Cornell & Diehl Engine 99

I've only had this out of the tin -- and many tins of this I do have -- it's just fantastic stuff. Rich, creamy smoke -- a perfectly blended, classic English that I reach for any time of day, all year round. 4-stars.

This is Pairate Kakes little brother, not quite as strong , but still a pretty good amount of Latakia, the Red odessa really tones it down tho

I'm nearing the end of the two ounces I recently ordered, and this one is right up there with Pirate Kake for me, as I'm a big fan of heavy latakia blends. My wife likes the smell too, whenever I'm smoking it she thinks someone is grilling with hickory wood or using their fireplace. After smoking a couple bowls of this the other night and coming home from work the next day, we were greeted with a very fireplace-esque room note upon re-entering the apartment.

However, wifey dearest does not like how it makes my breath smell, so be sure to keep some mints on hand just in case!

All-in-all, I love the depth that this blend offers and will definitely be ordering more of it in the near future!

This is a Balkan? OK, that aside, this is a nice, smooth heavy Latakia blend. It smokes very well, and nice and cool.

If you like a lot of Latakia, it's here. Not much in the way of complexity, but plenty of flavor throughout the bowl.

I liked Engine #99, I'll keep some on hand.

This is by far one of my favorite tobaccos-- I don't know if it comes in a tin, I've always smoked it in bulk. Regardless, its delicious for those who like a full-powered tobacco.

As an English blend, its got a certain spiciness to it that reminds me of some Balkans. When filling the bowl, I noticed (like many of Cornell & Diehl's tobaccos) I thought the strands seemed extremely dry. However, this is NOT the case when you smoke it-- it does not burn too quick or too hot.

Some people say this is one very strong by the time you finish the bowl-- I think because I am constantly setting my pipe down and smoking slowly however I am not getting the entire punch of the nicotine as some others.

Note on Room Note: I work in a tobacco shop, so I'm not sure what others make of the aroma-- they're too busy smoking themselves!

Taste- complex, but not "busy". Overall, very satisfying-- HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION.

General Comment for All C&D Blends. So far, all my samples have burned clean and dry. They contain quality ingredients. If purchased fresh from C&D, I find that I must adjust the moisture content, and let them rest for 3-6 months before sampling. They change flavor dramatically in just a few months.

Engine #99 is listed as similar to Balkan Sobranie 759. My sample is now 5 months old. In appearance, there is a full range of light to dark ribbons and flakes. The pouch aroma is definitely one of a deep heavy English blend with plenty of Latakia. Packs and lights with ease. The flavor is deep, rich, heavy, and wonderful for those that tend to favor English Latakia blends. It has a decent nicotine content. As long as one is careful, there is no bite. Flavor is consistent from top to near the bottom of the bowl. The very bottom of the bowl tends to be a bit stronger. Typically, my sample burns clean to the bottom leaving a very dry white-grey ash without any re-lights. This is definitely one of my favorite C&D blends. For experienced smokers that enjoy rich English blends, I highly recommend Engine #99.

The strong smell of Latakia hits you as you open the container, but rest assured it's tempered in the smoking. Up front is the woody almost musty flavor.Not harsh or overwhelming in any way. It's a pleasure to all English blend smokers. The Orientals can easily be detected but are not as perfume like smelling as other blends. They do give the hint of spice in the smoke. The Burley gives a slightly nutty taste that is pleasant. The slight sweetness that comes and goes from the Virginias plays on the tongue. It arrived a bit dry but smoked well and cool. No residue left at the end. Overall an excellent blend for the English smoker who wants a bit more Latakia smokiness in his day. Plus it's available in bulk form. What more can you ask for?

I love this blend and smoke it all the time great English/Balkan for a steel...I was looking to create my own blend, an English/American Exotic.. For an all day smoke to replace cigarettes.and I had something very specific in mind, I've smoked a lot of English/Balkan blends and love them I also enjoy a good vaper. So, I wanted something with a decent Latakia rich flavor but not over powering I also was looking for a Perique payload.. But not over the top either... Engine#99 the bastard child of Red Odessa and Pirate kake is an inexpensive bulk blend by Cornell & Diehl and was just what I was looking for, for Part One.. Part Two was Haunted Bookshop another great bulk deal by C&D Bookshop and 99 use the same tobaccos in different proportion with the exception of 99 has Latakia and Oriental/Turkish.. They are both Burley, Virginia, Perique.. Again in different ratios.. So, after experimenting for about 6 months I came up with an all day blend that I absolutely love.. It seems to me these two blends were made for each other.. My mix is Haunted Bookshop forward at 50% Engine#99 at 30% and here's the one that will start an all day argument with the Tobacco Purists 20% Lane Limited BCA Before you go nuts,, I am 100% with ya,, I like my whiskey straight.. But.. I've been in the Engine room of the restaurant bizz since the mid 70s if I've learned anything it's how to combine flavors and ask any chef msg is not off the table as a flavor boost,, we spike sauces with sardines and chicken livers and you never know it but they amp the flavors through the roof. That's what BCA does for this blend. It elevates the fermented fruit flavors in the Perique almost to a Dark Rum but "Not Sweet"... It also rounds it off and creates a rich and creamy smoke.. I'm not sure but, I think it smokes cooler.. Better room note for sure.. I added BCA slowly over a long period of time in small batches using a kitchen scale and made notes when I could finally detect it in there I backed it up a few grams and made my big batch using the same care.. so I can't really tell it's in there other than a fleeting bca ghost Now and then but I like that it's illusive and keeps me looking for it to show itself... Usually in the room note. Well, that's my all day smoke its better than the flavor vision I had in my head..( Wet hay, Morning Stable, leather, fermented fruit, dark rum, Turkish coffee, old attic, antique steamer trunk.. And a hint of old railroad tracks on a hot day ) absolutely Delicious and easy to smoke..C&D has a Black Cavendish without added flavoring.. Just A thought... Over and out.

Though it may be due to being stored in an post box I was unable to open for far too long, the sample being dry as tinder, was too dry for my taste. However, this was a might fine further-introduction to English/Balkan blends.

Though no Latakia-bomb, it is the main player, strongly supported by the Balkans - delivering warm and sweet woodiness on the tongue. Some burly toastiness is also detectable, but I am most impressed my the raisin-figgy sweetness lurking in the back of the smoke. I truly enjoy it, though it’s unfamiliar grounds for me, and so not sure how much I like it personally as of yet, I must acquire another sample soon to be sure whether it’s a three or a four stars from me. But as of yet, I will highly recommend it, maybe even more so than the Pirate Kake.