Cornell & Diehl Sunset Harbor Flake

This is the bomb - took a tin to my local pipe club in Nottingham UK - and almost brought home an empty tin!! Very nice stuff indeed superb in every respect - strongish stuff and full of flavour, burns well but takes a bit of lighting - but then it burns to white ash, and is a mega smoke, not a wife pleaser or female nostril attracter !! But for the Latakia, Perique Oriental lover - this is a power house and easy smoke more than one bowl of it! My very good pal in the US has got me two more tins - this is why I say we don't have much choice in the UK! Miss it - miss out - nuff said!

Cornell & Diel - Sunset Harbour Flake.

Love it, love it, love it.

The appearance is more that of a broken flake, it's dark brown, and at a good level of hydration. Although the bottom of the tin contains pieces that don't need any further rubbing the top half still needs some. But, this couldn't be a simpler task: they don't need a firm rub, and turn into more of a fluff than ribbons. But, be warned, upon ignition the 'fluff' can swell, and tumble out of the pipe!

The flavour is beautiful. Beautiful? Is that a bit over-the-top? Whatever!!! The Latakia's clear to taste, but doesn't monopolize the smoke. This gives smokiness, woodiness, etc., but the Oriental adds zest, lots of character, a slight creaminess, and the Perique gives a bit of a 'punch'. The temperature from Sunset Harbour's cool, and I find the burn faultless.

The room-note: I like it, although it's strong. Nicotine: above medium.

Sunset Harbour Flake? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:

Four stars.

Another fine blend by C&D

It reminded me a bit of Penzance, but not as complex. This is a rich heady blend that still remains to be complex enough to keep me smoking it.

Upon opening of the tin, you will notice it needs some drying time. The flakes do smell delicious. Rub them out, let them dry on the tin cap for 15-20 minutes, then pack and enjoy.

Warning: This blend gets very intense at the bottom of the bowl and it will occlude your tastebuds for a good long while. But, it is worth it......

Yes, it is Latakia heavy, but still highly recommended.

BTW it will scare people away with its room note, so enjoy with fellow pipers.....

C&D sunset harbor flake

This blend tin art is a beauty to behold, but so is what’s inside the tin. This blend comes in somewhat broken flakes although moist upon opening they dried quite quickly, I prefer to fold and stuff my flakes these seem unable to hold that consistency and fall apart more frequently.

The matter of the flakes breaking apart may be a good thing as this stuff smokes great, every bowl I’ve had smokes cool and remains flavorful. This has that quintessential Balkan taste, although it has the sweetness found in SPC plum pudding special reserve or black house it’s a bit tamer.

The oriental leaf place a larger part with the Latakia smokiness contributing but never overpowering. The sweetness from the VA’s comes and goes but is always a welcome addition when it appears for a chat.

I have to say I’m glad I took a chance on this blend, it’s become a great replacement for Dunhill durbar and until that blend( if it returns) comes back this will be stocked in my cellar and remain in my rotation.

The tin I’m smoking was dated 28mar19, I am dwindling down to breadcrumbs but have plenty stocked to replace, the aging process helped smooth it out a bit, but it smokes just as great fresh.

4/4 highest of recommendations.

The smell is sweetish and with a kind of ripeness.

This was one of the first blends I ever bought about a decade ago. I like Erinmore Flake and this was another flake available at a local shop. I liked it then, but having it again with a more refined palate has me enjoying it even more. The taste is smoky, and also sweet yet sour. It's what I expect when a blend is described as Balkan, and it does not disappoint. I'm in the process of building a proper rotation and this is a very strong contender and will take a lot to unseat.

You can find my video review of this blend here:

https://youtu.be/I19YT50e3Q4

I found this Balkan flake to be without a doubt the best I have ever tasted. It burns so cool and is so intensely flavorful that I was truly disappointed when the bowl was finished. I smoked this blend in a group 5 or 6 Wilke billiard and it provided a long and pleasant smoking experience. This blend will not bite, not even if you smoke it fast. Nice work, Craig & Co. Four stars!

This is definitely not a typical Balkan blend. The fact that this only contains Turkish, perique, and Latakia is what draws me to it. And honestly, this is not what I imagined.

The tin aroma is slightly smoky but a fruity sweetness is mostly dominant with a slight mustiness from the Turkish. Of all broken flakes that I've experienced, this is the most different and best one to handle. A very soft Flake that just falls apart but just touching it. Loads in a pipe very well. The first and second 3rd of the bowl is smoky, fruity and musty. I'm the last third, the izmir really pops through. It finishes to a nice gray ash. Burns cool and absolutely no tongue bite.

This was a very unique and pleasant experience. Also goes well with a chocolate milk. Wouldn't want to smoke it everyday but makes a very good treat while relaxing on a cold night.

Update 5-28-19. I've found this blend has by far became my favorite English/Balkan blend. It's so consistent bowl to bowl and no tongue bite with plenty of nice rich flavor.

This seems to be a hidden gem by Cornell and Diehl. For some reason, SHF isn't talked about as much as it probably deserves. This is a nice Balkan blend that is perfectly balanced and delicious. No component ever seems to take over, but compliments each other throughout the bowl, doing just enough to keep it from becoming boring. My tin was full of nice, dark, broken flakes that rubbed out easily. Some drying time was necessary to avoid relights but smoked great once dried. Any fan of Balkan blends should give this one a try.

An excellent balkan flake rich in latakia and orientals but with a tender and placid sweetness. Good flavour and very good taste. It remains very very very long time in your mouth:a great pleasure! For relaxing moment. Four stars, of course !