Cornell & Diehl Three Friars

I have heard it said more than once that Three Friars is a replacement for Three Nuns. I don't see how anyone can think this. While both blends contain Va and Perique, that's where the similarity ends. Friars has Burley, and is therefore a completely different blend. Three Friars is a good enough blend to stand on its own, it doesn't need some contrived connection to a legendary blend to make it work.

The mixture is very well balanced, the Va's delicate sweetness is nicely offset by the Burley, while being supported by the Perique.

If you like Perique, but don't like it when the Louisiana leasf steals the show, this could be for you.

Another fine effort from C&D.

This is a light ribbon type tobacco that is a bit on the moist side for proper smoking. I have not been overly impressed thus far so I may follow Paddy's advice and try some forced aging. I didn't find it especially strong either as some reviewers have noted. I will update this review after the experiment is completed.

Don't look for a Three Nuns clone here. This is very tasty stuff, with satisfying strength without being overpowering. The flavor is solidly in the middle range, with a decent amount of bottom range activity. Not especially complex, but delightful in its straightfowardness.

So, what happens when you take a younger smidgeon of Cornell & Diehl’s VaPer element from Poplar Camp and add a metered portion of qualified Burley? Possibly it is this, Three Friars? Okay maybe not, but that is precisely what initially struck me with this one for what it is worth.

Cornell & Diehl’s Three Friars combines a mix of Bright and Brown Virginia as its primary feature while being moderately peppered with the two mentioned varietals. A coarser ribbon-cut mixture, this tobacco shows a spectrum of earthy hues ranging from pale tans, red/orange, brown/umber to minor stints of black. The projected nose endows a lighter nature on the whole. What comes across is a general sugariness overcasting of vinegar tart wood and settled herbs predominantly.

Key points of the assessment:

Mild-Medium strength/intensity: Foremost, there is a demonstration of some degree of inconsistency in the demeanor all told. Mainly, this tobacco has its moments of more convincing boldness, but for the most part, the standard experience that renders is a gentler strengthened offer. As such, it could stand as a common all-day indulgence,

Baseline: Virginia – Forming the dominant note is the selection of mixed Virginia, which perhaps is the single best attribute of this blend. Primarily the Brown varietal adds some seasonable nut-woodiness as it binds with the natively sweeter Bright strains. In simple terms the registration revels with hints of floral that favors a mossy pine, smoky citrine tang, and stronger chord of rustic spicy hay/warmed grass. Highlighting this common stream are various colorizing elements of caramel, raisin, sweet toasty bread, general herby tart, and finally some inklings of lemony vanilla

Forward mid-band taste: Burley – The inclusive Burley selectively thickens the middle width of flavor with the addition of exceptionally darkening spice. This comes to be characterized as notably earthy, stodgy, and largely leans to the feel of a medium cigar-like remarking. The zestful profile does similarly bring a node of sulfur wood, some wavering nuttiness, minor sourness, and a tinge of a salty licorice note. There is a darker fruity nuance that comes into play that equates to the taste of soiled beets, which if that trips your trigger more power to you in that enjoyment. The tannic aspect of the leaf seems fairly earnest as well because this tobacco feels especially dry upon the palate. Generally, the Burley influence bolsters the blend’s suitability to the assigned genre, yet it materializes with a marginal luster.

Accenting: Based upon the recipe’s configuration, distinguishable notes of the Perique character roll with a slighted crescendo pattern, arriving as a somewhat contained complement. Riding in the upper back tier, the leaf does add an excitable seasoning to the base notation when it shines through cleanly, which seems to be for the initial half of the bowl. Yet, its enduring presence is of perceivably average importance in helping to define the overall appealing value. Its strongest comments bring the effects of stewed prunes, brothy umami, mild soured woodiness, and a tad of earthy must. I should say that, in general, with the smoking you do get periods of sincere vibrance that serve to stimulate the nasal cavity and upper palate, nonetheless.

• A simpler Virginia/Burley adaptation with an interesting addition of Acadian spice.
• Evidence of some diluted sugar-based additive on the finished taste.
• I am not remiss with the suggestion of rehydration from the get-go on this tobacco.
• Minimal complexity but evenly pleasant overall.
• Can be rough and a bit edgy in the flavor stream joins which leads to a minor binge of harshness in the feel and the melding of taste.
• Nicotine is a spot concentrated on this one, higher side of medium.
• Mechanical performance is generally okay, some challenging occurrences with temperature and burn reliability.
• Definitely charters better through a taller/narrower bowl construction.
• Enjoyable in cob or briar.
• Modest and tolerable room aroma that diffuses hushed spicing and grassy/wood sweetness.
• Cost is nicely affordable and is readily available in bulk.

Scoring: Objective scoring came in at 2.66 WAVG or 145/188 in total. In practical terms, this is an easygoing alternative that has some merited facets in all fairness. Overall, it achieved a high average ranking on both Flavor and Genre metrics and does seem to exhibit reasonable blending quality. Again, as to the embodiment of the associated Leaf attributes, the Virginia shines as the most endearing feature followed by the Perique, the Burley scored less impressively.

Finally, in addition to what has already been stated, I found Three Friars to be median on appreciable savor and charisma. Mainly, the upper band of flavor encounters as a little underdeveloped and at times the tobacco suffered from inconsistency in engaging fullness. But it is not to be perceived as an inferior product by any means, just a little hampered in magnitude in my opinion. Without reservations, the goodness of the Virginia presentation is quite appealing indeed, which I thoroughly admired. 2.9 Pipes

Three Pleasant Friars

This Va/Bur/Per is quite similar to Haunted Bookshop in terms of components and flavor profile. However, C&D traded a bit of the burley in HB for more red Virginia. This change really enhances Three Friars. The Virginias are sweet and earthy with a slight grassy-crispness—all of which are much more evident throughout the smoke. The burley adds a bit of nuttiness and a wisp of sharpness. The fermented spiciness of the perique is noticeable at all times, but to a lesser degree than what is in HB. This might be the cause of having less of the condiment leaf or in how it interacts with the abundance of Virginia leaf.

Overall, I prefer Three Friars over Haunted Bookshop in that TF smokes a little sweeter and smoother, though neither blend quite hits the mark of perfection. That said, I still might pick up a pound for the cellar.

If you like straight-up tobacco with in-your-face perique, like me, then this is a great tobacco for you. The blend reminds me of GL Pease's Tribute somewhat; a no nonsense perique sensation. Flavors like fresh bread, pepper, mild cashews, hints of citrus. Good stuff, especially in a cob whilst working in the sun. I don't find it tastes the same as Bayou Morning which has a bit of a sharper and earthier flavor. However, similar tobaccos include Stratford, Tribute, Cumberland, Yorktown, and AJ's Vaper.

aj

Three Friars does seem to bear a similarity to Bayou Morning, but the addition of burley adds complexity without flavor confusion. It still has a flavor primarily of Virginia, less sweet, not as fruity. It also smokes a bit damp, but that may improve if dried a bit; my sample was quite moist for a C&D tobacco.

The problem I have with these C&D blends and the slight variations among them, is that none seem to stand out as 4-star hits. They compete among themselves. With that in mind, I would enthusiastically give Three Friars three stars.

I like this tobacco a lot. It is a lightly sweetened Virginia/burly with a nice touch of Perique. I do not get a distinctive burly taste from this tobacco. This is especially good on the front end as you initially taste the smoke, lightly sweet tobacco and tangy. Smooth with no bite. This tobacco burns nice and slow. The only negative is that for me it is a bit bitter in the aftertaste which is not a problem with a lot of tobaccos, but with this tobacco it does not seem to harmonize with the initial front end taste. This aspect of the smoke is a bit distracting, but not, I think, a serious impediment to enjoying it. A cup of coffee at hand complements the bitterness and refreshes the palate for another sip of smoke from this fine tobacco. Highly recommended. Paddy.

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10/18/03 I have been a bit too harsh on this tobacco. With aging this tobacco becomes exquisitely tasty. Place it in a sealed jar in a sunny window and let the tobaccos marry. C&D Perique/Va. par excellance, except for, perhaps, Bayou Morning.