Cornell & Diehl Orient Express Pipe Tobacco

Product Description
Specifications
Reviews

Cornell and Dielh's Orient Express is a mixture of two popular C&D blends; Odessa and Pirate Kake. This blend was discontinued around 2014 and was recently re-released. Pirate Kake is famously around 75% Latakia and Odessa is composed of Burley, Latakia, Turkish and Perique. This blend has exceeded the sum of its parts, and is a strong and smooth mixture.

Brand: Cornell & Diehl

Blended By: Cornell & Diehl

Model: Orient Express

Tobacco Type: Black Cavendish, Latakia, Orientals, Perique, Virginia

Cut: Ribbon

Blend Type: English

Strength: 3 of 5

Taste: Full

Room Note: Tolerable

Flavoring: None

Amount: 2 oz.

Country: US

What is in it?

This blend is made of a medium ribbon cut. No broken flake or cut plug is present. The blend contains.

Oriental: The star of the show is a delicious Oriental tobacco. The taste is reminiscent of how wood smells when being cut or split.

Latakia: Latakia is here in an ample amount. The smoke is smoother than one would expect from what has to be at least 40% Latakia. It almost tastes like a Syrian Latakia, although it is surely Cyprean.

Burley: Doing what Burley does best, it adds strength and body to the blend.

Perique: Is Perique here? There is some spiciness, but no fruity bitterness that is frequently present in a Perique blend.

(It is worth noting here that you will not find Virginia in this blend according to the manufacturer. I am suprised that nothing seems to be missing without this component. Virginia is a staple of most English blends)

How does it smoke?

This is an unusual blend. Although Burley and Latakia are here, this blend is very much Oriental forward. Smoking Orient Express is a demanding task. The flavor is rich and smooth, but meanders from one taste to another. The smokiness of the Latakia compliments the herbal and woody taste from the Oriental. You will taste flavors that evoke memories of cedar and hard woods. There is some resin and bitterness here. The smoke is very thick and full regardless of pace. Perhaps because of the lack of Virginia leaf, the smoke is not as sensitive to puffing cadence as many blends.

There is no reason to smoke this fast, but if you do you will not burn all the flavor off. Since I need to concentrate on the flavor and how it changes, I would not recemmend using this for a yard work blend. This is a sit and think smoke, and it does very well at that. The smoke has a thick, almost buttery feel. The sweetness in many English blends is missing here, but that may be the point of this blend. Imagine going from BBQ with a very sweet sauce to a well smoked brisket that clearly needs no sauce on it. That is the best comparison I can make between a normal English and Orient Express.

How do I prepare it?

The ribbon looks easy to load, and it is. A firmer pack is fine for this blend. It does go out from time to time , which is suprising given the moisture seems to be perfect. Another good reason to save this one for your favorite armchair. When the blend goes out, don't get frustrated. Simply relight and continue. The room note is strong and seems to linger. This may not be spouse approved, so if you are going to flaunt their preferences you may as well pack a big bowl. The blend does well in a larger bowl anyway.

Brand:: Cornell & Diehl

Tobacco:: Black Cavendish

Tobacco:: Latakia

Tobacco:: Oriental

Tobacco:: Perique

Tobacco:: Virginia

Cut:: Ribbon

Blend:: English

Strength:: 3

Taste:: Full

Room Note:: Tolerable

Flavoring:: None

Country:: USA

Packaging:: Tin

3 Reviews

5
My first venture into English blends

Posted by CHRISTOPHER LEUTBECHER on 15th May 2020

So a grain of salt with this since I'm a noob to English blends, but I felt it might offer some help to the curious. If this is anything like what else is in store, from this category. I'm hooked. This was a great experience. This isn't a strong Latakia blend in my opinion, but I do like a petty scotch. This is really about the Orientals to me. I love the incense, woody, spicy flavors. It smoked really well for me. Tin was probably close to perfect, definitely drier side than moist, but where you'd want it after rubbing it out and letting it sit. This is a new favorite for me!
4
I'm on board

Posted by Garrett on 12th Feb 2020

Very tasty, and very well behaved. If you like English / Balkan type blends, you have to try this. Quality controls at C&D are working!
5
A journey on the "Orient Express"

Posted by Kimesky on 1st Sep 2019

Why is it that this blend has no reviews? Bow to the mighty C&D! A truly smooth, creamy English blend, full of flavor and well balanced. Toasty Black Cavendish, exotic Orientals, and Latakia are surely there but not overwhelming. I smoke it in a large bowl where I find it best as it enhances the flavors. If you are an English fan you must give it a try.....you will not regret!