Cornell & Diehl Epiphany

I really wanted to call this blend a favorite, but I can't. The Perique is borderline scandalous, and the flavoring can err on the side of thick molasses every now and then . But if you are willing to get past those inconveniences, there is a lot to enjoy here. The Burley and Latakia mix really work well in here, with a strong tobacco flavor dominating in the middle. For most of the smoke, there is a bit of rum and citrus note that makes things interesting. I get a hint of Latakia every puff. This blend smokes cool and creamy.

I'm a fan of these American English blends. I think burley is a great addition to the Latakia blend formula. There seems to be a large amount of cube-cut burley in here with some ribbon as well. It is nutty with some subtle chocolate. The Virginia is smooth with a mild grassy note. The Latakia never dominates and provides its smokey woodsy notes in the background. I think the Perique content is probably pretty low here. Some spice is noticeable. The topping is mild and fruity with some citrusy notes. It always fades away about halfway through the bowl. I had fun smoking Epiphany in different pipes. Much more burley forward in a corn cob than in briar or meerschaum.

I bought a few ounces of this in bulk just based on the ingredients, which include fragrant Latakia and Perique with rich Virginia and Burley. I have so many blends with Orientals and wanted to find something in between a VaPer and a "Balkan". This fits the bill quite well. The Virginia and Burley combo provide a very solid foundation for a rich amount of Perique, with the Latakia hovering on top as a smoky condiment. In the jar the Perique gives off strong fermented fruit aromas, but there also seems to be a bit of an Anice type casing involved. The overall smoking experience is very classic, with a pure Burley/Virginia taste but the real star is the Perique which is complex, fruity earthy and peppery. It has a very "pipe" aroma that takes you back in time which is where I detect the casing. There's enough going on to keep it interesting and enjoyable, but it refrains from trying to do too much, rendering a solid smoke that gives me more richness than a VaPer without going into sour Oriental territory. Also, this feels noticeably stronger in Nicotine than anything else I puff on. The Einstein marketing angle, please... also, the Burley/casing combo was tricky, the first bowl I lit immediately popped with the Burley and fruity aroma, and I had a flashback to something from a pouch, expecting this to fall flat like a drug store aromatic but it didn't at all; it's way beyond those, and not cheap tasting in any way. I would say this is for a more experience piper.

Revised 2016-7/24- I finally bought a TIN of this and there is a big difference in the amount of topping noticeable over the bulk. The topping reminds me of a Chocolate cherry liqueur. I actually like the bulk better . This should improve as the topping dissipates.

Revised 2016-6-3 I've been trying to get my hands on a TIN of this for months , so instead I just order some more Bulk. I've actually grown quite fond of this, yes, it's still old school American and no, I still can't find much topping, but, it's smooth, with just enough flavor to make it interesting and can be smoked all day long. If it's ok with Einstein, it's 3 stars bye me.

Original review- I'm having reservations about making this review as I don't agree with anyone of the previous "helpfulness" reviewers ??? I bought this in bulk and I'm thinking they sent me "Old Joe Krantz" . I don't get ANY citrus or topping, the strength is strong and it's boring, no way near the 4 stars.

Has anyone else had this problem with the BULK ?

Revelation as per House of Windsor was not a favorite of mine, but I had to try Epiphany as it was described to be a good duplicate of Phillip Morris Revelation. Opening the tin the smell reminded me of Sir Walter Raleigh , which is not a bad thing in itself. That similarity ended there Tobacco packed well into the pipe, lit well and smoked like a dream. This is one of those smokes that left me wondering why the bowl wasn't bigger! No one tobacco or flavor dominates this blend, it is well balanced in everything but cut. While it is a little chunky, it is consistent. Solid smoke, highly recommended! Will smoke this one for many years to come!!!

Epiphany is one of the few English/American style tobaccos that are enjoyable. The cut is very strange, undefined type. In the tin it smells bad, the smell reminds of Esoterica And So To Bed. But similarities with Esoterica's ASTB go for the first third of the bowl, and stop there. I don't like scented English blends, and here it's not an exception. First third of the bowl the flavoring is present and pretty much plays the main role. Some reviewers claim that the flavoring stays throughout the whole pipe, but in my case I never noticed it past the first third, sometimes even earlier. It fades away and disappears completely very soon, which is a good thing. And when is present it's subtle and although bothers a little, it's bearable. Virginias give body to the smoke, but aren't distinguish, at least not to me. There are too many other spicy condiments and flavoring, so sweet Virginia isn't something that can be distinguished easily. Latakia never plays the main role, and it's presence comes to mind somewhere when the aromatic flavoring goes away. At that point the smoke shapes as a decent English. Perique is notable all the time, maybe it's too much, the peppery thing pinches your nose all the time from the first puff to the last one. Perique gives sharpness to the smoke and creates an impression of strength. Flavor and aroma pattern changes dramatically, and is totally different at different stages of the pipe. Whether it is a good or bad thing, everyone decides for themselves. At least it doesn't get boring. It's not too complex, resembles a bit to the 4noggins nutty professor, but it's deeper and more Periquish if I may say so. Room note doesn't do perpetual damages unlike some Latakia loaded blends. I smoke it often in my office for that reason. If it wasn't for the flavoring, I'd give it 4 stars.

I decided to try this blend, with the goal of finding a very light aromatic for after dinner. Evidently the presence of any topping at all is offensive to my pallette, because the cherry flavor just made me sick. For some reason the taste of burning cherry isn't attractive to me, especially in the context of latekia.

I can't stand flavored coffee, so I guess I just have a strong aversion to artificial flavors. If the tobacco itself is unable to present an alluring flavor, why smoke it?

That having been said, I have a friend who does enjoy aromatic / flavored blends, and he enjoys a bowl every time he drops by for a smoke. If you are looking for a hybrid of a cherry drugstore with an English blend, this might be an option for you.

I have an English style palate. This runs somewhat sweet for my taste, Even smoking, this might be a good smoke for someone who wants to try something that has an English feel to it, I like other blends much more.

On the other hand, this is a dependable smoke, that most will find pleasant.

Upon discovering this C&D blend, I sadly learned of the passing of Craig Tarler. All of us have lost a friend, in the REAL sense. We might not like everything a friend has to offer, but we always respect him and always know his heart is in the right place.

Blended with the assistance of the late Bob Runowski, Epiphany is touted to be like the ORIGINAL Revelation Mixture. It isn't. The original Revelation, created by Phillip Morris, had a delightful dollop of deer tongue. Epiphany doesn't. In fact, it has none at all.

However, it has much in its own right to recommend it. Epiphany is an honest, quite smokeable old-style American natural blend that, interestingly, gets tastier the longer the can is left open.

Well worth a try.