Cornell & Diehl Bayou Night

While generally a fan of C&D blends, this one just didn't impress me. Certainly not a VaPer, but rather a hybrid. That's fine- lots of great hybrids out there. Not sure, however, that this is one of them. My sample had some age on it and was well-dried.

The red Virginias are pronounced in this one, making for some bite, particularly in the first third of the bowl. As the reds settle down, the Latakia becomes more pronounced. But the harmony of this blend seems lacking. When compared to a Balkan with Perique (Frog Morton on the Bayou, SPC Plum Pudding), it falls short. When compared to a hybrid Va//Bur/Per such as Haddo's Delight or Acadian Perique, it falls short. Compared to a Va/Per/Oriental such as Cairo, it falls short. The only audience for this tobacco to which it could be recommended (and it's a stretch) would be lovers of H&H Freight Train who also want to taste some Latakia in the blend.

Contrary to the tin description, this blend smokes hot (especially in the first half of the bowl) and definitely needs to be sipped slowly. About mid-way through the bowl, the blend seems to gel a bit as the ingredient tobaccos struggle to reach some form of harmony. But it just doesn't come together for me until the bottom third of the bowl where some compromise among the tobaccos seems to be reached. But it's short-lived. The finish, around the final quarter or tenth of the bowl, is flat. Overall, I find the Latakia gets in the way of the Perique, to the detriment of both. So much so that I find it hard to believe this is a 50% Perique blend (according to a reviewer below).

For Latakia lovers, there are much better blends. For VaPer lovers seeking something extra, there are much better blends. Not sure what niche this blend is seeking to fill, but it seems a solution in search of a problem.

Two stars in deference to those who enjoy this type of in-your-face, red- forward, hot blend with a dash of Latakia.

If you have read any of my previous reviews, you will notice that Perique generally causes me allergic reactions. Well, in this blend it did so with a vengeance. I was only able to smoke two bowls before giving the rest away. It seems to be a high quality blend, but was too much for this piper. Old Joe Krantz seems to be the limit of how much Perique I can handle in a blend without having to go to Emergency... go figure. For you Periqueaholics, this may be "your" blend. Give it a shot.

The dancing bear is remarkable not for how well it dances, but that it dances at all. As earlier reviewers have said, it is amazing that this blend, with its large percentage of perique, is as smooth and smokable as it is. True, true. But, it does not mean that this is a particularly smooth tobacco in absolute terms. As noted, this is quality tobacco that smokes dry and quite cool with no bite from the Virginias. The perique gets overbearing for me by mid-pipe, though, and I cannot smoke this regularly. I normally like the spicy nip of perique, but this one was too much for me. There is also a firm nicotine kick here that prevents BN from being a regular smoke for me. A pouch of this is an interesting experience that I may decide to repeat some day. I will need a rest first, though.

I find the individual components are hard to pinpoint, but it is quite a harmonious blend. Full in body and taste, it is mightily meaty, and generous in Vitamin N. It does not bite, and burns Cooley down to a dry and white ash. A bit too in-my-faced or my taste, despite my love for Latakia, I see it’s wide appeal.

I've smoked C&D's perique-forward offerings, and really love C&D's approach to perique. That said, as contrasted with Bayou Morning, Kajun Kake, and Chenet Cake, this one is the one I'm not buying more of.

The definition of a "Scottish" blend appears to be akin to a "Balkan" blend -- an oriental-forward take on an english. Bayou Night touts a heavy dose of perique, which is absolutely true. I love perique, so all good.

This mixture lives up to those concepts -- oriental and perique far forward. The Latakia is barely there, maybe just in a little smokiness. The virginias may be adding the fruit, but I taste a lot of the same fruits in a bowl of pure perique. It's spicy, yes, and sour-tangy from the orientals, and you can definitely taste the mustiness of the perique, which is nice.

All that said, the flavors just don't meld together for me. Personal taste, yes, but I taste oriental and then perique and then oriental and then perique -- no marriage of the notes, to my palate. And if I want oriental, I'll smoke Smyrna or Exotique. If I want perique, I prefer the creaminess of Chenet Cake or the paprika of Bayou Morning or the unsweet chocolate flavors of Kajun Kake.

I have no doubt this is someone's ideal mixture. If you're not hunting a big latakia or big virginia sweetness, but enjoy the tang of orientals and a good dose of perique, this may be perfect for you. It's just not checking any "must have" boxes for me, so I'll finish these tins and move along.

I generally like C&D blends, but this one is just okay for me. Way too strong, high nicotine content, difficult to keep lit, and the Perique seems too much for me! I'm sorry because this was recommended to me by a great friend, and all his other suggestions were great. Not this one.

I'm puzzled by this blend. It's supposed to have latakia in it. Usually I am quite sensitive to latakia. I can't detect any. The blend is quite strong in flavor (from the burley and the red virginia) and in nicotine. I find the perique very subdued. Perhaps this is because of the batch I got. Others have commented on the heavy-handed approach to latakia in it.

More than anything else Bayou Night reminds me of Exhausted Rooster, sans flake and whatever topping is on that blend. Both are tasty, but I prefer Exhausted Rooster.

Somewhat recommended.

Interesting blend indeed! The perique is the main player, the burley provides the body and the scant amount of virginia and turkish provide the "condiment" note. The latakia is very present in the pouch scent, but while smoking, it rarely raises its head.

This blend takes well to certain pipes while in others it tends to be bland or bitey or just plain nasty. I have found it performs best in a tall (chimney), straight billiard. This tobacco is also quite picky about how you load your bowl. If you just "stuff it and puff it" you are not going to get a great smoke. If you take your time and dry it to perfection, rub it out well and uniformly then practice the Frank method it is worth the effort. The taste ranges from those found in a good Cuban cigar to figs and even burnt sugar.

This is a tobacco to savor with a stiff bourbon like Wild Turkey or Makers Mark. If you plan on just clenching and puffing, this ain't the stuff my friend. The nicotine kick is considerable even for die-hard pipers. DGT this a half-hour and you WILL get a nic-rush!

Component tobaccos are of good (not great) quality and the cut is a haphazard mixture so rubbing out to a uniform texture is logical.

All things considered, this is worth trying as all C&D tobaccos are, whether you like it is just a matter of personal taste.

Like many of the C&D English blends, this needs to be smoked with respect. It has a real nicotine kick and smoked too quickly can be harsh. Not an all-day smoke in my opinion but to be sipped with a malt before bedtime.