Mac Baren Amphora Original Blend

Having smoked a lot of this over the last few weeks I thought I would 're review my finding.

being a regular smoker of amphora full aroma, i was very surprised when I opened this and found the aromas a lot more subdued, at first thought I thought there was none, but a quick ruffle off the tobacco opens up typical burley cocoa and Virginia tang, there is a slight addition of cocoa/vanilla but unless you really search for it you will miss it.

Lighting up again it's a lot more subdued than full aroma and first few smokes I thought bland, but then something happened.

I sat down and concentrated just on the tobacco, and then the secrets were finally revealed.

Lovely true tobacco tastes straight from the off with a decent level of complexity, the slight addition of the cocoa and vanilla really compliments the blend.

for me this tobacco is almost the stereotypical type of tobacco where you sit and relax and savour it, and it truly is one to be favoured, have it burning away In the background and chug like a steam train you will get nothing from it.

Take it slow and let it develop and you will be rewarded.

it's kind of like having a bottle of 20 year old single malt, you don't just slug down shooters like no tomorow, you sit and relax, you savour the tastes, the aromas and the finish. You are in it for the long haul.

this is exactly what amphora original is like, blink and you miss it, but take your time and enjoy it and in my opinion it really is something special.

strength won't overwhelm it is stronger than full aroma, room note won't offend many, although ardent none smokers may raise the odd eyebrow.

4 stars and place in my top 3 rotation.

This is a Burley based blend. Not much flavoring added. Slight vanilla. The coco flavor one tastes to me is just the natural Burley taste. MacBaren generally processes their tobaccos with a maple sugar and water additive. I taste this. The Kentucky added is Burley as well that brings the slight Smokey taste with a sourness as the bowl reaches mid point. The Virginia’s bring up the rear with a light fruity body with the orientals adding spice and earthiness. This is not as pleasing a blend as Amphora Full Aroma. Yet it smokes smooth and non biting. More of a utility type blend. Still a very good blend.

I had a pipe smoking friend send me a note that Amphora was back on the market and promptly order the Original and Full blends. This review is for the Original, as I haven't tried the Full yet. I was motivated because I smoked a number of tins of Amphora "Regular" in college, even ordered one of their pipes with coupons back when I couldn't afford to buy nice pipes. ( As an aside, the Amphora pipes were nice briars that smoked well.)

The remake Original Blend is as I remember their Regular that came in brown tins, if memory serves me correctly. It is a mild, easy smoke, with Burley earthiness in the forefront. After it has been burning a while - perhaps mid-bowl, I began to discern more sweetness of the Virginia kicking in, along with some nice Turkish notes. The blend burned nicely, with few re-lights to the bottom of the bowl. It smoked cool in the bowl, and did not burn the mouth, no matter how hard I puffed it. A slow burning nice tobacco flavor blend.

This blend was formed into cakes and sliced into course-cut ribbons. It is predominately Burley with some lemon colored Virginia. Predominately brown in color, it has some black flakes, perhaps the Cavendish leaf. I can't pick out the Turkish, but it's there. There is a top dressing, but it is light, perhaps licorice.

If you like lighter Burley/VA/Turkish blends you will like AOB. I like it as a nice change of pace from more high powered blends and flakes.

05/13/16 I smoked a bowl of this is my ol Amphora bulldog pipe last night. Whatever, it was excellent. Some fine memories here!

I'm smoking my first bowl of Amphora Original as I write this post. Like many, I've waited for this to come back to the USA for years. Last I smoked it was in the late 80s I believe. Not as flavorful as the Full Aroma but enjoyable none the less (see my review for Full Aroma). I ordered two packs each from 4noggins and they arrived this afternoon. I was at a basketball game at West Point and knowing the parcel with the baccy would be arriving today, I couldn't wait to get home and start puffing away. Mildly chocolate in taste , with a mild to medium nic hit. Smokes relatively cool and without bite. What remains coming back into the room after putting the pipe down for a few minutes is a delicious smell of chocolate cake baking. Never cigarette like at all which is a huge plus too. Very enjoyable! 4 stars.

This is one of those delightful quiet and understated friends that is like the neighbour you are happy to greet every once in a while to re-calibrate to the centre with a decent and light conversation.

