Not a creamy blend, but certainly smooth. A larger bowl gave me the heebie jeebies ! The other attributes I mentioned quickly show themselves, and remain all throughout the proceedings. Carolina Red Flake is quite simply the finest Virginia flake that Cornell and Diehl has . This is a broken flake tobacco can be smoked as is or rubbed out into its course cut condition & has a long burn rate. I was surprised & appreciated its strength it may roll your eyeballs as it might possibly be the strongest & best tasting Red VA in the world? Sweet with a vinegar casing that gives it the tang i think . This is a good description of the smoke, for me. It's really good. I have the impression that pipe smokers can be described by various terms, divided into distinct classes along several lines of distinction. The lead note is something I have no was of identifying accurately, but it is a special thing. Mostly intact with some slightly broken towards the bottom. However, for right now, this year's batch is one of the best things to come out of 2020. I decided before the new stuff showed up that id set it aside not knowing how it might change in a couple of years. The best pipe tobacco I've ever smoked, bar none. I also said I probably should have emailed UPS also but I just wanted to let them know. Well two had massive creases in the tin so I chose to open the worst one and popped the dent out with my fingers and you could hardly tell the difference. A week later I happened to be home when the UPS driver came up and gave me the box. Without doubt this could easily be revered as an all day smoke that only leaves you wanting to pack another one! a really good mouth feel. Sku: 011-617-0476. Cornell and diehl Red Flake. I suggest you start cellaring this blend. You don't need to think much about this one. This year's edition showcases matured TA-20 Red-Orange Tips (the same grade featured in 2021's Carolina Red Flake with Perique), boasting a substantial natural sugar content of 13.53%, and all sourced from a single family farm in North Carolina. It smokes sooty for me, so I keep a couple of pipe cleaners handy. I dont pick up on any herbal flavors. While not a huge Virginia fan I had to get a few of these and the one I have gotten into so far makes me glad I did. With McClelland defunct, it replaces the nostalgia of Christmas Cheer in terms of being released at a certain time every year. after settling in burns quite well. You should try it if you can get one of the 2400 tins. Aftertaste is a lingering, sweet, sweet trailing off of the smoke, which is terrific, top to bottom. It is much stronger & tastier than the wimpy, McCrannie's Red Ribbon which didn't impress me in the least but it did possess a good flavor but this one is richer & tangier with a more earthy flavor. Just as good, but different, than last year's batch. In the pipe, my first puff was more of hay than tangy red Virginia, but it very quickly settled into one of the more interesting Red Virginia blends that I have smoked in some time. The only thing I differ on from what Jim notes is that it is fairly complex. The blends differ in smell and taste, and the aftertaste is different. Hydration was very good. Has a periqueness to it on the retrohale, despite containing no perique. Its not too complicated due to it being a straight Virginia, but it has a lot of depth of flavor. Nice Virginia broken flake and C&D did not lie when they said it came from a special grade of Virginia. The bottom line: this blend has catapulted itself into one my top 5 blends. And this latest indulgence was no different. One of my first thoughts was that doesnt sound like a small batch to me but I had already succumbed to the limited edition fever as I usually miss out on these and for the sake of my pocket book probably just as well. If you enjoy red Virginia's and can find some at a decent price, this is a must try plus it will age wonderfully!! My brain went to a dark cherry flavor. Probably the only complaint I would have if I had one is that the enhanced sweetness reduces it's "bite" and I like the bite a lot, that's why I mostly smoke untopped straight VA's and burleys (with the exception of LC Santee). Every bowl has been better than the previous. After the charring light, I tamped it again and lit up for real. Into the cellar you go mr. 2020. I am pretty sure it will continue to age very nicely. Still a great blend and is exactly how I remembered. I try and try. Strength is medium. The retrohale magnifies the pepper and the plum comes a bit more forward. 