The King Street Emporium

Cross Eyed Cricket

English Aromatic

Cross-Eyed Cricket is one of William Serad's best known creations and one of the more cheerfully unclassifiable blends in the Cornell and Diehl catalog. Cornell and Diehl's own description invites the question directly: English or aromatic? Take your pick. The construction starts with unsweetened black Cavendish as the base, which is an unusual anchor for a blend that also contains Turkish leaf, Latakia, and Perique. That combination of components reads like an English blend. The rum punch topping is what complicates the category, applied lightly enough that the natural tobacco character remains the dominant experience but present enough to sweeten the room note and round off any rougher edges. The Latakia contributes its familiar campfire smoke, the Turkish adds a dry earthiness, and the Perique brings spice from the back. The Cavendish underneath keeps the overall profile smooth and accessible. Ribbon cut, mild to medium strength. A blend that tends to win over aromatic smokers who are curious about English tobaccos, and English smokers who do not mind a little sweetness in the room.