Synjeco Bad Nun II

I generally agree with Jim Inks' review, except on two important points: 1) I found the Perique noticeable throughout, and more importantly 2) I really didn't find any Lakeland florals or botanicals, just the flavors of the Perique. If there are Lakelands in this or plain Bad Nun, they obviously don't come through for everyone. I do smoke a lot of GH blends, with and without Lakelands, and I do 'get' the Lakelands on most of their flavored blends. Try these if you like a strong honest smoke and decide for yourself if the Lakelands come through for you.

On my last regular order of tins I thought, I might try a Synjeco house blend and opted for the “Bad Nun 2” as a side order. It’s a blend of different Virginias and 5 % of Perique, available in bulk only. Perfect moisture. The cut is between a Broken Flake and a Ready Rubbed, easy to stuff, providing a very cool, steady smoke.

All top-shelf tobacco. The Virginias are quite robust, making it a characterful, deep digging Va/Per. The aromas of these Virginias are mainly hay, earth, wood and bread. The amount of Perique is just right for me. It is always obviously present, without overwhelming the Virginias. The Perique is fruity (plum/raisin) and a little peppery. This peppery part, together with the robust Virginia selection, make it a rather strong mixture, at least in the second half of the bowl. There is generous sweetness around, as well from Virginia and Perique, as from a sweet topping. Unfortunately there is some unpleasant, unnecessary casing, but I am not able to describe it. The nicotine level is high. Will not bite or get harsh, even if puffed at a higher rate. Pleasant, lingering after-taste. If you overlook the casing, “Bad Nun 2” is a scrumptious and flavourful mixture, recommended to those who like stronger Va/Per blends. It’s not for beginners, nor an all-day smoke.

The Virginias are citrusy with plenty of dark stewed fruitiness, a little grass and a bit of deep earthiness. The perique is elusive at times, and seems more raisin and plumy sweet than spicy. The spice hit is not strong, not always noticeable. There's a floral essence that reminds me of Lakeland, but it may be coming either naturally through the Virginias or from the fact the tobaccos absorb a little Lakeland by being in the same factory where the scented blends are. Either way or both, it diminishes some after the half way point, it always remains to compete with the Virginias for attention. Burns cool and clean, slow and requires some relights. Leaves a little moisture in the bowl, but no dottle and no bite or any harsh notes to be found. Has a strong nic-hit. Has a long lived after taste and room note. Made for the experienced smoker and is not an all day smoke.

-JimInks

The Virginias are very dark with an earthy fermented taste to them. These remind me a bit of an malty black tea with just a tiny pinch of sugar to it. The Perique adds a nice second dimension of fruity/peppery spice to the strong Virginias. It´s noticeable throughout the bowl but with a varying intensity (Back and forth). The combination goes pretty well in my opinion. I like it more than Bad Nuns I without the perique. Can bite a bit if puffed too fast but you have to go pretty fast for that to happen. Burns well and completly to fine ash. In my opinion it´s not too strong. A good part lower in the nicotine compared to strong kentucky-leaf smokes like Lakeland Dark for example. Note: I can´t rate the roomnote because i´m just smoking outdoors.

This is a very interesting blend. It looks similar to something like Lakeland Dark - a Dark Fired Kentucky (DFK) powerhouse - and smells like it contains DFK, yet it does not by the description and taste. It is nearly black and comes as semi-rubbed out broken flake, with some larger pieces here and there.

It smells sweet, heavy, and oily, as well as earthy. It is clearly a very heavily stoved Virginia. The broken flake/ribbon feels quite wet but no drying is needed, it takes fire straight away but does need relights. Relights never bothered me if the overall smoking qualities are good, and with Bad Nun 2 they are!

Taste-wise, it tastes a lot like it smells: sweet, heavy, oily. There may be some whiff of florals akin to Lakeland Dark, however despite being produced by Gawith and Hoggarth it is not at all a "Lakeland". It is very filling, full taste, sweet with the occasional spicyness from Perique rearing its head. Buscovic above called it "malty" and I'll agree, there's some wholesome, warm fermented taste about it. What's odd about this tobacco is that I find I get the best taste if I puff hard enough to get the pipe hot, typically a cardinal sin for Virginias, yet it works here. Smoked hot(ter) its strength shows up, starting to feel the nicotine on the nose, as well as the spice and sweetness remaining and not turning acrid.

It is quite addictive overall, and will be getting more of it soon.