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Cornell & Diehl's Stratfordshire, a medium strength blend of red and lemon Virginia, latakia, Turkish, and black cavendish, is evocative of long strolls through the hills and the moorlands of its namesake.
Favorite Of 1 Users
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demetri (113) |   |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Billed as a "Medium English" I wonder what C&D's 015 Mild English could possibly be as this innocuous blend seems more of a "Light" or even Ultra-light itself to me. It's not offensive in any manner. Just smoke, plain and simple (and not a huge quantity of that due to quick, dry burn). Sort of a "generic" English, but less tasty than I'd hoped for. Recommend a very thick walled pipe for this because your pipe will heat up, way up, quickly. I'll be moving on in my quest for my quintessential everyday smoke
Update 7/24/09: I'm kicking the rating up here a star as I'm smoking more of this than I anticipated and liking it more.
Update 12/27/09: After acquiring a resupply and putting Stratfordshire through a longer test I must adjust some of my ratings. I am bumping the Taste up to medium and wish to state that to me now it seems more robust in nicotine. It could well fill an all-day role in my world. I wish Presbyterian tasted as this does as what I found wrong with that this corrects. Yes, Stratfordhire is in England but it does have a Scottish flair to it. It is still at 3 stars but think 3.5 All in all, a most MM965-like smoke.
22 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Gentleman Zombie (729) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is one of the best medium English blends I have had the pleasure to smoke. The Latakia and the Turkish are well balanced and nicely supported by the Virginias and Black Cavendish. Along with the usual underlying sweetness is a note of lightly buttered toast. Simply delicious. If you like English blends you just have to try this. I can't recommend this any higher.
Pipe Used: MM General, MM Country Gentleman
Age When Smoked: fresh bulk
Purchased From: smokingpipes.com
21 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Fumatore (49) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
An excellent medium English. I like the way the Virginias and the Black Cavendish intertwine and smooth out the Latakia and Turkish. The Black Cavendish is nicely sprinkled in here. There is no bite, and you will appreciate a rich and creamy smoke. No oriental overload here.
As a long-time lover of the most perfect blend ever conceived, Murray's Dunhill 965, I can understand the association with Stratfordshire. Certainly not the same, but they have similar characteristics. Ever since the demise of the Murray's 965 I believe I have smoked every tobacco that anyone has mentioned is 965 like (that would be literally dozens of blends). Stratfordshire is probably the closest and is excellent tobacco. If you are the thrifty type, you will find Stratfordshire a great deal in bulk.
My original review 11 years ago rated this as a 3 star tobacco but having smoked this more recently I have to upgrade to a solid 4 stars.
Pipe Used: Mostly premium Italian briar
19 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Archdeacon Grantly (4) | |
Medium | Medium | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is an underrated English blend, in my opinion. It reminds me of Dunhill's 965 with it's VA's, orientals, latakia and cavendish. A very pleasant, medium bodied blend that satisfies. I don't understand why it isn't more highly rated here, except that C&D have so many blends, the result is fewer ratings on all of them, I guess.
14 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| A. Morley (97) | |
Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
I was quite satisfied by this English offering, though not as much as I would have liked. For the perfect example of this style of blend, I would recommend C. Fairmorn's Sundowner Mixture.
There is just something about the classic, straightforward English blend that hasn't done it for me in years. I can realize objectively that a base of bright Virginia with Latakia and Turkish can be good in all that it is expected to attain, but I am always left wanting something just a bit different. A few variations on that classic theme are always interesting. Such is the case with Stratfordshire.
The base of red Virginia as opposed to bright lends a bit more sweet complexity to the flavor, and a goodly amount of Cornell & Diehl's black Cavendish manages to impart a few more pleasant surprises. The effect of these two components working with the condimental leaf was rather enthralling. For a time one would have the soft, warming sweetness of a quality aromatic. It would then, of a sudden, give way over to a dark, smoky Scottish sort of flavor with the dusky sweetness only lingering in back of the heady Orientals. This combination would repeat throughout the bowl and leave me intrigued, if not a little fatigued at times.
Regards,
A. Morley Jaques
14 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| point9 (114) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is told to be similar as Murray's MM965. I only smoked the Orlik version, and by no doubt Stratfordshire is way better than that. If Murray's version of MM965 tastes better than this one, I am totally convinced of all the hypes it gets. I think this is one of the best English blends that C&D have ever created.
13 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| StevieB (2080) | |
Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Cornell & Diehl - Stratfordshire.
If you're on the 'look out' for a great, anytime of day, English, step right up!
