An excellent evaluation about Oriental Silk.
I copied this from "alt.smokers.pipes" group
with the permission of Dr. Micheal VanPelt

From: "Dr. Mikey" 
Newsgroups: alt.smokers.pipes
Subject: Tobacco Reviews - C&D #414 Oriental Silk
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 14:47:09 -0500
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Xref: news.cc.tut.fi alt.smokers.pipes:57149

#414 Oriental Silk
Cornell & Diehl
"Perique, bright flake, Turkish flake and bright Virginia ribbon combine
to make a memorable smoke."

Introduction

As opposite to "Sweet English" as is possible, this is a blend best
typified as light, delicate, subtle, and soft (if you are careful). It
will not make anyone run down the street screaming, "Eureka!" The blend
and its name are a well-suited match: there is a sufficience of Turkish
to warrant "Oriental," and there is enough Virginia to make it as smooth
and soft as silk.

Appearance & Nose

	Overall the appearance of the tobacco is a rather light toast color:
lighter shade of brown, tans, and yellows, with a few speckles of
reddish brown and a touch of very dark brown and black. The lighter
shades predominate, however, giving Oriental Silk a pleasant light, yet
warm appearance. For the most part, the cut is crumb-sized flakes, with
some medium ribbon cut, suggesting a blend dominated by Virginia (red,
lemon, and stoved, I imagine) with a very light touch of burley, Turkish
and Perique just enough to keep this from being passive or bland and
one great whonking piece of Virginia about the size of my thumbprint.
	The fragrance is delicate and subtle in an intriguing way. The only
comparative smell I could think of would be of Spring grass clippings
that have dried out in the sun. There isn't even the barest hint of
anything floral or edible (animal, vegetable, or mineral) that I could
think of. This is clearly an "all natural" blend without question.

Packing & Initial Impression

	Since this is predominantly a flake mixture, it packs easily. Those
with a heavy thumb should be warned that you could very easily pack too
tight. The only problem I encountered was a tendency for smaller flakes
to get into the draft hole with pipes not of a sufficient bore. This was
especially problematic with Jobey's. I would also suggest that before
packing, one be careful to "toss" the mixture lightly. For some reason,
the flake and the ribbon tend to separate in the pouch, and this can
lead to a pipe fully Virginia or fully Perique (Ouch!).
	Since it packs in so well, it lights easily on the first match, but I
usually found the need to re- light after the initial tamp or two. On
two occasions I found it necessary to relight several times to get
through the bowl. That may have been a result of those two pipes or it
may have been that Oriental Silk lends itself to a very slow, thoughtful
smoke.
	The first pipeful almost had me ready to dismiss the mixture as bland,
without anything distinctive or interesting going on. However, as I went
through the week, I began to notice the subtlety of Oriental Silk.
Because this is such a delicate blend, and since I've a preference for
heavily Latakia blends, I started smoking faster and faster. That's when
the Perique jumped out from behind the bushes and sank both fangs square
in the middle of my tongue. With a bit more reverential approach, the
distinction became clearer. There is a unique flavor to this blend which
I am unable to attach a label to.

Farther Down the Bowl

	Just as Sweet English was an uncomplicated smoke, so is Oriental Silk.
It's a simple blend, and it's a simple, but not plain, taste.
Perhaps a better word might be "graceful" or "gracious." That is, of
course, provided that you smoke slowly and thoughtfully. If not, the
Perique will give you a nip. Perhaps that's what make this blend so
intriguing there's just the right amount of Perique. There is enough to
give it a distinctive flavor, and just enough to let you know to slow
down. The tiniest bit more Perique and this would be a blend with bite
a-plenty.
	The taste is neither fruity or nutty. It has its own unique flavor
which has no analog that I can think of. On occasion it would seem right
on the edge of suggesting cherry or vanilla, but that would as rapidly
disappear. When smoked a bit too rapidly, however, I got the distinct
impression of something like a mild white pepper. This blend also seemed
to vary most from pipe to pipe. Others in ASP have noted how the pipes
themselves can taste "different" based just on the wood, and Oriental
Silk made that more apparent to me.

Afterglow

	If your spouse tends to be offended by pipe smells, then this just
might be a mixture for hir presence. Not even the most sensitive of my
co-workers objected to the smell. Outside the office, there was almost
no detectable fragrance. Five or ten minutes after smoking, there was no
detectable smell at all. While smoking, though, the fragrance is quite
pleasant, warm and comfortable (if that makes any sense).

Smoke & Ashes

	Like other C&D blends, Oriental Silk burns easily, slowly, and evenly
to the bottom of the bowl, and the flavor is consistent throughout
(except as noted above). This is probably the lightest blend I've ever
smoked that was enjoyable. This delicacy will probably elude the
neophyte pipester and will probably keep it from the hands of those
whose main diet is 965. Those who smoke quietly in a contemplative
manner may just find this The Blend that suits them perfectly. Since I
tend to smoke Latakia blends, Oriental Silk will be reserved for those
moments when I am most at ease and ready to contemplate the more
abstruse realms of metaphysics.

Standard Caveats, Exemptions, and Disclaimers Apply; mileage will vary,
and contents may settle in transit.

Micheal.

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