I have always wanted to smoke this blend, since I discovered that it was the blend most favored by C.S. Lewis. However I never quite got around to it while it was still in production. Luckily a new friend on this site, Smokenscotch sent me a sample through the mail. The tobacco came wrapped in two ziplock bags, the note from the bags was one of a a mild english so I selected one of my GBD 9438s to enjoy this blend.
The tobacco famously came in "coins", included below is a close up of how the tobacco looks before it is rubbed out. This is kind of reminiscent of a cigar cut into very thin slices.
The blend is described as followed by Orlik;
A blend of dark fired and sun cured tobaccos mixed with the finest Brazilian Lights to produce the unique flavour and mellow smoking characteristics for which Three Nuns is famous.
As noted before the pouch note was that of a mild English style blend, a little bit of a grassy scent mixed with a mild peat. The tobacco rubbed out well, and took to the charring light easily. After relighting the blend I tasted a mix of flavors. Strong leather taste, with a mild herbal over top. People have complained about the absence of Perique in this incarnation. I never experienced the original, but the Kentuckys that are present are very nice indeed. There is a decent level of nicotine present in this blend, not as strong as Irish Flake, or some of the other well know strong blends, but enough to tell you its there. The room note while smoking is light straight tobacco. No pungent smells, a sweet grey cloud of smoke that does not linger. The smoke does not "coat" my palate as some Latikia English blends do, but is light on the tongue. As the bowl continues I taste more of the peat undertones that were present in the initial aroma from the pouch. Some reviewers have reported a raisin smell I associate with high sugar Virginias, I did not experience this at all, more of the "hay" flavor of mellowed Virginias or Kentuckys to my taste. The nicotine does start to sneak in towards the end, but it is still not as strong as some naysayers report. The blend continues to burn well, and evenly throughout, you could smoke a bowl without a relight if so desired very easily. The end of the bowl came with a dry finish, no damp dottle the tobacco burned clean to the end. This seems to me as a every day no nonsense blend, akin to one of the ubiquitous OTC Burleys and in this I find comfort. I can envision Mr. Lewis sipping on this while completing papers, or relaxing at a pub, a comfortable smoke that satisfies. I would rate this tobacco as a pleasant everyday smoke with no cloying after tastes, and no sour lingering room notes. Thanks again for sending this sample my way!
The tobacco famously came in "coins", included below is a close up of how the tobacco looks before it is rubbed out. This is kind of reminiscent of a cigar cut into very thin slices.
The blend is described as followed by Orlik;
A blend of dark fired and sun cured tobaccos mixed with the finest Brazilian Lights to produce the unique flavour and mellow smoking characteristics for which Three Nuns is famous.
As noted before the pouch note was that of a mild English style blend, a little bit of a grassy scent mixed with a mild peat. The tobacco rubbed out well, and took to the charring light easily. After relighting the blend I tasted a mix of flavors. Strong leather taste, with a mild herbal over top. People have complained about the absence of Perique in this incarnation. I never experienced the original, but the Kentuckys that are present are very nice indeed. There is a decent level of nicotine present in this blend, not as strong as Irish Flake, or some of the other well know strong blends, but enough to tell you its there. The room note while smoking is light straight tobacco. No pungent smells, a sweet grey cloud of smoke that does not linger. The smoke does not "coat" my palate as some Latikia English blends do, but is light on the tongue. As the bowl continues I taste more of the peat undertones that were present in the initial aroma from the pouch. Some reviewers have reported a raisin smell I associate with high sugar Virginias, I did not experience this at all, more of the "hay" flavor of mellowed Virginias or Kentuckys to my taste. The nicotine does start to sneak in towards the end, but it is still not as strong as some naysayers report. The blend continues to burn well, and evenly throughout, you could smoke a bowl without a relight if so desired very easily. The end of the bowl came with a dry finish, no damp dottle the tobacco burned clean to the end. This seems to me as a every day no nonsense blend, akin to one of the ubiquitous OTC Burleys and in this I find comfort. I can envision Mr. Lewis sipping on this while completing papers, or relaxing at a pub, a comfortable smoke that satisfies. I would rate this tobacco as a pleasant everyday smoke with no cloying after tastes, and no sour lingering room notes. Thanks again for sending this sample my way!
