Cornell & Diehl Bulk: BILLY BUDD

Left a previous review. To recap—Billy Budd is not for the faint of heart. Packed with flavour—deliciously heavy... it is my favourite English.

This an uncompromising smoke in a very good way. Strong, straight forward and definate in every way. Plenty of good tobacco taste, rich and full.Easy to pack and light, burns to a fine grey ash. The cigar leaf gives an extra dimension that ties the whole experience together. I find this a wonderful smoke, but perhaps not for the neophyte or those who favour aromatics. Well worth a try, one of my very favourites.

i did like this tobac. at first. after a few bowls it became hard to enjoy. i like cigars, but this is just bland bitter blaah! i grabbed some back woods cigars and broke them down.... taste much better in a pipe.

The best cigar leaf mixture I have tried so far. The cigar taste is to the forefront but you also get some Latakia smokiness and dryness. Since I also smoke cigars, I know what to expect from such a tobacco, it's not for everyone. With those condiment tobaccos it's impossible for me, to detect the lighter tasting Bright Virginia or Burley. I guess, those are used to help with the combustion of such a slow burning mixture.

My all-time favourite tobacco—I would give it six stars if I could. I had my first pipeful at a friend's and yes, it was strong, but intensely, powerfully flavourful. I have smoked many kilograms of this blend—thank you Richard for stocking it—and it always delivers. I can't understand why people would order this tobacco after reading the description and then complain about how strong it was... Billy Budd packs a punch, but like that sailor of yore, it takes you to far away places; like that sailor, this tobacco is rough and ready; like that sailor, Billy Budd delivers whichever watch you are upon; like that sailor, Billy Budd is redolent of distant places with the tang of exotic smoke and spices; —unlike that sailor, Billy Budd is not pressed—it is a glorious, rough-cut burley with piercing tones of latakia, and strong, manly cigar notes underpinning a delightful, spicy romp over your tastebuds. I absolutely love this blend—and, while I routinely try other blends like most pipe smokers (one of the best features of the pipe is matching bowlful to mood)—I always come back to Billy Budd and sail away from life's stressors upon its fragrant, smoky tendrils...