Gord, have you tried the Magnum Opus? I think if like other H&H Balkan style blends, like Black House, you’ll like It. It’s been awhile since I tried it, but I remember it being pretty good big Balkan.
Thank you for the nice posts about your buddy. Sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had a very good life with you.
No, it hasn't arrived yet. But the blurb on the site said it contains Latakia, Orientals, Virginias, and Burleys. And it also says that it's fairly tough, not a "beginners" tobacco. To me that indicates that it's like a Balkan blend. Similar to Bengal Slices and Brigham English Mix. Mad Fiddler and Bourbon Bleu depend on Perique for their "hit" and also they contain Virginias, but both of them are hardly pussycats either. I'm hoping for something fairly solid but not brutal. In the same ballpark as those I've mentiioned. Seven or eights, not nine or tens.
I've gone more towards Virginias rather than Burleys lately. I know Burleys are higher in the N bomb, but I find they cause me more tongue bite than Virginias, even though others find the opposite. Physiologies do differ.
I'll find out soon enough, but from what I've heard Magnum Opus should take a bit of pressure off my favourite stalwarts by spreading the solidity wealth. I'm looking forward to getting them, and the solo tin of Nightcap I also ordered.
That'll be it for awhile . . . need to buy groceries instead of tobacco for a bit, eh? I'll keep the forum posted for my reactions. Should be here by Thursday.
PS - Thanks for your comments about my little buddy. Yeah, he's being buried 3 feet down, in my back 40 tomorrow, all cemented in his favourite flip-top camping cooler he was often hiding out in, (or locked in!!

- one or t'other ). Yeah, we had quite the life together - will miss him but there is also relief there, now that it's over.