I decided to order C&D’s Trio of Deer Tongue blends, pour myself a cup of dark roast coffee and have a New Years Day tongue fry.
I began by cracking C&D’s Engine 382. A fragrant mix of dark and white burley, bright virginia, a touch of unsweetened black cavendish and a splash of, you guessed it—deer tongue. Now I’m not gonna lie, this one had me excited because it pretty much reads like “Pegasus with Deer Tongue”. Well it isn’t. It just amazes me how C&D can use the same ingredients and by varying proportions, finds such nuance. Engine 382 stands apart from Crooner or Pegasus. It’s something you’ll want to experience for yourself. It’s a rich, flavorful blend with a pleasant room note. It’s not heavy on the deer tongue; you’ll taste the tobacco, but there’s a cooling note of creme-de-menthe. It’s more Burley forward than the VA added but it develops an interesting sweetness from the combination of the cavendish, Virginia and the deer tongue.
Next, I went with Crooner. I’d had a bowl several days ago and was a bit shocked by the lack of visible deer tongue! The tin note, while obvious, was a bit underwhelming. — I can remember smelling past orders of Crooner through the packaging! However, it did put a smile on my face. Perhaps C&D intentionally toned this one down? I don’t know how I feel about it. When you’re expecting a deer tongue bomb? But this sample proved to be a more balanced and enjoyable smoke. A nice, well behaved, cool smoking, yummy Burley with “something.” I decidedly enjoy Crooner. Burley needs “something” — not necessarily some added VA, but “something”. That “something” in Crooner is Deer Tongue. If Granger is a Burley Lover’s OTC then Crooner is a Deer Tongue Lover’s Burley.
Last but not least, I cracked the Gentleman Caller. Gentleman Caller is one I’ve shied away from because I assumed it an aromatic. It’s not. It’s yet another old time pipey, burley forward, nuanced blend from C&D with deer tongue—a little goes al long way and in this blend it’s as prominent as the Crooner; at least it equals my most recent tin of Crooner. Gentleman Caller also has Perique in the mix. I’m no fan of Perique but in this blend it’s hardly noticeable. The star of all three of these blends is the stellar burley C&D uses uses and flavor of the deer tongue. The room note is really something to behold. (All three, actually.)
So which blend wins?
The winner for me is the one I cannot stop reaching for, Crooner.
Why?
Because I like simple blends that taste good and can hold onto that flavor throughout. No complexity is necessary for me. It’s why I enjoy Granger and now Crooner. I’m also a straight burley fan, which both blends are, so please take that into account.
That said, I acknowledge that Gentleman Caller and Engine 382 are likely to be favored by the majority. You’ll have to decide for yourselves which of these blends is for you. All three will ghost a pipe. But if you’re like me, Ghost away!
Burley and Deer tongue? Yes!
Your thoughts, please!
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!
I began by cracking C&D’s Engine 382. A fragrant mix of dark and white burley, bright virginia, a touch of unsweetened black cavendish and a splash of, you guessed it—deer tongue. Now I’m not gonna lie, this one had me excited because it pretty much reads like “Pegasus with Deer Tongue”. Well it isn’t. It just amazes me how C&D can use the same ingredients and by varying proportions, finds such nuance. Engine 382 stands apart from Crooner or Pegasus. It’s something you’ll want to experience for yourself. It’s a rich, flavorful blend with a pleasant room note. It’s not heavy on the deer tongue; you’ll taste the tobacco, but there’s a cooling note of creme-de-menthe. It’s more Burley forward than the VA added but it develops an interesting sweetness from the combination of the cavendish, Virginia and the deer tongue.
Next, I went with Crooner. I’d had a bowl several days ago and was a bit shocked by the lack of visible deer tongue! The tin note, while obvious, was a bit underwhelming. — I can remember smelling past orders of Crooner through the packaging! However, it did put a smile on my face. Perhaps C&D intentionally toned this one down? I don’t know how I feel about it. When you’re expecting a deer tongue bomb? But this sample proved to be a more balanced and enjoyable smoke. A nice, well behaved, cool smoking, yummy Burley with “something.” I decidedly enjoy Crooner. Burley needs “something” — not necessarily some added VA, but “something”. That “something” in Crooner is Deer Tongue. If Granger is a Burley Lover’s OTC then Crooner is a Deer Tongue Lover’s Burley.
Last but not least, I cracked the Gentleman Caller. Gentleman Caller is one I’ve shied away from because I assumed it an aromatic. It’s not. It’s yet another old time pipey, burley forward, nuanced blend from C&D with deer tongue—a little goes al long way and in this blend it’s as prominent as the Crooner; at least it equals my most recent tin of Crooner. Gentleman Caller also has Perique in the mix. I’m no fan of Perique but in this blend it’s hardly noticeable. The star of all three of these blends is the stellar burley C&D uses uses and flavor of the deer tongue. The room note is really something to behold. (All three, actually.)
So which blend wins?
The winner for me is the one I cannot stop reaching for, Crooner.
Why?
Because I like simple blends that taste good and can hold onto that flavor throughout. No complexity is necessary for me. It’s why I enjoy Granger and now Crooner. I’m also a straight burley fan, which both blends are, so please take that into account.
That said, I acknowledge that Gentleman Caller and Engine 382 are likely to be favored by the majority. You’ll have to decide for yourselves which of these blends is for you. All three will ghost a pipe. But if you’re like me, Ghost away!
Burley and Deer tongue? Yes!
Your thoughts, please!
Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!
