Cornell & Diehl Shandygaff
(2.59)
An unusual old Atlas Blending mixture C&D acquired the rights to, Shandygaff combines Burley, Turkish, and Perique leaf to produce a smoke often described as carrying flavors of ginger and salty sea air.
Notes: This was an Atlas Blending Corp. mixture. Cornell & Diehl bought the rights of all their old recipes.
Details
| Brand | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blended By | Craig Tarler |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | Oriental |
| Contents | Burley, Oriental/Turkish, Perique |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.59 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 29 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2021 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Unnoticeable |
I was given a nice size sample of this several days ago. I had a bowl on Sunday and have tried some more recently. The tin note out of the bag smelled to me like Burley. The ribbon appears to be slightly moist. I have had a few of the old Atlas Blends but what frustrates me is I cannot really find any information about this company on the web until I hit paydirt this evening. This is from an article from the “Western North Carolina Magazine” from 2008 about Craig Tarler, Cornell and Diehl, “It was a long way up for Tarler when he bought the business in 1990. Then called Amar Blends and located on Long Island, the company started in the 1880s as The Atlas Blending Co. in New York City. When Tarler took over the outfit, of which he was a patron, it had about 175 individual customers and was sold in 100 stores. He fit Amar Blends’ whole operation—some tobacco, scales, flavorings, and blend recipes—into his van and set up shop in the cellar of his Pennsylvania home. Tarler paid $17,500 for the lot of it, the same amount of his gross sales in the first year.” https://wncmagazine.com/feature/pipe_dreams. Now that the history lesson is out of the way, here comes the hard part, the rest of the review. I did not like it, there I said it. Even compensating for my diminished sense of smell and taste this was just not enjoyable. Kind of one dimensional, harsh, and kind of a bitterness to it. Maybe I was in a bad mood but I do not think it would have mattered. I did not even finish my samples; life is too short. But as always, I do appreciate the enjoyment of trying new blends. Can’t win them all. My third one star.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 09, 2017 | Strong | Mild to Medium | Medium | Strong |
Got this as a free sample. I wasn't sure what to think at first. Very burley forward. Good nic hit. I do get a touch of salty flavor, but I don't detect any ginger as others have. Also get a buttery aftertaste. I learned after the first bowl to take it slow with this one. I puffed a little fast as I have a habit of doing and got the nic-hups. Overall I really like this one when I'm in the mood for something strong. A good bed-time smoke. I have since ordered a pound of it.
Pipe Used:
Various cobs and briars
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 25, 2005 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Unlike the two previous reviewers, I did not detect a salty taste in this blend nor was I reminded of the sea air. What I did taste in this blend was a lightly spicy, gingery flavor that, for me, grew old quickly. The description does not state that ginger topping is present but another C&D blend, Valle Crucis, does have a ginger topping. Not knowing what 'Shandygaff' meant, I subsequently looked it up and it is defined as ?A drink made of beer or ale mixed with ginger beer, ginger ale, or lemonade.? So perhaps my taste buds were true to me with this blend. Shandygaff is a good and different tasting occasional smoke but not an all day smoke or a regular smoke for me.
A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.
I rate this tobacco 6.9 out of 10
A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.
I rate this tobacco 6.9 out of 10
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 08, 2004 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
I had to try this when I read the description. This is indeed an unusual combination for a blend. The burley took center stage followed by the turkish and then the perique. It is hard for me to describe the flavor in that I've never tasted a blend quite like this. It is nutty, salty, and had a pleasant sourish note that intermingled in the flavors. The perique would come in and out of the flavor throughout the smoke. This smoke very cool and packed very easy. Overall this kind of reminded me of the ocean or sea for some reason. Maybe it is that salty element that is in this smoke. This is a definate must try for the adventurous or curious.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 13, 2021 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have been smoking this for a couple of months now, and I have come to really appreciate it. When I first smoked it I though it may be a little on the bland side. The flavor was so interesting that I stuck with it knowing it had potential that I was not yet picking up on. I am glad I stuck with this one. For being a "Burley Blend" it has a unique brightness to it, this brightness with a sharp pepper zing give the sense of a sweet ginger note, couples with effervescent character. There are also some notes of malt and earth and wood, but these flavors are more in the background. For me this blend has found it place as a morning smoke. It's a little too light as a evening smoke. As a first smoke of the day this blend is a great choice. I also noticed that this blend seems to like being smoked in a cob. I have smoked this in briars, pears, and cobs and it found the flavors to really shine in a cob. In the briar pipes the flavors seems a little muted. If you tried this in a briar and was underwhelming try it in a cob. As for the performance, it burns easy and cool with minimal effort. It will need a couple of relights early on. But overall a easy smoke.
Pipe Used:
Many
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking Pipes
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 24, 2019 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Very Pleasant |
I’ve been smoking pipes since the early 70’s with primarily Balkan, vaper and Virginia based blends like Rattray’s Hal O The Wynd, Escudo, Balkan, etc... - all good and all exceptional blends.
This year I’m taking a break from the aforementioned and getting back into burley based blends mostly C&D Old Joe Krantz, Old Joe Krantz White and Haunted Bookshop - all very good burley based concoctions.
