Cornell & Diehl Chenet's Cake

So this blend is not like other va/per blends. Much sweeter. Less hay and fig. Maybe because there is a larger quantity of perique. The perique is made from burly so it has much more nic content than most va/per blends which is always a plus. The can I purchased was bulged. Large air release when opening the can that was only 10 months old. Super citrus and fish food smell. You know what I mean. From what I understand most perique is not made with burly tobacco. So if you read that this blend has burly. It's because the burly was processed into perique. I'll give a 4/4 star because I dried it for about an hour before smoking. It's moisture content was high when opening the can. If yours isn't great. Mine was. It's all preferences anyway. Burns great. Stays lit. Just make sure you cut and then rub out. Cut small sections off do not cut layers. Will report back after several months

It is my belief that every pipe smoker should try the so called "bomb" blends at least once. This allows you to really explore the specific tobacco in depth that is normally reserved as a condiment.

Smoking Chenet's Cake will expose you to flavors you won't experience otherwise. You discover there are layers to Perique you didn't know were there, and they are wonderful. You discover the toastiness of the best burleys, an earthiness that is just a bit different from undergoing the Perique process, and even some sweetness you didn't think was possible.

Some people think of Perique as a simple tobacco, but to me it is just as complex as matured Virginias.

I am going to use this review to state that I currently believe the blends we have available could rival any other time. I have been smoking for a very long time. When I was in my 20s I would smoke old tobaccos. The new blends I have seen come out in the past few years are even better than the ones I remember from back then, save Penzance 🙂 Cornell & Diehl are at the top of their game, SPC is coming out with banger blends. It is a great time to be a pipe smoker.

Although C&D accomplished their design goal of a 'perique powerhouse', this one is just over the top for me. However, I successfully blended it with VA/Per flakes to work it away. I wouldn't reorder but if you like perique, this one is loaded.

If you're looking for a perique powerhouse; this is not it. This is an extremely mellow smoke with the flavors of the different varietals harmoniously fused with each other by the Cavendish process used to make the cake. Hence the overall mildness and lack of roughness. It also interesting to note, that in this blend, the perique is not evenly distributed throughout the cake. Rather, it is left in chunks. Due to this, most bowls are red Virginia forward with a flavor profile similar to Haunted Bookshop. Yet, there is the occasional bowl with a large chunk of perique that would give one the illusion of a blend with a much higher perique content. As stated earlier, unfortunately for the hardcore perique enthusiast, these bowls are few and far between. This blend is what it is. That being a will thought out all day mild VaPer.

Tin note sweet musky chocolate and spice. Moisture level is perfect. I rubbed out a piece and let it sit for 10 minutes. Perique forward with spice and chocolate right behind. Needs to be smoked gently. Gets hot on the tongue if puffed hard. I would not consider this an all day smoke but a nice change once and a while. I suspect it will age very well. Nic hit is a bit past the medium mark. required a few relights. For the Perique, chocolate lovers this is a great blend.

If you like a VaPer on the tangy/figgy end of the scale, medium N but strong (and sometimes rough) flavor, you might like this. Despite being 5 1/2 years in the cellar, this tastes like it needs some more age. Currently a C+/B- but it still might improve with age. Be careful rubbing out the cake, it turns v fine v quickly.

Although I know that many pipe smokers know the history of this tobacco, I cannot resist making a very brief introduction for clueless “navigators”, as I find it very interesting from the point of view of the history of this hobby that we like so much. Chenet's Cake is a potent blend of 35% perique and named in honor of Pierre Chenet, a Frenchman who is credited with discovering the fermentation process of perique carried out by the Choctaw Indians, who packed the leaves tightly in a hollow log putting a heavy rock on it. In fact, "Perique" was the nickname by which this Frenchman was known in the St. James Parish, Louisiana region, which is still today a world temple in the production of this famous tobacco that delights many of us.

Let's go there. When you open the tin, a Krumble Kake appears that includes red and shiny virginias, as well as Burley and of course the black color of the perique. This is immediately present to the nose, with aromas above all of ferment, vinegar, cheese (in particular, a cake from Casar reminded me, with designation of origin in Cáceres, Spain, where it is known as "Torta del Casar"), with a sweet tone from the other tobaccos that make up this mixture. A delicious aroma according to my tastes. It is soft enough that it can be cut and crumbled directly with your hands, but I prefer to do it with a knife to preserve its appearance when returning to tin. It comes slightly damp and although it can be loaded directly to the pipe, it is convenient to let it dry a little so that it does not produce humidity. Once lit, it burns well, produces generous amounts of smoke and is very tasty. As I feel, 35% perique is not overwhelming as it might seem at first, since it is very well balanced and blends perfectly with the sweetness of virginia and chocolate burley, giving this mixture an exquisite and different flavor what I knew until now. On the retronasal exhalation, pinch the nose pleasantly.

I usually let a few days pass until I smoke it again, but not because of its nicotinic strength, as some say, but because of its strength in aroma and flavor, which can somehow saturate the senses.

Hi folks.
The quick bio is, smoked a pipe 40ish years ago for a while.
Tried a few tobaccos and once I landed on Sail aromatic I liked it and stuck with it so strictly drugstore brands.
Now discovering the boutique blends.
Thanks to y'all for keeping the sport alive while I was finding my way back to it.
I'm learning plenty along the way.

So, now the review.
Well thank god it doesn't taste like it smells.
If you thought "dried fruit and garbage rotting in the hot sun" you'd be close.
The flavour for me was almost non-existent but plenty of spice.
I'm not too far into it so I'll leave room for an updated opinion.
Will try blending with other types to see what I come up with.
I notice quite a few people have more positive things to say after ageing so I'll try that too.
I DO have a couple of questions if that's ok.

So the blend is 35% Perique so common sense says to me that when your tobacco is laid out and ready to pack it should visually resemble about a third of Perique (black).
If one just jams a bunch in there and it ends up being 60% Perique and 40% Virginias then it would distort the intended flavour profile and thus the review.
Am I on the right track with that?
If so it begs the question, do I break the kake all down and put in the jar loose so that I CAN tweak the ratios or do people generally break off what they need when they need it?
Thoughts?

I found this blend very mild. The perique and virginias are balanced so there isn't one over-powering the other. The tasting notes on my palate are: English mustard from the perique, hazel nuts, expresso. I aged it for a year. The moisture level was perfect. It smokes cool and usually to a fine ash. I enjoyed it but didn't find it "strong" or overwhelming or harsh. It's a great blend for those who want a solid Vaper without any bite. The perique I found very mild. If that's what you're after this is a great blend and an enjoyable smoke.