Cornell & Diehl Christmas Blend 2013 (Won't Go Til We Get Some)

So I finally sat down last night with the intention of thinking of a review for this tobacco. I filled my bowl, let it dry/sit for about 10 minutes, grabbed my drink (Jack Daniels) and went outside. I had been reading the other reviews on this while smoking and was really surprised by the negativity. However as I paid more attention to the description and the tobacco itself, I can definitely agree. The tin note is very pleasant with strong hints of fig, plums, and brandy. That is really where the pleasantries end. The tobacco is hard to light and keep lit during the smoke. There is very little flavor and what is there is quite bitter and harsh. Additonally the room note is almost non-existent. I smoke both strong English blends as well as double ligero cigars, but the nic in this blend hit me hard. I was sitting down and as soon as I stood up I got the "new-smoker" nic buzz. I was so hopeful when initially buying this blend and I might keep the tin just to smell, but I hesitate to smoke this again!

I was so stoked to try this, when it came out I went and bought two tins from my local shop. I smoked a bowl right when I bought it after finishing a bowl of Chelsea morning. The taste seemed kind of off from what I was expecting from the tin description, but I chalked it up to smoking it right after an English. The worker at the shop said it smelled great though. A couple days later I smoked this blend again, on its own this time. What an awful experience. This is the harshest tobacco I have ever tried. The tobacco smells absolutely amazing in the tin but tastes horribly harsh in the pipe. I love C&D tobaccos but this is one to pass on. Because I bought two tins, I will let my unopened tin age for a few years and see if it changes anything.

I'm a relatively new pipe smoker so I'm still adjusting to the taste of different tobaccos. However, this is terrible stuff.
I cracked the tin and was greeted with a sweet, fruity aroma. So promising.
However, when lit, none of that came through. Even the room note lacked anything present in the smell. It was a very Perique-ey, harsh, smoke. Not enjoyable at all. I forced myself through the first bowl and then gave it a second try a few days later to no avail. I dumped it out and cleaned my pipe within five minutes.

I agree with the other reviewers. In fact, my experience was identical. On opening the tin, it smelled fruity and almost liquor like. I thought, "Boy, I have to get more of this before it's sold out!!" I couldn't wait to try it and although I had a couple of other "holiday" blends to sample, I went for this one first. But within the very first few puffs, my body reacted to the nicotine. This almost never happens even with strong tobaccos till at least mid-pipe. The strongest quickest nicotine reaction I've ever had. I couldn't believe it. In years of trying different tobaccos this one had to have the biggest gap between the experience of smelling the tobacco in the tin and smoking it in a pipe. But I persevered hoping the taste would make up for the kick. Alas there was nothing to it and I gave up. It was like getting a great Christmas gift you thought you'd love and having it break apart the very first time you use it.

On the other hand, if you can't get enough nicotine than this tobacco is for you.