Just recently purchased some Shandygaff on a whim and I’m glad I did. Shandygaff is in my opinion is an exceptional blend.
The nuttiness and cocoa of the burley is dominate but the Turkish is right along side the burley - my guess is Smyrna or Ishmir leaf. The Perique is noticeable on the retrohale - not too strong, just about equal to Old Joe Krantz. The tobacco burns well to a white ash. Minimum re-lights. No tongue burn or other mouth irritation. I love the bag note - that kind of nutty / mushroom / pungent aroma. And the taste is almost exactly as the bag note.
I enjoy leaving the room for a while and returning just to smell the room note - very intoxicating.
This stuff is truly an underrated blend - if you like burley blends with the spicyness of Perique and that little twang you get from Turkish tobacco then this is a must try.
This year I’m taking a break from the aforementioned and getting back into burley based blends mostly C&D Old Joe Krantz, Old Joe Krantz White and Haunted Bookshop - all very good burley based concoctions.
Just recently purchased some Shandygaff on a whim and I’m glad I did. Shandygaff is in my opinion is an exceptional blend.
The nuttiness and cocoa of the burley is dominate but the Turkish is right along side the burley - my guess is Smyrna or Ishmir leaf. The Perique is noticeable on the retrohale - not too strong, just about equal to Old Joe Krantz. The tobacco burns well to a white ash. Minimum re-lights. No tongue burn or other mouth irritation. I love the bag note - that kind of nutty / mushroom / pungent aroma. And the taste is almost exactly as the bag note.
I enjoy leaving the room for a while and returning just to smell the room note - very intoxicating.
This stuff is truly an underrated blend - if you like burley blends with the spicyness of Perique and that little twang you get from Turkish tobacco then this is a must try.
Pipe Used:
Caminetto and Savanelli
PurchasedFrom:
SmokingPipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 2011 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This was an interesting blend to try. I got a sample from a friend and was able to smell the tin as he put some in a baggie for me. The aroma that hit my nose was oddly enough that of Va and ginger ale, an aroma that I never thought I would pick out from a freshly opened tin of tobacco. Upon lighting the tobacco the taste of some wiley Va's hit my buds and as I continued to puff I exhaled a bit through my nose, this proved to be a good tactic with this blend as I again picked up some of that ginger ale flavor that I found so perplexing from the tin note. I found this blend to be one that I was willing to smoke indoors, and especially enjoyed during the spring season, it is a bit biting if one is not careful to sip as you usually should with VA's. I smoked this one during my second real streak of interest in Va's and found that it fit right into the rotation. If you smoke alot of Va's and you are looking for something a bit unique to throw into the mix, try this one, I don't think it will disappoint.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 08, 2020 | Medium to Strong | Strong | Full | Tolerable |
I agree with a lot of other reviews regarding how dry it burns and general characteristics. Obviously a burley, but the saltiness was apparent to me immediately. The ginger was there faintly at first but became quite forward in the last half of the bowl. It's not ginger as in ale, but more like something you'd find in a bitter Italian liqueur. Finally the perique really stood out in the final 1/3 of the bowl, very sour but it fit the overall profile perfectly. I'm starting to really appreciate the oddball tobaccos out there, and this is one of them.
Pipe Used:
Peterson system
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
fresh bulk
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 01, 2020 | Medium | Medium | Mild to Medium | Unnoticeable |
I agree with the flavors of ginger and old salty sea air and I would add cinnamon. Strange but true and plenty of ginger indeed. Way too much flavoring here for me ! It’s not a sticky aromatic or anything and i know tobaccos need a binder but I want to taste tobacco also ! I can taste some nutty sour/bitter white burleys and the Orientals which taste like Izmir leaf which have similar notes as the burleys with a little spice . The Perique i can barely detect . I usually smoke about a tins worth before I do a review but with this blend I will never make it that far along . Sorry but not for me . Although I am sure it has its fans . Maybe I will mix in some red Virginias that have some good age on them but I would hate to waste them . I say get 1 oz and make your own judgement.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I don't know about this one.
As I have mentioned in other reviews, I love perique and the spicy goodness it adds to blends. Even though I can gets its tingle in this mixture, it can't save what came across as a muddled mess called Shandygaff.
I got no ginger. I got no saltiness. All I got was burley and turkish trying to fight each other for supremacy with neither one succeeding.
Maybe my taste buds are shot. Maybe it's a bad batch. The tobacco did behave well in the pipe and burned completely to ash, but other than that I can only recommend this somewhat. Someone may find it interesting.
As I have mentioned in other reviews, I love perique and the spicy goodness it adds to blends. Even though I can gets its tingle in this mixture, it can't save what came across as a muddled mess called Shandygaff.
I got no ginger. I got no saltiness. All I got was burley and turkish trying to fight each other for supremacy with neither one succeeding.
Maybe my taste buds are shot. Maybe it's a bad batch. The tobacco did behave well in the pipe and burned completely to ash, but other than that I can only recommend this somewhat. Someone may find it interesting.
Pipe Used:
Various briars, cobs
Age When Smoked:
fresh from bulk
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