Cornell & Diehl Gentleman Caller

At long last, the mystery is solved. Let me explain: many of the antique-store estate pipes I've bought over the years had a strange, floral/honey ghost left in them. It was so prevalent, I started to believe it may be a by-product of age in smoked briars. After all, I can't imagine Lakeland blends being near-omnipresent in 1950-1970 Iowa. A FB friend suggested the ghost could be the result of Deer Tongue blends, of which Half and Half used to be a common example. Indeed, one review of this states that it is very similar to the original Half and Half recipe, before Deer Tongue was eliminated from the mix. I knew that C&D still makes a few blends containing this odd herb, so I threw a tin of GC in with my latest restock order. It sounded a bit more level-headed than Crooner, and I'm a sucker for Perique. As soon as I popped the tin, I knew the mystery had been solved. The scent jumps right out at you, smelling (to me) very much like our local cornflower honey. This carries over to the smoke, adding an occasional whiff of cardamom. It overwhelms the component tobaccos to a large degree, although you may get the odd toasty, bready note. Could use a lot more Perique for my tastes, but I doubt Grandma's Beau's pacemaker could handle it. Room note is to die for; my wife is actually requesting that I smoke this in the house now. A word of caution: this stuff will ghost a pipe ferociously and tenaciously; some of those pipes can't have been smoked in 50 years, and still it came through clear as a bell. I hacked out a quick throwaway pipe from scrap for the occasion; those without a lathe would be advised to try it in a cob first. However, I'm finding that it is growing on me fast; I've already decided to rededicate a large 1950's Charatan's Make that came to me with this ghost; reunited, and it smokes so good.

Deer tongue. Well what can I say... curiosity got the best of me, so I had to try it, even though the smell from the tin was a bit offputting at first. Some kind of herbal, honeyish scent carrying a awkward sweetness. Is it topped with some kind vanilla liqour in addition?

First light told me this was going to be a weird one, didn't really enjoy it the first time, but there was something familiar and something that kept me interested... so I smoked more and soon realized this was going to grow on me.

The herbal goodness started to creep up on me, along with the nutty burley, subdued vanilla and slight peppery nasal from the periqué, while lurking in the background i found some zesty virginia. All in all this ended up a winner in my book!

If Gentleman Caller keeps growing on me as I mature, it might be promoted to 4 stars... For now; in it's youth, recommended!

EDIT: This only changes for the better with each subsequent smoke, or maybe it's me. Bought even more and changed my verdict to Highly Recommended!

Simply put. this blend is perfection. An all day, all night, all the time smoke. This may be the one blend that could make me brand loyal and I've smoked them all.

Riuscire a trovare una miscela aromatica così è sempre stato il mio sogno. Una mixture fantastica che sorprende ad ogni puff, che non stanca e che chiede di essere fumata in continuazione. Una sorpresa fantastica. Alla apertura della tin si sentono aromi di camomilla, miele e vaniglia il tutto dato dalla grande qualità dei tabacchi presenti. L'aromatizzazione data dalla lingua di cervo è fantastica. Consigliatissima per chi desidera un aromatico ma che non sia stucchevole. Facile da caricare e facile da fumare. Da comprare al volo!

I mild, light and refreshing smoke, this is heavenly in a big bowl on a hot evening, the tobacco flavour is mild and the Deer Tongue adds a natural sweetness to the blend.Amazing

The floral/sweet Deertongue make this Nutty Burley/Virginia blend in an outstandig smoke! AP

Deer Tongue schemer tongue! People seem to overlook the wonderful marriage of the burley and Virginia with just the right amount of perique for the delightful added spicy character. The Deer Tongue isn’t nearly as overwhelming to me as some have noted, but individual tastes differ, I reckon. I get compliments on a regular basis from others regarding the wonderful aroma. This will always be my daily smoke. To me, it is just that good!