Cornell & Diehl Gentleman Caller

Burley and Deer Tongue is one of my favorite combinations in pipe tobacco. Being a huge fan of C&D's Crooner I decided to pick up a tin of Gentleman Caller to see if I would enjoy a more subtle use of Deer Tongue compaired to the bold usage of the herb in Crooner. Now I must say, this blend is delightful. Perfect for when I'm craving that unique Deer Tongue flavor but am not in the mood for the bold in your face flavors of Crooner. In Gentleman Caller the burley is the main character. Nutty and smooth as you'd expect from the burley Gods at C&D. As a second roll I pick up the intermingling of the sweet tangy virginia with the sweet earthy deer tongue. The perique sort of hides quietly in the back row giving just the slightest spice to the blend. Gentleman Caller is just an all around fantastic, unique old fashioned pipe tobacco. Also, the room note is to die for. Sort of a musky, floral, vanilla scent. Just wonderful.

A masterpiece of blending craft. Totally unique, superbly executed, herbally goodness. If you have any curiosity regarding deer tongue, and even if you don't, this is a must try.

I bought this to explore the world of deer tongue blends as a superior component of many venerable tobaccos that have long since vanished, been replaced with synthetic concoctions, or simply quietly removed from the mix. I suspect herbs other than tobacco have long been smoked in rural America, and certainly the Native Americans have a list of such in their herbal traditions. Upon first lighting this up, the words of Meriadoc Brandybuck immediately sprang to mind; "For ages the folk of the Shire smoked various herbs, some fouler, some sweeter." This is of the sweeter variety and is very much appreciated.

This comes in a nice tin with a bespectacled codger decked out in tweed and bow tie on the label. Pop the tin and you'll be greeted with rich and fragrant herbal scent of fresh cut timothy and alfalfa, no generic hay. The cut is lovely with ribbons, coarse pieces, and broken flakes of stoved and orange Virginia, white and dark burley, black perique, and light green deer tongue.

It smokes very well. The aroma and taste, especially early on matches the tin note. While many describe this as similar to vanilla, I don't get that at all but rather timothy, light mint, and even spicy components like old fashioned bay rum colognes. It is pretty pungent on the match but quickly settles down to a full but very nice flavor. The malty Virginias dominate at the top, but start to give way to the nuttier burley in the last half. The perique pokes through in the gentlest way. The deer tongue subsides throughout but kicks in again at the end with a more medicinal quality. Room note is very very nice, and the lingering taste on your lips and in your beard (if so equipped) is a pleasant reminder of the quality smoke.

One of the things I dig about this blend is that the components work in harmony and change throughout the bowl, but are not melded in such a way that they're hidden. It is super aromatic, but achieved without casings or flavorings, and instead utilizes tobacco's natural ally, other dried leaf. Surely a superior smoke to another black cavendish soaked in cheap booze, an aromatic for the connoisseur. I think this is just superb and urge everyone to try it. Surely there will be many that won't care for the taste, but it's worth finding out first hand.

This is a blend I was looking forward to ever since I discovered Crosby's Crooner. A long time favorite. That blend is pretty high in strength, but this one was pretty mellow. It's one I want to use as a center piece potpourri , and always have on hand.

The main flavor you will get is that C & D deer tongue. Some say it's a vanilla mint, but I'd describe it as a floral, maybe slight vanilla. It's light and very tasteful. The other tobaccos in here just add to the greatness. The nuttyness and sweetness of the burleys are a great supporting tobacco. The Virginia and Perique are more of an additive that just complete this blend. Keeps it complex yet still simple.

Not much else to say, but to get this blend more out there, everyone should at least try. Not for everyone, but definitely worth a try,

Cornell & Diehl - Gentleman Caller.

When I opened this I wasn't amused; I'd meant to open Exhausted Rooster but my dog woke me up early this morning and sleep deprivation had got the better of me; well, the tins look similar at a glance..... a glance with tired eyes!

However, after a few bowls I'm glad I messed up!

The one thing that perplexes me, 'None Detected' has often been ticked for the flavouring, yet I find it Medium to Strong? Ah well, tobacco's subjective!

The toppings give a great flavour, and an awesome room-note; one of the best there is!

The nicotine's about medium; it's strange for me as I like nic' in the morning and an aromatic taste in the evening: a bit of both here!

When I first popped this open I wrote a quick and negative review, but afterwards I sat and finished the pipe off and had the urge to re-fill with more of it afterwards!

That, speaks for itself: highly recommended.

Four stars.

Tin note is straight up honey with hints of honeysuckle (it's getting a little more complex with its young age, but not much). Suspect most of that's from the deer tongue, but perhaps the Virginia too? Couldn't detect perique or much of the burley on the nose. Based on smell and appearance, this has a LOT of deer tongue in it. Had the most success packing it a bit lightly, letting it sit for a bit, and tamping very gently. (Have only smoked it in a relatively wide bowl, not sure if that was a factor.)

