Cornell & Diehl Pirate Kake

70 % latakia ...that should tell you something . like alot of C and D it's pretty dry . If you dig latakia alot ...try it . If you're noty crazy about Lat Boimbs ...run.

The good: This is fun stuff with its astonishing black brick of tobacco, and the initial taste upon light up is a wonderful, rich & intense, smokiness.

But it goes south after that, being too one-dimensional. After the first 1/3 it actually becomes boring. Pirate?s Kake is a tease that ultimately leaves one unsatisfied. Might be a great smoke after a meal when you are rushed for time and have a small bowl pipe handy. But even then?

I disagree strongly with those who say Latakia is strong, and there in lies the trouble here. The Latakia is rich & smooth, lacking the strength, intensity, and complexity to keep it interesting. Nicotine content is low.

Moisture level is perfect right out of the brick, rub-out is easy, and it burns properly. Any drying, IMHO, would lessen the wonderful smokiness, which is the star attribute here.

I have been smoking Dunhill Standard Mixture Medium for near-on 30 years, believing that it has no equal anywhere on earth. But it is gone now, and so I begin a quest for my Holy Grail: A substitute to replace the standard on which all English tobaccos are based. Pirate?s Kake does not measure up. But I give it credit for it?s unique presentation and the courage to produce it at all. For it IS a fun and unique tobacco.

A Latakia blast similar to the ones which built the Hoover dam. Actually Latakia on its own is quite cool and smooth; however, monochromatic.

This is a cousin to the now defunct Old Ironsides . . . sigh. With Ironsides being lighter; far more creamier and nuttier, yet just a cool and long lasting. Pirate kake is quite a bit sharper and overwhelming if you smoke it too fast. I would leave it for an end of the evening smoke. Midday and your palate could be shot for quite awhile, perhaps until tomorrow or the day after.

It takes a bit of patience to light, but once it gets going it lasts for a very long time. Surprisingly the nicotine content is not that high, mind you Latakia on its own is no Howitzer either.

All in all, a different and unique pipe smoking experience; it will not be in the regular rotation, and I would not seek out again. There are too many others which I enjoy more.

This one didn't work for me. While a love the flavor of Latakia, and have been seeking a good, rich near-pure Latakia flavor, I found this to be bitey and unpleasant, and it tasted like it had some overly moist Virginia in it, even though it apparently doesn't have any. This leaves my mouth feeling bitten for a day or two afterwards.

Still looking.

I like Latakia. I like burley. I like them when they're blended together. But this is just TOO much. In fact, it's so much that after about two minutes into a bowl, I'm no longer capable of tasting ANYTHING, including the latakia. Currently, I'm using this as a blending agent in place of straight latakia. On the positive side: the "cut" (or presentation) of this cake tobacco is superb.

This is latakia³. There's nothing wrong with this tobacco except for the overwhelming amount of latakia.

The latakia that Craig uses does have it's own unique taste and room note for whatever reason.

I just don't like this much latakia in my pipe at one time. PK smokes smooth and has no bad qualities if you're a latakia junkie. There's not much subtle about this blend and it starts like it finishes.

Latakia itself doesn't carry much strength so if you're looking for a nicotine wallop then you won't find it here. The overwhelming sensory overload of so much latakia might make some believe that there is "strength" in this mixture. Thus the medium rating.

If you want to try something interesting (and I'm sure that you do) then mix this about half and half with Captain Black White.

This is taking condimental overload to the extreme. I am a Latakia lover, and have from time to time smoked straight latakia and turkish, but this may be too much. The smoke is heavy and rich and leaves wherever you are smelling like a campfire. I do enjoy this from time to time, but it is not really that great of an achievment in tobacco blending. The single clarion note LATAKIA is all you get. This would be good broken up and mixed with an overly tangy red virginia.

I really wanted to like this tobacco, but I find the heavy latakia blend to be too parching to enjoy regularly. My sample is from 1995 or 1996 and was stored until 2001 without adequate moisture control. The flavor is largely latakia, but not one dimensional, as Old Ironsides is, for me. I have not gone back to it for several months, but it is certainly a must try for the latakia lover.

Too big of a latakia punch for me.

November 2002

Love this stuff. This was the 1st time I understood "creamy" as a description for smoking. Exhale through the nose, and thats it. Taste is a bit like a cigar for me. Very ascertive, and smoky. Puff too fast and you'll think the plank is a runway...Great Stuff. Also a great mixer- See my C&D review of Jamaican Rum. ***5/30: Well- Seems tastes change- Latakias a little strong for me now, and I think I like it better as a side dish, rather than main course.Still quality stuff though.