The King Street Emporium

Buffalo Soldier

Virginia, Latakia

Buffalo Soldier is the first entry in Cornell and Diehl's Black Servicemen Series, and the history behind the name stretches back further than any other blend in the line. After the Civil War, Congress established four all Black regiments of the U.S. Army: the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry. They served on the western frontier for decades, fighting in campaigns from the southern plains to Cuba, and earned a reputation for discipline and tenacity that their commanders frequently put on record. The name Buffalo Soldiers was given to them by the Native American tribes they encountered, and the regiments wore it with pride. They served with distinction through two world wars before the Army desegregated in 1948. The blend is built on a Virginia base rather than the dark fired Burley that anchors Montford Point Marine, which gives it a noticeably different character within the same series. Latakia and Perique appear in measured proportion, the Latakia providing its characteristic campfire smoke and the Perique its spice, but neither overwhelms the sweetness of the Virginia underneath. It is a well balanced, medium strength ribbon cut that wears its components lightly enough to be described as an all day smoke. No flavoring, no casing.