Cornell & Diehl Small Batch Sansepolcro Pipe Tobacco

I've tried to like this blend, but I find it just a little too powerful of a smoke. After several attempts to smoke it and not liking it. I decided to add a touch of cognac to the mix and let this age. In the first sample, I found the cognac mellowed it a bit.

I'd read a lot of good reviews about this tobacco before, so I was really excited to try the C&D Small Batch Sansepolcro. I quite like the figgy, earthy tin note and the cut is really high quality. Easy to pack and to light. The cigar-like aromas dominate the first minutes of the smoke, and it is advised to really take you time and smoke this tobacco slowly, otherwise it can get pretty harsh. But smoked slowly it reveals some delicious sweetness and citrusy undertones after the first quarter of the bowl. I was quite surprised by the nicotine hit I got from it, so if you're nicotine sensitive, I wouldn't smoke it on an empty stomach or in a large bowl. Highly recommend nevertheless!

Now, I was a cigar smoker before finding the wondrous world of Pipe Tobacco, Padron 1964, and 1926, but mostly Perdomo lot 23 gordos and I can understand why people say it has a cigar hit. But if you've ever smoked dark fired or latakia, you know where that lies. I bought a bunch of tins sight unsmoked. and then bought some more. It wasn't until my last shipment arrived that I popped one. And Ive gotta say this stuff is Heavenly!!!!! It's almost cigarlike at char, but not quite. It's earthy with a profound flavor that gets sweeter as the bowl gets deeper. The end of the bowl got a little harsh, but probably because I was puffing too hard on this glorious concoction!!!! Cheers C&D!! Great blend... I hope I have enough stashed until its re-released!!!

Like others have observed, it's a little rough around the edges. It's complex, and certainly not likely to have universal appeal, like a simple bowl of toasted burley. Awesome potential for a year or two down the road, I think. Definitely going to cellar several tins, at least.

Very good tobacco

This is a really interesting blend. At first, I found it very strong with flavors pushing to the earthiness of cigar leaf though not quite like cigar leaf. Red Virginia brightens it up nicely. At this point, I would have given it a 3-star rating. Then I tried it in my Peterson System pipe and wow did it ever explode with subtle flavors and the slight harshness disappeared! I often smoke strong blends in my System pipe because it mellows the blend opening up the flavors! I would recommend a System pipe for this blend. If you puff a bit hot like I do it will let you see how amazing this blend can be!

I smoked some of the recent releases upon opening. The first quarter bowl was very harsh. Middle became decent, the last 1/4 spoke of things to come. Older releases of this blend have aged nicely and are excellent to smoke. I took a flyer and put quite a few tins away hoping for a positive outcome down the road.

It’s spicy, it’s sweet, it’s strong, it’s limited! Grab one tin to enjoy and at least one more to stash and forget for a few years. Top blend C&D!

Overall, a real treat. A few rough edges, it reminded me of Mac Baren Bold Kentucky in those rough and raw notes. Slow cadence rewards you with a unique, subtle flavor. It will stand up to harder puffing but you will lose much of that delicate flavor. Much like a fine Virginia in that regard. I'm glad this is limited batch so I don't have to feel bad about excluding it from my regular rotation...it is perfect for those times when you can't decide just what you're in the mood for. As it is, this is a real treat for those with the patience to coax out the wonderful qualities of this fine blend. Another home run from our friends at C&D!