Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a ribbon-cut blend Cornell & Diehl places in its Virginia family. Its base is stoved red Virginia leaf; a considerable proportion of black cavendish, Turkish leaf, and Louisiana perique are added. Red Virginia's dark, bready sweetness is balanced by perique's dried-plum-and-spice accent and the Oriental leaf's dry, grassy tang; black cavendish adds a softening sweetness to the blend.

The blend's name references the Shenandoah section of the Appalachian range. It suits smokers looking for a medium-bodied Virginia blend with sugar sweetening low enough to be considered essentially unflavored, who enjoy the complexity of perique and Oriental leaf without wanting heavy Latakia. Being a ribbon cut makes it easy to pack and light.