Cornell & Diehl Yale Mixture

I don't think this mixture is so "full bodied" as declared, having found it light and fresh and perfectly suitable for outdoor summer smoking. The balance and the smoothness I think are the main keys here, the latakia being a little in the background. There's a nice sweetness by the Virginias and on their layer I could aste a piquant note that made me think about Perique. The closest C&D blend I can think about is Rajah's Court, though Yale is a less classic-style English mixture.

I do not know how close this is to the original Craven, but whatever its pedigree, it's a masterpiece. Indeed, this is the finest English mixture I have ever filled my pipe with, and a member of that small and exclusive club which I fondly call "My Favorite Blends."

Spicy, dark, rich, and smooth, Yale Mixture comes dry when you order it (which I, for one, like) and is so well cut that it packs without any effort. Once lit, it will burn and burn at just the right pace; this is the epitome of the "one-match smoke." It does have a faint cigar overtone, as Beer mentions, but only at given points in the smoke. The flavor of this tobacco is absolutely unique and unmistakable.

Yale Mixture is not "complex" in the GL Pease sense of the term, but this is one of its many virtues. Smoking a pipe can't always be a neurotic pursuit of flavor nuances. This is a consistent and rewarding blend, and one that holds a special place in my heart.

It's good, tasty and robust... but I find it too spicy, perique-laden and cigarish for my habit. Check Bayou Night instead...

Yale Mixture packs easily, lights easily and has a nice light natural flavor. The burn is relatively slow, even and dry. There is some subtle complexity. The only thing that keeps me from liking this tobacco is that it bit like a rabid squirrel. I smoked it slowly, I tried it in different sized bowls, I even tried it in a Kirsten. The result was the same every time. I guess this one just doesn?t agree with me. I can't figure out what it could be.

I am a big fan of latakia and english blends and very much enjoy this. The flavor of this is unique. Even though the description does not mention turkish, that was the first impression that I recieved on light up. After about the first eighth of the bowl the other ingredients realy come into play. The virginia seems to be that of a dark, round, full unsweet variety. The latakia is present but is not the main focus of this blend. As far as english blends go this is not on the sweet end of the spectrum. This has a slightly bitter note that weeves in and out of the other flavors. Oddly I found this aspect appealing in that it was bitter but not overpowering, just enough to keep it interesting. There are alot of little subtletys in this blend that can be missed if attention is not paid to it. This is also very good if you are pre occupied with other things other than distinguishing the minor variations of flavor in a blend. I enjoy smoking this in that it realy is a sharp contrast to sweet english blends (which I also enjoy). This is very good and highly recommend it.

This is a tricky Latakia/Va mixture. At first it seems a very well developed blend, but only ?technically? speaking. It has all the elements of a very traditional English mixture comprising red and tan Virginias with jet black and probably toasted Latakia (the manufacturer in fact states it is close to the original Craven mixture). But the flavour seems a bit harsh and raw, with non of the subtleties or undertones you may find in Dunhill?s, Gawith?s or Pease?s blends. I did not detect any Oriental or Turkish elements that would, IMO, enliven the blend. In fact this could very well be the extreme opposite of the Pease's Renaissance. A dry, cool smoke, pretty well balanced, but nothing more. However, as you smoke some more bowls, it kind of grows on you.

Almost monastically austere, with virtually no plum sweetness, it nevertheless provides a sobriety and elegance that lingers on through the smoke. There are no surprises in terms of varying flavours as you progress down the bowl. The Vas. are stronger and drier here than in other similar mixtures I?ve tried, and the Latakia, though potent and similar to the grades used in Standard Mixture, is not at all overwhelming. Such consistency of flavour and the coolness of the smoke make it an enjoyable, non distracting smoking experience. I have been reading and writing quite a bit whilst smoking this blend, and I find YM a most agreeable and discrete companion. The aroma is not particularly pungent and can be smoked indoors (window slightly open).

As a change of pace within the Latakia/Va. range this is an interesting and recommendable option. Medium strength and dry, it goes well with port, Holst and Huxley.

Appearance: Mostly medium and light color with a little dark. Appears to be red va., turkish and latakia. Somewhat fine cut. Balanced english aroma. Like all of the C & D blends, there is less moisture content. I like it like that, and besides, I get more tobacco and less water for my buck.

Aroma: A lovely balance of sweet, spicy, and smoky, with the oriental spice most noticable, the latakia definitely there, and the Virginia in the background

Packing: Owing to the slightly fine cut, this blend packs easily in any size bowl.

Lighting: Lights easily, no special effort to get it started.

Initial flavor: First impression is the turkish, bright and spicy. It mellows down quickly, and I taste the nice round virginias with a moderate smokiness from the latakia.

Mid-bowl: Continues in a well behaved, proper english manner. Since it?s a pure, natural tobacco, it smokes dry. Flavor is not overwhelming, in fact it seems to be lacking a bit of body. Leaving it to mellow for several months would probably be of great benefit.

Finish: Ends a bit stronger than the middle, but retains the taste and balance throughout. Leaves a clean ash.

Summary: Probably an excellent choice for an all day smoker. If you?re looking for a big blast of latakia, this is NOT it. Since this is a bulk blend, it does not show the maturity of a tinned tobacco, but the cost is also much lower than tins. This would be at or near the top of my list for a steady english blend. This is supposed to be close to the old Craven mixture, which I smoked many years ago. I have to admit, too many years have gone by for me to judge that, but I do like it

The pouch aroma was latakia.

The taste was latakia, but on the light side. Which I found to be okay. One doesn't always want a lat bomb. The Virginia, to my tastebuds, was rather tasteless. Maybe some hay. It did, though, put the emphasis on the latakia.

In my Savinelli Mattone 313, the smoke became a bit harsh towards the bottom of the bowl. In my Falcon meerschaum, the smoke was much smoother with no harshness.

I have to say, I wanted to like this. But the complete lack of any sweetness in the Virginia made this a very austere smoke. There was just one note: the latakia.

Now there are days when that might be all I want. But it certainly isn't every day.

At this point, I'll keep this for an occasional smoke. But I probably won't buy again, unless my taste changes.

It's not a horrible blend, but I just find that there are other pipe mixtures I like a whole lot better.

This one just did not do it for me. I bought a one ounce sample of this because a friend is smitten with the blend. The blend is simple in that it is just two types of leaf used Virginia and Latakia with Virginia definitely in the lead. The latakia is definitely perceptible with the campfire notes it delivers.

I find the Virginia component to be not sweet enough for my preferences. In fact, every bowl I had left me with the impression I was smoking dirt. Maybe, I am just not a slow enough smoker and never really got in the zone with this one. I will say that in other respects this tobacco performs well. perfect moisture leads to a dry smoke that needs few relights; basically a typical C&D blend in that respect. In any case, these were my impressions and I am happy I only purchased an ounce.