A Real Three Nuns Substitute

[JimInks]

Timpiper: I've talked to the Sutliff people more than once about getting MacBaren to make to VaPer Three Nuns. MacBaren is under license to make the version they are making now, so that won't change. But even if they decide to make a VaPer version, unless they get the tobaccos from the same place Imperial did, it still would not taste like I would want it to. I like the new version, but would give every forum members' first born for a return to the old production.

 

[andrew]

@Tim piper that is one of the best posts I've ever seen on here, it should be made into a sticky and it's own thread.

 

[misterlowercase]

@Tim piper that is one of the best posts I've ever seen on here, it should be made into a sticky and it's own thread.

Hear hear!
I agree.
Tim did some very deep digging and lifted the mysterious veil in many regards!

:puffpipe:

 

[timpiper]

Thanks Andrew and Misterlowercase
The main aim is to bring attention to the fact that this blend can be made "closer" the original old recipe.

Its not a secret !!!!
I do hope some day soon we will see a return of the original recipe.
BTW - Why do I feel like some fried chicken all of a sudden )
-Tim

 

[mso489]

I doubt the old timers who smoked the old Three Nuns will agree that a new version is

as good. The mystique of the unattainable is strong. But blenders might come up with

a good blend based on the current varieties of leaf.

 

[papipeguy]

This has been a fascinating thread but I have one question regarding the "new" Three Nuns. What would you think of the blend if it was named Acme Blend? I just smoked some and liked it so I don't care what it's called. I also just read in the JR Tobacco catalog that the new stuff has a honey topping.

 

[docwatson]

I was fortunate enough to have smoked a fair amount of the Original 3 Nuns and it will never be equalled. It's gone. The same tobaccos are no longer, and the recipe and toppings will never be duplicated. Just my selfish opinion. However, some old time tobacco hoarders occasionally sell it on eBay as most have seen. The latest 100 gram tin went for over $400.00 which is no more than a serious wine collector would spend for a vintage bottle. I believe there is presently another tin for sale on eBay.

No, it is not mine, all I have is empty tins left, but I do have plenty of other great vintage tobaccos listed ending next week!!!

:D

 

[JimInks]

docwatson: I agree with you in everything you said, but one. Even after Orlik got their hands on Three Nuns and substituted Kentucky for perique, the other tobaccos used were the same as the VaPer version. They were making Three Nuns until early last year, so it seems to me that the tobaccos used could still be had. Given that, I think it likely that a company, getting their hands on that tobaccos, and going back to using perique would give us the closest thing to VaPer Three Nuns possible. A big "if", I know, since the license for the recipe is with MacBaren now. But who knows what may happen in the future? The right blender reading this entire thread might be bold enough to do it.

 

[jitterbugdude]

If you are going to attempt making this don't use Ouzo, get the real stuff. Anise oil is about 80% anethole. Star Anise can also be used, it has a slightly less amount of anethole in it. Additionally, there are 2 types of Perique used, not sure what "manufactured Perique" is compared to just regular Perique

 

[timpiper]

Yes Ouzo has a rather small amount of anethole.

I have a bottle of pure anethole that I ordered online.

This is very very potent stuff. I get some on your fingers and you smell like anise for the whole day.

1 drop is enough for a two or three tins (or more) of three nuns I reckon.

It needs to be dissolved in 150 proof dark navy rum as a lower proof has too much water in it.
Its very hard to get the ratios correct. As the recipes are for 100lb of tobacco.

The recipe works out at approx 20 parts rum to 1 part anethole.

I worked out that approx one spray from a perfume bottle of this is enough to flavour a whole 50g tin.

For my experiments, I had to dilute it with more rum as its hard to cover 50g of tobacco with one spray.
If you use to much it makes you feel ill when you smoke it.

The right amount is very tricky to achieve.
The perique substitute appears to be a type of Cavendish, as they steam it (I suspect Virginia) under pressure for a long time until it goes black.
There's a lot of process in the production method I cannot replicate as I don't have the machinery/skill/patience.

They heat and dry to certain temps and moisture levels, also heat the tobacco to a certain temp and before the rum/anethole mixture is sprayed on.
Read up on the production process here -
Three Nuns Manufacturing process

http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/ohz46a99/pdf
-Tim

 

[haparnold]

Seriously pulling a Lazarus on this long-dead thread, but this one goes into my "best threads hall of fame"! Timpiper's research is fascinating.
I've been smoking Doblone d'Oro the last couple of days, which has sparked an interest in Three Nuns. I think Jim and others have mentioned Dd'O as the closest modern approximation of the VA/Per Three Nuns?

 

[cortezattic]

Jesse thinks so, and he would know. :wink: Of course, now, there's 3N Green...

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

I smoked a lot of late 1970's version (orange circular border, solid brown/black , not wood grain, interior) and Doblones d'Oro is still the closest thing to it I have found. 3N Green isn't as strong IMO, more like the 80's - 90's wimpy version of 3Nuns.
Have not seen this thread. Extremely interesting!
ETA-. They use a solid interior, not wood grain, for the circle now, but the tins say made in Denmark.

 

[sablebrush52]

I'd still rank Doblone D'Oro as the closest neighbor to the older Va/Per Three Nuns. The other Three Nuns all follow different Orders.

 

[ashdigger]

Take this for what it's worth, a free opinion. I've smoked 3 Nuns from 2 square tins (I know its not original, but it's not the round tin garbage in current production) and I think Doblone D'Oro is close. If its not the closest, at least it tastes really good. :puffpipe:

 

[JimInks]

I've been saying for years that Doblone d'Oro is the closest to the old Three Nuns there has been since the formula for it was changed.

 

[mso489]

Is the current product plain awful or just not in the spirit of the good original blend? Is it suffering by comparison, or just a bad blend. Ash' says garbage, so I guess that's how it tastes to him. Some matches aren't good matches, but do nicely in their own right.

 

[rdavid]

Doblone d'Oro is the closest to the old Three Nuns there has been since the formula for it was changed.

Great... The PAD monster awakens.

 

[haparnold]

Is the current product plain awful or just not in the spirit of the good original blend? Is it suffering by comparison, or just a bad blend. Ash' says garbage, so I guess that's how it tastes to him. Some matches aren't good matches, but do nicely in their own right.

MSO, a lot of people really like the new Three Nuns. I have some, but haven't tried it yet. It would need to be pretty darn good to be worth the premium price they're asking for it, esp. when Doblone d'Oro is so good, and is only a couple dollars more for twice as much as Three Nuns.

 

[ashdigger]

Hap, they are selling the name. They are not selling "pretty darn good" anything, but a name.