Mac Baren Three Nuns

My 1st ever pipe tobacco, bought it back in 1996 in a pouch of 50gr. from Athens Greece while on holidays. Until now, after 14 years still remember it's divine aroma and taste, but unfortunately can't find it anymore, not even in a tin. Words can't describe that heavenly aroma but definitely THAT'S the best ever.

Picked up a 50g tin of this at my local Barbarino's this weekend. Although the price tag of 14 Euro raised my eyebrows a bit, I am thoroughly glad I spent some extra on this blend.

My first impression after opening the tin was nasally 'so what?' There was very little odor that piqued my interest, and I began to get a bit of the ol' "buyer's remorse". However, after folding back the two flaps, I immediately fell in love with this blend. The coincut medallions in it are, for lack of better words, 'endearing'. Has your wife or girlfriend ever packed a lunch for you? Recall the little things she does, for example including a love note or folding the waxpaper on a sandwich in a unique way. Now imagine if she packed your tobacco. THAT is the impression I was struck with, and knew I found one of my new favorites, just on the visual image of the tobacco pack alone.....

On lighting, I noted immediately the perique. However, it is not obnoxiously there, as in some other blends. It truly showcases the glory of perique, and I can now see why it is considered the 'truffle' analog in the tobacco world. Bowls go down velvety smooth. The petrichor-like aromas arouse my imagination and tease me. I spent my first bowl imagining the Louisiana swamps and going frog gigging. Simply one of my new favorites. Definitely one that tests my restraint, as I always want another bowl with this blend.....

My only issue is, even after a nice pack, it has a tendency to go out and needs relit. I fail to see this a flaw though, as it gives me more time to reflect on the sublime aftertastes. This is a blend that is meant to be explored with all your senses. I HIGHLY recommend it, and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

So this is the infamous three nuns!I have been looking forward to this day for a long time, anyone who enjoys smoking pipes as much as i do knows the feeling of opening the designated drawer or cupboard everyday and looking at those special tins and pouches that are sealed in waiting ready to get baptised by fire. How us "pipe nuts" play out the scenarios in our heads sometimes months or yearss before smoking vintage or special blends. What pipe we are to use, shall i employ a match or lighter...does this blend warant a special occasion with company or a solomn moment with deep thoughts and high expectaions. How lovely our imaginations can be, dreaming of flavours caressing our palates and gracing us with there soft company for that brief moment our pipes are steaming, it is truly one of lifes most deserved and overlooked pleasures.So I decided to open up the convent for business and see if the sisters could party.....all three nuns agreed as they are not getting any younger. The pouch aroma was overwhelming and intoxicating with a smell of well aged pungent tobacco(strong, very strong)matched with moist leather and chewed licorice. The long cuts of dark kentucky and bright leafed brazillians and virginias was most uniform and visually pleasing, while expertly blended it was a little dry for my tastes but i have a feeling that is how its supposed to be. It packed very well, and took the match with capital success. Flavours of good irish whiskey and light caramel notes came through instantly and sat on my tongue until mid bowl,both were welcome guests and i awaited their return. At this point all three of the nuns sternly told me to sit as the nicotine content was something im not quite used to. The soft light smoke tickled my senses and arrosed my soul,clearing my mind of the days hardships and quarrels, leaving me at peace and content with the paths i had chosen. Moments like this are a revelation, most welcome in todays busy world. The kentuckys made themselves known by mid-bowl, expressing their spicy personalities by blessing my palate with a controlled spicy flavour which was most favoured by my tastebuds. By the end, mass was finishing up inside my pipe, lighter flavours of good leaf dominated the last portion of my bowl, putting me at ease in the most relaxing pipe experience ive had in a long time. The room note was different, i think it may be a little offensive to non-smokers but to me this one is close to heaven and to my heart. A truly memorable experience.....stunning

Historic blend that is difficult to get in the states. I polished off my last tin on IPSD. Already many fine reviews & give it 4 stars after a year of aging.

