My thoughts on EMP, Nightcap, and MM 965 as they relate to one another:
These are all solid blends. Nightcap is one of my favorite blends. I found 965 to be the sweetest of the three, however I have not smoked EMP in quite some time since I favor latakia in the evenings. EMP is the best compliment to a nice mug of coffee in my opinion. The coffee brings out more bitterness from the blend which I find it is lacking compared to leather-couch Nightcap. With 965 you're getting some cavendish which drowns the latakia a little bit for me, but if you pay attention, it's all there. The sutliff match for nightcap with some pure latakia thrown in is a very stout mixture that is much cheaper per oz. I use my real nightcap sparingly and for special occasions. If you like nightcap as a beginner, (I am one as well), you will probably like perique and dark fired blends. I lack words to describe dark fired tobacco, but if latakia is bittersweet, dark fired is just bitter. Everyone likes different things and relates to them individually. I would encourage you to learn about different leaves, or just try a good bunch of blends with different leaves. I never thought I'd be a VaPer guy, but I'm finding that certain VaPer's are more enjoyable than the holy grail of nightcap. I gave aromatics a good run, but I struggle to enjoy them. All this to say, give everything a fair shot because these leaves offer different flavor profiles that may cater to you better than others, and may cater to certain situations better than others.
Happy Piping!