Cornell & Diehl Billy Budd

Sailorman Jack's passion for English blends with cigar leaf is what led to the development of Billy Budd, one of the finest pipe tobaccos I've ever smoked. This is a blend for those who truly appreciate a full-flavored tobacco. It also comes closer to offering the pleasure of a fine cigar than any other cigar-leaf blend I've tried.

I think the key here is the strong, stout burley, which blends with the cigar leaf and latakia to lend a heavy bottom note to the mixture. Cigar leaf responds to this in a way that it never does when mixed with Virginia. This blend is absolutely delicious (my mouth waters when I fill my pipe), doesn't bite, and really satisfies, with a nicotine buzz that only cigar leaf and burley can offer.

This is not an all-day blend (at least to me), but I do smoke it more than any other pipe tobacco. I can't recommend it enough.

PS: I also have several ounces of this in pressed form. Whoa nelly, that's some strong stuff! I actually prefer it unpressed.

I've stayed away from cigar leaf blends because I thought that if I wanted to smoke a cigar, I'd buy one. Recently I decided that I wanted something outside of my usual types, and ordered an ounce of this. I'm glad I picked this one. I love English Latakia blends, but sometimes wish they had a little more strength and depth since most are around the medium, maybe medium-high, level. This one fills that niche. The cigar leaf, from what I can tell, adds a creamy, deep mocha flavor that goes great with the latakia without burying it. Just what I was looking for, and now I have a bunch of cigar leaf blends to explore. 🙂

For those who consider themselves latakia persons, and who, in the same time, like cigar, this is the blend. Actually, I don’t smoke cigar, but love this blend, it’s really delicious!

A blend with cigar leaf, latakia and burley tobacco that reminds me of Shandygaff. The combination of these different profiles has been married to perfection, and the different levels or layers add complexity and depth to this blend. The tin note cries "English" right, left and center. I am not finding many similarities or intersections with Billy Budd Blonde apart from the fact I cannot detect any added flavours; this just natural tobacco. Very interesting, 4 stars.

Great blend. Latakia comes through in puffs, as does the creamy cigar leaf flavor. Speaking for myself, this blend is magic, but only in one particular pipe of mine: a Rossi billiard, Rubino to be exact. It's not heavy in latakia per se, but the two major flavors complement each other very well in Billy Budd. I've tried Habana Daydream (albeit not in my "cigar blend" pipe), and didn't like it nearly as much; didn't taste either latakia or cigar leaf sweetness.

Billy Budd is a hit with me. I really enjoy its nutty and spicy nature. The Va's offer a faint sweetness that helps to balance things out. As a former cigar/day smoker, I can say that I barely detect the cigar leaf present in this blend at all. It's definitely there, but not overwhelming as some reviewers have stated.

Strength is medium and the tobaccos burn at a fairly rapid pace, but no tongue bite is noticed even if you hot box this stuff. Highly recommended to those who enjoy a decent nic hit and a flavorful bowl of smoke. Awesome with a cup of coffee too!

Billy Budd is one of my favorite tobaccos. When I purchased it I didn't intend on liking it, but I was wrong. The smell in the tin reminds me of leather and a pleasantly smokey wood fire. The latakia and burley are on the forefront with the cigar leaf being detectable if you look for it. I haven't been able to taste the virginia yet, but I bet it would be missed if it weren't there. I'm not a fan of burley at all, but with a great deal of latakia and some cigar leaf it works very well in this blend.

It packs easily and is also pretty easy to light. After smoking around 6 bowls from a new pipe, I noticed that there was no problem with it gurgling, burning hot, or going out. It did tend to get bite a little bit, but nothing compared to va/per blends, as well as getting bitter on those very last puffs, but that could be my pipe more than anything. The flavor starts off strong with latakia being in the forefront and the burley and cigar leaf adding some nutty and leathery flavors. As I smoked I noticed the burley becoming stronger and the latakia getting weaker, but the leathery aspect of the cigar leaf never diminished. As for the virginia tobacco, I can't taste it. No sweetness or those savory, tangy flavors, but I suspect that it rounds out the blend.

All things told, this is an excellent blend, even moreso considering the price. I wouldn't want it as an all day blend, but every time I've smoked it thus far it has been a treat. I will be ordering this blend by the pound from here on out.

Easily my favorite C&D blend, Billy Budd is my default tobacco. The taste of Latakia and Maduro cigar leaf are most prevalent, leaving the tastebuds to explore the subtle undertones of Virginia burley at their leisure. It's nicotine content is higher than most English blends I have smoked. I would highly recommend this tobacco to anyone who is a fan of English mixtures.

Giving this blend 5 stars is a testament to C&D in my book. I cannot settle into one type of blend and find myself regularly switching my preferences in blends throughout the genres, with exception to aromatics.

I bought a pound of this blend and jarred it a little over a year ago. It took mr a while to get a regular feel for this blend, but I find it not like other blends.

I enjoy this blend in any pipe, but it is especially amazing in my thick walled cherrywood.

A hearty room note that masks a truly smooth, tasty smoke with predominantly latakia and burley taking their turns. I found the Virginias and cigar tobacco subtley showing up now and then to provide an amazing well balanced smoke.

Vitamin N is definitely there, but doesn't overpower. An exceptional C&D blend.