Hearth & Home Magnum Opus

Enough has been said - I feel this tobacco is very, very close in taste to Balkan Sobranie white except for the perique.

Wonderful, wonderful tobacco. I always get a compliment from a fellow pipe smoker when I light this up. Masterful blend.

I also like to blend this with Rattray's 7 Reserve. The 7 Reserve takes out some of the perique and adds orientals. Me Gusta!

This is my first time trying a blend by H&H (Russ O.). I have to say that I am definitely impressed. The smell from the tin is quite interesting. It smells sweet with some smokeiness, with a woody/earthy aroma that seems unique to this blend. Each time I have smoked it, as another reviewer has more eloquently stated, the flavor seems to shift. It's never boring and always enjoyable. It definitely has Latakia in it, but the orientals are very much playing a large role. There is almost a floral hint to this blend, both in the tin and in the smoke, not like the 'lakeland' blends, but more subtle. I think this could be from the Basma and Izmir? Has a little sweetness and burns excellent from start to finish. No relights needed and no tongue bite.

I feel happily perplexed by this blend...I can't put my finger on what it is that I enjoy so much about it. But it's definitely one that I have thoroughly enjoyed time and again. Definitely plan to have a few tins available (In fact after this review I have over 1/2 pound of this blend in a large jar in my tobacco cellar).

This has to be my favorite english tobacco ever or at least in my top 3.

We are truly blessed to have so many good blenders out there, and Russ is one of them!

I have smoked many blends offered by Russ and have been very pleased by many of his offerings.

If you want to dive into the world of English Blends this would be the deep end of the pool. No overload on any one ingredient, no bitterness and a cool clean smoke. The ribbon cut comes fairly dry and packs and lights well. The leaf is top quality and the blend is consistent.

Magnum Opus has surpassed my expectations and is truly in a class by it self! Bravo!

On your feet and hats off, gentlemen.

Russ Ouellette will be either sainted or arrested for this one.

Incomperable.

The reviews which note that it is a complex, constantly-shifting, delightful blend which defies simple description are spot on.

When put in a great pipe, this blend cannot be exceeded and will offer an aesthetic experience impossible to describe with words.

Category: Masterpiece

If you like latakia blends you must try this tobacco! There's some rich, rich flavor here. The tin aroma initially had me skeptical because, compared with my favorite, Samovar, (till I tried Magnum Opus) it didn't smell as smoky or rich. But, to the contrary, this is a wonderfully deep and rich smoke. I can't add anything that hasn't been so eloquently stated before, except-- Russ, you're the man!! This is indeed a masterpiece.

So, this is what early-mid 20th century premium Balkan mixtures are reputed to have tasted like back in the day. Okay! This being veteran master blender Russ Oulette's "Masterpiece", I will take his word for it.

And... first impression? Too strong for me to smoke often at this stage of my tobacco-palate development, but, I like it! ...a lot!

A complex flavor combination not quite like anything I've tasted so far that calls itself a Balkan.

Had to spread it on a cookie sheet and spritz it a couple times with distilled water to get it from brittle as bran flakes to soft and springy. But other than that, it's amazing. In my experience, (admittedly limited at time of first writing), this is a stand-out in the crowded field of English/Balkan blends. Definitely NOT your typical "modern" Balkan mixture.

Highly recommended.

This is an extraordinary and tasty English with a range of flavors which are all very well integrated. It easily joined my top 10 in this classic category. Medium nic-hit. Nothing overpowers. Delicious.

Highly recommended.

I have to admit that the initial several bowls of this didn't blow me away. It was very good but not great. Then I found the right pipe for this blend and suddenly all was revealed. In my Peterson Bulldog Magnum Opus came alive.

As others have noted the flavors morph continuously through the bowl in a truely pleasureable way. At different times the various tobaccos come to the forefront but always in perfect harmony with the rest of the flavors. Smoke gently and Magnum Opus sings in subtleties, more aggressively and it plays along with a sturdier presentation and no tendency to bite. A masterfully created blend. I can easily see this becoming a classic.

Firstly i want to rush the fact that i am a new pipe smoker.

The first time i tried this blend i liked it, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. Put the tin away for a month and tried a couple more bowls and i was hooked! Smokes great in any pipe. Fantastic all day smoke.

If you have not tried it, do not hesitate to do so!