I’m on the fence about this. The tequila note sounds interesting but edelflower is cloying to me. But if it’s not uber- prominent it’d probably be to my liking. If it tastes like it’s been topped with St. Germain I’m gonna have buyers‘ remorse.
Jim's C&D Sun Bear Tupelo Review.
- Thread starter JimInks
- Start date
Have you smoked any of the Sun Bear? I’m not sure why any pipe smoker would not enjoy them. All the notes are subtle, not overpowering.
So if this one sticks to it’s roots, it should also be nice.
Did you read the article? Sun Bear is also C&D’s Flagship small batch blend now.
“Sun Bear has been popular, says Jeremy, perhaps even more so than Carolina Red Flake. "Carolina Red Flake was for a very long time our flagship Small Batch. It remains very, very popular for us, but I think that Sun Bear carries an even broader appeal. I think that it is actually fair to say that Sun Bear rather than Carolina Red Flake is truly our flagship Small Batch now."
Sun Bear | Small Batch Pipe Tobacco by Cornell & Diehl
Learn the secrets of bees and their contribution to Cornell & Diehl's new iteration of their Small Batch: Sun Bear series, Sun Bear Tupelo
www.smokingpipes.com
No never had any. I was always aware of their existence but for whatever reason never felt compelled to purchase any of them. I know they are popular on here. I was probably exploring some different blends types at the time.Have you smoked any of the Sun Bear? I’m not sure why any pipe smoker would not enjoy them. All the notes are subtle, not overpowering.
So if this one sticks to it’s roots, it should also be nice.
Did you read the article? Sun Bear is also C&D’s Flagship small batch blend now.
“Sun Bear has been popular, says Jeremy, perhaps even more so than Carolina Red Flake. "Carolina Red Flake was for a very long time our flagship Small Batch. It remains very, very popular for us, but I think that Sun Bear carries an even broader appeal. I think that it is actually fair to say that Sun Bear rather than Carolina Red Flake is truly our flagship Small Batch now."
I have all 3, and they’re all really nice.Sun Bear | Small Batch Pipe Tobacco by Cornell & Diehl
Learn the secrets of bees and their contribution to Cornell & Diehl's new iteration of their Small Batch: Sun Bear series, Sun Bear Tupelo
View attachment 235597
What do you like to smoke?
All the Sun Bears flavors are mild, with light sweetness. The original blend seems to be the lightest, and Mountain Flower and Black Locust have a little more depth/complexity.
But none of them are heavy blends, all mild, but nice complexity and flavors.
I went ahead and ordered a few from them.Hmm Iwan Ries has shown this listed for sale since last week.
Cornell & Diehl Pipe Tobacco: Sun Bear Tupelo
A blend of the finest Bright and Red Virginias balanced by 2019 Basma and 2018 Izmir Orientals, Sun Bear: Tupelo commends itself with subtle notes of raw, ethically sourced tupelo honey from the ancient wetlands of northern Florida. Produced from the nectar of the white Ogeechee tupelo tree...www.iwanries.com
Oh, I was hoping just brief summary/idea the difference between this and the other Sun Bear?
Like sweeter, not as sweet, just something basic to understand?
So how does it compare to the other three?
A bit of an omnivore. I recall kind of wanting black locust at some point but by then it was unavailable. I generally like C&D I’m just not always in a shopping mood when a new blend comes out.
The first version had a cloying sweetness that detracted from the varietals, for my tastes. I enjoy subtle flavors. I smoked 2 tins over a two year period so I gave it a chance… I really wanted to like it. I’d say that it’s worth a shot because I think I have an unusually sensitive palate. I also experienced a sort of clashing of flavors, which I attributed to the tequila, as I’m not a drinker and don’t really enjoy alcohol.
Ok, that was confusing as hell! LOL
Anyone know any Omnivore Blends? hmm
Oh wait this one should do! LOL
I meant that there is no particular style that i exclude on principle. I like aromatic blends, orientals, balkans, codger cheap stuff, limited stuff, Virginia, cavendish and stoved, Perique, burleys, and many combinations thereof.Ok, that was confusing as hell! LOL
Anyone know any Omnivore Blends? hmm
Oh wait this one should do! LOL
View attachment 235617
View attachment 235618
There are kitchen sink blends that seem to include almost everything, but I did not mean that those are my focus.
This year they are supposed to do one last release of CRF with the previous batch before it runs out, correct? Then I assume they will have to find new leaf for the next batch.The SPC Newsletter with the article on the release, C&D said Sun Bear is now their Flagship release, CRF use to be the Flagship.
Man I sure hope so. I like sunbear, but CRF is my all-time favorite. I have more of that cellared than anything else, but I'm always looking to add more.
Jeremy Reeves actually said in this CRF 2022 video that the 2022 release used up the last of that Virginia stock they had:
Last edited:
Last year's Sun Bear was a very nice blend, I still have a couple of tins of it left. This year's Sun Bear is the same blend with a different honey varietal, tempted to go ahead and grab a couple before they disappear.
I’m still smoking through my tins of the original release, so this comment only applies to that. The elderflower essence is consistently noticeable, but not heavy. To me it can be almost grape like, and can sometimes outweigh the honey. While I like it just fine, I kinda wish they made a version without the elderflower and tequila
It’s
It’s ok I decided to sit this one out. I was going to add 1 to an order at country squire because they had a cherry limeade aromatic that I wanted. Happened to get on there at 6 sharp but I couldn’t add it to my cart. Oh well. I knew I could probably find it elsewhere but that cherry limeade was the main draw and a blend that’s only available on TCS. I guess it’s not in the cards.
Thank you, Jim. I have had to step away from the forums and pipes off and on for almost 2 years for reasons that do not bear repeating. Your review is spot on and this is the first time in many a month that I have been able to enjoy my pipes and tobacco. I guess my unopened tins are that much closer to being "classics"... Lol. @JimInks