Cornell & Diehl Purple Cow

This is by far my favorite of the cigar blends to date. Not because it tastes like a cigar; it don't. It is just because of the fantastic taste that it delivers the pipe smoker. It is kind of like Habana Daydream in that it has a lot of components, but where that one can come off as harsh and usually does, this one is smooth.

The smoothness can easily lull you into thinking that this is a mild blend, but don't let the smooth taste fool you. This sleeper is loaded with nicotine.

This is also an easy one for me to rate as I have recommended this blend to a lot of people and have received favorable feedback nearly every time. If you like deep bodied blends that are smooth to smoke and pack a good nic wallop then this is the blend for you. I will be ordering a lot more of this one.

This blend may be considered a cigar based blend but I have to disagree. In my opinion Purple Cow is a burley based blend. The cigar leaf makes its appearances from time to time throughout the smoke. The latakia adds its nice smoky latakia flavor in the background throughout the smoke. The virginia adds a touch of sweetness but the main flavor is the dark, nutty burleys.

For the room note... well.... to a non smoker this blend is nothing but fowl. However to a smoker of non-aromatic pipe tobaccos or cigars this blend actually gives of a nice scent. A bold combo of and english pipe tobacco and a nice mellow cigar.

Allinall, Purple Cow is a great blend of burley's, virginia's, latakia and bold sweet maduro. An excellent blend for pipe smokers who enjoy an occasional cigar, pipe smokers looking to work their way to cigars, Cigar smokers who enjoy an occasional pipe, or cigar smokers trying out pipe smoking. A great mid way blend between pipes and cigars.

This is a surprising blend in that it takes a little while to adjust to off the light.. that sweet/acrid Maduro cigar Leaf is different but in a good way, earthy smokiness when combined with the Latakia and some dark chocolate on the finish.. some subtle hay and fruit from the Virginia, the burley provides a nuttiness, molasses and body on the front end. Last bowl I smoked, I paired a strawberry white sweet tea and it was wonderful. Burns well, little moisture..As for room note.. I live alone and open the window, can't really comment so I'll guess. 4 star blend for me, as a cigar smoker it's a nice alternative when I want the pipe experience without the same old va/burley or lat heavy flavors. But I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone.

First, I am an occasional cigar smoker. Very much enjoy them, however I am more a pipe smoker, and the marrying of these two is genius. An all out great blend.

Now for details, because this deserves it.

The strength is pretty high because of the great latakias, and cigar leaf. The cigar leaf adds great flavor and room note. Something you can't get everywhere.

The flavoring is obsolete because it does so well on its own. Which brings me to the taste, and cigar, which is arguably the best iv'e tasted.

The room note is not too pleasant for your non pipe smoker, in which i'm giving this room note a tolerable. The wife was a bit afraid.

All in all this is a must have in my collection and yet another C & D favorite, kudos.

Blend: C&D Purple Cow Blend type: English/ Scottish Cut: Ribbon Topping: None Taste: Full Bodied Strength: Med/Strong

So this comes in the typical C&D tin, which is beautifully packed when opened. The tin note is actually quite sweet (I think this has to do with the amount of virginia in the blend) and the Latakia is a bit more prominent and deliciously smokey. This blend as an added bonus has Maduro cigar leaf, which as a cigar smoker, is one of my favorites.

It packs well and lights like a charm, I find an average amount of relights will do. Once you do light up, I think you'll find that it won't win you any favors from those around you. But room note is always such a subjective thing and I find it really pleasant.

As you light up, the smoke has a very full body. The smoke has a hay-like sweetness and that is from the Virginias. The Latakia adds a very incense like taste, smokey yet complex. I think I find that the maduro leaf adds to that incense like complexity but also gives the blend some meat and a light nuttiness. I find the smoke very consistent in taste and if you are looking for a similar blend with a little bit more Latakia, I'd recommend C&D's Billy Budd.

The taste is full bodied. Lady N is not here to play around. I stand up and feel it in this one so some food on the stomach is a decent idea, but it isn't as potent as Night Train or Bow Legged Bear.

All in all this is a great smoke and one I plan on keeping on hand.

Right up front I have to confess I'm not a fan of the name. Call me finicky but Purple Cow was never going to make it in my rotation.

As for a review of the blend, I love cigars and find the addition of cigar leaf to pipe tobacco a genius idea. I'm a fanboy of robust full bodied cigar blends. Purple Cow is cigar forward and the burley enhances that aspect, however it isn't as creamy and/or complex as Habana Daydream, Key Largo, Billy Budd, or Robusto. I love those blends. In this one the cigar and burley flavor profile really dominated with cigar and dark espresso notes. I keep asking myself... why not just smoke a good cigar? All things considered its much easier.

Cornell & Diehl Purple Cow is an excellent, ribbon cut English blend. Right from the tin there is a strong note of brine from the Latakia with hints of cinnamon and earth. The tobacco has just the right moisture content to be ready to smoke immediately as well.

The Latakia is definitely dominant here with the typical notes of brine and bbq smoke. However, there is some maduro cigar leaf in the blend that lends a bit of smoothness to the flavor. There are also notes of earth, a good amount of pepper, and some bitter cocoa. It definitely smokes like a full bodied Nicaraguan cigar.