Like the picture here the ribbons have been well rubbed and there are more brown and light brown pieces than black. As it's from bulk, and been in my tobacco cupboard for a few weeks, it's achieved perfect hydration.
The flavour from Stratfordshire is very pleasing. The Latakia and Turkish outweigh the other tobaccos, but it isn't a caustic smoke. The Virginias and black Cavendish give the smoke a sweet edge, which works wonderfully with the smoky, creamy, leading flavour from the Latakia and Turkish. As a bowl burns to the finish the smoke takes on a toffee-like nuance. The burn is exceptional: steady, quite slow, cool, producing a bite-free smoke.
Nicotine: medium at a push. Room-note: not the worst.
Stratfordshire? Simple, highly recommended:
Four stars.
Pipe Used: Dr Plumb Quintex
Age When Smoked: Three weeks
Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com
11 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| SmokeKing David (134) | |
Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I usually do not try latakia blends that contain black cavendish, but decided to give this a whirl. I am glad I did, because this is a very smooth blend. The black cav did not add any kind of artificial sweetness, but rather cooled and thickened the smoke. I breezed through a sample and had to get more.
Govern Yourself Accordingly
11 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Antonius Blok (192) | |
Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
An English (or Balkan?) mixture so smooth that it can be smoked with gusto at any time of the day. This characteristic smoothness means that after lighting the pipe, at the beginning of the smoke it may seem that it is going to be a somewhat insipid or boring mixture, but as it progresses, the cumulative flavor surprises with its roundness and the perfect balance between its ingredients.
Despite the above, the latakia and the slightly buttery orientals are the ones that predominate during the smoke but without one sticking out with respect to the other, the virginias providing a bit of sweetness and the Cavendish some body and roundness.
Although it has similarities with other English blends, I would say that Stratfordshire has a personality of its own, so it is recommended to try it, without disappointing.
Although at night I usually smoke a mixture with a more noticeable load of latakia, this is perfect for me to include in my rotation during the day, interspersing it between other non-latakied mixtures.
Pipe Used: Stanwell H.C. Andersen
Age When Smoked: Unknown
7 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Jorge Soler (202) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
It looks like a great idea to bring all of these components together (bright Virginia, burley, Oriental and Latakia leaf). Stratfordshire feels like a mild aro without any additives, that is, just plain unflavoured tobacco. The addition of unsweetened black Cavendish seems to counterbalance its dark profile, introducing a sweet dimension into the formula. The Latakia seems to be added with proper measure so as to not overwhelm or take over. Also, there is this creaminess coming and going. I can see how this tobacco could be added into my rotation and become a favourite. This is truly remarkable. Highly recommended.
7 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| tleek (51) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I have sampled probably about 12-15 Cornell and Diehl Blends. I was on a C&D kick for a while where I smoked virtually nothing but their blends. When I first got this one, It did not really impress me. In maybe 6 months or so I smoked less than half of the two ounce sample. I remember it being harsh, and pretty generic.
But today I am smoking a bowl and it is very pleasant. Not the least bit harsh. The cavendish really does make this blend,it makes it fantastically. I do not know if the roughly six months of aging in its original ziplock bag helped refine this blend, or if my tastes have just changed but this blend it very good and i recommend it to all.
Still, like most C&D bulk blends, this not some exotic incredible blend, with subtle nuances, that...etc. No, C&D english blends are for the most part dry, rough, no nonsense tobacco blends. They do not give the same experience of more "Luxury" type tinned blends which leave you impressed with their finesse. Instead this blend is what it is, a delicious, no nonsense, pure tasting tobacco, which to me at least, makes me feel like I am smoking something from a long ago and simpler time.
It is a pleasant middle of the road english which I am sure most of you will at least slightly enjoy!
7 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| rogerrodger (2) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a delicious English, blend, smooth and flavorful. I don't know enough yet about the different tobaccos that make it taste this way, but whatever the contribution of the types, it is great. It has a definite nutty sweet flavor with the smokiness of the Latakia. It lit well and only needed one or two relights. In my cob it got hot toward the bottom of the bowl, but it was undoubtedly my technique. In my Savinelli basket pipe it was fine. I will be buying 6 or 8 ounces soon. As is noted above, it is a great bargain in bulk.
Pipe Used: Savinelli basket and MM cob
Age When Smoked: unknown
Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com
6 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Jaro caro caro (1) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
An extraordinary Balkan mix. A creamy oriental with a balanced measure of latakia and sweet virginias, the burley enhances, strengthens and makes the mix addictive. All topped with sugar-free Black Cavendish leaves that make the mix delicious. More complex than the 965, much more robust and tasty. It is important to smoke in a large bowl because of its cut, it is how the tobaccos develop best. . Stratforshire is the great unknown.
