Cornell & Diehl Bob Bushman

This week’s blend of interest just happens to be one of those personalized concoctions specifically created for a C&D long standing customer, principally Bob Bushman. Now, who Bob is or possibly was, I have no idea, but apparently his patronage warranted the development and eventual commercial release of the featured aromatic blend of discussion. Tropically infatuated to its exclusive core, Bob Bushman brings an enticing sampling of stout-hearted Burley, harmonizing Virginia, and a lick of binding Black Cavendish lightly rolled in a sultry seasoned compote of coconut, vanilla and assorted jungle dangling fruits. Bidding a pledge of redolent Caribbean inspired delight, Bob Bushman stands presently for thoughtful consideration.

With a sniff of the bagged note emitted by these mixed cut, primarily multi-variant brown cast tobaccos, the imagery extracted is much more powerful in worth than what eventually came through on the experienced flavors. Mainly, one gets an initial sugary whiff of the blended coatings that is largely muffled in character overall as nothing really stands forthright as distinguished. Broadly there is some interesting butterscotch-like taunting, a note of cocoa, airy sweet tropical fruit, and regulated vanilla riding atop an underlying body of darker Burley zest tangled with a faded tarty/sour wooded funk.

After smoking this blend in a multitude of samplings using different pipes, briars and cobs that is, by fair assessment I would suggest that Bob Bushman basically encounters as a mildly sweetened heady Burley-based tobacco overall. Arguably it is very codger-like in presentation. For those who may not smoke aromatic mixtures on a regular frequency, there might be a difference of opinion, however. Yet for the supposedly 95% of us pipers who do, there is no question the average perception of the blend would likely be deemed accordingly. As such, foreseeably Bob’s mixture could serve as a reasonable crossover for quote, unquote non-aromatic enthusiasts by all accounts.

In being more precise, objective evaluation reveals that the coatings themselves are exceptionally reduced in presence offering a recordable intensity that is slighted to a degree of passive insignificance. In fact, less exercising concerted focus, the challenge imposed was in selectively deciphering what influences were registering other than a common sweetness and a meagered element of secluded vanilla. With all due respect, this calmed additive rendering is peaceful and appealing nevertheless, which is a note for positive recognition in all fairness. Nonetheless Bob Bushman does not pose itself with the aromatic bravado that might be anticipated, at least based upon the official billing and perhaps by the desired intent of the manufacturer.

Upon lighting the bowl, the immediate projection is a neatly sugared commanding Burley which dominates the greater expanse and depth of the profile. Coming around to the top-coatings, as one sifts through this heavier native note, the palate does catch a momentary glimpse of a milky coconut and non-distinct tropical fruit annotation. By best judgement, the latter attribute combines in a flavored souffle of pineapple, mango, banana, and an orange-like citrus. Accenting this lessoned fruity pass are the endowments of constrained vanilla and a trace hint of a highlight that resembles the cordial sweetness of candied butterscotch spice, which is suggestively Schnapps-like. Once again, even with the delineation of flavorings listed, the precise discernment of the same was a daunting endeavor.

As I alluded, the Burley is the most powerful component within the composite band of total flavor, which for Burley lovers like me, is not a bad game played at that. Namely the combined leaves contribute a strong dark toned earthiness, minty spice, a bit of walnut, and do tender with a somewhat punchy persona, much like a docile version of the crusty cantankerousness of Old Joe Krantz. Regardless, the resultant zestful potency is surely felt throughout the whole nasal cavity as if there were a secretive dose of Perique hiding within, and at times, it did have me wondering to be truthful.

Underlying this staunch Burley impression, the citrus grass and fully trained hay influence of the Virginian strain circulates on the rear edge assisting as the principle secondary component. In being suppressed by the active Burley, the ascendency is hampered in magnitude yet quite harmonizing in effect. Regarding the fleeting inclusion of Cavendish, functioning mostly as a facilitator in smoothing the streaming transitions, it brings just a weaker whisper of sullied greenish sourness. To properly categorize the arising room essence offered by the consumption of these tobaccos, I must say the picture framed is chiefly imaged by the strong influence of the native Burley notation. With the onset of voluminous clouds of meaty smoky plumes, the temperament is shadowy yet thin. It is the Dark leaf that wields a forceful hand in soliciting its deep rich earthiness and wooded spicing. There is, however, a passive footnoting of the melded additives that counters as generally sweet and dispersed by comparison. All in all, tolerable to most by-standers but nothing singularly aromatic in its felt effect.

Given that Bob Bushman is fundamentally all about a sweetened Burley, in smoking this blend one will feel material residual impact from the level of qualified nicotine that does effectively transfer through, which I will define as medium. As to other physical properties, my trials demonstrated that the mixture models admirable mechanical qualities, including burn and abiding controlled temperature. Moreover, its described flavor held consistently throughout the duration of the bowl, a nice attribute achieved especially if you are a Burley enthusiast. And on a related technical note, if you are to smoke this tobacco, my best recommendation is to select a regular cob or a hardwood Ozark ideally for optimum results.

Bob Bushman, in a word, is one of those semi-aromatic/Burley-based blends that provides a reasonably peaceful and enjoyable expedition; neither stellar nor hateful. Truthfully, I could easily see myself seated upon my garden tractor cutting the lawn with a cob filled with this mixture, mindlessly puffing away in stupefied oblivion. Ideally this product was originally designed for eased casual enjoyment, maybe by Bob’s formal seal of approval. So, with that thought grab yourself a spot of genuine Curacao and a pipe’s worth of Bob Bushman to see if the evocation of that vibrant Caribbean spirit rings true for you. 2.5 Pipes as a basic aromatic, 2.9 Pipes as a codger Burley