Cornell & Diehl Crowley's Best
(2.91)
Named for the famed Walter Crowley of Fordham's football glory days, this is a medium strength mixture of burley, Latakia, and perique in an uncommonly harmonious natural blend. (A mixture for you, the old Fordham fans!)
Details
| Brand | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blended By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Manufactured By | Cornell & Diehl |
| Blend Type | American |
| Contents | Burley, Latakia, Perique |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Coarse Cut |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium to Strong
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.91 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 25, 2016 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I was digging through my cellar "armoire" today doing my annual spring cleaning when I picked up an 8oz tin of Crowley's dated 4/2006 and the price sticker of $16.00 had me stunned! Cup O Joe's is where I purchased it from and it made me think of how much prices have changed, I used to buy 8oz bulk blends for $16 from Cup O Joe's, now every blend by C&D regardless of blend is $25.00. Anyways I had tried CB years ago and while I did enjoy my sample, I understood even as a newbie that the tobacco from C&D at that time was shipped green and needed aging, fast forward ten years and my tin literally exploded when I cracked the seal as the fermentation doing its magical stuff puffed out the tin. The Burleys are slightly bitter and strong, the Latakia adds its spice and the Perique gives me the nasal exhale tingle I love. CB is unique in that it doesn't contain Virginia's like Shandygaff which is another blend I love but the Latakia and Perique take this blend down a different path and it really works here. For those that like their American English blends on the drier side (like wine) then give CB a try since even if you do not like its lack of sweetness, one can add black Cavendish or a pinch of Virginia due to the simple 3 ingredient recipe. A great blend for working outside IMO since the flavor is so intense it does not get lost like a weaker blend would outside and does not bite one bit due to the lack of Virginia's so I intend to reserve CB for dog walks and mowing the lawn etc. And lastly the nicotine kick is above average as two of the three ingredients are known to contain high levels of it so a medium sized bowl is enough to satisfy me!
PurchasedFrom:
Cup O Joe's
Age When Smoked:
2006
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 14, 2004 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Unnoticeable |
This blend has been produced for some time by Cornell and Diehl. I thought I'd give it a try for I believed it'd be simular to the 100 numbered blends that have been made over the last year. It is a blend consisting of burley, latakia, and perique and was departure from the a formetioned 100s in the C&D line. I believe it contains more latakia and perique and thus is more of a light English.
I found the tobaccos coming through nicely and enjoyed relaxing with a bowl of this after a hard day's work. It is cool smoking and for a smoker like me a good way to step up and experiance more latakia.
I do not smoke many English/Balkan blends so I hope others more familure with those blends will give this a try. I suppose they would call it a mild/medium english than an "American blend" that seem to have more nuttiness of the burley, and less of a condiment leaf emphasis. Crowley's Best appears to be an English blend that is simply made with Burley instead of Virginia.
I found the tobaccos coming through nicely and enjoyed relaxing with a bowl of this after a hard day's work. It is cool smoking and for a smoker like me a good way to step up and experiance more latakia.
I do not smoke many English/Balkan blends so I hope others more familure with those blends will give this a try. I suppose they would call it a mild/medium english than an "American blend" that seem to have more nuttiness of the burley, and less of a condiment leaf emphasis. Crowley's Best appears to be an English blend that is simply made with Burley instead of Virginia.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2015 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Update: This is gone from my rotation, more or less. The seemingly new cut (finer more uniform) seems to have toned down the Latakia taste. I just find there are more interesting C&D blends, but if you're looking for a set it and forget it burley based English, this is it. Good in the summer.
I like a lot of the more powerful C&D blends, especially Bayou Night, which has been my go to smoke for years. If you don't consider Bayou Night a burley based English, a matter of debate, then Crowley's Best is the best burley based English (call it an American) I've had.
However, smoking Crowley's Best is not a spectacular or life changing experience. There is no "English Depth" so to speak. It is more a comfort blend. Smooth, medium Latakia and rich Burley (not the light stuff !) with a very small amount of Perique.
I should note that CB does burn rather quickly.
Because of the large rich burley content, this has to be smoked at a rather low temp or it will get bitter. Leaving it overnight will also result in the typical burley hangover experience.
I also agree that smoking CB is quite a cigar-like experience, despite there being no cigar leaf involved. Not a $15 cigar mind you. So perhaps, if you find Billy Budd too much, this is very similar, without the cigar leaf yet retaining many cigar like qualities.
Nice stuff, it's growing on me...
I like a lot of the more powerful C&D blends, especially Bayou Night, which has been my go to smoke for years. If you don't consider Bayou Night a burley based English, a matter of debate, then Crowley's Best is the best burley based English (call it an American) I've had.
However, smoking Crowley's Best is not a spectacular or life changing experience. There is no "English Depth" so to speak. It is more a comfort blend. Smooth, medium Latakia and rich Burley (not the light stuff !) with a very small amount of Perique.
I should note that CB does burn rather quickly.
Because of the large rich burley content, this has to be smoked at a rather low temp or it will get bitter. Leaving it overnight will also result in the typical burley hangover experience.
I also agree that smoking CB is quite a cigar-like experience, despite there being no cigar leaf involved. Not a $15 cigar mind you. So perhaps, if you find Billy Budd too much, this is very similar, without the cigar leaf yet retaining many cigar like qualities.
Nice stuff, it's growing on me...
Pipe Used:
Astley's
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 20, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Decided to try tobacco, because named in honor of Aleister Crowley. At least I thought so. I like this tobacco is not the first time, but now I smoke it nearly every day.
Pipe Used:
Lorenzetti, Gasparini
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 11, 2007 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This is a very nice mixture for a change of pace from traditional English blends. You have that English or Balkan flavor and some strength of taste here. Burns cool and does not bite. The first and last of the bowl, to me, seems just a little rough around the edges or I would have given it 4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 09, 2022 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
I like the interplay between the burley and Latakia. They weave in and out for me as far as predominant characteristics of both are concerned. A little dry nut, a little smoke, a little incence. And then the reverse. Rather than bitter I sense more of a dryer mouth feel. A slight tingle on the tongue from the perique. Not a complex smoke. Not a tapestry of tastes but an enjoyable diversion from the sweeter Virginia based Latakia blends. I have to be careful though, for some reason this blend can scratch the back of my throat.
Pipe Used:
JT Cook
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
2years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 04, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
This is part of a bulk order that I placed years ago. I did not smoke any of this fresh, so I cannot comment on what recent production tastes like. In some ways, I maintain earlier commentary that this is the little brother to big n burley. In many ways it is not. The burley base is less potent and clearly less the focal point. The Condimental leaves play a huge role here with the Latakia being evident in the pouch aroma and adding smokiness. The perique adds a nice Tangy, acidic, fruity component with some pepper on the retrohale. I get strong black licorice hit every so often during a bowl. The nic hit is right at medium. Burley really sits back and allows the condimental leaves to shine here. This is a unique blend that in spite of the Latakia content, the wife did not object to. Definitely a blend for any piper with a sense of adventure. I find that this is one that goes well with black coffee. Also goes well with Red Bull as I found out unintentionally(who knew).
Pipe Used:
Numerous
PurchasedFrom:
P&C
Age When Smoked:
6 years
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