Fun With the C&D Sampler Part 1: Habana Daydreams

[matchstickman]

I got my Cornell and Diehl sampler in the mail the other day and decided to try this blend first since it was the one that I was most looking forward to. Upon opening the bag, you get a very nice smell or raisiny and earthy smells with just a dash of that trademark campfire Latakia scent. The blend is mostly a nice ribbon cut of light to dark brown with some more coarse, black cube chunks thrown in. The moisture level is pretty good right out of the bag and only requires about 5 minutes or so of air time before it is ready to go. The first light gives off a sort of VaPer flavor, with nice grassy notes and a little spice from the Perique. The second light gives off more of a chocolatey flavor and just a little hint of bitterness from the Latakia. The first half of the bowl tastes like a good light English blend, and all the flavors mingle really nicely, a little sweet and spicy, but the cigar leaf is what makes it interesting, giving the flavor some backbone and a little bit of earthiness. The black cavendish mellows the blend out a little bit, and some bowls of this that I have smoked have more latakia then others, but the lat flavor never dominates and is there for more of a seasoning effect. The second half of the bowl is where the blend really gets interesting, where all the flavors meld and deepen and the cigar leaf really starts to take center stage, and the smoke takes on a wonderful sort of chocolatey flavor with some overtones of burnt steak and pepper notes from the perique. This blend burned down to just about the driest ash I have ever had and left no goop at all. The vitamin N content is also very appreciable, and you probably shouldnt try to smoke this blend on empty stomach, as I was foolish enough to do in the beginning. Be forewarned: If you are looking for a latakia heavy blend, look elsewhwere. That being said, Habana Daydreams is a very nice light English blend that is full of flavor, has lots of character, and is more than the sum of its parts. This is a really good warm weather blend or really good for an all day smoke, or for people just looking for something different. A closing note; those of you who like a cold beverage with your pipe, try this with a glass of lemonade. Amazing!

 

[jaysin]

Sounds good I think Ill give it a try.

 

[bubblehead33]

thanks for the heads up, i think ill add a tin to my next order.

 

[papipeguy]

Thanks for the review. Sounds good to me.

 

[markw4mms]

Great review, PN! I've been curious about this one for a while myself. I think you just nudged me closer to ordering some.

 

[stogie37]

Really nice review PN. Cigar leaf blends have been really hit or miss for me. Pease Robusto was not a winner in my book, however Hearth & Home Virginia Spice has been really enjoyable. I love a number of C&D blends, so I may have to include this in my next sampler.
Oddly enough, I sometimes save the "caps" from my Montecristo No.2's and crumble them into a basic VA like McC's 5100 or C&D Bright VA Flake. I'm not saying that it creates a masterpiece, however it is fun to taste the interplay. Plus, when you consider the difficulty & cost of obtaining those sticks here in the U.S., it seems a shame to waste any part of them :wink:

 

[zanthal]

Very informative, thanks for the review Pipe Novelist.
We need this extra insight, because, particular with C&D, there are a lot of different blends to try. I checked their site for the first time last week, and my eyes almost bugged out with the amount of different options they provide.

 

[matchstickman]

We need this extra insight, because, particular with C&D, there are a lot of different blends to try. I checked their site for the first time last week, and my eyes almost bugged out with the amount of different as options they provide.

This is why I prefer calling Cornell and Diehl and talking with them directly. Chris is a great guy to talk to and if you tell him what you like, what you dont like, and what you are looking for, he will steer you in the direction of some blends that you may like. Dont hesitate to call if you are curious about some of their blends. I will be updating everyone on the other blends in the sampler as I try them. Tonight I tried Engine 99, and without spoiling too much, we are on a roll here fellas!

 

[gecko13]

I tried Habana Daydreams a few months back, and then again, and then again........I ordered several pounds of it. Its a good blend that I want to cellar for the coming dark ages.