Hearth & Home Magnum Opus

This stuff is fantastic! It's aptly named as I don't see how Russ could possibly do any better. It's complex, but not in the way I normally use that word. At any given time I only experience a couple different flavors and can pick out the various types of leaf, but the complexity comes in the changling character of this awesome blend.

Although some Virginia sweetness comes through at times, it's not a particularly sweet blend. In wine terms it's more dry, but absolutely overflowing with flavor. As the bowl progresses, it just gets better, richer, more complex, and more enjoyable as it wanders from Virginia to Latakia to Orientals and back again. It works in every pipe I've tried to far, but I love it in my big Laird with a two inch deep bowl, just because it stretches out the experience as long as possible.

Yet another homerun from the H&H Marquee line, another resounding 4 star blend for me. The same superb quality and flavorful latakia and orientals as White Knight and Black House. In fact, it's very close to BH in presentation, only the cavendish/Kentucky duet has been swapped for a Virginia/perique duet. Being a vaper and Kentucky man myself, this makes it a little tricky to pick between BH and MO. Honestly, I usually smoke one right after the other...they're both utterly satisfying! Never harsh, no burn issues, tobaccos are balanced and married beautifully. Good amount of oriental top notes and that pleasant sweet nasal pinch from the perique. Tasting is believing...if you haven't tried Russ O's blends, get you some of this ASAP. Hell, go on and grab the whole Marquee lineup while you're there. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

This blend has been reviewed enough so another review really isn't needed, but I like Magnum Opus so much I want to add my opinion to those already given. Magnum Opus is one of my go to blends. I never tire of it. It never feels old to me. I enjoy each bowl just as much now as I did when I first began smoking Magnum Opus. In every aspect it is outstanding.

I only have 6 words to say!! Russ O. I could kiss ya!!! This blend is just outstandingly wonderful. A true masterpiece! I have been meaning to order this blend and I kept forgetting. This time I remembered ...and I will never forget again. I won't waste a lot of time on embellishment....you folks know what it's all about. This blend is smooth on the palate...mild on the throat...but delivers a nice peppery kick thru the old nostrils. Kind of like a good shot of horseradish...only a little more peppery. I don't think I am ever going to worry wether or not I ever get a tin of Balkan Sobranie again. Between this blend...White Knight and H.H. Balkan Sobranie Match....I won't need to. Again I say...get it...try it...you be the judge. But I do not think you will be disappointed if you lean towards English/Balkan type blends. Bon Appetite!!!

A very complex Oriental forward blend, creamy, herbal, sometimes bitter, tangy, nice pepper, Latakia is there but not in your face same with the Perique, expertly blended by Russ, thank you.

I most certainly prefer Russ' touch and balance when compared to Greg's blends.

Perfect tin moisture and great combusting characteristics although the cut and blend do move down the bowl rather quick, which is fine since I can use some of my massive bowls to enjoy it. The nice part is despite being complex it does not fatigue the palate and mellow enough to enjoy consecutively or interspersed. Although if you're a pipe-packer who enjoys a few bowls per week or per month this one satiates just as well.

It does harken to JF Germain 1820 which is golden in my books and Opus is easy to acquire in N. America, an excellent value for the price.

What can you say that has not already been said? I just hope they never change the formula and that all of the components continue to be available.

Its very oriental forward, but where Black House shouts, this plays a violin in exquisite fashion.

Highly refined, subtle, with enough bang to make you notice, but so much class that you appreciate it throughout.

Big opening, Latakia of epic quality springs out, then the orientals start to warm up and mingle with the Lat in very nice ways to form an initial bond. That keeps going and you think this is a nice Lat/Oriental like Yenijde Highlander and are ok with that. The show isn't over though, those continue to warm and play, and then out from the back comes the VA which has been growing in the furnace, and is sneaks out near the middle of the bowl and the sugary sweetness brings this into the stratosphere.

It goes on and on until right near the end its just everything in full force, like the end of the Ode To Joy. A finale that you just think is smoking heaven.

Its classier and more refined than Black House. Doesn't get dirty or bitter near the end, no residue in the stem, at the end you are satisfied with a pipe you barely need to clean........and memories to savor!!

Wonderful.

Just received my tin and after two bowls I'm not sure if I can put a finger on the most outstanding ingredient in this blend. Emphasis seems to change with every draw. At first light, Latakia jumps up and gets those taste buds moving, then magically it fades to something else, you can still taste the strength, but it is now rounder? Simply fantastic! Not sure if I taste an easy going English, or a tasty Balkan, or a spicy Virginia playing in the background. Just when you think it reminds you of some past favorite, it lulls you into another area. Face it, It just works. This is my second tobacco from Russ O. and I couldn't be more impressed. A definite master at his craft. G.L.Pease was my benchmark for these types of tobaccos of late, but no longer. A solid winner.

I have come to expect quality from Hearth & Home, seeing as my favorite Balkan Blend is White Knight, followed closely by Black House, and Ashton's Artisans Blend. And they certainly deliver some exceptional products. Ultimately what sold me on this blend was the inclusion of the Oriental Basma. I love Basma in Peterson's Old Dublin, so I had to get this to try.

The tin art leaves a little to be desired, especially when compared to other tins H&H have on offer. But the tobacco is what we are after. Opening the tin you'll find a coarse cut ribbon of varying shades of black and brown. The tin note is enticingly, intensely smokey. With Orientals giving a woody, herbal tang that matches the Latakia. I think it comes at a perfect dryness to smoke right out of the tin. It packs well and lights well.

Now I've smoked this off and on for about 6 months now, and my advice up front is to let it age a little bit. Upon lighting, I taste a complex bouquet of flavor. The Orientals are immediately up-front. They taste herbal, earthy, and very incense like with a tangy sweetness coming from the Basma. The Latakia is smooth, creamy and smokey. The Virginias add some sweetness in the background, and the Perique is giving off a nice spice throughout.

The taste I give a medium, this has the ability to be fuller, but I do like it where it is at. The strength is also a medium. The smoke is cool and slow. It's really hard to push this to hot. The room note is a typical Balkan so take that for what it's worth. This is a great, relaxing Balkan fit for a king. It doesn't replace my feelings for White Knight, but it is a solid, outstanding blend.

This is the first time I had the urge to be untrue to my fellow pipers. I had the great idea to write an awful review so I could hoard this tobacco. Yes it is that good. For a complex and very flavorful tobacco the tin note is not that strong. I get some smoke Latakia and believe it or not rasins and figs from the perique. A little sweetness and sourness but a mild smell from the tin/jar Not the taste, this truly is a masterpiece. This tobacco presents itself with so many flavors it deserves your full attention but it does not require it. I have done office work and prayed the Rosary while smoking this blend (something I love to do when I smoke a pipe, for you Catholics out there it is like burning your own incense and it helps lift your prayers to heaven. I may petition the Vatican to replace Frankincense with Magnum Opus during the Mass). Latakia and the Orientals are the star players in this blend. Woody, smoky and sweet. The dry balsa wood like flavor and the malty flavor that is present throughout the smoke is extremely pleasant. The perique while in the tin note is just a support condiment that seems to boost the flavors of the Latakia and the Yenidje. I get the "fizz" feeling with this blend that I absolutely love. It also presents a creosote like flavor towards the last 3rd of the experience. This is a world class tobacco. The only thing that I do not like about it is the tin art. Had I not known that this was a Russ Oulette blend I would have passed it on gaudiness of the label alone. However if the words " beauty is only skin deep" ever had meaning it would be now. One of the best smokes out there.