Cornell & Diehl

I received this email Sept.5 2012 It is with much sadness that I report to you that one of the great men in our industry has passed on. Craig Tarler founded Cornell & Diehl in 1990, and over the last 20+ years he blended and manufactured some of the best tobacco in the business. From his humble beginnings in a garage-sized add-on to his home in Morgantown, NC, to the much larger and more sophisticated facility the company occupies today, C&D remains to this day the definition of a “Mom & Pop” operation. Up until today if you called them up to ask a question or order a couple tins, you might even get Craig himself on the phone, happy to talk your ear off about his passion. This level of care and commitment to producing quality tobacco is what made Craig able to set his company apart from his competition. Our community is smaller today, and less rich without Craig as part of it. His legacy and memory will live on through his work, as the blends he created will stand the test of time. Craig’s passing darkens the world much more than just the loss of his contribution to our world of pipe tobacco. Craig was a jovial spirit, generously spreading good will to everyone he came in contact with. I especially enjoyed my visits with him, Patty and the C&D Clan in North Carolina. Craig was an excellent host, chef (he grilled very well) and conversationalist. He was a brilliant man having graduated from Penn. Their home is very inviting and the world is a sadder place without one of Madison Avenue’s finest who took a passion and made it into more than just a business. Craig will be sorely missed by everyone in the pipe smoking community, and we offer our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones. Regretfully yours, Scott Bendett

Sad news indeed. I know the man only by reputation, and by enjoying many a bowl of his fine products, but I never knew anyone in the piping community who had anything other than praise for him. I recall reading that his son had joined the family business a couple of years back, to ensure the continuity of C & D. Good to know that Craig’s legacy is secure. I’ll fire up a bowl of Bayou Morning in Craig’s memory this evening.

WORLD CLASS BUMMER!!! I love his/their creations. Have probably tried 20 or so and have to honestly say that I never tried one that I did not like.

I remember when I first heard the news and I was very sad to hear that Craig had passed. I have never been a huge pipe smoker, but I have been an extremely loyal C&D smoker. 9/10 times I smoke a pipe it is C&D. RIP the man that blended tobacco so beautifully that it made me put down the cigars for a little while and pick up a pipe.

My goodness— I’ve smoked so much C&D-- love them all-- and Morganton, NC is only 30 minutes from me— visited C&D a few times— the guy was VERY nice-- he also was nice enough to take an interest in looking over my resume when I sent it to him (cold call on marketing jobs and such)— very sad-- didn’t know this until just now :frowning: