Cornell & Diehl Burley Flake #1

Summary: A codger blend turned up to 11, powered by the same intense flavors behind C&D's "Cube Cut Burley" and "Dark Burley."

Cornell & Diehl play to their strengths with this blend which combines layers of rich Burley with red Virginia and condimental Perique to make a stern smoke that brings out the strength and sweetness of a good Burley mix. It arrives in loosely assembled flake, falling apart slightly perhaps from the pure intensity packed inside.

For those who enjoy the classic Burley flavor of codger blends, but always wanted them to land a punch like Dolph Lundgren, "Burley Flake #1" delivers a solid smoke with the majority of its flavor coming from the dark, dense and earthy sensations of Burley. The first quarter of the bowl has, like a good cigar, a bold and slightly bitter taste, but then the moderate sweetness of Virginia and fruity gentleness of the Perique come into play until the final quarter, when only the powerful full taste of Burley and Virginia creates a contemplative final flavor.

Like most Burley blends, this one requires introspection from the taste-driver smoker to discern the web of internal tastes that Burley provides in layers as it burns to ember. The faint sweet and peppery fruitiness accents this and lets the Burley hide its rougher edges, while preserving the fully "nutty" flavor that Burley lovers crave. Bring a book, however, as this one smolders for a delightful hour-long sipping smoke.

The burleys are bold and rich in flavor: nutty, woody and earthy with a few cocoa and dry notes, and a hint of molasses. The red Virginia is moderately present with earthy, woody and tangy dark fruit almost as a second lead. The perique offers plum, raisin, figs and pepper, the latter being a bit more obvious in a support role. You’ll notice every flavor aspect in virtually every puff. It has a medium nic-hit. The strength is close to the center of medium to strong. The taste level is medium. Doesn't turn ashy, won't bite, and has no harsh or dull spots. Has some rough edges. Requires some relights, and leaves just a little moisture in the bowl, but it burns cool and clean with a deep, very consistent, mildly complex taste as it produces lots of smoke. Has a pleasantly lingering after taste, and stronger room note. Great for smoking outdoors or with tea or coffee. Not an all day smoke.

-JimInks

I like cigars and while Burley Flake #1 doesn't taste or smell anything like a cigar, there are some characteristics of this tobacco that I can really appreciate. Firstly, if nicotine makes you happy, then this will make you happy (I'm slightly on the Autism spectrum and require vitamine N for wellbeing, so this tobacco makes me happy). I don't inhale, just puff and this flake still makes me happy. Secondly, it leaves a deep dark taste in the mouth that seems to activate the same taste receptors as coffee or chocolate does (obviously, this is tobacco and not coffee or chocolate, so don't expect what it isn't from my comment). Finally, there's often that earthy natural tobacco flavour coupled with the taste of nicotine that I can relate to the cigar experience, but richer.

This is my first time with Burley flake, so if this is the epitome of the Burley experience, then I can see myself taking a Burley detour in my pipe tobacco journey. I rub this tobacco out and find it needs half an hour to dry in an air conditioned room to get the best smoking experience. The initial taste is strong with lots of pepper on the tongue from the nicotine, but then the pipe settles into a deep, dark and mellow smoking experience. There's the nice warm happy rush of nicotine and the slow steady smoke (not too many relights) needed for a peaceful mediation and for reflection at the end of a long day.

This flake is delivered as 1/16"x2"x1/2" soft strands that are quite moist from the tin and don't dry out much but pack easily and if done carefully, minimal relights are then needed. Smokes cool and without condensation or any hint of bite. To me, it's just as named with the Burley dominating. I normally smoke VAs or VA/Pers and find this and ~ burleys to be a bit rough on the edges and this one espcially lacking my preferred VA sweetness with the perique way in the background. However you have just true tobacco aroma from the tin and the same in the taste. Reiner's LGF remains my favorite blended with these components but if you enjoy Burley this may work for you.

