Cornell & Diehl Odessa

It's been a while since my sample arrived in a mild state of dehydration. Time and introduction to osmosis filtered water brought it back to life.My experience with this blend is favorable. The nutty sweet Burley is made user friendly by the Cavendish Cut, the Turkish and Perique. I find easy pleasure without being mindful of some of Burley's undesirable characteristics - excessive bite and a tendancy to turn bitter if smoked too fast. The Cyprian leaf provides counterpoint, much the same as harmonica in a blues band. Burning it to the bottom of the bowl will generate no regrets, nor fade of flavor. The typical heavy Balkan presence is not here. Letting it settle and marry with time is of great benefit, otherwise the smoke may be a bit harsh. Regge music seems to enhance the smoking of this multidimensional blend. It's worth a try to see if you can find some of the magic.

Meerschaum Man Smoking an old signed Ural

General Comment for All C&D Blends. So far, all my samples have burned clean and dry. They contain quality ingredients. If purchased fresh from C&D, I find that I must adjust the moisture content, and let them rest for 3-6 months before sampling. They change flavor dramatically in just a few months.

#968 Odessa Looks like a tobacco that I would enjoy. It has a full range of colors. It has the cut and pouch aroma of the English blends that I prefer. The Turkish and Latakia dominate the pouch aroma. It has more than the average zing when blown out through the nose. All this being said, I find it lacking for me. I should find this to be a satisfying blend, but I do not. I notice that there is also a #968R, Red Odessa that substitutes Virginia for the Burley in #968. I will assume that the "R" version would be more appealing to me. In fact, one of my favorites is #99 Engine 99 which is described as a mixture of 968R and Pirate Kake.

For those that find #99 a bit strong, and for those that lean to Burleys more than Virginia's, this could be a good middle of the road English blend. I will have to order the #968R version before making further comments.

No clue what Balkan Sobranie White tasted like, nor do I care. This is good stuff. One comment, I can't figure out why some reviewers think they are the authority on what something may taste like or not, even to go as far as to hint at incredulity of the blenders claims. Not sure anyone cares how close one person may think it comes or not, people come here to read a review of what it is. This is a wonderful blend. Unique. The tin note is slightly sour and Latakia forward. The flavor is not really Latakia forward, although you know its there. This is an Oriental/Turkish forward blend. Woody, sour, nutty and slightly creamy. There is a subtle sweetness from the Cavendish and bright VA with some hay like notes underpinning the flavor profile. Complex but not something I felt I had to ponder too deeply on. Solid great tasting smoke

Boy, if the appearance of this blend doesn't cover the entire color spectrum of tobacco! As a few have mentioned, this blend isn't the most uniform. Some long stringy clumps of shag-type cut Burley and Orientals, but small chopped up ribbon of the Latakia. The Perique seems a mix of the two. Some veins made it through QC.

Pouch aroma is fairly Perique forward. I really dig the sour note to it. Decent smokiness, followed by a touch of bran from the Burley.

Quite a bit of spring to the packing, so be prepared to tamp a few times after lighting. It will want to escape the bowl!

First half of this bowl really showcases what C&D burleys are really all about. A semi-sweet sorghum like flavor, with rich toasty nuttiness. The Orientals fade in and out, unlike the perique constantly in the background. The Latakia seems like just a small condiment for this blend.

Second half of the bowl transforms into something different. The Perique stands out more, especially the nose exhale. The sweet nuttiness also fades away, showing a bit more of the once dim Latakia. Burns slow and cool, down to a fine, dark gray ash with no moisture. It's easy to take this one down to the heel of the pipe. Great blend for a long road trip, as it requires almost zero attention. The perique leaves a spicy fresh feeling on the palate, and wouldn't bite even if provoked. Room note is a nice toasty/sweet aroma.

3.5 stars all day long.

To me this is an oriental blend. It is the orientals and perique I notice first supported by burley, while the latakia is a condiment. But all 4 meld well together. I find that I enjoy burley-based oriental/latakia blends more than Virginia-based. Smokes well and no bite. It is 1 of my mainstays and I smoke it mostly throughout the day. So, obviously a 4 star blend for me. Price point in bulk is hard to beat.

This is the first disappointment for me from C&D. Actually, I think it's a matter of body chemistry. The flavor is there, and I agree with most of what Talonr1701 said, but it's gets really bitter and ashy tasting towards mid bowl. I wish it weren't so, but this blend gets me all choked up, and not in a good way. Is it similar to BSW? Well, a Frankfurter is similar to a Nathan's hot dog, but not even close to the real thing.

Having only finished 4 out of 8 ounces in various pipes, I may revisit this review, but doubt it. I think this is a good candidate for the next pass of the tobacco box. Off to try Star of the East.......

Created an account here just so I could rate this one Odessa. What a great smoke!

Complex without being overbearing, this is my all day smoke that always delights. Other reviewers have described the taste very accurately. For me, it's a sum greater than it's parts, and affordable in bulk too. My favorite C&D blend by far.

I purchased this tobacco because it was listed as a Balkan. It's Balkan quality is questionable at best. That being said this is a great bulk tobacco. It has a really good flavor and smokes cool. This ain't a Balkan but it's good. I'd buy it again.

Burley and perique stand first and second while the Turkish and latakia and some smoothness and depth. Nicely blended, full body an very enjoyable. After drying a bit there is some burley bite if smoked slowing there is no bite to speak of. Smoke's clean and very little dottle, depending on bowl, I find a bull dog or Dublin works best both with small bowl's. Is not my every day smoke, all day smoke , however goes hand and hand late evening with a shot of old #7 Black Jack Daniels .. enjoy.