Cornell & Diehl Old Joe Krantz Pipe Tobacco

I didn’t find this blend to wow me at first, and while I still am not astonished when I smoke it (aside from its nicotine content!), the salty, darkly sweet nuttiness is easily a pleasure. It’s quickly become on of my most reached for tobaccos. The war horse bar, the rattray’s stirling flake, and this tobacco have been almost all I smoke for the past couple weeks. I may have smoked more of this than either of those other two. I smoke it almost every day. It’s absolutely a five star tobacco.

I gave four stars instead of five because I don’t detect some very interesting unique flavor. That may be an unreasonable bar to set, but for me things like epiphany from this same blender get that extra star for the notes one gets around the middle portion that are just a bit sweet, lovable, kind of hard to place, without tasting added in or artificial. This tastes like straight rich “dark” to me, sorry for the lack of specificity but it does just have a “dark” flavor to me. There are bits of breadiness in there at times, I believe some virginias are incorporated. But don’t be deceived - This is good tobacco. It tastes rich, not in an inherently likable way like a sweet, but if you like non aromatic pipe tobacco, then you probably enjoy that flavor. And it has it. The breadiness is also a nice condiment that should not go unmentioned as a more inherently pleasurable flavor. But you know what else this blend has in spades,? Nicotine. Even as a veteran of the vitamin N, this has a bit more than enough nicotine for me to perceive. It can be enough that I have to slow down near the end of the bowl. I am impressed. But the flavor is what it’s really all about with a pipe - and while frankly, it didn’t “wow” me, one thing this blend is not, is devoid of flavor. It has a good richness that lends itself to a less concentrated smoke; I like to play chess when I smoke and I find this blend to be a good companion to that. I may be more focused on the game than the flavors, and this tobacco provides a fullness that won’t go ignored while I play, but doesn’t require me to sit in rapt attention of subtle nuances. It feels hearty and robust, a good companion to activity, ‘ol reliable. When I run out, I will absolutely buy more. But if you puff veraciously, you may find yourself needing to sit down!

Really love this and can’t praise enough. Nicotine strong, taste deep without the sweetness of what I have smoked before.

Forward Burley presence with Perique coming in next with Virginia in the distant background. One notch stronger than Haunted Bookshop. Really a well balanced blend with good strength in nicotine. Don’t be afraid, try it on a full stomach. I will be ordering more!!!!

Really good tobacco!!!

This blend is very good but quite strong. As a daily smoker, for me this is a morning pipe and a final evening bowl. Too rich for me to use as an all day blend but it it delightful when I do have some. Nutty burley, almost a semois butteryness. Light sweet and sour note on top, very satisfying smoke. Only have 15 minutes on a break? Or is it too cold or rainy to be outside for long periods? Then this blend will fit the bill for you. One must have some experience to get the most out of the flavor profile which can be overcome by too much burn. With a light sip i find a nice flavorful blend that satisfies. Too quick with sipping and it can be quite heavy and heady. I think everyone who wants to enjoy the full spectrum of pipe tobaccos should try this blend at least once!

After years of searching, I can not find a Burly blend that comes close to being as good as this one. Haunted Bookshop comes close but I love the kick in Old Joe Krantz. This is a staple and daily smoker in my Tobacco cellar.

This is a real powerhouse, burly forward blend. It is bold and in your face and has a nic punch (watch it on an empty stomach). This is one of the tobaccos I have gone to buying in bulk....it must remain in the baccy cabinet at all times.