The subtle grassy scent in the pouch quietly introduces the other components of this pleasant smoke that evolves in the bowl. Opening blush is a simple pure tobacco taste with a cocoa greeting that grows as the bowl burns down. It is gentle on the tongue, but requires a little attention as you smoke it. The meerschaum lining in my BC added a light dimension to the roundness of the obvious Virginia and Burley medley that stayed constant throughout. The grassy sweet flavours came through a little more in the end, more complementary than competitive. The room note is reminiscent of older classic tobaccos that "your uncle used to smoke", and while not something that makes you ohh and ahh, is still a welcoming scent to almost any nose.

I enjoy this tobacco to give perspective to the various English blends that I smoke and in my rotation sometimes use it as an introduction to the Dunhill 965 time of day for juxtaposition.

Quite simply, a classic old unassuming favourite that is a reliable part of a relaxed rotation that seeks a balanced mediator among the competitive interests!

My favorite burley blend so far. Excellent natural chocolaty and nutty burley flavor.

I agree with the other reviewer. I used to smoke the Amphora range in the past, and recall them as being rather fast-burning. I bought this upon the recommendation of a tobacconist in Holland, who claimed it as the only blend he smokes.

A curious aroma and taste - very nutty, I'd say. You probably wouldn't want to smoke it day-in-day-out, unlike said tobacconist, but it makes a good rotation tobacco.

Sadly, unavailable in the UK, so if you're abroad and see it, buy a few packs.

Better than the full aroma blend, though this is certainly worth trying, too.

A pipe smoking session is a very delicate time. Know then, that it is the year 2021. The known pipe universe is ruled according to Danelaw under Emperor Mac Baren. In this time, the most precious substance in the Universe is the spice melange. Composed mainly of burleys along with virginias and orientals, the spice enhances life. The spice expands tastiness. The spice is vital to productivity. The Amphora Guild and its member smokers, who the spice has mutated for the last five decades or so, retrohale the Original spice gas, which gives them the ability to fold time. That is, to enjoy tobacco at a delightfully slow pace.

The spice is also known as Amphora Original and it has been my loyal companion for many years now. Smoking a pipe has become synonymous with having a bowl of Amphora Original. If smoking weren't outlawed in most places (unfortunately, the spice does not grant one the ability to fold the law), I could smoke this anytime, anyplace - not only figuratively, but literally as well. The very first time I bought this, I assumed this was going to be a cheap, second-rate pipe tobacco. Yet, I couldn't have been more wrong. Fresh and unsmoked, the spice melange smells like cocoa, dark chocolate and raisins in its lovely brown pouch. As a rubbed out flake it can be a little rough around the edges so I occasionally find myself rubbing it out a little further. I then load up my pipe and prepare for a journey of some 90 minutes of burley-induced pleasure.

The cool, dry, slow and even burn of this tobacco offers a variety of subtle and natural tobacco flavors. There is the slightly bittersweet flavor of dark chocolate or cocoa which tends to stand out midway. It also has some drier, woodier, hazelnut-like qualities I greatly appreciate. Though by no means sweet, it is creamy and smooth as butter. And yet every now and then, it reveals its spicy character - a flavor reminding me of black pepper, the original spice melange.

A delight for anyone who appreciates the delicate sweetness and earthiness of burley along with virginias and orientals, it is readily available where I live at an affordable price. It's neither too mild nor too strong but supplies just the right amount of lady nicotine a man needs. It isn't so high-maintenance as to require your constant attention yet when you do give it your attention, you will be rewarded. Whether sipped or puffed, the spice never bites, although sipping is recommended if you want to pick up more flavors. Another reason I love this tobacco for is its rather full body, the smoke being almost edible though without being overwhelming.

Like bread and butter, this is my staple tobacco. For maximum potency, I recommend pairing it with strong black coffee. It leaves no moisture, just a nice layer of white ash at the bottom. Though it is unlikely tho ghost your pipes, it may come to possess your taste buds. In case you hadn't guessed it, this is my all day smoke. I would recommend any pipe smoker to contemplate the spice melange and consider joining the Amphora Guild.

Fear of tongue bite is the mind-killer. The Amphora Original must flow!

This is my first "real" burley blend I ever bought. One thing very noticeable about Amphora: It is not "cheap" in regards to the quality.

This blend has an obvious cacao taste, yet not chocolate. Remarkably smooth! A bit of sweetness come and go every once in a while. A definite taste of Brasil nuts is evident. The room note is quite inoffensive and the pouch smells rather mild. I got it in perfect moisture level. It burns cool and stays unaltered in temperature in spite of my efforts. It packs easily, lights and stays lit just as good.

My long searched verdict came to me very clearly: This is a high quality tobacco at a very affordable price, making it arguably the best all day smoke.