Cornell & Diehl Guilford Courthouse
(2.25)
C&D pays tribute to our heritage with Guilford Courthouse, a new Virginias blend named for the closing battle of the Southern Campaign during the American Revolution. Fought in our home state of North Carolina, we find it fitting to honor this battle that took place in part of what would become known as the tobacco "Old Belt" with a blend of the finest Red and Bright Virginias grown in the Old Belt region. And, just like the Revolutionary War soldiers adding a pinch of salt to their stew, we've added a pinch of extraordinary Izmir Oriental leaf for spice and to enhance the sweetness of the Virginias. We trust you'll enjoy this new blend from C&D.
Details
| Brand | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blended By | Keith Toney |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | Virginia Based |
| Contents | Oriental/Turkish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | tin, bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.25 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 14, 2009 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a very confounding tobacco. At least to my memory, it's the only tobacco of its cut (very fine) that performed best dried to almost powder. Straight out of the tin, it was very moist and that not only made lighting difficult, it seemed to dumb down the flavor. It got better as I dried it out but reached its peak (such as it is) when it became extremely dry. Only then did the orientals make a statement.
At its best, this is a fairly non-descript tobacco. It had an "odd" sweetness, and try as I might, odd is the best way I can describe it. The Izmir no doubt has a hand in that, and it tasted like no Izmir blend I've ever smoked. Perhaps the dryness changed the turkish beyond recognition but only dry could I discern that there was any turkish in the blend. The virginias seemed undercooked and bland. As I said, confounding.
The best thing to happen to this blend was nothing C&D did but what I did. As the previous poster mentioned, 5% perique added helped but it was only when I added 20% burley to that mess that the concoction elevated itself beyond "somewhat smokable". If you have a tin of this and don't like it but don't want to throw it out, try this recipe.
At its best, this is a fairly non-descript tobacco. It had an "odd" sweetness, and try as I might, odd is the best way I can describe it. The Izmir no doubt has a hand in that, and it tasted like no Izmir blend I've ever smoked. Perhaps the dryness changed the turkish beyond recognition but only dry could I discern that there was any turkish in the blend. The virginias seemed undercooked and bland. As I said, confounding.
The best thing to happen to this blend was nothing C&D did but what I did. As the previous poster mentioned, 5% perique added helped but it was only when I added 20% burley to that mess that the concoction elevated itself beyond "somewhat smokable". If you have a tin of this and don't like it but don't want to throw it out, try this recipe.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 23, 2010 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
Well, it's ok...but nothing special here. The red virginia lacks sweetness and is the polar opposite of many McClelland VAs. The Izmir does not seem to add much character, even though I do detect its presence.
This is not a horrid blend; it is just not memorable. I am not really sure what this blend is trying to achieve. Many other C&D blends are far better.
Govern Yourself Accordingly.
This is not a horrid blend; it is just not memorable. I am not really sure what this blend is trying to achieve. Many other C&D blends are far better.
Govern Yourself Accordingly.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 15, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I found this to be a disappointment, largely because I'm learning that I just don't appreciate Izmir in many blends. I don't really know if this has a large quantity of that leaf relative to the Vas, but the effect to my tastebuds was a bitter mess that left me dumping out most of the tin. I'm giving this 2 stars instead of 1 because I think the quality of the leaf is good; it's just not my thing.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 03, 2007 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
I am very fond of many C&D blends, but this one I found rather disappointing. Part of the reason is that it is very moist and therefore rather difficult to keep lit, this being particularly unfortunate as the blend is quite mild and each bowl needs some time for the smoker to be able to appreciate its nuances. Constant interruptions for a re-light distract one's attention from the flavour.
Protracted periods of drying out the tobacco before loading are an unfortunate necessity in my experience. Even then the tobacco is, for me at least, a little dull. The addition of 5% Périque makes a difference and adds interest.
Overall however, I find tobaccos such as Briar Fox much more interesting and satisfying.
Protracted periods of drying out the tobacco before loading are an unfortunate necessity in my experience. Even then the tobacco is, for me at least, a little dull. The addition of 5% Périque makes a difference and adds interest.
Overall however, I find tobaccos such as Briar Fox much more interesting and satisfying.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2021 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
The fragrant Izmir provides plenty of earth, wood, floralness, herbs, vegetation, some spice, and a lot of dry bitter sourness as a competitive lead component. Often sharing/taking the lead is the Old Belt red Virginia, which offers earth, wood, mild tangy dark fruit, bread, some sugar, light floralness, and a couple pinches of spice. In the third slot is the bright Virginia, which supplies a burst of tart and tangy citrus, sour lemon, grass, some sugar, floralness, bread, vegetation, light spice and acidity. It is a secondary player. The strength and nic-hit are a step short of the medium threshold. The taste level is medium. Won’t bite or get harsh, but it does have a light roughness. Burns cool, clean at a reasonable rate with an occasionally inconsistent floral, spicy, mildly sweet, bitterly sour, rugged flavor that extends to the lightly lingering after taste. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires just over an average number of relights. The room note is tolerable. Not an all day smoke, but it is repeatable. It is very similar to Guilford Flake, the differences being this is a tad more consistent in flavor, doesn’t burn as slow, and requires fewer relights. The strength and taste levels are rung less potent, too. Two and a half stars.
-JimInks
-JimInks
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