Overall Purple Cow is easily one of my favorites and I’ve been smoking it quite a lot lately. The tobacco burns easily and required very few relights. It is a full bodied blend that I wouldn’t recommend for the Virginia or aromatic smoker.

Bob Runowski is my hero. He has forgotten more about burley than I'll ever know, but that doesn't keep me from enjoying it immensely. Usually when Bob is involved in a blend I think it's a good sign. With Purple Cow I almost missed out on this fantastic blend. I've had a chance to purchase some on many different occasions but never thought I'd enjoy this blend since I've always thought cigars and pipes don't mix. The good Lord always provides and I was given a good sized sample of Purple Cow in a tobacco trade on one of my favorite pipe forums. Here my love affair begins...

I was a little indecisive on what pipe to pick so I decided to punt and passed on all my briars and went to a lonely cob that had been sitting in my neglected pipe drawer. Once again... the good Lord provides. I loaded up my cob and put match to 'baccy and was met with a quick taste of latakia followed by sweetness, nutty burley and finally the cigar leaf chimed in. Within seconds all the components were harmoniously working together to provide a rich, sweetly nutty, slightly smokey blend that was held up by the cigar leaf. It's hard to explain how integrated the cigar leaf is but it just works perfectly. No bitterness or harshness just a cigar like richness you'd expect from a great cigar.

I think if you're a fan of burley and want something more interesting then definitely try this blend. If you're thinking this is an English blend then you're way off. It's mainly a burley blend that is supported by high quality cigar, virginia and latakia leaves but seems to defy definition because of the harmony of this blend. I would also recommend this in a cob. I've tried briar and I'm sure I can find a briar in my collection that would perform admirably but this blend just sings in a cob. This is American style burley and blending at it's finest.

Purple Cow – Cornell & Diehl Dopo gli assaggi offerti agli amici è giunto il momento che esprima il mio pare su questa miscela, molto particolare. Innanzitutto questa è costituita da Burley, foglie di sigaro, Latakia e Virginia. Sfogliando il catalogo C&D la MuccaViola è descritta come “una classica miscela di Bob Runowski. Al Virgina chiaro si aggiunge una dose di Burley, un pizzico di Latakia e infine una gustosa foglia di sigaro Maduro”. Da qui la curiosità nel provare il tabacco dato che non mi è ancora capitato di trovare una miscela di Bob Runowski che non mi sia piaciuta. Purple Cow si presenta con una confezione dal taglio prettamente statunitense, tutta viola e col disegno, fumettistico della mucca con una pipa che fuma la pipae un contadino con un’espressione stupita sul viso. Apriamo la latta, il tabacco si presenta con ribbon piuttosto largo. Ci sono diverse sfumature di marrone dal chiaro allo scuro e poi il nero del Latakia. La prima impressione che si apprezza annusando il tabacco è quella di percepire un profumo fantastico, molto variegato ad ogni annusata; si sente il fruttato del Virgina, il tostato o nocciola del Buley; il pieno e sapido affumicato del Latakia, non arriva al mio olfatto il Maduro. Nonostante il ribbon non sottile la pipa si carica agevolmente, piccoli pizzichi alla volta, e la si può caricare dall’apertura della latta essendo di giusta umidità. L’accensione è rapida e per poterlo assaporare appieno è indispensabile essere molto, molto accorti nell’accendere il tabacco per tutta la circonferenza del fornello, più che altri tabacchi. Ai primi puff si percepisce subito il Burley, ottimo per la verità, col suo sentore di nocciola e di tostato, accompagnato in modo sublime dall’affumicato del Latakia. Si tratta di un ottimo Latakia, carnoso, non volgare, ma con le sue tipiche (e per il mio gusto sublimi) note di foglie bruciate, un gusto oscuro, untuoso. Il virginia serve per arrotondare i due tabacchi, offre un accompagnamento rassicurante e fornisce note dolci che ottimizzano il mix. E il Maduro? Quando il tabacco è ben caldo ecco che si sprigionano le note del tabacco da sigaro; questo non è oppressivo, ma si presenta di tanto in tanto e quando si presente lo fa coi sentori delle prime aspirazioni di un sigaro appena acceso. Questo lo trovo molto piacevole; anzi è la gioia di fumare il Purple Cow. Il sapore del tabacco Maduro persiste, senza mao offuscare il gusto del mix del Burley col Latakia. Attenzione però, questo è un tabacco molto nicotinico, e può davvero dare una sberla violenta, soprattutto se venisse fumato in modo forte e col surriscaldamento della brace. Facendo così diventa non un vacca, ma un toro da corrida che carica a muso basso. Fumato in modo cadenzato, lieve, a fil di respiro invece è un signor tabacco, squisito e particolare. Se una miscela di Bob Runowski contenesse sigari o sciroppo per la tosse io la proverei, non ho mai trovato un qualche cosa di deludente. In questo caso ha creato un mix davvero unico, superbo, mi piace tutto. Per chi è indicato? Sicuramente ad un fumatore osiamo anche dire esperto. Quando fumarlo? Sicuramente non a stomaco vuoto, se no si vuole essere sopraffatti dalla nicotina, perdendo il piacere di accarezzare col palato una mucca viola. Complessivamente 5/5 e il viaggio da Dubini è realmente speso bene.