Cornell & Diehl Black Duck
(2.88)
Richly earthy and woodsy, this blend of unsweetened brown and black Cavendish (specially cured Kentucky Burley), Latakia and Turkish Oriental leaf is a hearty full-bodied blend indeed. Certainly not an elegant smoke, it is nonetheless charming and rather complex once the initial surprise at its strength and earthiness subsides.
Notes: Reminiscent of old original Rattray's Black Mallory.
Details
| Brand | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blended By | Craig Tarler |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | English |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Cavendish, Kentucky, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50g Tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable to Strong
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.88 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Cornell & Diehl - Black Duck.
It's been so long since I smoked Black Mallory so I can draw no comparison. And that was the modern version, so even if I piped it yesterday it would be like a blunt pencil: pointless!
So, the fresh blend appears as a well hydrated, mid-size, fairly uniform, ribbon. The colour's mostly medium brown with a few ribbons showing some diversity by being lighter/darker shades.
The first thing that I found slightly perplexing was the strength; I'm unsure whether the 'surprise at strength' the description mentions is aimed at flavour or nicotine, but I don't find it too strong, and I consider myself to be fairly susceptible to Lady N! The taste is relatively full, and quite complex: the Latakia takes the lead for the initial part of a bowl, giving way to more of the Turkish Oriental as the burn settles. The Kentucky adds to the smokiness, but if I'm honest I don't find it too bad a taste. The Cavendish calms things down, somewhat, by keeping any astringent qualities grounded. I can't acknowledge any sweet notes, it's more of a scabrous flavour.
A negative with Black Duck is the speed, it goes quickly! And the room-note isn't exactly nice.
I'm torn between two and three stars, it's not 'bad', but neither would it make my rotation. I'll go with my gut instinct and give it two, with a view to maybe raising it in a few months.
Somewhat recommended.
It's been so long since I smoked Black Mallory so I can draw no comparison. And that was the modern version, so even if I piped it yesterday it would be like a blunt pencil: pointless!
So, the fresh blend appears as a well hydrated, mid-size, fairly uniform, ribbon. The colour's mostly medium brown with a few ribbons showing some diversity by being lighter/darker shades.
The first thing that I found slightly perplexing was the strength; I'm unsure whether the 'surprise at strength' the description mentions is aimed at flavour or nicotine, but I don't find it too strong, and I consider myself to be fairly susceptible to Lady N! The taste is relatively full, and quite complex: the Latakia takes the lead for the initial part of a bowl, giving way to more of the Turkish Oriental as the burn settles. The Kentucky adds to the smokiness, but if I'm honest I don't find it too bad a taste. The Cavendish calms things down, somewhat, by keeping any astringent qualities grounded. I can't acknowledge any sweet notes, it's more of a scabrous flavour.
A negative with Black Duck is the speed, it goes quickly! And the room-note isn't exactly nice.
I'm torn between two and three stars, it's not 'bad', but neither would it make my rotation. I'll go with my gut instinct and give it two, with a view to maybe raising it in a few months.
Somewhat recommended.
Pipe Used:
Peterson 150th Anniversary P'Lip
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Three months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 21, 2014 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Very Pleasant |
Ribbon cut of about 60% black and 40% various lighter browns. Very deep and rich tin aroma of latakia front and center.
Creamy and smooth, this is not. A clone for Black Mallory, this is not. Where BM is luxurious and silky, this is rough and boisterous. The BM I'm used to is from the 1980's, so perhaps C&D was basing it on an earlier iteration. I don't know but this bears little resemblance to the BM I know... and I cracked an aged tin of it to be sure, plus compared this to the more recent Black Mallory in my rotation. Not much alike, either the aged tin of Black Duck or the new tin.
I found it interesting that the 2013 tin and the 2000 tin exhibited little differences, except that the newer tin was somewhat more moist. Both were latakia forward but not lat bombs. I didn't exactly taste the Kentucky but that could have accounted for the less refined characteristic. The orientals were in a supportive role but were reasonably tasty while the Cavendish did its best to smooth things out. I shudder to think what this would have been like without the Cav. My overall impression is that this is an also-ran in a crowded field, and nowhere near as creamy and lush as the Rattrays. Not recommended as a replacement for Black Mallory, but might be something to try as a standalone. Not terribly interesting to me, however.
