Cornell & Diehl Blockade Runner

Very nice tin note exactly as expected of sweet tobacco and rum. The cake crumbled, rubbed out and packed very well. It was perfectly moist, ready to smoke right away. The charring light expanded the tobacco slightly and with a tamp and another light burned well all the way through to (almost) the bottom. No tongue bite, great flavor. It didn't quite burn to gray ash, but I wussed out, it had been awhile since my last smoke, so the nic hit crept up on me. I think it would have finished in gray ash as my stem kept dry enough that I didn't need a pipe cleaner. All in all a very nice smoke and I recommend this tobacco highly. I was pleasantly surprised.

Opened up a tin of this several months back. Bottom label says 9/8/08, it is STILL moist. Filled an Ed Burak small bent prince/tomato briar. Comes in nice sized bricks. Just rub the sides and it forms granules perfect for packing IMHO. Seemed kind of strong in the Burak pipe,had to slow down to appreciate it. As it got to middle bowl it seemed to blossom into a milder va. w/a modicum of strength. When it got to what I thought was ashes it turned around into an extremely enjoyable smoke. Filled up a Ben Wade bent Acorn smooth and walked my grand dog with it. The larger bowl for me seemed to detensify the strength into a delicious Va. It tasted like raisins I assumed from the Red va.s but not as strong as before. Where the smaller pipe didn't allow the blend to develop into a mild good smoke,the larger bowl gave me fantasticness (Funn Dictionary) from the first match. Really can't tell if it's a rum flavor or not. But whatever it is it is great! Possibly the larger bowl and being outside calmed the blend down. Continued it in the car and finished it back in the house. Va. wise I smoke mainly mild pure Va.s,PS Va Longcut,Old Gowrie, Woodstock Races Va.Gentleman.et. al. This fits right in as being a little bit strengthier (Funn Dictionary) but it comes and goes. Nothing detrimental implied. Can't wait to try it in one of my Smooth Peterson Systems. Highly recommended for va. smokers. Pack it light and go slow,as you should w/Va.s. Will get some more at this year's CORPS Show. Burns down to a nice ash. Don't dump it from sight,tamp lightly and re-light..thats when it really gets excellent, just when you think it's done. Going back to my Va. pipes with this one!

If nothing else crumble cakes are fun, sometimes only to experiment with, leave as chunks, rub out, sprinkle on top, what to do? I always picture myself sailing on a schooner in the middle of the Atlantic,(salt water enhances the taste and adventure), while smoking this marvelous blend. My tin arrived as I like to say "ready to load". I broke off chunks and rubbed out a little, packed pipe, sprinkled a little dust on top and sailed away. Some might call this "monochromic", whatever that means pertaining to tobacco, but really is a long lasting taste of smooth Virginias working together for a pleasurable, non-biting, subdued sweet taste of fine Virginias, just like the old days. As a break, sometimes daily, from English and VaPers, the experience of a true Navy cavendish is well worth the time. Truly enjoyable.

The reason I gave this 4 stars partially has to do with the fact that it is what it says it is.This is a wonderful Krumble Kake mixture flavored with rum. It delivers exactly just that in flavor and consistency.

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I am strictly a burley man and actually do not care for most Virginia flakes or mixtures.This however, is excellent! It is the coolest and I mean absolutely no bite Virginia blend on the market.This is in the same league as Stonehaven, or Gawith's Chocolate flake.It is a very natural tasting tobacco with a heavenly room note.This is truly toasty and nutty. Actually, I think the reason I liked it so much was the fact it reminded me more of a burley type flake. The RUM serves as an enhancement to this blend.It is not in any way typical of most "Booze" blends.The rum here is neither sharp or biting. It gives the Va. a wonderful mellow outdoorsy flavor.You "experience" the rum in this blend. If you can imagine Black Frigate without he Turkish and Latakia,you have Blockade Runner.I would recommend this highly to burley lovers and guardedly to Va afficianados. With that being said. This gets 4 of 4 natural tobbacco tasting stars.

The smell out of the tin is pure alcohol. I'm not able to confirm if it is rum or tequila, saque or vodka. For sure there is alcohol in it. I spent few sniffs til i smell some tobacco in the tin.

The brick presentation is beautiful. Not that compressed like 3P, really easy to break apart. Considering it moisture i was expecting a fight to keep it lit but i was wrong, i spent no more than 3 relights and the bowl was ready to smoke.

When lightened the first 1/4 of the bowl gives a mix of flavor, the alcohol is again the main player but here the tobacco show off his strength, after it, the rest of the 3/4 of the bowl is pure tobacco.

Considering that this blend is made of pure Virginians leaf, i was expecting a lower level of nicotine. It tends to burn hot, so it requires a slow cadence, and this is the pace which you will find more flavor coming from the pipe.

There are rough edges, maybe i didn´t leave it drying out time enough as it should, but it doesn't compromise the smoke. As i said, the pace you smoke can change everything. Pure virginias are not my cup of tea, but this one is far away the best i have tried.

Three and half stars.