Cornell & Diehl – Pipe Tobacco

Cornell & Diehl Pipe Tobacco: Coveted Goods from the USA

Cornell & Diehl is a well-known name in the world of pipe tobacco—though not for long, and certainly not in Germany. Only since mid-2023 have the pipe tobaccos from South Carolina become available here. Nevertheless, the brand was already familiar to many pipe smokers, as they occasionally had the opportunity to try these blends. In neighboring Switzerland, they’ve been available for years. Additionally, they made great souvenirs from the U.S. Many went to great lengths to acquire these "coveted goods."

Kohlhase & Kopp

The tobaccos from this U.S. manufacturer achieved almost legendary status. So, it caused quite a stir when the importer Kohlhase & Kopp announced that it would distribute this manufacturer's brands in Germany.

To keep prices somewhat moderate, the tobacco is imported in large bulk containers instead of tins. The finished blends are then packaged locally in Rellingen into tins that many lovingly refer to as "tuna cans," which closely resemble their U.S. counterparts.

Unusual Packaging Size

The packaging size also stays true to its American origins. Each tin contains 2 oz, or 57g—just like in the U.S. Kohlhase & Kopp is likely the first and only importer to order German tax stamps for 57g of tobacco.

A Relatively Young Tobacco Manufacturer – Cornell & Diehl

As mentioned, Cornell & Diehl is not one of those manufacturers whose traditions date back to the 19th century. No, we only have to go back to 1990 to trace the company's beginnings. It all started in the garage of Craig and Patty Tarler, who decided to buy parts of a tobacco factory and start producing pipe tobacco themselves.

Initial Growth

Of course, everything had to be learned from scratch, as little remained of the old tobacco factory—neither know-how nor employees. The name Cornell & Diehl came from Craig’s middle name (Cornell) and Patty’s maiden name (Diehl). After overcoming initial challenges, they moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to be closer to family and expand. They also hired their first employees.

The Internet Was No Stranger

Cornell & Diehl was likely the first tobacco manufacturer to recognize the potential of the internet early on and establish an online presence. This brought them more attention and sales channels. The next milestone in the company’s history was a feature article in the renowned magazine *Pipes and Tobaccos*, about the garage company run by two retirees.

Cornell & Diehl: Collaboration with G.L. Pease

The talented blender Gregory Pease soon took notice of the company and convinced them to produce his own blends. This led to a stronger presence at the many pipe shows across the U.S., which further boosted sales—a demand they had to meet.

In 2005, they finally moved into larger, more professional facilities befitting a tobacco manufacturer and expanded their inventory. Flake presses, additional staff, and more machinery followed.

Sale to the Laudisi Group

In 2012, Craig Tarler passed away, leading to turbulent times for the company. In 2014, it was acquired by the Laudisi Group. The Laudisi Group operates a large American online retailer for pipes and tobacco and owns the pipe manufacturer Peterson. The entire production was relocated to South Carolina, modernized, and prepared for the 21st century.

The Master Blender of Cornell & Diehl Pipe Tobacco

Cornell & Diehl’s "face," master blender Jeremy Reeves, is now a prominent and recognizable figure in all publications on the subject. The brand also maintains a presence at international trade shows.