The Va/Per version of Three Nuns is JimInks' favorite tobacco of all time. He recently sent me a sample and suggested that I try out the Savinelli branded blend as he finds it a pretty good version. I have to say that I was impressed with it. It hits the notes, and you don't have to spend $100 for a tin of the stuff.
It's interesting to me when I read through those reviews, in that, they appear to be skewed by those who smoked the older versions? If one were to take out all the 1 and 2 star reviews by folks who start their reviews out by stating things like, 'I smoked the old version in the 60's, 80's, etc...', the rating would actually be close to the older versions. I would take ratings with a grain of salt. All it takes is a few people with greater frames of reference added to a primarily straight Virginia smoker among a dozen or so reviewers to turn a very good Balkan blend into an okay Balkan blend.
For certain, and much better than about anything else in my opinion. I place it on a par with the OLD, OLD MM 965 of Alfred days. I never thought anything could knock C&D Engine 99 off my top spot (since 2009) but with that blend no longer being what it used to be and this now available, well....there you go. Price differences be damned, in some things cost does not matter.
Then why direct people to it? It's obviously the overwhelming majority opinion of those who smoked the old versions, but someone like myself doesn't have that context to use for shaping an opinion. I've only smoked the latest releases (which I still believe there to be two versions of) and like it a little more than the comparative blends mentioned.
Fair enough. I have read many of your reviews Jim and know that you truly try to be objective and non-biased. I know that everyone really does have the best interest of new smokers and others who are out there thinking about dropping $25-$45 on a tin of tobacco when there are other blends just as good or better. I've only been smoking a pipe for about 5 years now, but over those 5 years have been subjected to the negative opinions of more experienced smokers on many subjects, primarily new versions of old blends. Not everyone is as thoughtful as you Jim, in that, I find some just want to rant, usually done with great tact, but it can still make some feel like suckers or dummies when he/she is just doing his/her thing. In the end, I like White Knight, Blackhouse, Blue Mountain (Balkan Blue), Magnum Opus, Brebbia Balkan Flake, Ashton Artisan Blend, SH Exotique, etc, etc, etc., but the new version of Balkan Sobranie is my favorite of the entire bunch and well worth the $12.50 a tin I paid for them.
It has to do with licensing rights. The "original" Three Nuns was made in several versions, including a Virginia Kentucky version. The version that Mac Baran was licensed to make was the Virginia Kentucky, not the Va/Per.