Pipe Used: Sherlock Holmes Original
Similar Blends: Cornell & Diehl - Super Balkan, Arango - Balkan Supreme.
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Country Bladesmith (18) | |
Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Jar notes: pretty much mostly smoke from the Latakia. You can smell the Turkish leaf also. Smells like a Balkan blend.
The bouquet doesn’t lie. As soon as the flame touches the leaf, you get smoky Latakia and buttery, spicy Turkish. Although at first, this seems to be a very “airy” blend, and a bit too light, it builds flavor and character quickly in the first quarter of the bowl, to the point that I would agree with its billing as a medium English. The burley adds a nice backbone to the mixture, and the black cavendish helps tie everything together and smooth any rough edges. There is a mild, natural sweetness from the Virginias that is pleasant, but it is hard to pick apart the characteristics of the red vs the lemon here. The Latakia and Turkish are a bit too heavy for my palate to do that, but it’s not a complaint. The blend is great. There is a bit of spice, though it’s hard for me to discern if it’s from the Turkish or the burley. Not much nicotine here, but lots of nice Balkan-like interplay between the Turkish and the Latakia. Very nice.
Pipe Used: Briar
Age When Smoked: Fresh
Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com
Similar Blends: Arango - Balkan Supreme.
4 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| OutSmokin' Rauscher (1) | |
Medium | None Detected | Extra Full | Very Strong |
I'm not sure how others think this is a mild English blend as I find it very robust and strong tasting. I also smoke Seattle Pipe Club's Potlatch and find they are very similar in taste. They have all the same ingredients except Potlatch includes some Perique. The finer cut of Stratfordshire allows a more cohesive flavor, whereas Potlatch has more variety of different flavors with the coarse cut. I was surprised how good this blend was and for the price. This blend is quite delicious and would recommend to everyone who enjoys English blends, especially when this comes in bulk!
Pipe Used: cob, various briars
Age When Smoked: 6 month old bulk from manufacturing
Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com
Similar Blends: Potlatch.
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| nodrog (3) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
A great blend for me. Not to strong with the latakia just the right amount. A blend where you can taste the other tobacco's equally. I detect a little sweet taste not from any kind of flavoring, but probably from the Virginia/Black Cavendish. It's pretty much an all day smoke for me. Tongue bite is non existent for me. Give it a try and you just might have a new favorite blend.
Pipe Used: Ferndown
Age When Smoked: 1 year
Purchased From: Smoking pipes
Similar Blends: Presbyterian Mixtute - Presbyterian Mixture.
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| porshcigar (44) | |
Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Another great C&D Blend. Great taste from a blend that lights easily, burns cool and dry, to a fine gray ash. Worthy of 4 star rating.
3 people found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| cwbristow (10) | |
Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Got 1 oz of this from smokingpipes.com to try. Could def smell the latakia and VA in it when I put my nose into the bag. I also noticed the VA is a broken flake in this mixture. I broke those flakes slightly more before packing to match the consistency of the other tobaccos. Moisture content was almost perfect right out of the bag. Lit very well and required very few relights.
This was very nice from the initial light. They call it an English, and although this has black cavendish in it, it does in fact have a distinct "english" flavor. In the beginning I could taste the VA in it very much, but that diminished as I went through the bowl.
I thought this may be similar to Scotty's Stonewall (which is a very American blend), but it stays very much on the English side of things. Not as sweet as Stonewall either.
Strength and taste are medium at the very most. Mostly between mild and medium. The cavendish performs as it always does in these blends which is to meld and mellow everything out in a way that I like since I love american blends.
This has something to offer for those that like a light english, and also those that like an american blend. Not a Lata powerhouse, but again it tastes more of an english due to the amount of latakia and turkish in it. Makes this a nice blend on its own to try.
This could very much be a contender for my rotation if this gets better as I go through my small supply. It's good enough to def look forward to finishing what I have. Def an all day smoke.
Left slight moisture in the bottom of the bowl, but tasted no moisture at all through the stem. Def no gurgling either. Will update as I finish what I have on hand.
Pipe Used: Nording 2012 Hunter
Age When Smoked: new bulk
Purchased From: smokingpipes.com
1 person found this review helpful.
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Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
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| Emeritus Account (30167) | |
Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
nothing but good straight forward english (medium) smoke.
1 person found this review helpful.
600 Perdue Ave
Richmond, VA 23224