Cornell & Diehl Gentleman Caller Pipe Tobacco

A very unique blend of Burley, Perique and Virginia.  Topped with a liquor and sprinkled with the herb Deer Tongue

Burley: Very noticeable amount present.  C&D Burley tastes like almonds to me. 

Perique: A light condiment here, only noticeable on the retrohale.

Virginia: A major component, and responsible for the sweetness.

 

Gentleman Caller is a UNIQUE pipe tobacco because strictly speaking there is more than tobacco here.  Deer Tongue is an herb that has been added to this blend.  More commonly used in past tobacco blends than today, Half and Half is purported to have once contained deer tongue.  This blend has an herbal quality that seems to be overwhelming during the first smoke.  It is hard to describe, but the taste reminds me of smelling catnip or sage.  This taste to me is stronger than the tobacco in the blend but in a complementary way.  Let's face it, there are many aromatics where the topping is stronger in flavor than the tobacco, and the deer tongue dominates the smoke in the same way.  I can all but guarantee a unique experience for any piper that has never had deer tongue.  Also, do expect the deer tongue flavor to ghost a pipe for the next few smokes.

 

As is typical for C&D, Gentleman Caller is on the dry side of smokable as delivered.  One could certainly pack a bowl firmly and enjoy this blend as is.  I packed a pipe with a normal three step method.  Then, with my thumb over the bowl loosely, I blow thru the stem slowly for three or four breaths and the humidity from my breath will rehydrate the tobacco a bit.  You should prepare for compliments from passers by as well, this blend was positively received by several people.