Mac Baren Amphora Original Blend

This is a classic among the first tobaccos for new pipesmokers. It's easy to pack and smoke, it doesn't bite the tongue, not moist, a perfect beginner's blend. Later on, it can be very useful for home blending purposes, it's a good base for its nice body and little aroma: mixed 50/50 with latakia it becomes a nice smoke, though not complex at all. I've also found it useful to damp a little those tobaccos with an overwhelming casing.

I don?t know what happened to this one! In its original Dutch D&E version it used to be a very smooth, flavoursome smoke, combining Burleys, Orientals and Virginias in a Cavendish blend. It had a certain taste of dark, unsweetened chocolate (very mild), redolent of those Dutch cigars made with leaf from Java, or of dark, expresso roasted coffee beans. It was a very stable and reliable smoke: nothing out of the ordinary, but very nice in mid afternoon or even in early morning. It went off the market for a while, and has now resurfaced under an English firm (Imperial Tobacco). Well, they have done something very strange out of this blend. In the pouch the aroma has changed. It does smell of natural tobacco, but the spiciness has gone. It now has a scent similar to cigarette tobacco. Upon lightening, the first few puffs yield a flavour only vaguely reminiscent of the Dutch version. Then, somehow, the whole thing starts burning hot (even if you puff slowly and carefully), and it develops a very unpleasant bitterness. Suddenly, whatever flavour there was, dissipates and you are left only with smoke. No character, no zest, no depth. Just smoke. Perhaps a cigarette smoker trying to pick up a pipe might find this a kind of transitional tobacco.

__________ Addendum (Feb'05): I don't know if the people at Imperial Tobacco read these pages, or if my palate has become so jaded I don't distinguish flavours any more, but the recent pouches I have bought of Amphora Regular seem to be more in line with the original D&E blend.

There is still a mysterious bitter agent there, that tends to spoil the Oriental- Virginia interplay (maybe a cheap Burley?), but somehow the flavour and consistency of the blend have been brought up a notch, making it more palatable and closer to its old self. Who knows? Maybe the blenders at Imperial Tobacco are finally getting it right! In any case, due to my recent experience with this old favourite, I am upgrading my perception of what could still be a very good natural tobacco.

I have just tried Amphora Regular for the 1st time and I kind of like it. It doesn't fit in with the other baccys that I typically smoke but it is mild and lights easily and stays lit. Has a pleasant though mild taste and easily an all day type blend. I think I will keep some around. 31/2 stars

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I have had several bowls now and continue to enjoy this mild but somewhat flavorful Dutch blend. There is definitely a place for this baccy for me.

I'm no tobacco expert, but I kind of like this stuff. It's a staple for me, probably because I got a lot for free (There's a story there, but I won't bother with it). It doesn't have much flavor too it, but the flavor it does have is pleasant. Being a new smoker, I find it hard to keep some blends lit, but for some reason, this particular blend only requires one lighting (A good thing in my book). Anyone who likes strong, full flavored English blends will be turned off, but for a novice pipesmoker, it's certainly tolerable.

Appearance: A typical Dutch ?Cavendish?, possibly best described as a coarse shag. Mostly medium brown with a few darker traces visible.

Aroma: Very straight-forward Burley/Virginia blend with no traces of Oriental leaf to my nose. Also litle or no traces of added scents or flavors.

Packing: The blend was easy to pack in every pipe that I tried, from Peterson Barrels to large billiards.

Lighting: In keeping with the cut, it took flame readily, hardly needing a charring light. Mostly one match and go.

Initial flavor: A fairly light taste, but interesting. Mostly a slightly bitter, nutty taste from the Burley, a sweetness from the Va. In the background. Mostly stayed in the middle range, no highs or lows.

Mid-bowl: Still a plain honest flavor, with little complexity or layering. Cool enough if not smoked rapidly, and no trace of gurgle.

Finish: Again, not much change at the bottom. Also not much dottle, if any.

Summary: A good all-day smoke if you like lighter blends. It does not need your full attention, so may be smoked while working on other tasks, even outdoors. Definitely good quality, way above average for Dutch blends.

I have a strange relationship with this tobacco, a classic changed during yearss. Smoke cool and slow. Apparently a "perfect" mixture, balanced and for all tastes. Virginias are quite presents but the main taste is burley, with a little kentucky in background. And small oriental spicy. Seems elegant and old fashioned. But is a little neutral and for me something is missing. My solution is an addition of a small amount of Tornabuoni's "cimette", strong and rich kentucky from Valtiberina. For me in this way is a very good all day tobacco, a safe harbour when you can't find your tobacco or if you want to smoke a quiet mixture. Body is really well rounded and stronger and more full.