Cornell & Diehl Cube Cut Burley

I don't write many reviews, but I was compelled to write this one. By far one of the worst C&D blends. Starts out harsh and doesn't get any better. I smoked it in many different pipes, trying to see if it was better in one than another. Nope. I call it unsmokable (at least to me. I have smoked about ten bowls of it with no decerible difference. I'll probably toss what I have left. Just terrible.

This is a one dimensional smoke by itself, but mixed wit Cornell and Diehl straight Virginia flake it’s a recommend. The blending of this cube with equal parts Va. is kinda like I remember the old Half and Half only this will be better as there’s no Anisette flavoring and Cornell & Diehl are known for quality tobaccos. I have several tobaccos that I use as mixers or condiments so if you’re feeling adventurous, give this one a try.

C&D Cube Cut Burley has a bag note that is earthy and nutty and very mild. The smoke has notes of oats and is earthy, nutty, with a little molasses and cocoa peaking in here and there. At about the half way point, a little bitterness comes in from the white burley and I begin to pick up on some toasty and woodsy notes that stay with me until the end. The overall strength is at the bottom end of med. but the nic hit is solidly med. The smoke has a bit of a rough edge to it, which I like, but it will not bite. Took a few more relights than normal and smoked fairly dry. The finish is short lived and the room note was not mentioned by the wife. As a straight smoke it is simple and fine in any bowl as a mixer it is better and I found I used it a lot with aromatics to give them a little depth. A solid 3 stars.

I just got in two more pounds of this one.

I'll give two different reviews.. one as a straight smoke.. and one as a blending component.

As a straight smoke, I find that I use this on new pipes which will be used for burley blends to help break them in. The "note" from the bag as a little bit of almost "ammonia/ barn yard", the cut reminds me of Grape Nuts. It's the easiest packing tobacco I have after the Shag Semois. Just pour it in, tamp a little, tamp a little harder, then light.

In taste, if you like burley, there is nothing here you won't like. I prefer it over the Sutliff version which seems to have a sweet topping. It burns great, but will be a quick smoke if you push it at all. I get nutty/bready taste in the smoke which is awesome with a cup of coffee.

The other use I've found for this is in cutting aromatics. I blend in about 25% with a wetter aro to help the burn and give it a little boost. My favorite right now (fall) is this with Maple/Walnut. It comes through as nutty pancakes almost.

Can't beat the price, especially when the bulks are on sale and it is a staple in my rotation.