I was sitting with Les Young (aka LesTrout) in the smoking tent, at the Chicago Show last Saturday, as we smoked our pipes and talked of jazz. I had a bowlful of Samovar in my Castello Sea Rock KKKK 49 bent Dublin, but I can’t remember what Les was smoking.
One of Les’ friends came up with a sealed tin of 1941 Three Nuns. He proceeded to cut the top, and the most incredible aroma wafted out. He offered us some. It was quite dry and very dark, but still beckoned to be smoked. I took a pipeful for later, as did Les. We marveled at the strong, sweet smell of Virginias, and the still slight piquant scent of Perique.
This afternoon was gorgeous; sunny, low 70s, and a little breezy, a perfect time to smoke this 81-year-old treasure. I chose my Sixten Ivarsson Stanwell 90, stuffed it with my slightly crispy sample, and lit up. OMG! It was amazing!
All the deep flavors were still there: the sweet, mellow full Virginias, and a hint of what was left of the spicy Perique.
I sipped, oh so slowly, to make the most of the rare chance at smoking this storied blend. It was a magnificent hour.
I kept hydrated (and, lest I get too giddy, of this world), with a tall, berg-filled glass of Bombay Sapphire and Fever-Tree tonic with a nice wedge of lime. Ahhh, Nirvana!