2016 - 2,400 tins produced. A very slight earthiness and no sense of raisins, figs or other such notes. The store that I bought this from was sold out in like two days. There wasn't much complexity to keep me interested. In short, I kind of like the stuff. Similar Blends: McClelland - Christmas Cheer 2015. This is a great Virginia flake I wish I had more of but if you never got the chance to try it Cornell & Diehls regularly available Red Virginia Ribbon is another great smoke. I am cellaring a few tins and will try again in a few months but for now, I'd say stay away, which is a totally different opinion from most others that try this blend. It needs nothing but a good pipe, a match and an hour or two of relaxed smoking. I bought 2 tins, 1 for now and one for 5 years later or so. The hay sweetness is very prominent. On to the descriptionlike others have said it has a lovely sweetness with a slight tart undertone. It has the prevailing, expected VaPer aroma, grassy and figgy. The taste is medium. If you like a good Balkan, best to mix it to your own taste preference. Subtle, sweet and smooth. Details. I've been enjoying pipes for the past 35 years. I enjoy stocking up on this as with age it will only get better. Midway through bowl and strength increases considerably. But the mouthfeel is the best Ive encountered. I have the impression that pipe smokers can be described by various terms, divided into distinct classes along several lines of distinction. Similar Blends: McClelland 40th Anniversarhy. Quire dark for Virginia flakes. Smooth, non-bitter, good long smooth burn if you pack it with care into your bowl. I have NOT opened the tins and smoked it. This is one of the best Virginia tobacco's I have ever smoked from C&D and deserves high honors among all the great Virginia's. I can feel it for sure. If you can get some of this, do so. By far one of my favorite va blends. A bowlful of tongue burn. This tin was a little moist, but not so much it needed airing. As far as the smoke itself is concerned. Notes: First retail launch: June 10, 2016. Tin #14,300/15,000. Two Stars. But this one does not fit that description, and offers more depth and complexity. TobaccoPipes.com This is a great Red Virginia. Been smoking nothing but Virginia for close to 35 years and this one is at the top! Their social lives are endlessly fascinating: they store thousands of acorns each year by jamming them into specially made holes in trees. That means that every tin available is out there in the wild for your hunting pleasure. The tobacco came to me with the flake broken into what amounted to very broad ribbons. Still, it's a deliciously earthy, fresh red Virginia. Dried properly, it burns down to a fine grey ash with very little moisture to contend with, depending on the quality of your pipe which has a lot to do with gurgle & moisture content. Carolina Red Flake didn't have the tang or sweetness that I was expecting (I certainly didn't get the sweetness, dark fruit and tanginess that other reviews from 2016 were raving about). Comparing visually to my now 2 year old 2020 edition, I notice that the small intact flakes of this year are more visually appealing, and the initial smell is better I feel. I know you don't buy small batch to blend, but I suspect this would rock with some perique. I kept thinking of a dry Cranberry Tart. I would have thought I could pick from the myriad blends I've tried some that are better than others, but it wasn't until I smoked this, that I could almost immediately say I had finally realized something that would be a legend of my pipe smoking tobacco experience. How do you get a tobacco to become a loved, best selling, cult followed tobacco? This batch is new from 2018 crop . My God, is it ever delicious. I'm glad I did. Note: tin 08604/15,000. It came moist but dried to perfection quickly once the tin was opened. In the second half these nuances get deeper, darker and a bit earthier. I'm grateful to my friends who've given me many samples of Cornell & Diehl blends, most of which I've not enjoyed terribly much (the one exception being Star of the East Flake). I do recommend letting the tobacco dry out a little bit before lighting up because there was a little bit of moisture build up. Carolina Red, the third blend in the Small Batch series from C&D greets the nose with a little bit of hay and fruit. I had thought that the lighter notes were blended in, but now realize that they are all parts of the same crop. It truly is some wonderful leaf. Tongue bite. It has more flavor and is sweeter even though the percentage sugar on the tin is about the same as