Cornell & Diehl -- Star of the East

Brand: Cornell & Diehl
Blend: Star of the East
Style: Balkan
Pipes Used: Cob & Briar
Price: $10.40/4oz.

Appearance: 8
Taste: 8
Room Note: 8
Value: 9
Overall: 8

I've spent much of the past year revisiting old blends and therefore haven't opened a new tin in quite some time. As part of that process I've been smoking many English and Balkan style tobaccos and have found that I really enjoy those with a healthy amount of Oriental leaf. So in my most recent tobacco order I decided to try some of Cornell & Diehl's Star of the East as it is often cited as packing a lot of Turkish punch.

The tobacco was a ribbon-cut mixture of black, tan, and dark brown leaf. The aroma in the pouch was very much Latakia-forward and reminded me of Balkan Supreme, my current favorite Balkan blend. Upon lighting up I was immediately surrounded with a cloud of thick white smoke that remained until the final embers in the pipe died down to ash. Since the blend is advertised as containing 50% Latakia I was fully prepared for a somewhat funky smell but was surprised to find that the Orientals really took charge and brought a pleasant incense-like aroma.

The Latakia was also somewhat subdued in the flavor department and lent a creamy, piney taste rather than the expected leather and oil profile. Mixed with the Turkish leaf this lent the blend a light flavor with hints of jasmine tea. The Red Virgina came on about halfway through the bowl and brought some very welcome nutty sweetness to cut the spice a bit. The smoke finally wound down with an almost astringent aftertaste that left my palate feeling nice and refreshed -- not typical behavior for a so-called Latakia-bomb.

Everything from the aroma to the flavor and even the burn characteristics reminded me of the aforementioned Balkan Supreme but this blend was less forceful and much more subtle. If you're looking for a true Latakia-bomb stick with Pirate Kake or Lancer's Slices but if you're searching for a pleasant Oriental blend then Cornell & Diehl's Star of the East fits the bill perfectly.