon cut tobacco. The perique falls on the "peppery" side of the spectrum. A good overall blend.

Cornell & Diehl's flagship VaPer. Bayou Morning is a VaPer in the rough. Rich and satisfying. The perique in this blend is closer to sharing center stage rather than merely being a movie extra in the background as it usually is in most VaPers. Robust from start to finish, this perique is raisin, spicy and full; working in tandem with the earthy Virginias to bring about a slight sweetness and tang. Despite it's strength, this is a great morning smoke, paired with black coffee; or great in the evening paired with a good stout brew. It doesn't get the full 4 stars, but it's damn close- 3.4 stars. This should age very nicely.

Delicious, abundant fruity Perique flavour on opening the tin. Beautiful red and bright Virginias in a medium Ribbon Cut. The tin label states: 25 % of Perique. “A whole lot”, is my first thought. Actually, it is far away from being a Perique bomb!

Excellent smoking conditions. I had never ever guessed that there is as much as 25 % of Perique in this mixture. The Perique is always there, fruity and peppery, often taking the lead, but never covers up the Virginias. I can detect bread notes, very little hay and no grass notes. The flavour range of this mixture is limited, but eventually leads to a well balanced, tasteful Va/Per mixture with quite some backbone. Normally I prefer aged, matured, dark Virginias. Nevertheless, these red and bright Virginias are well selected, very tasteful and donate a welcome, light, natural sweetness. No tongue-burns. Soft, pleasant nose-tingle on retro-hale. Nice mouth-feel and aftertaste.

I do not recommend DGT (Delayed Gratification Technique) with this mixture, although it is generally recommendable with Virginias. Here it leads to an unpleasant, acrid taste. Once lit, finish your bowl. Over all a harmonious, tasteful, top level Va/Per mixture. One of the best Perique forward Va/Pers on the market. It’s among my favourites now.

Let me preface this by saying I am not an aromatic lover.

This in side of the span of half a can has become my favorite blend. It has alot of perique to flesh out Virginias and by that I mean if you don't like spicy smoke you will not like this. The Virginia comes through with sweetness and fresh cut hay/ grass, but that being said, you may have to search for anything but the sweetness.

I highly recommend BM to anyone who loves a good bit of flavour with a little complexity although not overly so combined with medium strength.

Side note. If your sinuses are clogged at all this will clear them out quicker than hellfire in the church house.

I feel rather disappointed with this blend. The flavor and aroma is fairly nice but thats where the good stops. It gives me a bite and makes me cough which I find odd because no other tobacco I have tried so far has made me cough. Unfortunately this blend will most likely end up in the trash.

I really have just begun to explore VaPers as a category only smoking Escudo and C&D's Night Train before this. Hence, my review must be considered in that light and as provisional with my rating as perhaps temporary while I sort through those blends I own (C&D Sunday Picnic and Blakney's Arcadian Ribbon) and have not yet tasted or those not yet acquired.

Upon opening my 2 oz. tin of this bulk ribbon blend I was immediately taken with an aroma that said "TOBACCO!". My, my, did I ever like the tin aroma. I packed my Digby half bent billiard - one of three pipes I have designated for VaPers only- and fired it up. If I was expecting an Escudo clone I was in for a surprise. The Perique here is right up front and hit me right off. Now, I do like Perique, but I wasn't sure if I liked this. Escudo seemed more Virginia with Perique where Bayou Morning seemed more Perique with Virginia. The peppery notes hit the back of my mouth and throat quickly. I can describe the difference in other, food-based terms: Escudo's Perique was as spicy as jalapeno peppers whereas Bayou Morning's is more serrano peppers. They are similar but the serrano is a bit sharper. So too, here in Periques.

Bayou Morning's Virginia component was sweetish, but not overly sweet and lacked the VA tang that Escudo has to me. I wasn't sure I really like this one and began to mentally prepare a 2.5 star review.

Then two weeks ago I packed this in a MM Cob I reserve for non-cherry aromatics. I rarely use it and this was a spur of the moment thing. Incredibly the edgy sharp notes disappeared, were mellowed, had the edges knocked off, and I was smoking a wonderfully tasty VaPer that just oozed "tobaaaaaaco". Spicy, balanced taste. Since this discovery Bayou Morning has become my alternate first smoke of the day (the other being C&D Startfordshire). I've nearly finished off my tin and will reorder- probably in the flake form in addition for a better or at least another comparison to Escudo. Night Train, which I like as well did not figure in my comparison, btw. I'm not sure why, really.

All three of the VaPers I've tested so far have replaced aromatics as my trade-off from my usual heavy English. When next I go to a local pow-wow, this is the tobacco I will take as a gift for the tribal elders.

On initial presentation, Bayou Morning extends a simple invitation. The silky ribbony texture, a mellow, sweet-and-sour pouch aroma suggestive of dried fruit, forecast a flavorful experience, and that's what you get. Nothing fancy. Good, sweet virginias with a little spiciness from the perique. Steady, even burning with no harshness or bite. Not the driest smoke I've ever had, it always seemed to finish out with a wet dottle at the end, but no problem. The delicious flavor easily makes up for it. I could smoke this exclusively, were I so inclined.

This is some good vaper blend,I bought a pouch of this stuff and wished I could buy more . The aroma is a fig plum with a weak weak weak ketchup aroma. I lit it and the virginia was sweet and the perique was in the back ground and very consistant.

For me it is a mild vaper compared to Louisana red from pipes and cigars as far as I know so far but a high quality tobac. I am going to buy more soon probably half lb. since I am still trying vapers . very recommended.