Started out a bit sharp. There are a lot of sugars in this blend, so that wasn't a surprise. Definitely felt like it would bite if you let it, although it never did, and at a couple of points I was puffing away. First third didn't do much for me, as the deer tongue was way out in front. The room note was beautiful though! Like honey on toast, and it was terrific all the way through. I had wondered why the label art was of a geriatric hookup, and lighting up answered that question. The aroma took me back to my childhood, when a lot of men were still pipe smokers. According to online old timers, this recipe is what Half and Half used to be, and I probably smelled that stuff burning quite a bit as a kid. So I was still hopeful.

In the second third of the bowl, the burley and VAs showed up to play with the deer tongue, and it blossomed into these amazing lemon chiffon and lemon cheesecake flavors I've never experienced in a pipe. The smoke itself was still relatively light (no Latakia in this one!). The bottom third of the bowl was like a hearty spicecake. Perhaps that was the perique coming out to play? I bumped into just one quick bitter note that could have been burley and/or perique, and went as quickly as it came. It wasn't nearly enough to dissuade me from all the good stuff that was happening. If Lat blends are like sitting by a campfire, this one is like a trip to a gourmet sweet shop. Could be a nice complement to an English-heavy rotation.

This is only the second deer tongue blend I've tried, the other is Russ Oullet's Old Tartan. They're quite different, but I've enjoyed each one immensely, and they both take me back about 40 years in time. I've dedicated a single pipe to both of them with no ill effects so far. Yes, deer tongue ghosts, but the ghost smells wonderful, like cream cheese frosting and incense, if that makes any sense.

Nicotine was noticeable. For heavy pipers who are fans of the Vitamin N (and burley) and not put off by the deer tongue, this would make a great all-day smoke, imo. But be warned, the deer tongue isn't for everyone. If you're a first timer, you might want to rouse up some samples before going all in on a blend. And if you're a burley hater, you probably should skip it altogether.

Upon opening the tin, I was amazed at the aroma of cinnamon and apples! I noticed the large quantity of green leaf in this blend which is the herb, deer tongue. I was very excited to smoke this. I was sitting next to Craig Tarler (C&D) and asked, what is this topping? He responded, "no topping, just deer tongue". He also commented this herb is very difficult to get ahold of these days and they are guarding their supply with their life!

What you have here, is a Non-Aromatic-Natural Aromatic tobacco. Wonderful taste and aroma. This natural tobacco blend became part of my daily rotation and will stay in the line up as long as it is available.

Deer tongue will leave a delightful flavor within your briar. I have devoted two pipes exclusively for GC. If you smoke it regularly, as I do, I suggest devoting a pipe or two for it or you will experience ghosting when smoking other favorites.

This is an exceptional blend. A real treat of fine tobacco's and the amazing addition of deer tongue which is so rare these days. I will add, I smoked Half and Half for 29 years before discovering C&D blends. This blend does remind me of H&H. However, a recent sample of H&H showed no signs of deer tongue. My guess, is they have removed it. It always used to be there. The H&H smoke is just not the same without it.

If you appreciate a natural aromatic, this blend is, in my opinion, the best of the best.

Don't be quick to judge this one. New can first bowl I was wondering what all the fuss was about. Half way through the tin I knew this would be a blend I would keep on hand. Complex yet mellow but go easy or it will get hot. Deer tongue adds a pleasant taste and great room note. This blend burns clean stays lit and for me becomes sweeter as I get toward the middle of the bowl. A great blend try it.

*****Update 10/07/14***** Matt Robillard is a genius plain and simple. He took a deep, burley rich vintage type blend and made it his own. When I smoke this I picture myself in the 30's walking down Madison Ave in NY in the fall. Today it was crisp enough outside to really enjoy Gentleman Caller. The Burley, VIr and Per really shine when its cold outside. The world needs more Robillard Burley blends!!! He is the codger / Working man / Vintage blend resurrector wizard and I bow and kneel to him! 🙂 Thanks Matt and C&D, a real winner here...

O man if anyone is hesitant about picking up an aromatic, have no fear. Gentleman Caller is naturally aromatic. It is everything I wanted in "Crooner" without the heat and bite, and with more flavor.. If good old Bing (RIP) could have tried this blend it just might have become his favorite but alas we will never know... Room note is vanilla baked butter croissants and the taste is nutty, full and slightly sweet up top, as you near the end of the bowl the Perique picks up a bit and adds a nice spice. An aromatic for folks who don't like aromatics!! Best in a cob and IMO C&D's best Deer Tongue blend yet!

Gentleman Caller is a wonderful Deer Tongue blend from C&D. I am a huge fan of Crooner but it is too strong to be an all day blend. Gentleman Caller is a mild and tasty alternative. The Burley here is nutty as usual with some oats. The Virginia is grassy with hay. There is a mild spice from the Perique. I can't do any better at describing the flavor of Deer Tongue than any other reviewer. Floral, minty, with vanilla. Very refreshing to the palate. This blend has an enjoyable complexity while remaining mild. Wonderful roomnote that is sure to get compliments. Just make sure to dedicate a pipe to it. Deer Tongue can ghost on the very first smoke.