I have recently noticed my tobacconist (online) is stocking Magnum Opus by Hearth & Home. The reviews I've read so far, while sparse, seem to agree that it is indeed a singular blend. As a relatively new pipe smoker I was wondering if any of my estimable fellow-PipesMagazine folk had any thoughts. Should I dive into this blend, or would I be better served by choosing Balkan Sasieni, for example?? By the By, I do favour English blends at this stage in my pipe smoking career. Thanks for any thoughts you may have!!
Magnum Opus?
- Thread starter Makembake
- Start date
Try both! It’s not a huge investment to buy a couple tins and experimenting is the fun part!
The differences within the broader English/Balkan category are not always so pronounced as the differences within some other categories, probably because the similar or same latakia somewhat subordinates what might otherwise be the points of difference.
I don't want to overstate that, of course. Each English/Balkan blend is discernibly itself, discernibly distinct. But some of us have found that latakia accumulates in our pipe smoking experience over many years until many latakia blends sort of run together for us. (This does not happen with Virginias, for instance; also, it does not happen to everybody.)
My point for you is just that, if you really like English right now, then you'll probably like any highly rated English just fine, and you may not find a profound world of difference between Balkan Sasieni and Magnum Opus.
(Again, I don't want to overstate that -- you'll certainly taste differences -- but those differences sound more pronounced in writing than they taste in experience.)
In other words, you can't go wrong either way.
But to answer your question, just in case my taste happens to be the same as yours (which is unlikely), I remember liking Magnum Opus more than Balkan Sasieni.
I don't want to overstate that, of course. Each English/Balkan blend is discernibly itself, discernibly distinct. But some of us have found that latakia accumulates in our pipe smoking experience over many years until many latakia blends sort of run together for us. (This does not happen with Virginias, for instance; also, it does not happen to everybody.)
My point for you is just that, if you really like English right now, then you'll probably like any highly rated English just fine, and you may not find a profound world of difference between Balkan Sasieni and Magnum Opus.
(Again, I don't want to overstate that -- you'll certainly taste differences -- but those differences sound more pronounced in writing than they taste in experience.)
In other words, you can't go wrong either way.
But to answer your question, just in case my taste happens to be the same as yours (which is unlikely), I remember liking Magnum Opus more than Balkan Sasieni.
Unfortunately @Makembake (as am I) is from Sydney, Oz, and tobacco is prohibitive here (AUD$135 - 145 for 2oz / 50gm)
@Makembake
You may want to check TobaccoReview for tasting notes esp those by our esteemed palate @JimInks
You may want to check TobaccoReview for tasting notes esp those by our esteemed palate @JimInks
Cr
I’m afraid I’d give up tobacco and smoke bank notes instead.
Crikey! That’s outrageous.
I’m afraid I’d give up tobacco and smoke bank notes instead.
I think the only reason I’d hesitate to say “yes” is that as a new pipe smoker, you’re still learning to taste all of the nuances. I feel like I more or less “wasted” some highly-regarded tobaccos early in my journey, as I wasn’t hip to sipping and retrohaling.
Maybe go ahead and buy a tin of each now, as they’ll never be this “cheap” again, and crack them open later when you feel ready. If you still don’t like them at that point, there ought to be someone else in Oz that would be happy to take the remainders off your hands.
Maybe go ahead and buy a tin of each now, as they’ll never be this “cheap” again, and crack them open later when you feel ready. If you still don’t like them at that point, there ought to be someone else in Oz that would be happy to take the remainders off your hands.
Latakia, unlike other type of blends, is rarely "wasted" on new pipe smokers. It is rather easily noticed and enjoyed. Also, it smokes cooler than Va.
From early on, I heard about some pipe smokers getting turned off by Latakia after enjoying it for years. To prevent that from happening, I rarely smoke Latakia back to back. Even so, I don't enjoy lat bombs as used to.
From early on, I heard about some pipe smokers getting turned off by Latakia after enjoying it for years. To prevent that from happening, I rarely smoke Latakia back to back. Even so, I don't enjoy lat bombs as used to.
When I got back to pipes a few years ago, the first blends I gravitated to were aromatics.
Then a friend gave me a few English and Balkan (Oriental) blends.
What a relevation !
Latakia is instantly recognisable.
And Latakia blends are easier for novices than aromatics - easier to keep lit, and less tongue bite.
For a while, I couldn’t get enough of them.
I have now “graduated” to the more subtle flavour of Virginias and Virginia/Perique blends (and their variants).
If I were to start pipe smoking today, I would start with Latakia/Oriental blends, progress to Virginia/VaPers and Burley & Cavendish blends, and then finally aromatics.
But only after I get the drying, packing and sipping cadence right.