Paul B.
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Three Nuns - Three Nuns 1.75oz
Something Old, Something New...
It's refreshing to be pleasantly surprised in a world of steadily dwindling choices in pipe tobacco! The tin looked the same, and it was deliciously fun and nostalgic opening a tin I hadn't opened the like of in 40 years. When I popped the top, I was greeted by something wonderfully familiar... A fragrance reminiscent of apricot and stewed fruit. Could this be the legendary Three Nuns I remembered from my youth?! I looked inside... Beautiful coins just like the ones I recalled, though the ones of the past were a hue of bronze. These were blonder, like gold or brass. The moisture content was close to perfect, not sticky and squishy like many roll cakes, this one is a bit drier. The disks folded nicely in my bowl, without rubbing out. It lit up without a fuss, and once I got it to a third charring light, it continued to burn nicely without excessive re-lights. The smoke is fragrant, and my wife didn't object to the aroma that issued forth. What I enjoyed was something very similar to the Three Nuns of my heyday, though a few notches milder, a TN Light, if you will. What I once regarded as a late afternoon or evening smoke has been transposed into more of a morning or all day smoke, with much more of a bright Virginia profile than the blend I remember. So, in summary, is this the fabled 'Bell's Three Nuns' that I remember smoking in a Preben Holm freehand back in 1986? Unequivocally not. But what it is now is something close, which has been re-imagined within the confines of what is available in today's menu of pipe tobaccos. In my opinion, it pulls it off better than what is currently being offered in place of yesterday's 'Murray's Erinmore Flake.' So, the darling of C.S. Lewis's briars has found a modern approximation and remained faithful enough to earn a place in my current rotation... Happy Smoking!

Lighters - Savinelli Pipe Lighter - Miele
Exceptional!
This is hands down the most reliable lighter I own, and that includes some rather expensive piezos. I have others that I've paid more for but none that have been more functional than this one. It lights nearly every time I turn the flint wheel. And it's beautiful. A great match for my Miele Savinellis. Bravo!

Missouri Meerschaum - Ozark Mountain Straight (6mm)
Great Value - Good Smoke
This little maple pipe was exactly as I expected. A cheap, good smoking bargain for trying out a new blend, or mowing the lawn or an afternoon of rummaging through the storage unit. This pipe, by virtue of the material, won't cake like a briar so lining the chamber with honey or maple syrup is a waste of time and groceries. Puff slowly and you may be able to put off the inevitable burn out far down the road. I'm very pleased with my purchase and it fills me with a wonderful sense of nostalgia, as I had one of these along with cobs, "Yello Boles" and "Medicos" in my first pipe collection as a highschool student in the '70's.

Missouri Meerschaum - Cornell & Diehl Charleston Cooper
A Fine Cob!
This stands as a Cadillac of cobs. From the Italian acrylic bit, to the hardwood plug at the heel, it's built for many years contemplative smoking, or blinging at a neighborhood cookout. I love the stain and goldtone shank ring. It really stands out amongst my multitude of other cobs. Smokes great so far, but it will really mellow after a dozen or so more bowls. I'm very pleased with the design and quality of this pipe. Worth every penny!

Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Buddha Belly Briar
NOT Briar
This purchase is a bit of a disappointment. I know a bit about wood.... Certainly enough to tell whether an item is made of the root of the white heath tree. This definitely is not. The barrel is made of birch or soft maple and stained in a warm color commonly used on smooth briar pipes. The item *is* well made, but I still can't help but feel like the recipient of a "bait and switch" item, like buying a diamond ring that turns out to be cubic zirconia. Be advised.

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From Beyond The Woods: A Tale From Appalachia
  • ► Great story and a perfect lead in to a storied blend that I've waited a year to try. I anticipate its' arrival at my doorstep with bated breath... Trick or Treat?!