The tin note is a dark fruit with some earthy tobacco. It smells really good. The "flake" is mostly rubbed out pressed medium ribbon in shades of dark brown and a little tan. It comes a little more moist than most C&D blends. I crumbled it with my fingers into my palm and codger scooped to load. I smoked it as delivered and did not dry it before smoking.

Smoked, this is burley forward as you might guess from the name. I am getting mostly an earthy full taste from the burley. The dark fruit in the tin note comes through slightly in the smoking, and there are a few sweet notes that are the perique/Va contribution. The perique is a mild touch, and there is about as much here as in Epiphany. It is just a hair more than condimental, and you notice it if you are thinking about it. Mostly this blend is burley goodness.

I found this very good and suited to my tastes. It is only available in a 2 oz tin, and so the price point will mean it is relegated to a treat or change of pace. This is an easy 3. I will get more. If you are a burley fan, you will enjoy this.

Interesting flake that is and isn't a flake - at least not like I'm used to. This one consisted of long, "flake-like" strands that weren't connected. Hard to describe but it was an interesting cut. It would not load as a flake and had to be rubbed out.

I found this very good. It has a lot of the wonderful flavor of Old Joe Krantz but did not overwhelm me as that one does with an overabundance of perique and nicotine. This one will bring the fire if overpuffed but treated gently, it sings! Primarily a burley taste with some sweetness and spice from the VA and perique, respectively. If you're a lover of Solani ABF or Wessex Burley Flake, give this one a try as a variation on that theme. This will be an occasional smoke for me rather than one for my regular rotation, but I definitely enjoyed the ride!

Burley Flake #1 … A broken brown flake that has a tin aroma of bread dough, not too different from BF#2, but this blend smokes quite different, #1 is noticeably milder tasting, giving the impression of less strength, which for me was such not the case. I got the same or greater “N” hit as #2 (which by the way is substantial) but this stuff kind of sneaks up on you, resulting in a condition I can do without. If this tobacco is the same as #2, but with that splash of Perique that is mentioned on the tin, the Perique has added very little taste of its own, but seems to have change things allot in the taste department.

Overall IMO this is a strong Burley lovers delight, No bite, or harshness and should satisfy those that enjoy a good “N” hit, but be warned IMO this mild mannered burley can be easily overdone if not smoked with some respect. Ya feelin luckly punk, have a bowl.

Cornell & Diehl - Burley Flake #1.

This is from the selection I traded with Gentleman Zombie (Franck), and just like many of the others from our trades it's a good blend.

I believe there should be a new terminology for the cut of this blend, it's not presented like the usual flakes. The tin contains strips of medium brown tobacco, about the same length as the other C+D flakes, thicker than ribbons, but nowhere near as thick as a 'flake'. The moisture content's good, so I just stuff a few into the bowl as there's absolutely no requisite for a further rub.

The initial flavour from the blend consists mainly of Burley/Kentucky, the Virginia's mild, and the Perique's milder, it's a fairly wholesome taste, with only a little grass/spice. After a while the Perique enriches the flavour profile more, and to me it seems to actually overtake the Virginia. The only nuance of an added flavour is a sort of fiery/smokiness which sits a few rows back. One of the few negatives is the heat: if it's not sipped cautiously it does become a bit too warm.

The nicotine's above medium, and the room-note's quite nice.

This is a good blend, not the best I've had from Cornell & Diehl, but easily worth a recommendation.

Three stars.

21/08/16. After a few days with this I've decided to increase the rating: Four stars.

Wow! I like my baccy strong and this doesn't dissapoint. Upon opening the tin you're created with a sweet nutty fragile flake with those awesome hay notes I've come to enjoy with c&d. The flakes come apart easily, and very little if any dry time is needed. Towards the bottom of the bowl this stuff is a power house. I caught the hiccup s more than once from the vitamin n but that's really what I love about this flake. Super strong and so flavorful. Paul

I'm not a huge fan of Burley blends but I tried all of C&D's flakes just in case I might like one. Of the 4 I felt this was the best. I actually like it and enjoy a bowl on occasion. Nice nuttiness with a nice muted background of Virginia. The Perique is almost invisible to me. I think I would notice if it weren't there though.