Hearth & Home Magnum Opus

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.

Tin note of smoky, sharply sweet fruit, and spices. Tobacco is mostly black, dark brown and tan ribbons. Moisture content is good. No drying/prep needed. Burns slow with few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild to medium. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and somewhat consistent, with complex notes of wood, smoky, spicy, musty herbal vegetation, tangy, floral, incense, savory, spices, dry earth, orange peel, fermented/vinegary fruit, a tart and tangy citrus background note, and a peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Oriental/Turkish and Virginia supporting. Perique hanging in the back. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

After almost finishing a tin of Magnum Opus, here are my thoughts; This blend is very, very good, but...to me there's nothing special about it. Very well blended, no one component dominates. Nothing really stands out, just a nice, mellow, rich English blend with no bite. Recommended, but I won't buy it again, simply because it doesn't "grab" me. I'd rather smoke Artisan's Blend. Three stars.

*****UPDATE 11/17/2012 I think I finally figured this blend out. It took patience, slow smoking (I tend to hurry), and the right pipe. None of my briars really brought out the fine points of this blend, but once I loaded Magnum Opus into my well-aged Meer, all was well. I finished half a tin in a couple days. Not enough improvement to warrant a fourth star, but it's knocking at the door.

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!