Cornell & Diehl Crooner

The word is this deer tongue ingredient happens to be one controversial additive. According to the FDA it’s really nasty stuff and candidly should be avoided at all costs. Other sources are not quite in consensus with those experts. Being a proto-typical generation Joneser, I naturally look upon any evidence of dissension with an ounce personal skepticism. As such, for me no problem indulging a pipe blend that featured the quirky substance frankly. Everything is good in moderation, right? Maybe you agree, maybe you don’t.

I will say that on the post-side of repeated smoking excursions, I was not left with an urgent compulsion to bleat or primordially grunt, let alone play a smashing game of Red Rover with a fast-moving box made of steel. Nor did I experience any adverse physical reactions to the same, all silly joking aside. As one would have it, Bing Crosby the ultimate crooner, and renown piper smoker, had a natural affinity for a custom-made blend of choice tobacco. A special mixture contrived just for him, aptly laced with a herd’s volume of this dubious deer tongued fu-fu, which brings me to my purpose …

From within Cornell & Diehl a forthright proclamation for the crafting an “exact” replica to one of Crosby’s most darling blended passions. A deed made possible from the disclosure of the original recipe from an insider to Bing’s own piping circle. For your entertainment the featured and often highly debated mixture Crooner. This melodious ensemble of tasty classic Burley and deer tongue licked tobacco professes to ring true as knelling of the bells of St. Mary’s. Truly a smokeable inspiration that would have delighted the heart of dear Father O’Malley himself some do righteously decree.

Based upon a thumbnail inspection, this medium strength recipe captures a collection of approximately 85%-90% roughly coarsened and ground cube cut Burley with a scant boon of actual yellow-white ribbon deer tongue leaves. Crooner’s pre-smoked body poses as a very gritty and grainy texturing, as the tobacco shows a heightened degree of perfected dryness. As such the packing and the ensuing burn are quite accommodating.

From the pouch the vibrant perfume of what I call lush “Indian sweetgrass” provides a delightful encounter. A rustic fully floral and honeyed essence wafts with a mocking of vanilla-like content. To me this bring images of autumn fermentation and natural aging, symbolic of the wealth and spirituality of the land. How’s that for fancy words?

Underneath this fore fronted aroma is predominantly a sharp base sourness and elderly wood emanating from the powerful Burley lying within. There is a bit of fervid zest as if Kentucky was steadfast present readied to light you up. Truthfully, Crooner’s nose is probably one of the most colorful and expressive Burleys I’ve yet to encounter to be straight with you.

Not knowing what to expect with the tasting, as I’ve heard some many tales, I was quite elated when the initial flavor registered. Although Crooner is billed as a sincere “deer tongue blend”, I didn’t necessarily experience it from that limited perspective. Granted this perceivably austere element is very notable, no question, but it has been tempered in a fairly complementing and congealed manner.

Categorically the sweetness rendered is broadly similar to vanilla but tends to be thinner and not as overly sugary. It is more dulled or respectfully contained, perhaps a better description I’m thinking. Additionally, the flavor did exhibit considerable charm in floral minty tones, pulling with it an abiding accent of refreshing bitterly spiced clove, indeed splendid. If what I sensed reflects the embodiment of deer tongue’s true features, then hey I like it man! Much character here folks.

And now speaking to the principal component, less I forget that yes, this is a Burley-based blend after all. Let me simply state that the quality of Burley presence is standard Cornell & Diehl. Given that, at least in my opinion, Burley is a specialty of this particular blender, means you connect with a wholesome and encompassing varietal profile.

Specifically, Crooner comes bundled with a strong and heady classic Burley taste that projects much machismo. If I didn’t know better, I would swear that there is DFK or Perique in this soup given the earnest spiciness of its tenor, especially on the retro hale. Mainly, that wonderful Cornell & Diehl Burley punchy gusto provides a zestful embellishment to the tobaccos tendency to be more comfortably woody. Modest attributes of creamier nuttiness do reside within the lower periphery, but Crooner does nonetheless favor the darker nuance. There is a nice level of herbal accenting, a clean shot of cooling mint, and finally earthen tart that helps to form its composite representation in general. Solidly intense and concentrated Burley flavor hands down.

Crooner produces an impressive volume of thick meaty smoke that carries a distinct air of the classic “pipey” Burley scent, deep, robust, and immodestly big within the immediate room area. Yeah, I use that cliché often because it’s so befitting, but mostly I like the way it sounds. This dark heavy essence is peppered and selectively seasoned with a dash of colorful floridness and added spice. Most likely tolerable but doubtful for those who are sensitive to expansive lingering odors.

Very simply Crooner is a fairly straight-up recipe that awards the piper with a touch of liveliness while being satisfactorily mellowing in effect. A couple of minor bumps I noted, however. There is a bit of harshness that formed at back of the throat periodically. Personally, I’ve become accustomed to the tenacity and the petty roughness of these particular Cornell & Diehl Burley strains, but just a heads up.

Even so, I experienced no real bite and would judge the nicotine effect to be placed in the middle of the road. Secondly, for being a conditionally dry mixture, it does leave a crap ton of dottle on the bottom of the bowl, and I do mean a crap ton. It felt like I was scooping out the used grinds from one of those old percolator style coffee filters in preparation of the next pot.

Honestly, Crooner was not what I expected, actually it was much more. Overall, I can see adding this blend to my Burley rotation as it provided just an edge of tantalizing difference. Not necessarily an aromatic, but it does demonstrate some of those softer features that has my own tongue wagging. It definitely trips my hardcore ”Burley Man” trigger without reserve. Maybe I’ll grab my best cob and go run the fields with the rest of the herd? Just be wise enough to avoid those pesky cars. Give it a try and see if you agree. 3.1 Pipes.