Cornell & Diehl Pirate Kake

Ok folks, this is what it is. I can't truly call it an English blend (even a Lat-Bomb English), but I like what it does. The focus here is Latakia- pungent, peaty, slightly briny Latakia. The other tobaccos are added to simply smooth off the rougher edges, as opposed to smoking it straight. I have done so (with some regularity, in fact) but this tames it just enough to keep it from being a full-on blowout. I can't get it to bite, and the presentation (though messy to prepare), is outstanding. That being said, it is still something to go into with your eyes open. The room note won't make you any friends (although my wife enjoys it), and any pipe you smoke it in will be ghosted forevermore, but it's worth it. Every time. Update 06/30/18: I can attest that age does this wonders. In addition, although the jarred cubes I had saved became a little dry, moistening them with about a shot's worth of golden rum per half pound will yield a blend that has neither equal nor counterpart. Try it, now.

Cornell & Diehl - Pirate Kake.

Wow.

It seems, pretty much everything has been said already about this blend! But, for what it's worth, I'll add my thoughts to the site.

The Krumble Kake's dark, and very easy to fluff and crumble, in fact, a large proportion has already crumbled in the pouch (I bought bulk). The unlit note gives more than a suggestion of lots of Latakia, so on with the actual smoke:

It comes as no surprise that the leading flavour's the smoky Latakia. Like SteelCowboy says, if you're not a fan of lots of Latakia, take a pass!. But what does come as a surprise, even though this packs a heady punch of smokiness, there's still a small amount of room for the nutty Burley and woody Oriental's; the Burley more-so. I'm not talking of an even split, nowhere near, but they do lighten the flavour...a smidgen! The burn's consistent and incredibly even, giving off a smoke that's reminiscent of Sam G Balkan Flake: cool Latakia. It doesn't bite me any, regardless of my technique, it's just a very comfortable smoke.

The nicotine's just above medium, not 'strong', but more of a strength for the mornings. And finally, this has a very heavy room-note. That said though, I quite like it!

Easy to rate, easy peasy: highly recommended.

Four stars.

It was around 1999 and I had not been long into pipe smoking. I am not sure how I heard about Cornell & Diehl but I do remember that at the time they only sold in pound bulk. I ordered a one-pound brick of Pirate Kake (#970P). Back then it was not called (Sea Scoundrels) either just Pirate Kake. I think it was a dollar an ounce if I can remember correctly and I even called on the phone and placed my order. Not even sure if you could order online like you do today. I am really starting to sound old (58). I have saved about a 4 oz chunk of this in a jar and smoked some this evening with some black tea. It was some of the nicest Latakia I have smoked in some time. Smooth, spicy, with some of the thickest, whitest smoke I have seen. Further down the bowl I detected a pine taste which was not bad. I cannot compare it to the new and there is no way to even attempt to remember what it tasted like that long ago and whether 19 years improved it or not. I do know it did not hurt it one bit. Tomorrow I am going to a local pipe store where the pipe club meets (usually two of us) on Sunday’s from 3-6 and let my compatriot try some. It is more fun to let others get a taste of something that old. As for the room note unfortunately even though I always smoke outside, some wafted in and my girl friend was not too happy but I was, ha.

I smoked a 1oz sample of this in my nicest pipe, a Jirsa bulldog. A couple weeks later when I could imagine wanting Latakia again, I put some nice Squadron Leader in the pipe and smoked it down 1/4 way, until the shank cracked 1/2” down from the bowl. The pipe gods had spoken.

Pirate Kake is really three-dimensional. The actual cube of Latakia, I mean. Really three-dimensional. The smoke itself is flatter than Kansas. It’s a circus sideshow blend, taking its place on stage next to the Bearded Lady and Mr. Lifto (google him, kids.) It’s like a quadruple IPA, and probably should be served with one - the combination of nasty wet brush fire and Lemon Pledge could strip the tastebuds down to oblivion, at which point Pirate Kake would taste good.

This blend is the same thing as sticking a bottle of Ghost Pepper hot sauce on a table full of men who have something to prove to each other. Everyone wants to try, everyone wants to brag about how much they love it, everyone is crying inside.

Pirate Kake is also the most antisocial tobacco blend I’ve ever smelled. I can imagine the dedicated Pirate Kake lover sitting alone at home, after all his friends have fled the toxic smell, grumbling to himself about how he never liked having friends anyway.

Cornell and Diehl should be forced to perform some kind of community service to repent for making this.