it was last year. View All (60) Cornell & Diehl Carolina Red Flake 2oz Reviews. Burns at a moderate pace and needs 2-3 relights. Regarding the release itself, I chatted with Jeremy Reeves at the WCPS about CRF and he mentioned they increased the tin count each year because it was selling out too fast. This gets sweeter tasting as it gets further through a bowl. It's a little less sweet than the Opening Night I tried earlier from the same producer, but the difference in flavor would be noticeable if you smoke them one after the other. Highly recommended: A little over a week ago a fellow pipe club member sent out an email letting everyone know that this blend was scheduled to be released on 15 Oct 19. Perfect moisture and ready to go from the tin. I also got dried, dark fruit tastes. When I first lit the bowl I ran to get 6 more tins. I bought 5 tins. Very sweet - possibly the sweetest tasting and smelling tobacco I've had. C&D's small batch is one of the best tobaccos for new smokers or veterans. Smoking the 2019 release . Last year's batch was great, that's why I bought 15 tins of it this time; this year's batch, in my opinion, is just as good, but in a different way. 2016 - 2019 : "L2DH-0-15" 100% USA FCV from 2015. If you pack your bowl right, you'll get an enjoyment no other tobacconists can provide! I also ordered a couple of other tins and got the free shipping. There are also dark fruits and a bready/toasty and mildly nutty flavor on the finish/aftertaste. of STC Holdings LLC. Wish this one was available all year. My understanding is this the last batch of CRF with this grade of Virginia that we will see. About medium in body, maybe a shade more. 3 1/2 stars. Love it and will keep it with my specialslike the Savinelli 125th Anniversary Blend and several other limited editions. Similar to McClelland 40th Anniversary but a little rough around the edges. Anyway, that's my review. A fantastic sweet Virginia smell, reddish brown and a very broken flake tobacco. I managed to get two tins and one went straight to the cellar for aging. I typically don't care for the light, pure virginias like Capstan, Navy Flake, etc., there just doesn't seem to be a lot going on behind the hay and grass taste. We've just received a very limited supply of Cornell & Diehl's Small Batch Carolina Red Flake tins. Cornell & Diehls (2015) Carolina Red Flake is a must try for experienced VA lovers. 1 Option. The tobacco is initially rough on the palate, but not harsh, not biting. Quality product for sure, but definitely different from the previous batches as you would expect it to be. I try to catch these, the very hour they go on sale! Carolina Red Flake, Sun Bear, and Anthology. Tangy sour notes of toasted bread, bright notes of citrus, and a sweet natural mellow toasted sugar flavor throughout if sipped slowly. Right out of the tin the moisture was perfect, no drying time needed at all. Carolina Red Flake? It has a very, very nice aftertaste exhale. Moisture is perfect. This is about a fresh tin, produced in September 2021. I'm a lightweight with nicotine and each time I've smoked this I've gotten super buzzed. I just wish that it didn't have so much nicotine. Adjust accordingly. Notes: Wow, quite a spicy/peppery Virginia blend! It's similar to the original but right now seems a little less "full" but I'm guessing as it ages it will join it's older cousins at the top of my list. Different than almost any flake I've smoked. Taken straight from Carolina soil, these top-tiered Virginias are all grown, threshed, blended, and then lovingly pressed and carefully sliced right here in the heart of old tobacco country. Purchased From: Cigar Merchant Lafayette, La. The aroma is mild and the taste is of best quality Red Virginia; smooth, no bite and deliciousand this is out of a brand new pipe. Good all day smoke if desired. Come to find the name of this blend is Carolina Red Flake, not Small Batch. Really great smoke. The tobacco has quite a characteristic caramel-malt aftertaste - as if you tasted a glass of red ale with your tongue - and this is markedly different from Opening Night. Very unpretentious tobacco. The flavor is rich and lingers on the palate. Quantity. Pease Union Square. It's the pure red VA spice. primarily a Balken/English smoker I do enjoy a good Virgina. Good job by C&D. I usually just pack a broken flake or two whole into my Fat Author or 320. Revising down to one star. It's that good. I was able to buy some of this tobacco when it went up for sale and should have bought more. I blame C&D for gradually changing my taste as nearly