Cornell & Diehl Star of the East Flake - classic English blend

Star of the East Flake is a full-bodied tobacco blend produced by Cornell & Diehl (C&D), which belongs to the family of English pipe tobaccos. It is a renowned pipe tobacco that C&D transitioned from its popular loose ribbon version to a pressed form (flake). Cornell & Diehl Star of the East Flake is generally considered a medium to strong tobacco.

🌿 Key Ingredients and Form
The Star of the East Flake tobacco is characterized by a high content of Latakia, which makes up approximately 50% of the blend. The remaining components include Turkish Izmir (Oriental) and Red Virginia leaves. The Red Virginia tobacco leaves are typically subjected to a stoving process (steaming with heat), which helps deepen the flavor profile and add a balanced sweetness. The tobacco is delivered in flake form, allowing pipe enthusiasts to prepare the tobacco to their liking – for example, completely crumbling it, folding and packing it, or partially rubbing it out, which can influence the burn rate and flavor.

🔥 Flavor Profile
Star of the East Flake offers a rich, smoky experience dominated by Cypriot Latakia. The blend is non-aromatic, relying solely on the interplay between natural tobacco components. The inclusion of Oriental tobaccos brings flavors often associated with subtle floral, spicy, or balsamic notes. Star of the East Flake is sometimes compared to other well-known tobaccos with high Latakia content, such as the prized and hard-to-find Esoterica Penzance, due to its balanced combination of robust Latakia and the natural sweetness of Virginia without aromatic additives.