I'll be honest. When I first tried this, I thought it was disgusting. I was sent a sampler packet tucked into a shipment of tobacco I had ordered online from SmokingPIpes.com. Apparently it was just too soon into my foray into pipe smoking, but when I tried it I was astounded at how dirty it tasted. But I didn't throw it out and instead kept the small plastic bag in a drawer. Some time later I thought to break it up and mix some in with some other tobacco as I packed my pipe. Don't know what made me think to do this ... but I loved it, there, in the background. Next time I mixed in a little more and then a little more and a little more ... and then I ran out. I've just ordered a bunch online and my point is, that like peaty scotch, this is an acquired taste. If you're a rum and coke drinker, this probably ain't for you. But if you like the dirty, earthy, smokey taste of Lagavulin or Laphroig, then this might be just the ticket. I think I'm ready to have a bowl of it on it's own.

This is an enjoyable Full Latakia Blend. Not overly complex but not monochromatic either. This is the kind of smoke you'd like after eating a big steak. The smoke is smooth and Creamy with a little roughness now and then. Those Folks who Love a lot of Latakia in their pipe tobacco will Love it. Others who prefer more restraint won't. I like to smoke upon occasion - not something I break out often but when I do I really enjoy it. Perfect for the Winter or when you want to scare away your Spouse, Kids or Neighbors. Be prepared to be shunned! But hey... We all need some "Alone Time" now and then.

UPDATE 12/20 I am not one to question the manufacturer or to doubt the voracity of other reviewers but this tobacco is one that I must break my norm... Disclaimers: this is an art not a science, tobacco ages and flavors may change, all people taste things differently, etc, etc, etc... 70% + Latakia means one thing: Latakia is what you taste Burley as a base on its best day isn't overpowering Latakia in any dimension except Vitamin N. I have read hundreds of reviews from a few of the TR prolific reviewers, and their variance in opinion on topics like this is remarkable. How can you claim no nuance in well balanced blends but nuance in a 70% Lat bomb? On the other side of the coin; how can you suggest balance as a blender with a 70% +lat bomb? Does water soak into a grit on your stove faster than the whole grit eating world on your stove? Do the laws of physics cease to exist???...wait that is My Cousin Vinny not a review, my apologies. I tend to think either C&D is using some very old Latakia or that this blend is not 70% Latakia. The tobacco's are easily discernible, and while the Latakia is up front and not hiding, they are in fact well balanced. The VA's may be lower in percentage, but they are first rate and their earthy sweetness are obvious. The Burley is woody and dry, but are detectable in this smoke. I don't mean to be a wet blanket or a negative guy, but it seems that a few reviewers that post many reviews are serving as marketers for blenders looking for their verbose reviews. If I were making an algorithm, I'd be able to tease out who is being pumped by some reviewers vs those doing it for love of hobby. I have never been offered so much as advice on a football game, and never anything like a tin of pipe weed for my reviews. Not that I wouldn't take one, but nothing will influence what I smoke or how much I like it.

ORIGINAL: Well now I know what a lat bomb is. Wow. I will say I like it, a lot but this is not a tobacco that you need to ponder. It's alottalatakia, ALOTTALATAKIA!. It is top notch Cyprian leaf with solid Burley and Virginia's. The Virginia's and and Burley provide a good base and can be tasted behind the Latakia, and it is a great flavor. It is unidimensional and stays the same throughout the smoke, again, not a bad thing. Flavorfull and satisfying. Not an all day smoke but one that we'll take you to Latakia heaven.

It is what it is. That said, it’s a heavy Latakia Mixture that is tasty. If I had a preference I would add a stoved Virginia to this blend to round it out and add richness to it. The burley doesn’t do much and the orientals need bolstering. Otherwise on its own it lacks body. Mind you, it’s a good mixture; smooth and heavily smoky. I enjoy the honey like notes with light puffing. It also has a clean finish that’s not heavy in the mouth. I give it 3 stars.

Phenomenal!!

I ordered a one pound pressed block of this based on two things;

1. I am a Latakia lover

2. The rave reviews by you my brethren afficianados

I knew I would like this blend based on your reviews. The block came from smoking pipes vacuum packed and looking more illicit than anything I've ever gotten in the mail. The smokiness was evident through the unopened box.

I took a long filet knife and cut it into 1/4 pound bars. Then immediately into a large mason jar. One block of about an 1/8th of a pound was immediately rubbed out and jarred.

I initially wondered if I bit off more than I could chew because i did find this very smokey and spicy. However after I killed a 1/4 pound I realized that I was spot on.

I love the smokiness and find it wonderful from top to bowl bottom. It is now my go to and hav at least one bowl per day. Usually right after work.

I recommend this strongly if you are a Latakia lover.