- Tobacco Name: Sun Bear Navy Cask
- Manufacturer: Cornell & Diehl
- Blend Type: Oriental
- Cut Type: Broken Flake
- Strength Level: Medium-Full
- Overall Rating: 4.0
- Primary Tobaccos: Red Virginia, Bright Virginia, Oriental
- Similar Blends: Cornell & Diehl Sun Bear, G.L. Pease Cairo, Seattle Pipe Club’s Plum Pudding Special Reserve
- Recommended Pairings: Aged rum, elderflower cordial, Earl Grey tea, almond biscotti
- Recommended For: Oriental lovers, fans of floral-forward blends, Sun Bear enthusiasts
- Avoid If: You dislike sour/floral notes, prefer straightforward profiles, or need a mellow daily blend
- Tin Note/Aroma: 5
- Flavor Development: 4
- Burn Quality: 4
- Smoothness: 4
- Recommend: 4
- Pipe Smoked: Peterson System Standard 303
Essential Information
TL;DR
Cornell & Diehl’s Sun Bear Navy Cask is a bold and ambitious entry in the Sun Bear series, but one that won’t appeal to everyone. It features Red and Bright Virginias with 2020 Thai and 2018 Izmir Orientals, enhanced by rum-barrel-aged wildflower honey, silver tequila, and elderflower. The result is a floral-forward, sour-sweet profile that’s deeply nuanced but occasionally overwhelming. The Orientals take center stage, delivering tart spice, sourness, and incense-like qualities, while the honey adds depth without overwhelming the leaf. It’s refined, yes—but challenging. This is not an all-day blend, nor one for beginners. The broken flake burns slowly and cool, best in a medium bowl like the Peterson 303 used in this review. For lovers of exotic, Oriental-forward blends, this could be a seasonal treasure. For others, it might feel too perfumed or sour. Admirable craftsmanship, but with a distinct audience in mind.
The Experience: A Deep Dive into Sun Bear Navy Cask by Cornell & Diehl
First Impressions
Tin Note:
Unforgettable. Upon opening, the tin releases a heady perfume—floral, citrusy, herbal, and faintly boozy. The aged honey’s depth is unmistakable: rich vanilla, charred oak, and molasses. Tequila and elderflower add a ghostly sweetness. Think alpine meadow meets barrel house. This is complex, alluring, and utterly distinct.
Appearance:
The broken flakes are artful—mahogany, bronze, and bright gold in a loose, varied presentation. Moisture content is ideal for folding or rubbing out, though I recommend airing it a few minutes before packing. Presentation alone suggests this is a serious, limited-run blend.
The Smoke: Journey Through the Bowl
Packing and Lighting:
Packed easily into my Peterson System Standard 303. The flakes responded well to a fold-and-stuff method. A soft char light revealed early Oriental tang, while the true light unfurled the herbal-spiced bouquet. A few relights are needed mid-bowl, especially with a slower cadence.
Initial Flavor:
Bright, sharp, and aromatic. The Orientals dominate with notes of bitter herbs, floral incense, lemon zest, and dry spice. The Bright Virginia adds grassy sweetness and citrus tartness, while the aged honey hints at vanilla and dry rum in the background. A bit unbalanced up front—more sour than sweet.
Mid-Bowl:
Flavors settle. The Red Virginia introduces warmth—earth, bread, and stewed fruit—tempering the tang. The honey’s character becomes clearer: dark, woodsy, almost fermented. Still, the dominant notes remain floral and tart. This middle third is where the blend finds its stride, offering a sophisticated tension between sweet, sour, and spice.
Finish:
Here, things deepen. The smoke darkens with earthy Orientals, leather, toasted wood, and charred citrus peel. A faint saltiness creeps in. The floral character fades just enough to allow room for sweet oak and dry cocoa. A satisfying close, though a touch of bitterness lingers longer than ideal.
Room Note:
Floral, tangy, and tolerable. Not likely to win over a room of non-smokers, but certainly more palatable than most Orientals. The sidestream aroma has a sour-vanilla sweetness that’s oddly charming.
Strength:
Medium-Full. Nicotine asserts itself steadily—no knockout punch, but definitely present. Not for the empty-stomached. Smoked too fast, it can feel more aggressive than necessary.
Final Thoughts: Verdict on Sun Bear Navy Cask
Overall Assessment
Overall Impression:
Sun Bear Navy Cask is an ambitious blend. It aims for complexity—and achieves it—but sometimes at the cost of cohesion. The sourness and floral notes may polarize, especially in the first third. But when the bowl hits its stride mid-way, it offers a truly refined experience that few blends dare to attempt. Not universally lovable, but unquestionably memorable.
Smoking Experience:
Burns cool and slow, as a broken flake should. It rewards patience and a steady cadence. No bite, but the Orientals can feel rough if pushed. The honey casing is a highlight—used intelligently, not dumped on. Flavor shifts are vivid and well-paced.
Recommendations
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0/5 Stars)
An impressive, adventurous blend—flawed in places, but bold and rewarding. Best suited for connoisseurs of Oriental-forward mixtures and fans of floral complexity.
Who Should Try It:
- Fans of the Sun Bear series looking for something deeper
- Smokers who love floral, sour, and herbal flavor profiles
- Collectors of Small Batch releases
- Oriental-forward enthusiasts who enjoy dynamic bowls
Who Should Avoid It:
- Beginners or those sensitive to sour/spicy blends
- Smokers looking for easygoing, mellow smokes
- Fans of sweet aromatics or simple Virginias
Additional Notes:
This blend benefits from rest—both in the tin and in the bowl. Fresh tins are vibrant but borderline chaotic. A few months of jar time could mellow the sharper edges. Not a daily smoke, but an ideal contemplative evening companion. If you’re in the right mood—and the right mindset—it can be extraordinary.