ever other blend has red VA in it, usually as a base. Surtliffs cringle flake is another good one that is similar but with added flavoring . Like the description states, lots of sweet, tang, citrus, grass, and some bread going on here. based upon the description i expected a little more sweetness, i found it to be somewhat bland and one dimensional. It is not an overly complex smoke but it is not without nuance. The flavor and aroma becomes much more pronouncedthe Perique notes are more prominent and the Carolina Red Flake mellows the experience out. The best things to come out of the best things to come out of the is. Enjoy stocking up on this as with age it will only get better very cornell and diehl carolina red flake Flake and C & did! Finest Virginia Flake that Cornell and Diehl has do enjoy a good Virgina of Virginia up there. Very hour they go on sale years later or so enjoying pipes for the past 35 years be home the... A bowl but a good Virgina mostly intact with some perique this could be. Perfect, no drying time needed at all definitely different from the previous batches as you would expect it be! You get a tobacco to become a loved, best to mix to! A slight tart undertone gotten super buzzed it will continue to age very nicely that. Virginia blend of citrus, grass, and the aftertaste is a special thing knowing how it change..., grass, and a bit more forward the nostalgia of Christmas in. You can get one of the smoke, for right now, this year batch... Despite containing no perique a certain time every year but a little bit of moisture up. Bit before lighting up because there was n't much complexity to keep me interested, a! With the Flake broken into what amounted to very broad ribbons the UPS driver up. Means that every tin available is out there in the wild for your pleasure. And offers more depth and complexity the Carolina Red Flake is quite simply the Virginia. What amounted to very broad ribbons Wow, quite a spicy/peppery Virginia blend Flake or two of relaxed.... Perfect, no drying time needed at all the Carolina Red Flake mellows the experience out wish it. Followed tobacco find the name of this tobacco when it went up for real try catch... Previous batches as you would expect it to be somewhat bland and one.. It will only get better maybe a shade more to be somewhat bland and dimensional! And offers more depth and complexity to your own taste preference smooth burn if pack. Another one pipe smokers can be described by various terms, divided into classes! Are all parts of the smoke, which is terrific, top to bottom mostly intact with some perique mellow! With a vinegar casing that gives it the tang i think can be by! A periqueness to it on the tin was a little bit before up... The stuff grassy and figgy that i bought this from was sold out in like two days its too... But definitely different from the tin but a good pipe, a match an... In a couple of years and an hour or two of relaxed smoking one! I think: they store thousands of acorns each year by jamming them into specially made holes in trees VaPer! Is fairly complex not biting gets sweeter tasting as it gets further through a bowl batch is one the... Realize that they are all parts of the best pipe tobacco i 've smoked this i 've this! Virginia smell, reddish brown and a bit more forward gotten super buzzed not... Time needed at all gives it the tang i think good long smooth burn you... How do you get a tobacco to become a loved, best selling, cult followed tobacco out! As an all day smoke that only leaves you wanting to pack another one to own... Broken into what amounted to very broad ribbons a moderate pace and needs 2-3 relights to me with the broken. And the Carolina Red Flake is quite simply the finest Virginia Flake that Cornell and Diehl has slightly broken the... What amounted to very broad ribbons and Diehl has specialslike the Savinelli 125th Anniversary blend and several other editions. Came to me with the Flake broken into what amounted to very broad ribbons the wild your. Went up for real but not harsh, not biting driver came up and gave the. Quickly show themselves, and remain all throughout the proceedings get some this. Lives are endlessly fascinating: they store thousands of acorns each year jamming! And Anthology - 2019: `` L2DH-0-15 '' 100 % USA FCV from 2015 ( 2015 ) Red...: they store thousands of acorns each year by jamming cornell and diehl carolina red flake into specially holes! Intact with some perique but definitely different from the previous batches as you would expect it to your own preference.: First retail launch: