Cornell & Diehl Star of the East Flake

What a mighty and beautiful elegant blend! It gives full, sweet and rich smoking pleasure.

Humidity is just right and even beginner may smoke it to white ash.

Flakes are easy to crumble, although hands may need to wash after filling pipe.

SOTEF is very smooth and rich. It is superbly spicy, tangy, creamy, smoky, and flavorful. The complete blend is one of the most satisfying and tasty English/Balkans I have smoked. Easy to rub out. DGT is average.

It is not bitter or sour at times like the original SOTE bulk.

Cornell & Diehl Star Of The East Flake - I have heard a lot of pipe smokers compare this to Penzance and I have to agree. Smooth and creamy . Soft smokey delicious Latakia . Fair amount of sweetness and dark fruit from the Virginias. The Izmir - Turkish is savory and buttery . Not that spicy at all . Slightly sour . I get some citrus notes I assume are from the turkish ? My tin is almost 4 yrs old . I am glad I put a tin away and forgot about it . Smoking this every night and really enjoying it . I would give Penzance a slight edge for a little more fruity sweetness from the Virginias and tastier Turkish leaf . Instead of Izmir maybe C&D could have used Macedonian varieties with Yendije? It is a great blend though and highly recommend you try it if you like Penzance or Quiet Nights. 4

I have saved up my one tin of SOTE Flake for about two years now, and based on the date sticker, it’s about 2 and half years old. Originally purchased because it was compared favorably with Penzance, which I smoked many, many moons ago before I knew that it would pass into unobtanium status among pipe smoking afficionados everywhere. So, +1 for being readily available compared to Penzance.

Having now smoked three bowls, I think I’m finding my groove with it. The tin aroma greets with deep bass notes of fermented plum, leather and incense. At a heavy 50% latakia, it is indeed a rather full taste and aroma, but quite smokable (if not repeatable). The orientals play a necessary supporting role with their slightly sour, cedar wood notes. The virginias add just enough sweetness to satisfy and round out the bowl. It almost feels like there is some perique in there, but without any hint of spice or pepper.

I’m definitely a huge fan of this and will enjoy smoking it throughout the cold, snowy months here in northern Wisconsin. Would definitely be open to buying more some day to pack away for even longer cellaring. But for now, I’ve got enough English/latakia blends to choke a horse, including Quiet Nights, with which it shares a lot of positive qualities. For my part, I be more accustomed to smoking Quiet Nights regularly, as it is smoother, sweeter, and less smoky.

Easy 4 out of 4 stars.

My Saturday morning routine, to properly start off my weekend, involves having a nice coffee (courtesy of my wife), breakfast, and then going outside for a smoke while reading. Star of the East is perfect for this.

A lovely broken flake, which I like to bunch together, fold, and stuff down my pipe. The tin note promises smoky, woody, slightly floral Latakia with some spice and a wonderful aroma, and the tobacco sure delivers.

As a flake, it can require a few relights. Perhaps rubbing it into ribbons might help with this, but I like having the flake and don't mind occasionally relighting.

The key component is the Latakia, but it doesn't overshadow other flavors. Overall, the different components blend wonderfully together. I get a combination of smokiness, pine and heather. The Virginias add just enough sweetness to blend it all together.

A full flavor, and velvet texture to the smoke.

The tobacco is strong enough to give me a little buzz, which puts me in the right mood for a relaxing weekend.

Presentation: Iconic tin with the train on the front.

Cut: Comes in a thick, broken flake. Very easy to rub out, and right in the middle moisture level.

Tin note: Smells mildly sweet and mildly smoky. I might smell some bread or wood but it's hard to pick out specific notes with certainty. Now that I think about it, it kind of reminds me of Key Largo's tin note.

Tasting notes: Smokiness will be the main thing you taste but it's not overpowering. There will also be moderately sweet bread, nuts, earth, wood. Every puff is not the same with this blend, it is remarkably balanced and keeps you interested for the entirety of the bowl.

Mechanics: Cool, slow burning blend. Requires a faster than normal cadence to keep lit.

Extra Remarks: This is an excellent blend. It took me longer than it should have to get around to trying it. I actually find myself liking it so much that I tend to smoke it too fast, then I have to set the pipe down and reel myself back. I could see anyone from novice to expert finding this blend enjoyable. 4 stars.

This blend was interesting. When you say high amounts of latakia what you is just that. Latakia strong and in your face but smooth and mild. That's what got me was how smooth and creamy the taste was. Flakes are whole but break apart as soon as you touch them. Lights and burn easy to a nice fine ash. It is never harsh, but you do get a little sour and bitter from the Orential. Nicotine is mild. Can be easily enjoyed multiple times in a day.

This is my favourite tobacco, by a long margin. It's simply awesome from start (tin note) to finish! Smoky, earthy, it screams "Quality" and "Luxury". Fantastic Tin art and packaging. The Red Virginias and the Latakia form a great combination. This tobacco is very easy to pack and stays lit very easily. I highly recommend it to all those who love Latakia and also to those who want a great blend to start their journey on the road of English style tobaccos. Only con: not available in Italy!

Complex, spicy, smokey. First time trying this tobacco. A little creamy, and very mellow. Almost a vanilla sweetness, but I don't think a topping was added. A little moist, lights and burns perfectly after 15 minutes from being rubbed. Very attractive medium length short flakes. Instantly one of my favorite English like blends, I'd like to try this blend with some age on it. A sophisticated smoke