Cornell & Diehl Speakeasy Navy Blend is a Prohibition-era Navy flake built for the long haul — Carolina Red Virginia, Perique, Dark Fired Kentucky and Orientals, lightly rum-topped and designed by C&D's Cellar Series program to peak at 10–15 years of aging.
Speakeasy was released in July 2016 as a Cellar Series offering — Cornell & Diehl's label for blends that are built from the start to age for a decade or more. Head blender Jeremy Reeves has shared the recipe in interviews: roughly 80% Carolina Red Flake forms the Virginia base, with Perique for dark fruit and pepper, Dark Fired Kentucky for smoky body, and Orientals for complexity. A light rum topping ties it all together without burying the leaves. The name and label artwork nod to the smoke-filled New Orleans speakeasies of the Prohibition era — jazz, cocktails, and bold personalities.
Blend Information
- Series: Cellar Series (aging-focused releases)
- Blend Family: Virginia · Navy Flake · VaPer+
- Components: ~80% Carolina Red Flake Virginia · Perique · Dark Fired Kentucky · Orientals
- Flavoring: Light rum topping
- Cut: Broken Flake
- Body / Strength: Medium to Medium-Full
- Room Note: Mild to Pleasant
- Country of Origin: United States (Morganton, NC)
- Format: 2 oz tin
- Peak Aging: 10–15 years
- Released: July 2016
Tasting Profile: Right out of the tin: dark earthy Virginia, a soft rum nose, and a hint of pepper. On the burn, the Carolina Red Virginia carries natural sweetness and depth; Perique adds its signature plum-raisin-pepper spice; Dark Fired Kentucky brings smoky, slightly meaty body and keeps the sweetness grounded; Orientals thread in dry, slightly ethereal spice. The rum lives in the background — more aromatic than flavoring. Fresh, it's a very good smoke; after a few years of cellaring, the components marry further and the Perique and Virginia both deepen.
For VaPer and Navy flake smokers, Perique fans, and anyone building a cellar. One of Cornell & Diehl's benchmark aging flakes.
