Cornell & Diehl Engine 99

This dances the line of being a latakia bomb and a balanced blend. It is very smokey, hence the name which evokes a coal-fired engine in my mind. Those who love English blends will appreciate this, especially those who prefer a lat-forward blend. Go ahead and try this, you won't be disappointed even if it doesn't become your favourite.

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.

This was a perfect English Blend in my eyes. Nothing was overbearing nor lacking in flavor. Majorly I tasted a lot of nuttiness and earthiness with a topping of molasses. The aroma wasn't overpowering like some English Blends. I personally would find this blend ideal in the early morning or late evenings after a hefty meal.

As a railroad fan I've looked forward to trying all 4 of the Engine Series. Now that fall is getting here (at least on the calendar in Georgia) I figured it was time to work them into my rotation.

First up is Engine 99.

Tin/Jar Note: Smell the latakia front and center. Seems really dry in the jar but it was in the bulk bag too.

Packing: no problems, standard 3 step pack. I haven't found the twigs that others have described.

Smoking: Easy to light, burns well. No tongue bite. The first 1/2 of the bowls I felt was latakia dominated. I got hints of orientals and a little pepper from the perique hiding in there somewhere. The second half of the bowls seemed to be spicier and stronger with a good flavor that lasted to the bottom of the bowl.

So far through several bowls I haven't been amazed enough to move it up to 4 stars and place in the "all-star" list, but It's a solid 3 and I think its a great value especially in bulk. (even more if you catch it on sale).

Room Note: Wife threatened bodily harm if I EVER lit this in the car again.

This is a great bulk blend for the money. It's got a good flavor and smokes cool right out of the bag. My only issue with it is it was that it was full of twigs. This is a good bang for the buck bulk.

What a delicious blend! A complex smoky, sweet and spicy blend! The only thing that I do not like about it is that it is inconsistent in the bowl. You either need to age it first or press it (which yields fantastic results!) to get a perfectly consistent bowl of pure goodness.

This is some great tobacco. A healthy dose of latakia but not one dimensional. The perique addition is nice but not too spicy. Sometimes burley can overwhelm and ruin a good english/balkan but it doesn't here. It does have a bit of a nicotine kick (from the burley and perique I presume) so I have to be a bit careful with this one. If you're not sensitive to nictotine then this should not be a problem but I'm kind of a wimp in this department especially on an empty stomach. This is a bit too full flavored with too much vitamin N to be an all day smoke for me but it's excellent all the same. The room note is strong and I have to take a shower before the Mrs. allows to hang about the house or sleep in the same bed. Smoky, slightly tart/sour/acrid, not much for sweetness and full flavored. Very good stuff and recommended.

This is a nice comfortable English blend. I get a little tongue bite from this occasionally as I have a tendency to smoke this too fast. As a daily blend, it is not bad .