Boswell Pipes & Tobacco Magnum Blend

Magnum Blend comes into focus as a light bodied English collaborative effort, encircling a respectfully tailored recipe of modest Black Cavendish, ample Bright and Red Virginias, lightly complemented by a relaxed Cyprian Latakia. Although no flavorings are officially listed, there is evidence to the contrary. This mixture bestows a characteristically gentle nature. By comparison to the noted Boswellian counter blends and other English fares, Magnum personifies true simplicity in the form a mild-flavored/mild-intensity sweetened Virginia forward undertaking.

Upon visual inspection, I discovered a handsome mass of quality red and golden ribbon cut tobacco lightly charged with a scattering of irregular blackened chards of restrained complements. Looking at the relative let-down percentages within the preparation, Magnum Blend’s constitution occurs to be approximately 60%-70% assorted Virginia with an equal footing of Cavendish to Latakia filling the remaining footprint. In terms of the ratios of Virginia, there appears to be a slightly higher level of the Red strain, as would be evidenced in the dominant flavor trends that soon followed. One additional point of observation was the physical moisture tendered at an ideal composition for immediate smoking enjoyment.

As a point of interest, I purchased this sampling in bulk as part of the Muttnchop Blend Club platform, nonetheless, the blend is offered in a tinned variety. Opening the pouch, I was greeted with an extremely graceful and docile sweet tarty citrus essence; very quiet-spirited. In specific the soft resonance of meek vanilla/maple lifted passively over the native Virginia convergence. Only by extending my nose deeper into the pillow of tobaccos did the proper registration come to fruition. As a result, the humbled Latakia and Cavendish became slightly more pronounced. An emergence of remote vinegary sourness and earthen nutwood followed reflecting a very metered magnitude. Finally, I did also list a diluted plummy note as well.

Succeeding the preview originating from the pouch note, I quickly discovered that Magnum Blend carried through an equivalent taste profile. As I inferred, the prevailing flavor largely featured the importance of the constituent Virginias while the complementing varietals were afforded minimal effectualness. In a tasteful fashion, the sweet citrusy hay of the Bright was minorly pre-empted by the Red’s floral woodiness as their mingling united to assume the leading honors. Decided accents of crisp lemon and darker fruitiness earmarked the subtle nuances of these stains.

Regarding the accompanying complementary varietals, I was just able to recognize trace hints of their weakened contribution. Although I did find success in that effort, the real impact of their involvement in the taste band was inconsequential. Namely, with focused discernment, I found the Latakia lurking in the distant rear as it served to lend marginal texturizing accents. Chiefly the Cyprian afforded a buttery leather high tone rolling with a bit of native prune, sour woody zest and muffled pungency. As to the Cavendish, with similar weightiness, it endowed a touch of cocoa brown sugary nuttiness and original wood.

On a final note, there was a forward coloring of diluted vanilla, delicate maple, and an essential plum flair that rides along for much of the bowl only subsiding in the final stages. This development was the influence of the unscripted flavorings and/or casings that I have previously referenced. Overall, Magnum Blend, all be it simple and dimensionally limited for an English representative, affords a consistent and easygoing experience.

The resultant spent aroma manifested in a tolerable and light perfume delineated by a relaxed sweetness overshadowing a meld of tart wood and earthy poignant spice. The vapors dissipated rather quickly again reflecting a fundamental thinness of strength. Incidentally, the mix did bring a charming sides-stream note as well. It burned superbly level and at moderate temperature.

As an avid English smoker and ideally one not tainted by any emotional stigmatism around the word chosen for its title, I could surmise my trial of Magnum Blend as genuinely satisfying overall. Through cumulative experience and association, however, I have constructed objective credos of excellence for each respective genre that I use to score a given trial mixture. English blends are obviously no exception. Subjectively a blend may attain a meritorious ranking but still fall short through the objective judgement process.

From this vantage point, although the blend scored exceptionally high on the basic mechanical features and properties, where it suffered most was on the standard attributes expected from a tobacco representing the category. Referencing the essential attributes of the genre, the mixture achieved modest or lower marks on the key hallmark traits. Frankly, it came across shy on critical depth and distinguishing complexity demanded of English blends bottom-line. This is simply a function of the comprising recipe and is not necessarily a deficiency. Having stated that, I would be remiss not to acknowledge that Boswell has contrived a quality blend in many respects, nonetheless. However, if you are looking for that colorful expressiveness of a standard robust English, this one may fall short in appeal.

Now that I have disclosed the true nature of this blend, how do we find meaning and significance in its naming choice, “Magnum”? A literal interpretation, given my earlier definition and the final technical evaluation, is not supportable. Being fair and accurate, Magnum Blend presents an exceptionally calm and therefore congenial smoking experience. In the proper context there is merit in that virtue, and that can signify strength. Namely, this blend does lend itself nicely to either soothing early morning appeasement or as a mellow closure within the tranquil repose of an evening smoking. Conceivably a feasible all-day venue that affords one with a lovely Virginia focused flavoring, no question. I will end this with the suggestion that perhaps “magnum,” in this case, speaks lyrically to the design intent for a lighter-bodied English that facilitates full attainment of amiable pipe smoking bliss. Yeah, I think I can go with that.

Hanna Subjective Rating 2.8 Objective Scoring (based upon standard genre attributes, mechanical and cost) 118/163 @ 72%