Eight State Burley 2021

Eight State Burley is a Small Batch release where Cornell & Diehl blender Jeremy Reeves pays tribute to traditional American burley mixtures; the name references the eight historic American burley-growing states. An air-cured white-and-dark burley base is joined by Canadian light Virginia and SM2-18 red Virginia; 2005-harvest Sokhoum, Samsun, and Katerini Orientals round out the finish.

After the leaf is pressed and sliced, it is rubbed out into an old-style ready-rubbed form; it can be lit straight from the tin. The taste moves back and forth between burley's nutty, cocoa-like base and the Orientals' floral, incense-like, cinnamon-reminiscent spice. Being a limited run, it is not continuously in the catalog; it appeals to smokers seeking unflavored, full-bodied burley mixtures.