C&D #416 Plantation Evening

[RevSmoke]

Cornell & Diehl #416 Plantation Evening

1) Aesthetics: This blend has a very pleasing look to it. The bright Virginias and the dark Latakia with some brown hints in between make this an intriguing looking tobacco. A non-smoking friend commented on the stark color contrasts for tobaccos (excuse him, he is a cigarette smoker).

2) Pre-light Construction: What a nice well-balanced blend this appears to be from the aroma upon opening the bag (bought a pound) - lightly smoky (some Latakia) and you can smell the perique if you close your eyes and concentrate, while the natural sweetness of the Virginias tickles lightly in the background - no predominate smell. It seductively calls, "Smoke me!" While I thought this was a bit drier than I appreciate (not crumbly), and since I didn’t want to over moisten it, I set some tobacco overnight in a tupperware container with a sponge lightly moistened with distilled water. In the morning, the sponge was dry, but the tobacco was perfect - still much drier than most. This tobacco packs very easily and took a flame very well after the initial char.

3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked: A grey-white ash slowly filled the bowl as smoke blissfully rose from the bowl. Although I often smoke eagerly, attempting to get all the flavors I possibly can dancing upon my palate, I held back. Gently puffing, it burned so smooth, dry and cool.

4) Flavor and strength: This is not an overbearing English blend. A smoky spiciness tantalizingly punctuated each puff. There was the hint of sweet nuts that ethereally drifted in and out of the entire bowl. Wonderfully complex. I enjoyed this while putting together my son’s new bike, and I wasn’t smoking it to review, just to enjoy it. The flavors made me pause occasionally and sit back and contemplate what was going on in my mouth. I still don’t have it all figured out. This is one that begs to be French inhaled and enjoyed.

5) Aftertaste/Finish: Lightly this lingered on the palate - smoky, spicy, sweetness - no other way to describe it. Very pleasant.

6) Aroma: Nuts predominate. Once, grandpa roasted some black walnuts as a kid. I remember I didn’t like the taste of the walnuts that way, but I was just a kid. The smell was wonderful - this is reminiscent of that - in fact, I hadn’t remember that event in years. This is one English blend that will not highly offend the bystander.

7) General Comments: It was a beautifully sunny day, I was out working on my son’s bike. I had a cup of malt flavored hot Ovaltine - boy was this a great compliment to that. Had two cups together with it. I will smoke much more of this - this might be one of those "everyday blends".

Recommendation: Hey, I am glad I bought a pound of it. Need I say more?