Cornell & Diehl Exhausted Rooster

This is an unequivocal 4-star smoke to me. It thwarted and then exceeded my expectations, which were high to begin with. I've long been a fan of C&D, but I would also say that only a few of their blends are flat-out spectacular. This, I am happy to say, is one of them.

The presentation and burning characteristics are typical of a well-prepared flake tobacco. They fold, stuff, or rub out easily. They are a bit moist, so I recommend drying them for a little while before loading your pipe.

There is a definite topping applied here. I'm not sure what it is, but it immediately reminds me of Haddo's Delight -- it's not identical, but very similar. Upon first light, the flavors of sweet VA dominate the bowl. As the smoke progresses, the burleys begin to assert themselves more along with the perique. This blend isn't exactly complex, but there are some subtle nuances that may at first escape your attention. There's a decent nicotine hit here, and absolutely no hint of bite. The flakes smoke cool and don't require much in the way of relighting.

This strikes me as being -- in effect, if not in design -- a toned-down flake version of Haddo's Delight. It's not quite as sweet or tangy as Haddo's but it's considerably easier to smoke. This is not a bad thing. It won't completely replace Haddo's in my rotation, but it's a great alternative on days when I'm wanting something not quite as full yet equally tasty (which, for the record, means most days).

Well, this one surprised me! I was expecting a sweet flavored aromatic, could swear I smell a sweet topping on this one by smelling it in the bag, but it never developed in the smoke at all. The smoke from this blend just tasted nice and VA sweet, fuller bodied than a VaPer because of the burley and the perique moves in and out during the bowl, there but not dominating. It is rich and creamy and I enjoyed this bowl all the way down to a nice dark grey ash at the bottom of the bowl. It comes in a nice slightly loose flake, feels someehat damp when handling, which is different for a C and D blend, but several hours of drying in a tray and it was perfect1 Rubbed out easy, packed easy, lit easy and was just a joy to smoke. I only had to relite once about halfway down. For a Vaper fan, and I am, that wantes to try something a little fuller bodied but still taste the sweet hay flavor of the Va and with perique used as a spice, it would be hard to beat this one. Highly recommended!

To me this is a nice anytime tobacco. I detected what I thought to be a scent of a topping in the tin, but it never transfers into the smoke. The flakes are the right moisture level for me. Packs and lights well after rubbing out. The perique is nicely balanced with the Burley and Virginia. Smokes cool, dry and slow. A solid choice in the VaBurPer realm.

A great all time tobacco for my tastes. The perique addition is very well balanced, so it doesn't adds a unpleasant strength and pepperness to the taste. I detected a very subtle fruity freshness of the pure Virginia. Many of the pipe smokers may consider this flavor a casing. From my point of view this nice flavor comes out from the pure, high quality Virginia. The flakes have a suitable moisture degree, althouh you may dry them a bit to suit your personal preferences. The tobacco packs and lights well. Smokes nicely and slowly. A top shelf choice for all the Va-Per lovers which will also enjoy the Burley addition here.

A very nice VaBur flake. The topping was a bit like eggnog, but not overpowering in any way. I loved puffing on this, and finished the tin pretty quick. Nice tin, as one would expect from C&D. Sometimes they let you down, but often the artwork approaches that of classic cartoons. The burley let itself be a little too well known for my tastes when I puffed it hard, which I was tempted to do because of the sweet Virginia element. I did not taste much perique, perhaps it was there. Sometimes I like heavy perique, so perhaps I'm jaded. I wouldn't put any more perique in this, though; it's fine the way it is. I do like what C&D does with burley; sometimes they could almost convert me.

1-20-10 Just ordered the 8oz can, along with the new Merde de Cheval (horse shit) by F&K. I want to see if the rooster crows as sweetly for me as he did before!

5-3-11 Aging nicely in the jar. I don't smoke this all the time, but enjoy it when I do. It can be a bit of a strong one if you want it to be!

Rich rum, rich fired burley, rich perique. Very good and tasty.

Well folks, this is as close as one can get to an aged Old Vine Zinfindel, in a pipe. Upon opening the tin, it is nearly impossible to want to smoke this stuff. It smells so good, one almost wants to merely sniff this stuff. Hints of chocolate and fruit, almost good enough to eat. An excellent offering in the pipe. Notes of Almonds and Pecans, berries, an excellent Virginia sweetness, held together with just the right amount of spice from the Perique. It does not get much better than this. I can't seem to put this one down, and just ordered another pound of this fine blend. Kudos to Cornell and Diehl, for yet one more excellent offering. I tip my hat to you gentlemen, and I can't thank you enough for this particular batch of weed. Happy Smoking!!!

What am I tasting???? It is SO delicious and so overwhelmingly tasty that I find it to be one of the best tobaccos I have experienced in over 50 years of smoking pipes. I would never have learned of this excellent blend had it not been for Tobacco Reviews and once again I wish to extend my thanks, All I can say is VIVA EXHAUSTED ROOSTER! (Pardon my shouting but it must be shouted out!)

This is some seriously good tobacco. When I opened the tin it smelled so good I wanted to eat it. The tobac was a little moist for my taste so I dried it a bit and then experienced one fantastic smoke.

The burley gives a nice medium body to the smoke and the topping is not noticed while smoking. The virginia was in the lead and the perique gives an extra zing without over powering the blend. No tounge bite and it burns to a nice ash all the way down the bowl.

Be forwarned, Exhausted Rooster can become habit forming.