Creamy and smooth, this is not. A clone for Black Mallory, this is not. Where BM is luxurious and silky, this is rough and boisterous. The BM I'm used to is from the 1980's, so perhaps C&D was basing it on an earlier iteration. I don't know but this bears little resemblance to the BM I know... and I cracked an aged tin of it to be sure, plus compared this to the more recent Black Mallory in my rotation. Not much alike, either the aged tin of Black Duck or the new tin.
I found it interesting that the 2013 tin and the 2000 tin exhibited little differences, except that the newer tin was somewhat more moist. Both were latakia forward but not lat bombs. I didn't exactly taste the Kentucky but that could have accounted for the less refined characteristic. The orientals were in a supportive role but were reasonably tasty while the Cavendish did its best to smooth things out. I shudder to think what this would have been like without the Cav. My overall impression is that this is an also-ran in a crowded field, and nowhere near as creamy and lush as the Rattrays. Not recommended as a replacement for Black Mallory, but might be something to try as a standalone. Not terribly interesting to me, however.
Pipe Used:
meerschaum and morta
Age When Smoked:
14 years and 1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 02, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
The flavor profile is dominated by a mildly sour woody note. Along with that is a light smokiness and a very mild spice. There is only a hint of sweetness. I find it to be a bit bland and boring as there is basically no evolution as the bowl progresses. Not my cup of tea, but also not something I would toss in the trash. It fits into the "I'll play with it and try to make it better" category.
Medium in body and taste. No added flavoring detected. Burns very well.
Medium in body and taste. No added flavoring detected. Burns very well.
Pipe Used:
Moonshine Stoker, MM Marcus, MM Dwarf
PurchasedFrom:
pipesandcigars.com
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2007 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Unnoticeable |
The flavor of this is that of a pretty straightforward Latakia, with very little complexity. As such it's nice enough. The problem for me was the fact that it tends to smoke hot and wet. Wetness is the bigger problem, and it actually gooped up the bowl of one of my pipes. I got some bite from this as well, which was disappointing, as I enjoyed the flavour. I probably won't be getting any more of this.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 05, 2009 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Overwhelming | Strong |
I love many of C&D's blends, but this one is sad to say, not one of them. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not the tobacco blend that is the problem, it's a strong blend more suited to someone who prefers the stronger unflavored blends. I gave the remainder of the tin to a buddy at work who loves this. So, get this if this kind of smoke is your thing, it just isn't mine.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 04, 2001 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Strong |
I've dedicated a pipe to this blend for over a month now, and have noticed a difference from my first reaction to this blend. As I found to begin with, it ends flat, but the real complexity of the blend is now apparent from the charring light. It starts out with an earthy body but a noticeably mossy-sweet overtone. (This combination of tastes somehow reminds me of sweet beef jerky.) These qualities of earthiness and sweetness play at each other throughout most of the smoke, but by the very last portion of the bowl the play is dead and the smoke becomes boring. I don't find this blend to be exactly pleasant, nor do I find it repugnant. Black Duck is, for the most part, intriguing--the interplay of contrasting flavors keeps my attention through most of the bowl. I would recommend trying C&D's _Black Duck_, but be willing to let your pipe and palate adjust if you don't like it at first.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 13, 2021 | Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
I had high hopes for this one. C&D blends have been hit or miss for me. This one I put on the left side of decent.
Some bowls that I have the ingredients marry and its a pleasurable smoke. Other bowls just never mesh and it feels like the tobaccos are fighting for a divorce.
I found it to be on the higher side for nicotine and it did behave well in the pipe.
Just not my thing, with all the English blends out there I won't buy it again.
Some bowls that I have the ingredients marry and its a pleasurable smoke. Other bowls just never mesh and it feels like the tobaccos are fighting for a divorce.
I found it to be on the higher side for nicotine and it did behave well in the pipe.
Just not my thing, with all the English blends out there I won't buy it again.
Pipe Used:
Briars and cobs
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking pipes
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
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