And a Bottle of Rum: Cornell & Diehl Blockade Runner

 

(Firecured) Pirates, smugglers, rum runners, privateers, commerce raiders, blockade runners, and the such have enjoyed a long, rich history in the United States. Of course, one man's hero is another man's scoundrel, but don't worry, smoking Blockade Runner won't make you any more secesh than smoking Fusiliers Ration will make you a French imperialist.
That being said, lets talk about the difference between tobacco that's rum flavored and tobacco that's flavored with rum. Rum flavored tobaccos, such as the venerable rum crook cigar, have been treated with a rum flavoring, that, while very tasty, is not exactly rum. Tobacco flavored with rum, such as Blockade Runner, is just that. The former is very sweet, the latter, not so much. Not knowing the difference can confound one's expectations.
Blockade Runner is "A true Navy Cavendish crumble cake made with hand stoved Red Virginia and Bright Virginia soaked in premium rum for seven days then lightly stoved again before being pressed." To be clear: It is flavored with rum, not rum flavored. Nor, I should add, is it swimming in rum, which could make for a volcanic lighting experience.
The cake itself looks like a brownie and crumbles like peat moss. Unlit, it smells awful, rummies may disagree, to me however, it's awful. But the proof is in the smoking, and it smokes well. The excellent Virginias dominate, while the rum provides a warm background that I'm reluctant to compare to any other flavor, though I'd class it in the caramel family. It also compares favorably to Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake, also flavored with rum. If you like one, you'll probably like the other, but I find Blockade Runner to be less bitey. The girlfriend approved room note is "not bad." The stuff seems to smoke well in any bowl, large or small, cheap or pricey. With half the tin smoked, this is one of the best tobaccos I've tried in years.