Cornell & Diehl Bijou Pipe Tobacco

Cornell & Diehl Bijou Pipe Tobacco

Cornell & Diehl Bijou stands as a jewel in the company’s Cellar Series, blending choice 2003 vintage Eastern North Carolina Red Virginias with exotic Greek Katerini Orientals and a whisper of honey. This delicate flake showcases the art of Virginia/Oriental blending, where toasty-sweet red Virginia base meets the curry-like spice and floral complexity of small-leafed Katerini tobacco. Designed for aging and immediate enjoyment alike, Bijou rewards both the curious smoker and the patient cellar keeper with layers of refinement and unique character.

Blend Components & Construction

• 2003 vintage Eastern North Carolina Red Virginias provide rich, tangy foundation with natural sweetness
• Greek Katerini Oriental tobacco adds distinctive curry-like spice and floral, perfume-like notes
• Sweet bright leaf Virginias contribute additional complexity and balance
• Touch of honey enhances the blend before pressing, creating subtle sweetness without overpowering
• Pressed and sliced into delicate flakes for consistent preparation and slow, cool burn
• Medium to full strength (4/5) with moderate taste (3/5) and pleasant room note (3/5)
• Estimated peak aging window: 10-15 years for maximum refinement

Flavor Experience

The initial light delivers a striking curry-like spice from the Katerini leaf, immediately announcing this blend’s unique character. Within the first few puffs, the red Virginia emerges with tangy sweetness and woody undertones, creating harmony with the Oriental’s spicy, floral profile. The honey appears most prominently on the retrohale, offering flavor without blast of sweetness, serving instead to highlight the dryness of the Turkish component. Reviewers consistently note the smooth, woody, floral sweetness that develops throughout the bowl, with no harsh or dull spots.

The Katerini Oriental truly stars in this blend, contributing what smokers describe as a delicate yellow-orange, apricot-like character with pleasantly sweet, perfume-like taste. With nicotine levels of 1.5-2% and sugar content averaging 15%, Katerini brings both spice and natural sweetness that complements rather than competes with the Virginia base. The result is a rich body and flavor profile where every component remains identifiable yet integrated, creating what one reviewer calls “perfect harmony” between the three elements.

Smoking Characteristics

Bijou burns very cool and clean at a slow to modest pace, though it may require a few relights typical of Virginia flakes. The blend shows no tendency to bite or get too hot when smoked with patience, making it accessible despite its medium-full strength rating. Straight from the tin, moisture levels prove ideal with minimal drying time needed. The flake format provides versatility in preparation, whether rubbed out for easier packing or folded and stuffed for extended smoking sessions.

Katerini Oriental Character

Katerini Oriental tobacco comes from Greece’s distinctive sun-cured tradition, featuring small, heart-shaped leaves with characteristic naked petioles. This fundamental flavor tobacco offers delicate aromatic qualities with spicy and floral nuances that elevate Virginia blends without overwhelming them. Its moderate nicotine content and high sugar levels create natural complexity prized by blenders seeking Oriental condiments that add dimension rather than dominance. In Bijou, the Katerini performs exactly this role, transforming a straightforward Virginia into something exotic and memorable.

Specifications

Summary

• Cut: Flake
• Strength: Medium to Full (4/5)
• Components: Virginia, Oriental (Katerini), Honey
• Aging Potential: Excellent (10-15 year peak)

What makes Bijou unique among pipe tobaccos?

The use of Greek Katerini Oriental tobacco creates a distinctive curry-like spice and floral character rarely found in Virginia blends, enhanced by vintage 2003 red Virginias and subtle honey.

What does Katerini tobacco taste like?

Katerini offers curry-like spice, floral perfume notes, apricot sweetness, and delicate complexity that complements rather than dominates Virginia tobaccos.

How strong is Cornell & Diehl Bijou?

Rated medium to full strength (4/5), it offers robust flavor and body without overwhelming nicotine hit, making it accessible to experienced smokers.

Should I age this tobacco or smoke it fresh?

Both options work well—it smokes beautifully fresh from the tin, but Cornell & Diehl estimates peak enjoyment at 10-15 years of aging for maximum refinement.

How should I prepare the flakes?

Rub out for easier packing and quicker ignition, or fold and stuff for slower, cooler burns that extend smoking time and highlight complexity.

What are the primary flavor notes?

Expect tangy Virginia sweetness, curry-like Oriental spice, woody and floral undertones, and subtle honey that appears most on the retrohale.

Does this blend bite or get harsh?

No, reviewers consistently note smooth smoking with no bite, rough edges, or harsh spots when smoked at a measured pace.

Who will enjoy Bijou most?

Virginia enthusiasts seeking unique Oriental complexity and collectors interested in age-worthy blends will find this particularly rewarding.