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Daniel M.

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Savinelli - Doblone d'Oro 100g
Extraordinary
For reasons having to do with licensing, Three Nuns in its currently available form is made by MacBarens without Perique. This blend is also made by MacBarens, but it has Perique. It is outstanding in ever way that counts. Burns at a slow, consistent rate, does not bite and requires minimal relights. The taste is smooth, balanced and creamy. The Virginia's lack the astringency of competing reincarnated old classics, such as Escudo and Elizabethan, the Perique adds just the right spice note and the DFK seems to convey all of this goodness with significantly more oomph than I am finding in anything else out there. I have been smoking a pipe for almost 40 years, and I know exactly what the blends named in this review tasted like before they were all merged into larger companies and ruined, by no later than the mid 80's. Without comparing it to any of these old classics directly, I will say that had this blend been available 35 or so years ago it would have been a worthy competitor to any of them. I used to turn up my nose at the mere thought of smoking anything made by MacBarens, and I am frankly shocked, stunned and amazed that they, or anyone else for that matter, have managed to produce something that rivals what was available in the days when blenders worked with stocks of aged leaf, and not carboys full of chemicals. Please note the tin I purchased was dated in 2014. That may or may not make a difference.