Yesterday, I got a call from a friend. He doesn't post, nor is he registered. But, he follows the site and insisted that I provide more insight to my C&D blends and friendship with Chris Tarler and (the late) Craig Tarler of Cornell and Diehl.
You see, my friend Dick, has flown to the Chicago Show in my flying club airplane, several times. He was in those meetings with me, Chris Tarler and Craig Tarler, regarding the creation of Captain Bob's Blend that took place over more than two years. So, I will simply state the facts and in short order.
1. I studied tobacco and blending for forty years. This included everything I could read and the experience (eyes and ears-on) with a local B&M.
2. I respected C&D as the result of a strong suggestion of a C&D tobacco customer and neighbor of mine. He suggested that I contact C&D with my ideas of "my" blend. So, I did.
3. I spoke with Craig Tarler on the phone and then met with him at Chicago. I shared my formula and ideas of a "Light English" Aromatic containing Latakia. He was interested. He was somewhat reserved because it was a bit radical. But, he said he would help me create this blend (for my personal use). He said he limited this type of experimentation for about fifty customers.
4. Craig and I worked on this blend for two and a half years. We exchanged samples, emails, phone calls, sauces and eventually agreed on the final formula together without any compromise, we agreed!
5. It was his idea and his alone (months later) to make the blend "public" and to promote it. He sent me the art-work and I was very impressed. By this time, we had gotten to know each other quite well. He knew I flew airplanes and loved to fly.
6. The problem was that I already had a following of people that were ordering the blend from C&D direct and paying the "bulk-pricing".
7. At a Chicago Show he introduced me to the artist, Robb Pritchard, of Sandy Creek Studios. However, this meant that my royalties would add to the price of Captain Bob's Blend. I objected because I did not want (my profit) to upset my followers. It was never my intent to go public with my blend.
8. As a result, the blend did go public with C&D publishing it on their website to dealers and everyone else for many months! However, it was our agreement that I would not receive any remuneration in exchange for my blend (with tinned art-work). It remains that way to this day.
The blend has done ok. Perhaps "I" am their best customer. And, the blend has gone International according to Chris Tarler with orders from as far away as Austrailia. Chris had been groomed into managing the company for years leading up to Craig's eventual death. The apple does not fall far from the tree. Chris has been spectacular in following his dad's foot-steps and is doing great! He is very successful and very deserving of the continued success following his father's death.
The greatest compliment I can give is that Craig Tarler saw something special in my blend that he felt deserved his time to participate in its creation. And, that he did! I am eternally greatful that Craig took an interest and co-operated with me in allowing this blend to perpetuate on its own merits without my being paid any royalty. Because, I never intended to profit from my blend. It is simply a way of "giving-back". What a reward and satisfaction this had given to me! Way beyond receiving a little for every pound served.
I shall always appreciate, and hold very dear to my heart, the warm friendship of Cornell and Diehl people, Craig, Chris, Patty and Bob Hayes and William (the master blender) and all the fine people at Cornell and Diehl. Simply put, it is one of the most valued relationships that I have encountered in my 63 years of life.
Personally, I feel that if there was only one tobacco manufacturer in the World, I would be completely satisfied with Chris Tarler and C&D. I recommend any and all of their blends to you! May God Bless their dedication to serving the love of the pipe for all of us. We really need to promote their effort and support them when so much of the world is trying to shut down tobacco. So far, the way-of-the-world has not succeeded!
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