Cornell & Diehl Briar Fox

This is terrific stuff - earthy and deep. It has given me new appreciation for Virginias and for the pipe in general.

Okay, I will join the debate.

First, I am always amazed at how different folks feel about the same tobacco. Kinda gives a new meaning to "truth", and pardon the philosophy.

I find this tobacco to be a wonderful blend, worthy of those special moments, when you want to settle into something really tasty, and you have the time to do so.

In the tin, this blend has a really earthy, almost farm-like quality to it. That is the first hint I might like it.

It is a nice cake, that crumbles and rubs out easily. Initially, out of the can, I think it needs just a small amount of hydration, which I do with one of those little aluminum pouch hydrator things, which I keep in the can.

Upon my first try, I had the sense this tobacco was too dry, and had too much nicotine, but first impressions are not always the best impressions. Sometimes you just gotta get to know something better.

Upon subsequent tries, this tobacco came to life. A little hydration, a calm, slow, relaxed, and purposeful smoke brought out the best in this gem. And smoked slowly, the nicotine will leave you alone. Rush this, and it is another story

Rich, ever so slightly sweet, and full bodied Virginia flavors envelop you for the duration of your smoke. Just good solid tobacco flavors here folks, the likes of which will keep you returning again and again. Just relax, enjoy it slowly, and smile. This one is a winner. Highly recommended.

P.S. I am learning now to smoke pipe tobacco more slowly, more purposefully, and with a more relaxed attitude. The reward for doing so is finding all those flavors and nuances that have always been there, but that can definitely be missed by too fast and too vigorous puffing. Likewise, smoke it right, and you will be left with all the impressions a great tobacco can leave, rather than the haze the nicotine can immerse you in!!!

Notes: Originally blended by Cornell & Diehl for the pipemaker Peter Heeschen, this blend is thankfully available to the rest of us as well, as a secret too good to keep should be. I have smoked a number of tins of this as well as the bulk version, all of which I found similar. I like it best in a tall narrow briar pipe, as the blend seems to prefer a small bowl.

Appearance: Unusual. A dryish uncased plug, essentially. This blend comes as a "crumble cake" (i.e., a block of tobacco pressed from small flakes), usually a few inches on a side. Moisture content varies but, as with all Cornell & Diehl blends, is on the dry side. It is easy enough to peel a few layers off of the cake and crumble them up to fill a pipe with the rubbed out mixture, which is a complex mix of light brown, reddish, and darker brown leaves.

Aroma: Sweet raisin, brown sugar, prunes, cherries, fresh plums, maple syrup, Brown Bread, Boston Baked Beans.

Taste: Very soft and gentle flavor on the palate, though it can burn a bit if puffed too hard. Nutty, smoky, sour, ashy. Figs, vinegar, salt, fresh bread, walnut shells.

Comparisons: Like DAN's Hamborger Veermaster, this presents itself as a working man's blend, but with a warmer, fuller complexion. The leaf is of high quality, equal to Gawith's Full Virginia Flake, but it lacks the same elegance, having a more woodsy feel.

Bottom Line: A under-rated blend, that rates among the best, but which needs to be appreciated on its own merits. If you are seeking a full, rich "working man's" Virginia blend, you should try a tin of this.

I found Briar Fox in a sample pack I had ordered through C&D. I had several very good tobaccos in this package, but saved the Briar Fox till the end because it came tucked away in a can. Well, long story short, I eventually opened the can, smoked two bowlfuls, and immediately rushed the can to my friend, Joe, who happens to be my friendly neighborhood tobacconist.

"You gotta try this, Joe. I got this in a sample pack from Cornell and Diehl"

"Okay, sure, I'll give it a try."

Within a few minutes Joe's eyes had the same look of pleasure that I imagined I had when I first sampled the tobacco.

"Hey! This is good! It has kind of a "woody-nutty" taste!"

"That's exactly what I said, except I thought it had a "nutty-woody" taste!"

Long story short, Briar Fox became a staple of the store. Any newcomer who longed to try a "good Virginian" was referred to this blend. Soon, even Latakia smokers were seen purchasing a can of the Briar Fox!

In addition to tasting "nutty-woody" this tobacco also has the advantage of coming in convenient crumble cake form. I find the cakes sufficiently moist and easy to rub out. Many of my fellow pipe smokers tend to rub a cake or two out upon openning the can. My experience is that it stays moist enough to "pre-rub" for a surprisingly long time, but I got into the habit of grabbing a piece of the cake a little at a time.

My only warning is that, because this blend is pure Virginia, it burns on the hot side and should definitely be smoked slowly.

So....judge for yourself....is Briar Fox "woody-nutty" or "nutty-woody"? Tastes great....or less filling?

Briar Fox like the tin reads Exceptionally Smooth! I enjoy the twang at the top but the best part is the round full finish.Perfect moisture.DGT works well.Note all three of the tins I have smoked had over a year of age.

This was my personal favorite. Crisp...fresh. All tobacco flavors are somewhat subdued, but present.

*** update *** I have demoted Briar Fox, having found that newer tins had a tendency to burn a little hot. It still is a part of the diet, but has been usurped by Royal Yacht as the principle.

This Virginia brings to mind Three Friars, Bayou Morning and Pease's Stratford without the Perique. It is a very straight Virginia with the a distinctive red wine element which I find in some of the C&D tobaccos. This could be an all day smoke for the Va. lover. It is a tobacco I will be coming back to over the years. Paddy.

Man this is a smooth VA, there is a bit of strength here from sweet Miss Nicci belied by its smooth, mild mannered nature. Sure is a great smoker though, with its subtle lemon-peppery zest...