Grand Croupier Bone Yard

Initial light it burned hot and quick with a large coal. But as I rub out all my tobacco pretty aggressively- some had turned to powder. Which I think caused the rapid combustion. Firstly I was surprised by the creaminess of the smoke - flavor was a bit muddled and confused for an English- actually muddy, reminding me a lot of G.L. Pease Gaslight in a good way.

I started to retro-hale and discovered that it has a nice little bit of perique to it, yum ! Flavor is kind of a baking chocolate, the cheap kind out of the can - which I love! No real topping noticed , and also absent is the flavor of red wine and vinegar finish that I get from lots of English’s, (Not a huge fan of that profile.)

The Virginia hides in the background giving a little sweetness, and in the front is a combination of Latakia perique along with plain burley. This is creating a very earthy and musty smoke reminiscent of dry leaves and leather. The flavor drifts in and out with intensity. Which makes sense as I am working through a grab bag of different tobacco blends.

Next time I think I might skip rubbing out the bowl , in hopes I get a more varied and transitional smoke. Toward the end of the bowl the creaminess has gone and the flavor has become a chili flake spicy on the palate. Not sure if that’s perique or a strong dose of some sort of oriental. It’s neat that the flavor changed , but unfortunately it’s not to something good. Then finally the chili burn left and got replaced by a charred oak flavor.

The beginning of the bowl was great! But the second half the flavors became harsh. This is just my first bowl of boneyard , and first impressions. I will revisit this review after I smoke more. And I’m kind of hoping that each bowl can pack a new surprise. I’m giving this blend a 3 star review just based off the neat opportunity to have a grab bag smoking experience and the fact that the quality of the tobacco is good. If after 20 bowls I find each one is exploring undesirable flavors oftenly throughout the smoke, I will drop this rating, but I hope that doesn't become the case.

So now , I’ll just have to smoke a few more…

Jan

I'm not going to go on social media and sound the trumpet for this blend because I don't want it to be perpetually sold out. I bought a pound of Boneyard on IPSD and was so pleased with it that I immediately ordered two more pounds, only two pounds because that was all that left in stock at the time. I'm anxious to see how it is when it acquires some age. At this price, I can easily cellar a good portion of every pound I purchase, and compare the various "vintages" in a year, two years, or more. The tobacco is high quality, just what we expect from Cornell & Diehl. My first pound had all the flavor profiles that I look for in an English or a Balkan blend, just not in the usual proportions. Since it's an ever-changing blend there is no point in trying to describe particular tastes, but I can see a good percentage of flake, sparkling with sugar crystals so, it's a good Virginia, and the Latakia is lighter than I prefer, but it's certainly there as are some spicy Orientals.

I don't find much Latakia in there. The bulk note is sweet and woody, accompanying with some smokey aroma. Comes with ribbon, broken flake, cut plugs and other coarse cuts.

When smoking: No bite, pretty smooth and creamy; medium body with not much refinement or delicateness.

Very good Oriental forward English blend. Considering the price, it is a four-star blend (16 bucks for one pound).

Dominated by the Latakia with a touch of Oriental, it got a little punch in it, if you want some vitamin N, this fits the bill. Lacking a little bit of refinement, but of course, it is a matter of personal taste! Nice for the evening! Absolutely no complaint for the price I paid!

3.5 out of 5