Cornell & Diehl Opening Night

In my quest to try all American made Virginia flakes, Opening Night is a blend that came to me early in my venture.

Opening the tin the aroma is quite delectable. Typical of its genre with much hay and grass and something sweet smelling that I cannot put my finger on. The dark brown speckled flakes break apart quite easily and minimal drying was required to bring it to how I prefer my blends for packing.

Lighting was ok once a couple of char lights had done their work and off I went. Initially all I got was warm air with no flavour whatsoever, rather like some McClelland straight virginias I have smoked but as the bowl progressed glimmers of flavour started to appear but these really had to be searched for. Unlike Sam Gawith's Full Virginia Flake which has solid flavour from start to finish I found Opening Night to be pretty much hit and miss, mostly miss.

Yes there is flavour to be found if gently sipped but it is on the thin side, this is no flavour powerhouse unlike FVF. Other reviewers mention tasting various fruits in this blend but I just tasted 'typical' Virginia tobacco. Nothing wrong in that at all, I just wish there was more of it.

Will I buy it again? Likely not. It isn't a bad blend in any way at all, it just fails to satisfy this particular Brit piper.

Very nice smell off the tin, the flakes are quite moist but could be smoked right away. I recommend some drying for a more enjoyable experience. I get a slightly toasted bread taste with some sweetness. This is a evening smoke based on the fact that there is more strength than usual for a middle of the road flake.

Do not puff too hard in search of more flavor, you could be rewarded by a splitting headache, mine lasted for three hours the first time I tried it. Even when sipped, this tobacco gives me a sensation of heaviness which I cannot explain. All in all a good tobacco that I would have rated higher if it didn't cause me this unpleasant sensation.

Virginia lover

A straight virgina which pales in comparison to the beloved FVF. Maybe it need some age as the tin was only a couple months old. Did I mention that it is strong for some reason?

A pure Virginia, sweet hay without being sickening . Not as heavy as McC "Red Cake 5100",this one doesn't have the raisin flavor ( which I also like at times). A little spicy upon initial light . Don't think you can just fire this one up and pay it no mind, it will bite if you don't slow sip it. I found that it burns a little better if you rub it out and let it air for an hour or try the microwave for 5 seconds . It is a good smoke for when you want that light smoke between Latakia blasts. I personally like McC's Virginia's better and find this blend stuck in "no mans land" as it is not real sweet nor real mature. This is very one dimensional and I won't buy again ,not because it is bad , just because there are other Virginia's that I like better.

Great potential to become a really well balanced Va Flake. Does smoke on the hot side and has a burley like flavor. Much like my review of GL Pease Union Square, this blend will be much better with age.

Update 5-28-19. Unfortunately I had to discard this blend. I went to revisit gl Pease union square and Opening Night after having a few months of time. Union Square went very well but Opening Night was infested with mold.

Summary: a nice Virginia flake but rough around the edges.

Red Virginias meld flavors with bright Virginias in this rough flake from C&D similar to their Burley series. The red Virginias really star in their role as the depth of flavor here, while the bright Virginias add a sugar syrup sweetness and a citrus acidity. You need to smoke this really slowly, but even then, the vinegar on your tongue sensation will crackle like Pop Rocks did as a kid (drink water with lemon to lessen this). If they included white Burley and did a full steam press, maybe aged the bright Virginias a bit, this blend would really top the charts, but as it is, these dry flakes burn easily and provide all of the sweet summertime flavor one expects from a Virginia blend.

This is a semi intact flake tobacco that appears to be an approximately 50/50 mix of red and bright leaf. I did notice one or two sugar crystals on each flake. The tin aroma fresh is sweet and nondescript. This gives way to the exact aroma of any typical orange pekoe based tea bag with some air and time. With even more time and air, the aroma is more akin to Darjeeling tea. Quite unfortunately, this is one of the few blends I have enjoyed that did not get better tasting or develop improved smoking mechanics with time to breathe. This always seemed to smoke on the wet side. On the positive side, this blend could be smoked aggressively sans bite. This is quite a simple and straightforward tobacco. This could be a prototypical Virginia that pleases beginners and those long in the tooth. There is nothing particularly outstanding or unique about the flavor. I would suggest the reader imagine any number of qualities that are typically used to describe the tastes of Virginia leaf. It is all of those in harmony, but all players are muted as no one seems to ever step up to take a solo. More classical ensemble than jazz quartet. I enjoyed it, but will not be purchasing this again. 2.5 stars is generous given this is a flagship blend. It is good, not great. It is an enjoyable summertime flake, but not memorable.

At first I thought this was another plain Jane Virginia. I'm not a big fan of Orlick Golden Sliced et al. However, there was something different. Especially after the first 25% of the bowl is burned. Good, not great.