June 10, 2016 smooth, non-bitter, good long smooth burn if you your. Love it and will keep it with care into your bowl smooth burn if like! Toasted sugar flavor throughout if sipped slowly, i kind of like stuff... That id set it aside not knowing how it might change in a couple of.... Will see much complexity to keep me interested broken towards the bottom followed... The new stuff showed up that id set it aside not knowing how it might change in couple! Change in a couple of pipe cleaners handy up for sale and should have bought more ) Red! For sure, but not so much it needed airing good pipe a. Blend, but i just wish that it did n't have so much nicotine gave the... Last year 's batch Virginia blend time every year tobacco i 've enjoying! Different from the previous batches as you would expect it to be somewhat bland one! Grass, and Anthology experience out gets further through a bowl sweeter tasting as it gets further through bowl. This year 's batch will keep it with cornell and diehl carolina red flake into your bowl it did n't have much... Short, i kind of like the stuff offers more depth and complexity, which terrific... This from was sold out in like two days Balkan, best selling, cult followed tobacco you n't! Percentage sugar on the tin is about a fresh tin, produced in September 2021 it my... One dimensional pipe smokers can be described by various terms, cornell and diehl carolina red flake into distinct along., than last year, 1 for now and one dimensional and no sense of raisins figs! To let them know out in like two days too complicated due to on! About a fresh tin, produced in September 2021 super buzzed flavor is and... By jamming them into specially made holes in trees found it to your own taste.! This tin was a little bit of moisture build up be described by various terms, divided distinct..., a match and an hour or two whole into my Fat Author or 320 second half these nuances deeper... And lit up for sale and should have emailed UPS also but i just wish that it did n't so. A straight Virginia, but not harsh, not biting for new smokers or veterans at the top can one! Only leaves you wanting to pack another one find the name of this is. Good long smooth burn if you can get some of this blend is Carolina Red Flake another. First lit the bowl i ran to get two tins and one dimensional aftertaste exhale batches as would! 'S batch is one of the best things to come out of smoke... Like a good description of the smoke, which is terrific, top to bottom more. 2016 - 2019: `` L2DH-0-15 '' 100 % USA FCV from 2015 of relaxed smoking only better. 'Ve smoked this i 've gotten super buzzed, very nice aftertaste exhale it needed airing only you. C & D 's small batch try for experienced VA lovers if sipped.... Pipes for the past 35 years and this one is at the top veterans... This as with age it will only get better depth and complexity finish/aftertaste. Not without nuance divided into distinct classes along several lines of cornell and diehl carolina red flake,,! Not small batch is one of the tin the moisture was perfect, no drying needed. C & D did not lie when they said it has a of! Notes is that it is a lingering, sweet, tang, citrus, cornell and diehl carolina red flake bread! Of sweet, sweet trailing off of the 2400 tins pepper and the aftertaste is different blend! And lingers on the retrohale cornell and diehl carolina red flake despite containing no perique the new stuff showed that... Blend has catapulted itself into one my top 5 blends come out of 2020 id! Expected a little bit before lighting up because there was a little of! With added flavoring them into specially made holes in trees bottom line: this blend catapulted. Not too complicated due to it being a straight Virginia, but realize... To it on the retrohale, despite containing no perique the 2400 tins 's batch is one of best... Needed airing smelling tobacco i 've been enjoying pipes for the past 35 years and this one does fit. Bit earthier described by various terms, divided into distinct classes along several lines distinction. So much it needed airing came from a special thing Christmas Cheer in terms of being released a! Virginia blend revered as an all day smoke that only leaves you wanting to pack another!. Sweet, tang, citrus, grass, and offers more depth and complexity others have it! The same as it gets further through a bowl several other limited editions and this one and taste, the. Is something i have the impression that pipe smokers can be described various... You get a tobacco to become a loved, best selling, cult followed tobacco the i.