Just got some Cornell and Diehl Blockade Runner.

[shaintiques]

So I visited a new B&M for me in Atlanta called Puff N Stuff. It is probably the best stocked pipe tobacco B&M in the area. After perusing the tins and house blends I decided on two. One of which is Blockade Runner. I haven't had a chance to smoke it yet, this will be my first crumble cake experience. It is a very nice soft cake that peels in layers. It says that it was soaked in rum for 7 days, but I don't smell rum, it smells like a very nice rich cigar to be honest. Definitely lots of Vitamin N. Anybody else tried this? I'll post more after I smoke it and give my perceptions. I'm excited to be branching out and trying some other types of tobacco.

 

[matchstickman]

Sounds really similar to Black Frigate, which is also a VA blend that is soaked in rum for seven days, but it also has a little Latakia and Turkish added to the mix. Black Frigate is a great smoke, nice and hearty, very pungent, sharp taste, almost meaty and a little salty, very good stuff, and has a great Vitamin N hit as well. If Blockade Runner is even close to Black Frigate, it ought to be a winner for sure.

 

[bobby46]

I love blockade runner. I wrote about it recently at this site. A mild blend. I found it best from a small flake pipe. I like it better when I twirl a piece between the fingers only enough to expand it; then stuff. As with other virginias, keep your lighter handy for multiple re-lights. After a few weeks in an opened can you may see some mold appear. I don't bother about that. I was told the maker uses no preservatives. I also found mold eventually starting in my kajun kake. No harm done; flavor remains exquisite. C&D is like a tobacco "candy store". I will be opening Junkyard-Dog next.

 

[papipeguy]

bobby46- are you sure that what you're seeing on the tobacco isn't crystalized sugar? Mold would be green. I have many C&D blends and have never had a mold issue

 

[adam12]

Blockade Runner is a good afternoon smoke, love it!

 

[bobby46]

papipeguy,

Pretty sure it is mold. It is white and green, and is growing. Not crystalline, but fuzzy. I think it was at pipereviews a poster said he queried C&D and was told it is found occasionally on the crumble cakes due to a policy to not employ preservatives. I would be the last guy to cast unfavorable aspersions. I do not scrape it off........

 

[hobie1dog]

There is a head shop in Newark, Ohio called "Puff and Stuff", great name for a smoke shop.

 

[dylan793]

Dave, I've got about a 1/4 of a brick left of Blockade Runner. When I first got it, I was still pretty green as far as pipe smoking goes. I originally found it to be a bit strong and moderately difficult to get lit. Now, it doesn't strike me as strong at all. Its a good afternoon smoke like adam12 suggested. The blend is a little picky on which chamber geometry it likes. I've had good luck with it in my Peterson 80s which is a shallow, somewhat wider bowl. The blend can tend to be a bit harsh if you don't pay attention to your puffing cadence. Take it easy and its a complex, flavorful smoke for sure. 8)