Recommend a C&D English to Me

[rmbittner]

After listening to the Chris Tarler interview in the latest podcast, I realized that I've never tried a Cornell & Diehl blend.
I tend to think of them as primarily aromatics (which I don't typically smoke), so I was shocked to hear Chris put the percentage of aromatics-to-English at around 15%. So maybe there's more there than I've realized. Two things have held me back from exploring C&D's offerings, though. I've been put off by the tin art, which is too cartoonish for my taste. I've also noticed that C&D blends tend toward burley as a base tobacco rather than Virginia, which is my preference. (I enjoy burley, but in fairly modest doses.)
I do have some C&D in my cellar. I currently have 6 tins of Star of the East Flake and a pound of Yale Mixture (both purchased based on reviews and their descriptions). I also have one tin each of DaVinci and Black Frigate (which I got in a trade). I haven't tried any of these blends yet.
So I'm looking for recommendations for English/Balkan blends that have no additional flavorings, no perique, and aren't nicotine-heavy (which might be tough with burley-based mixtures). If there's anything C&D makes that fits the bill -- and I don't already have it -- I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Bob

 

[judcole]

I am nto a big smoker of C&D English blends, myself, but Star of the East is a good one, either in the tinned flake or the bulk ribbon. I have also enjoyed Bridge Mixture on a couple of occasions.

 

[rmbittner]

Thanks, Jud. Unfortunately, Bridge Mixture contains perique and, judging from the reviews, a fairly good nicotine hit. Both of which I avoid.
Oh, I just remembered that I have tried one C&D blend: Autumn Evening. I rarely smoke aromatics, but it was so heavily recommended, I thought I should give it a try. Didn't do anything for me. . .
Bob

 

[judcole]

Hm. Don't remember the nic hit being that strong, but it has been a while since I smoked it. Forgot about the perique. Star of the East is probably your best bet, then.

 

[rmbittner]

Don't remember the nic hit being that strong, but it has been a while since I smoked it.

Well, I may have a fairly low tolerance for nicotine too! I just hate the heart-racing, head-pounding effects I get from it. (Which is why I've still got a half-pound of Stonehaven in the cellar after five years: I'm afraid to try it!)
Bob

 

[juvat270]

For me, hands down it's Tuskegee Airman.
Edit: Oops! I got ahead of myself and forgot that you mentioned blends with no perique, so that kinda puts the kibosh on Tuskegee Airman. I would still try it though!

 

[rmbittner]

It's not that I don't like perique; I think it can add amazing richness and depth to a blend. But I have a terrible allergic reaction to it, as if I suddenly have a mouth full of needles. It's literally painful to smoke for me.
Bob

 

[msandoval858]

Some of my favorite english blends are from C&D.
Montford Point Marine is amazing if you can stomach the strength. Very very robust blend with a lot going on.
daVinci is one of my go to blends when I want a cool burning quality latakia. It's 75% latakia so it's very straight forward but I find it to be one of the best examples of that style of blend.

 

[captainprophesy]

I actually enjoy a quite a few C&D blends... they do use Perique in allot of their blends though.

The following list are some blends that I have tried and enjoyed. I believe they do not include Perique, but I would make sure if I were you.

Some of them are also a bit high in Nic, which for me I enjoy, so again I would read up a bit on them.
London Squire

Star of the East

Purple Cow

Black Duck

Billy Bud

Black Frigate
Again these are just a few that I have tried and do recommend... of course MY favorites all seem to have Perique in them :lol:

 

[austinxpipe]

I've had 3. Pirate Kake, Billy Budd and Constellation. Constellation is easily my favorite tobacco lately but I had Pirate Kake last night for the first time in a while and REALLY enjoyed it.

 

[mrenglish]

Ten Russians and Byzantium are both good. I don't think the Byzantium has any Perique in it. Pirate Kake is a definite Lat bomb but not full bodied. As others have mentioned Star of the East is really good, especially the flake version.

 

[captainprophesy]

Ive never tried Pirate Kake or DaVinci... think I may have to add them to the list :D

 

[judcole]

Ten Russians

That's Hermit Tobacco,though, not C&D.

 

[thesmokindragon]

+1 w/Billy Budd and Star of the East Flake

 

[papipeguy]

Crooked Lane, Crowley's Best, Epiphany and Billy Budd are in my rotation along with about 10 other C&D blends. I'm a huge fan of their stuff. On the aro side I like Autumn Evening and Gentleman Caller.

 

[jbbaldwin]

Re: Ten Russians

That's Hermit Tobacco,though, not C&D.

Hermit's blends are manufactured by C&D, so you can sort-of count that. Or can't you?

 

[thesmokindragon]

Oh yeah, Crooked Lane indeed...great blend

 

[cezario]

Try C & D Pirate Kake .

 

[winton]

Give them a call 800-433-0080 and discuss what you like / don't like. They have 5 Blend Trial Pack: $35 8 Blend Trial Pack: $43 according to their website. Better yet, go to a pipe show and they will have many, many, many of their blends out for sampling and purchase.
Winton

 

[foggymountain]

The one I like is Cajun Morning, or something like that. But it gets sour halfway down.