Cornell & Diehl U.S.S. Mason

U.S.S. Mason is a ribbon-cut blend adding a small amount of Latakia and Perique to a Virginia-and-Burley body, topped with a light brandy touch. Cornell & Diehl prepared this mixture in memory of the crew of the U.S.S. Mason, the first ship in the American navy during World War II crewed entirely by Black sailors. Keeping the Latakia proportion low sets the blend apart from heavy English mixtures; Perique adds a spicy sharpness, Burley a dry, nutty base. The brandy casing is kept to a level that doesn't overshadow the tobacco.