Cornell & Diehl Red Odessa

This is truly an unusual blend. I find the flavor of the Turkish tobaccos dominate this blend and the perique adds a nice spice to it. The Latakia is way in the background, more a spice than a dominent player. The Va adds it's sweetness to the blend, but is also a background player in the blend. My first taste upon lighting up was the sweetand sour flavor of the Turkish tobaccos, it is full bodied without being harsh and it has little bite to it. Moist it is hard to keep lit and is a bit overwhelming but when allowed to dry out, it becomes a sweet and creamy blend that rolls off the tongue and leaves a great flavor in the mouth. TRhe room note is a little atrong and spicey but otherwise it is not going to make enemies as the Latakia is not dominating and lends little to the aroma. In the pouch the tobacco is a rough ribbon cut in various shades of brown with the occational dark leaf and here and there a greeen color. it is strong and sweet sour smelling in the pouch and dry it loads and lights well so I have to say one must let it dry to get the most out of this blend. It smokes clean down to a grey ash rimmed by a dark grey to black. It leaves very little dottle in the bottom of the pipe. Towards the bottom of the bowl, it loses some of the Turkish flavor and the VA and Perique comes to the top. All in all this is a pleasant smoke and I recommend trying it.