The tin note & flavor is delectable & IMO, Bell's Three Nuns lives up to the hype. It is smooth, mellow & flavorful...tobacco flavor, that is; not a peach cobbler or jelly donut. It produces plenty of smoke & Vitamin N content is about a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. Definately one of the finest pipe tobaccos I've ever smoked. I recognized quality tobaccos upon first light. The tin is crammed full & the presentation facilitates loading & firing. Everything about this pipe tobacco is just perfect.

The mottled, dime-sized, thinly sliced twist flakes are almost at a perfect moisture content & rub out into a long, thin ribbon, shag-like consistency. I dried a bowl-sized amount for a few minutes to obtain a perfect moisture content, but is OK right out of the tin. A quality tobacco aroma rises above the slight topping note which I cannot describe or taste while smoking. I was skeptical due to some of the negative reviews on the "new" Three Nuns, but can now accept them with a grain of salt. It burns perfectly to a light ash, leaves no ghost in the bowl & flavor remains throughout.

It's not unusual that a quality blend such as Three Nuns gets a few negative reviews. However, if we all had the same tastes, there would only be one blend of pipe tobacco & supply could never meet the demand. For me, this is the Holy Grail of VA/Pers & very agreeable with "my palate." If you're a VA/Per connoisseur, there's no way you cannot like 3Ns. This & Royal Yacht are my two favorite pipe tobaccos thus far, but there are many other blends in my cellar that I have not as yet sampled. I also like Escudo & Sunday Picnic. Based only on the quality of a VA/Per blend, Bell's Three Nuns receives my highest recommendation. Therefore, IMHO, Bell's Three Nuns, without reservation, rates four ****s+!!

An epic blend. Perhaps the best ever. Alas it is no more. This was a daily companion for many years. There have been attempts to re-make and/or clone Three Nuns. Though noble and to applauded for their efforts all have fallen short. The so called new Three Nuns in the EU is a joke. Comparable to the worst of our drug store tabakey.

Alas, there was "none nicer" as was emboldend on the tins of yesteryear. Goodbye old friend. I shall ever remember the pleasure you brought to me as all my cares floated away in clouds of the finest smoke ever to grace a pipe.

Bought a 50G tin of this legendary tobacco.

- Smell: strong, pleasant. A comfortable tobacco smell without much flavoring.

- Packing: great packing. The smoker can either pack the "coins" or rib it and then pack it. It burns well and when packed well, it doesn't need to be relit every time.

- Taste: full taste with a mild flavoring. The room note is very tolerable.

- Recommendation: Highly recommended. This tobacco is my favorite. It costs €12,80 here in Europe, Netherlands which is not cheap, but it's totally worth it.

Recommended for every pipe smoker out there. Tip: Hot coffee prefered with this one!

I have only been able to get the mixture - pouched version of this...so thats what i wil review. This tobacco is very natural and quite surprisingly extremely well blended providing a rich and satisfying taste and a good aroma. I cannot find it anymore and I must say it is abit on the expensive side. I can compare this to Dunhills Elizabethan Mixture. Similar type of tobacco. If you find it, it is definitely worth a try.

The tin aroma is distinctly perique with very woody VA notes. The cut is primarily a thin roll cake admixed with a bit of ribbon. This is best packed in a narrow chamber with small clump of ribbon at the heel upon which are stacked the coins.

The flavor is primarily a subdued and woody bright VA with a pleasant perique presence. Another leaf, perhaps burley, adds a nutty breadth. There seems to be a slight topping which subtly adds to the enjoyment. There is an overall autumnal impression to this blend: moderately sweet, richly woody, and slightly fermented. Due to the cut, the flavor is homogenous throughout the bowl.

Ignoring the fruitless debate of "new vs. old", Three Nuns is rich, smooth, and unique. Though not so iconic as to justify ignoring other VA/Pers whilst on the road to Nuns, this is well worth the trip. For the stacking method, the coins seem ideally matched to narrow, 18 or 19 mm chamber gauges.