Cornell & Diehl Boker Or - Morning Light

This a really interesting blend and one that I find I like a lot. It has the seet taste of the orientals and VA but with a bit of spiceyness from the perique. The smoke is very thick and mild, bite free in every way, yet the flavor somes through in a full, enjoyable way. In the pouch the aroma is very spicey and musky, and is composed of short strands of ribbon cut and flakes of all different colors from light khaki to a dark brown. The moisture content is perfect and it loads into a pipe very easy. It lights easy as well but I found that if I did not puff consistantly it would go out so requires relights. It does burn down to a light grey powdery ash and has no dottle at the bottom of the bowl. The room note is very spicey and the perique gives the aroma it's note, so some may not like it but I do. I could not get this blend to bite and I tried. It just burns at a nice slow rate and is a pleasure to smoke. I find this goes great with coffee or a red wine and once I have smoked a bowl, I want more of it. The aftertaste on the tongue is fantastic. It is a little light on the "N" factor but still satisfies. This blend will appeal to VaPer lovers and Oriental lovers but not those that have to have a strong lat fix. What you get is a sweet mild smoke that I highly recommend trying.

Morning Light/ Boker Or is a very nice natural tasting tobacco. Comes ribbon cut, in differing sizes and contains brown leafs of hues from light to dark. Tin note is natural woodsy with tangy notes of fermentation and raisiny fruit. A little bit on the moist side but can be smoked easily as is it or dried according to preference.

Lighting is easy as is the draw. As I said the taste is completely of natural tobacco. The taste is spicy and a little bit cigar like – as is the room note. To me it tastes more like a Burley blend with Orientals and Perique than a Va/Oriental blend. That said, however, Morning Light has a sweetness that most Burley blends lack – could be the influence of the sweetened Cavendish though I do not taste Cavendish as such. The same I must say about the Orientals, I do not know which strand they use but I do not taste much of the Oriental fragrance. I am not doubting the ingredients are as advertised, I just state my impression of the tobacco and I do like it a lot. It sure goes nice with coffee though I find it a little strong for my taste as a first smoke in the day. Strength, like nicotine, has to be on the right side of medium. I did not experience any tongue bite and though overall a smooth tobacco it has some edges, a mild bitterness and some sharpness which some may find attractive. Room note is heavy as I can attest as a friend was smoking the tobacco in my presence, very cigar-like, but for me quite pleasant.

Overall a very satisfying tobacco. Considering the different cuts, it reminds me a little of Pease’s Barbary Coast minus the rum flavouring. As I said, Morning Light tastes to me more like a Burley than a Virginia…

UPDATE 4/11/09 Opened a tin of Boker Orr this week that was pressed by C&D three years ago. This is an extraordinary blend that has mellowed beyond my highest expectations. I cannot overstate the unique and exceptional flavor of this blend which deserves a good deal more attention.

ORIGINAL REVIEW 8/10/06 The particular combination of tobaccos in Boker Or is one that I've not seen elsewhere. The perique and orientals provide body to this somewhat sweet (but not cloyingly so) blend.

The tobacco arrives at the perfect moisture level and smokes cool and dry to the bottom of the bowl without a hint of bite.

I'm not sure I agree with the blender's comment "of a real perique presence;" the perique is there but it does play in the background.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy Virginia blends.

Another of the well made Hebraica series blends from C&D. What a lovely smoke. Quite unlike other Perique blends I've tried. This is a great Perique-laden tobacco which I recommend to all Perique lovers. Not so much like a VaPer plend, since the Virginia doesn't take the drivers seat. Moisture content is on the drier side but perfect. In a small bowl, can likely finish with a only a couple lights. Very satisfying, and rich in flavour. The orientals and perique complement each other very well. The cavendish adds volume and a very subtle but balanced sweetness.