Cornell & Diehl Burley Flake #4

I was given a sample of this flake in June and so enjoyed it ordered a half-pound. This is a very nice Burley blend. On opening, Latakia makes its presence known as the predominate aroma to greet the nose and waft into the room. The flakes are thick and soft to the touch, which means this tobacco is not cased with sweeteners as Burley so often is. Even on the moist side of a newly opened tin, this tobacco does not burn hot or bite - EVER; It is easily an all-day smoke. The Latakia and Virginia offer a wonderful interplay and complexity to the blander base notes of Burley. I had to give up Latakia some years ago as it bothered my mouth, leaving a coated sensation on my tongue. Not Burley Flake #4! This is not a "Latakia dump"and has returned to me the opportunity to enjoy a Latakia blend again. The Virginia adds a sweetness that completes the smoking experience. There are some subtle note of cigar in this blend, which I also enjoyed. One observation: Like so many Burley blends, this one has a tendency to grow moist toward the bottom of the bowl. However, it did not become bitter like so many do. Highly recommended to Burley flake smokers.

Just an additional note: This tobac has a nicotine kick not for the faint of heart.

Cornell & Diehl - Burley Flake #4.

Out of the C+D Burley Flakes I've had so far it was only the #3 that I didn't find too agreeable. This one, like #1 and 2, is a steadfast four star blend!

The flakes are almost broken, despite the appearance looks like they're whole they crumble with the gentlest touch. They're fairly dark, with a few lighter flecks. The moisture's faultless.

For a blend containing Kentucky it's the 'cleaner' variety. What I mean is it's not full of the acerbic flavour that can often hail from the Kentucky's curing process. The Burley takes the lead, giving a molasses-sweet nuttiness, but is given a touch of 'something extra' by the others. The Lat' adds a smoky character, and is easily recognizable. Like I said, the Kentucky doesn't cause the smoke to taste like a fire cured mess. I find the Virginia gives the least flavour, maybe a touch, but it's not in the same league. The burn from #4 is even, steady, and cool, generating a bite-free smoke.

Nicotine: above medium. Room-note: quite full.

Burley Flake #4? Highly recommended:

Four stars.

The Burley Flake line by Cornell & Diehl is a treasure. It's the finest Burley I've ever tried. Generally, making straight Burley blends is a risky business; few producers cope really well with that. Burley tobacco easily gets bity or bitter or, otherwise, bland (like in celebrated Solani Aged Burley Flake, a favourite of many but not of mine). In the case of C&D, however, the result is stellar: all four blends are superbly balanced.

All four varieties deliver equally good healthy dose of Nicotine, while flavourwise they are not overly full (they shouldn't be: it's Burley). The flavour is rather thin-bodied, like the flavour of a light liquor (say, tequila) against dark spiced rum. Adding to the similarity with clear liquors, the Burley smoke, instead of flavour fullness, has unique sensatory qualities, unlike most other tobaccos. It's hard to describe the feeling, I just can say I love that soft alkaline "throat hit" when inhaling the smoke a bit.

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Well, that was about the whole line. And now to this exact variety, the Burley Flake #4.

The Blend #4 is unique in that way that an already delicious Burley blend is enhanced with a whiff of Latakia. It's nothing like Burley-forward "pseudo English" blends. Latakia is employed so sparingly that it actually doesn't manifest its signature smokiness. Rather, it creates, together with other tobaccos in the blend, a new distinct flavour distantly similar to the flavour of cigar leaf.

Great tobaccos. Try all four of them. You'll be rewarded with an experience you won't get with other blends.

I am a burley fan all the way. In fact, nowadays, I only smoke C&D burley blends. After years of trying many of such burley blends, I came across Burley Flake #4. I consider it my favorite (together with Burley Flake #1) all time smoke, with an unparalleled taste, richness, sweetness, aroma and true strength. It has all positive marks in every aspect of pipe tobacco smoking for me. My only complaint is that it is not sold in bulk (anymore). It is a fantastic smoke, which will fully gratify the discriminating pipe smoker.

