Speakeasy Navy Blend
Cornell & Diehl's Speakeasy Navy Blend captures the bold spirit of one of New Orleans' most iconic eras through the select blend of Old Belt Virginias, infused with rum, and layered with generous layers of St. James Perique, Dark-Fried Kentucky and peppery Orient-tobaccos. It is a blend from the Cellar series by Cornell & Diehl: This traditional Navy Flake was put together to masterfully alternate and after a maturation period of 10-15 years, this tobacco has reached its best note in terms of taste.
Characterisation:
The company's typical small, round tin is sealed with a ring-pull closure and an additional plastic lid. Therefore, you should pour the Speakeasy Navy Blend into an airtight container if you want to store it open for a longer period of time. Under the cover paper there are very wide cut flakes wrapped in cardboard. These are dark and medium brown with golden speckles and are so crumbly due to the long storage that they are sometimes reminiscent of a coarse ready-rubbed. However, the moisture content is good and ensures the elasticity so that the tobacco can be plugged comfortably and in different variations. The dark, sweet scent of wild berries and fruit bread immediately whets your appetite.
Plugging:
It is hardly possible to plug the flake slices of the Speakeasy Navy Blend folded in one piece in the typical flake manner. However, the residual moisture allows the Speakeasy Navy Blend to be rolled into loose balls and given into the pipe, for example. With a little skill you can also fold smaller flake pieces and form them into a kind of stack for filling. This tempts you to experiment, what can be a lot of fun.
Light up:
The Speakeasy Navy Blend straightens up significantly under the first flame, as is not unusual for pressed tobaccos. When plugging it, you should give it space in the pipe so that you can gently push it back with the tamper. If you then fire evenly again, you will achieve good embers.
Smoking properties:
The smoke of the Speakeasy Navy Blend is immediately lush. Initially tart, then you taste toasted bread. The grassy notes of the Oriental are added to Kentucky and Virginia. The latter requires a little attention from the smoker. Even if the Speakeasy Navy Blend is not unpleasant on the tongue, the tobacco can gargle a little if consumed too enthusiastically. In any case, you should smoke the Speakeasy Navy Blend at a leisurely pace, because then you can best taste the berry sweetness in the background. Despite the rum used, the aroma is not alcoholic. Better yet: the Speakeasy Navy Blend acts like a natural tobacco - well composed and neither too strong nor too weak. Due to its brittle pressing method, it may be necessary to add more fire at times. Something that is hardly annoying as it does not affect the taste. In the end, some medium gray, coarse ash and condensate remain to be cleaned.
Redolency:
Despite its aromatization, the Speakeasy Navy Blend shows more of the room note of a natural tobacco. The Oriental is not intrusive, but you should still be considerate of non-smoking company.
Conclusion:
The Speakeasy Navy Blend is a dark flake with a crumbly consistency. With a little experience, however, it can be plugged and lit relatively easily. This invites you to experiment. Smoked not too quickly, the tobacco shows strong Kentucky aromas as well as roasted notes of Virginia and grassy tones of Oriental and Perique. The rum used as a flavoring does not serve as a whitewash for this tobacco, but rather contributes to a well-rounded overall impression. Its sweetness and fruit soften the strength of the base tobaccos. For not entirely inexperienced smokers, the Speakeasy Navy Blend is a good choice for the end of a meal or for cozy hours where you can keep an eye on the pipe and consciously want to.
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