Cornell & Diehl Crowley's Best

This is an example of where whole is less than the sum of the parts. This blend just does not work for me. The overriding flavor is pure bitterness, no balance and nothing interesting that makes you want to keep smoking it. I get the Latakia but I do not find the peppery or dark fruit that is typical of Perique and the Burley is just very cigarette like. There are no nutty or chocolate notes that you find in most quality Burleys. I think this is just poorly blended and the component tobaccos fight with one another rather than work together. This one will definitely not be on my "buy again list".

I have been trying a lot of Cornell & Diehl blends, looking for some new-to-me blends to add to the rotation. I tried Crowley's Best, and I'm not really a fan. I like American Englishes (burley & Latikia). I really didn't detect the sweetness some have noted, and this hit me a bit harder than I like. Other people seemed to like it more than I did. Bottom line - this isn't going into the rotation.

Honestly, from the time I opened the pouch to transfer it to the jar, until the first time I packed a pipe. I procrastinated. Judging by the pouch aroma, I had feelings of early disappointment. This blend just smelled off. A sour mustiness that stood out against the smoky Latakia. Rough chopped up ribbon at the perfect moisture level. Some flake of compressed burley remain in the pouch.

Initial lighting brings forth a majority of dry, ashy burley. Near cigar-like, with a bit of smokiness from the Latakia. The further down you get, the worse the ashy flavor compounds. Its just not my cup of tea.

Ill give it another go in a few months. I know C&D's burley can be young, with little to no age. But for now I do not recommend.