If you seek a blend with depth and grace in tobacco, you owe to yourself to try C&D Burley Flake #4.

C&D’s Burley Flake #4 (BF4) is part of their series of 5 Burley flakes, all of which I’ve now tried. It rather reminds me of BF2 (recently reviewed) with substantial Latakia, which makes BF4 seem like a fairly "serious” blend. My tin is dated 09-28-18, so it aged over a year before I got to it. In the tin I found cut/”broken” flakes ranging from light/medium, red-ish brown to medium and dark brown, to black. The chunky “ribbons” smell smoky, musty, leathery, earthy, sweet, briny, and sour, and tastes follow suit, along with bitter, smoked nuts, and BF4 shares the barnyard thing with BF2. It handles, loads, lights, and smokes very well in my usual Burley blend briars. This blend might be dubbed an “American English”, and I suppose it will be best liked by those who appreciate C&D Burleys going in. I would not be surprised if some lovers of traditional English blends are put off by the strength, the bitterness, and the gamey “funk” they’ll encounter. Though the Lat is rather soft and a little perfume-y yet the ensemble is a deep, solid smoke, much stronger and fuller than top traditional English blends I’ve tried. If you have the time, I recommend DGT at the ½ way point, not only because of the nicotine but it also smooths the bitterness from the white Burley and brings up the subdued dark fruit and sugar from the red VA. Strength is more strong than medium. Tastes are full. Room note is almost pleasant. Aftertaste is a sweeter, long trailing off of the best of the smoke. It’s delicious!

Although BF4 is not a favorite of mine yet I have to give it 4 stars as a successful gambit, along with the caveat that it’s different from both traditional English and other C&D Burley blends I’ve tried. IMO, different is good in this case. Caution: ghosts the pipe it's smoked in.

This flake melds incredibly. It’s not complicated, but that doesn’t mean it’s not fantastic. I’ve been holding off on writing a review on it because of that reason. I can’t pick out all the different notes and subtleties from this flake. I can’t break it down tobacco by tobacco, and talk about their individual characteristics. But this I know, it’s a ky and latakia flake and the flavor is as smooth as silk, but kicks like a mule. That’s the best I can do. The nic is probably above average and the moisture almost perfect. I can get through a bowl with 2 or 3 lights or even less. Puts out massive thick smoke. Its a must try in my opinion. One of my all time favorites.

I tried this at the factory and had to bring some home. After several bowls I am convinced that this is as close to an orgasmic smoke as I've ever had!!

A touch of sweetness, good strong burley flavor with just a slight tinge of latakia. The first bowl is good, the second even better. For you married guys, don't light up before going to bed or the wife might not still be awake 'cause you won't want to stop until you have finished the bowl.

Great composition of a rich and warm Burley foundation, seasoned with just the right measures of musty Latakia and a caramely Virginia sweetness in the background to finish it off.

The Burleys are the undoubted lead in this blend and have a very "warm" character and are richly earthy, a bit oaty with notes of a tart nuttiness, as well as a slight molasses sweetness. It's the slight molasses hint, that harmonizes so well with the musty, smoky and ethereal Latakias qualities. We're talking very mild sweetness here tho! The Latakia is mild, yet everpresent! Virginia rounding off any potential edges and "glueing" the blend together, to make for a wonderful "English Burley" blend (you may say it's an "American Blend" I guess).

If you like #2, and also like Latakia, you'll love this! One of my most favorite blends.. ever!

CORNELL & DIEHL HAS DONE OT AGAIN.IF I COULD GIVE IT 10 STARS I WOULD.FIRST OF ALL THIS IS A BURLEY BLEND THAT WILL NOT BITE IF YOU EVEN PUSHED IT.THE MARRIAGE OF LATAKIA WITH RED VIRGINIA COMES THROUGH PERFECTLY.THIS IS DEFINATELY AN ALL DAY SMOKE WITH THE BEST OF BURLEYS USED.ANOTHER CLASS ACT FROM C & D