Cornell & Diehl Gentleman Caller

This goes perfect in a cob. Which, considering the way deer tongue can ghost a pipe, is a perfect way to smoke it. I have two MM Washington's dedicated to this blend. I buy this in bulk, and always keep plenty in the cellar. I'd dearly miss it if C&D quit making it.

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.

This is the first blend I’ve ever tried that contains deer tongue, but as soon as I popped open the tin I knew what I smelled was not the tobacco. The room was inundated with a smell that reminded me of dried mint and honey, perhaps with some other herbal note that escapes me. The tin note completely belied the taste of the lit tobacco, however.

On charring light, I immediately noted the deer tongue and the topping. As mentioned, the deer tongue did not really taste like it smelled. In short order the tobaccos came through, and everything settled into a nice mellow harmony. The taste of the deer tongue is hard to describe, somewhere between vanilla and honeysuckle. No trace of the dried mint I smelled in the tin note. The topping is hard for me to nail down, but seems to be Irish Creme or Amaretto. I could be wrong about that, but whatever it is, it’s not overdone, which is nice. The burleys are the main player here, smooth and toasty, with a spice hit every so often from the Perique. It is more evident in the nose than on the palate, but it is definitely there. The Virginias add a perfect amount of natural sweetness and an occasional touch of hay.

Room note is clover and vanilla. Quite nice.

There’s a touch of nicotine from the burleys and probably the Perique, but certainly not a powerhouse smoke by any stretch.

Not something I’d smoke every day, but I think this will replace most of the aromatic tobaccos I occasionally smoke. I quite like it. That being said, I can also see how the taste of the deer tongue wouldn’t be for everyone, but I’ll order it again.

I really wanted to try a deer tongue blend, so the first one I got was Crooner which has that very nic-laden cube cut burley. I don't smoke for nicotine, and Crooner was much too strong for me, could not enjoy it because of that, but I knew that I did like the deer tongue flavor. So I got some Gentleman Caller, which really scratched my itch for deer tongue. Much more palatable for me and a nice cut to it for a good burn. Tasty and not nearly as much nic as Crooner. I only buy one 50gr. tin at a time because I noticed the deer tongue flavor seems to fade somewhat over time, since it is an occasional smoke, the smaller tin can last me awhile. If you're curious about deer tongue, by all means give Gentleman Caller a try. I also like it because the guy on the label looks alot like a friend of mine but without the glasses. Definitely dedicate a briar and/or cob to this blend as it will ghost.

Gentleman Caller is a fine blend, although it does require you to manage your expectations somewhat. I smoke primarily English mixtures in the fall and winter months, switching to VaPers in the summer. This can be an excellent mid-cycle palate cleanser and this is perhaps its greatest strength. It is also in comparison a light and even refreshing smoking experience that is very easy on the mouth. It tends to burn quickly, while still remaining cool and with not a lick of tongue bite. The flavor is difficult to pin down, but is actually quite similar to SweeTarts; lemonade, tart cherries, etc., followed by a vaguely sweet finish, comparable to Honjozo sake or perhaps a Christmas spice cake. It’s unusual to say the least. The nicotine seems also to be, at least for me, in that perfect “Violet Hour” ratio where it is clearly evident, yet one can still puff with relative impunity without any ill effect. Unfortunately, there are a few caveats that we need to discuss.

As I mentioned, this is a tart blend overall. However, the first quarter-bowl can border on outright bitterness before finally settling down. Also, its preeminent virtue of being a light, summertime smoke can equally be its greatest weakness, as it often leaves me wanting a fuller, deeper flavor that never really develops; it hits its high note early-on and stays there for the duration. Lastly, the deertongue will easily ghost a briar pipe, your hand, and your beard -do be warned.

Others have described this (and deertongue blends in general) as love-it-or-hate-it, but I tend to disagree. It depends very much on one’s own goals for the particular session. Something as unique as Gentleman Caller cannot be condemned for not being what it is not and should be taken on its own merits; that being a most unusual and stimulating, albeit light smoking experience that is distinctive enough to occupy its own niche in a seasonal rotation.

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!

No, no and no! I'm suspecting that the old timers used deer tongue as a measurement for the misery they had to endure: The Depression, WWII, and deer tongue. Horrible by any other than third world standards.

Bought this tin for two reasons. One I enjoy C&D. Two, I had never had a deer tongue mixture. On opening the tin the herbal, vanilla esque scent is apparent. To me, this smokes a bit more like an english but tastes and smells more aeromatic. No tongue bite or gurgle to speak of. Smokey-sweet with a nutty and vanilla taste. Not too strong on the N factor, easily an all day smoke on both flavor and strength. I had heard that this is a tones down version of crooner so I decided to sample that as well. In my opinion crooner is more of gentleman caller overdone. G.c., to me, has the perfect balance of deer tongue whereas crooner has so much that it makes the smoke bitter.

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.