Mac Baren Amphora Virginia

I was mostly impressed with this one. This blend came across a bit sharp, hit a lot of high notes, and was a bit rough around the edges. The taste was outstanding—another great sipper. It lit quick, one char, then off to the races. I must admit I didn't finish the entire bowl, it got a little harsh as it went along and I gave up on it. Still, an acceptable blend. Those who love sharp Virginia's should like this one—myself, I can take it, or leave it. 2.5 stars. I always round down. This was yet another sample from the 2018 Chicago Pipe Show.

Keep on pipin'

Another tobacco that seems to be British, yet has to be brought from Germany. Decent price too.

The open pouch aroma was as you would expect, typical virginia mix of various (but predominantly) dark tobaccos. The feel of this was disappointingly dry. Crisp rather than moist this was not what I expected after trying the other Amphora blends.

The smoke was tasteless, yet with a little hint of something sweet. The pouch seemed to last forever and the blandness just seem to go on forever. Perhaps this was due to the dryness of the blend.

I have to say that all these very positive reviews are mystifying. It could be that I had a bad (old) pouch of this which would explain it. I've had some pretty dry stuff from Lauenberg before now.

Therefore a single star is seemingly unjust so I'm correcting it to a two until I've got another pouch.

This Virginia is decent. The positives: It has pretty good flavor. It is easy to pack after it has dried. It has very little bite after it has dried. It stays lit fairly well after it has dried. The room note is OK. The aftertaste is OK. The negatives: It takes a very long time to dry, as in weeks in a zippered pouch left in the car. During this drying process, it bites unless smoked really slowly, it does not stay lit very long, and it does not burn thoroughly, produces lots of dottle. Verdict: I can say I've smoked much worse and much better. I have to barely recommend it because, with patience in the drying time, it mellows out sufficiently to make it a pleasure to smoke, but I don't have a lot of patience for it while it's not a pleasure yet.

This straight Virginia seems to be getting a pretty high approval but I wasn't convinced. After being on a Virginia kick and smoking other blends like SG best brown flake, and GLP union square, I found this blend to be lacking any real character or joy in smoking. Keep in mind that I do have a pretty underdeveloped pallet at the moment. I plan on putting it away for a few years and see what a little age will do to it.

The biggest surprise with Amphora Virginia Blend is the cut of the tobacco inside the pouch. Instead of OTC ribbon cut (which I expected) there is beautiful ready rubbed, mottled flake. The flavor profile is one of pure tobacco with very little sweetness. It reminds me a little of Capstan Blue without the depth and smooth refinement. For a Virginia, the flavor profile is medium with a rough edge that one year of age has not removed. Very little to no complexity with medium nicotine. This can be an all day smoke for some, but for me it is not because of the rough edge. I recommend leaving a little moisture in this blend because when dried too much, it does go flat and gets ashy.

EDIT: with 2 years time this blend has mellowed. The slight creosote flavor (rough edge) that I picked up when I first reviewed this blend has subsided quite a bit and the smoke is quite pleasant now. I will need to get a fresh pouch to see if it’s the tobacco or me that has changed. Upgraded to 3 Stars with a little aged.

Has kentucky and Im not a fan of kentucy tobaccos. Has a huge amount of topping added. Too moist in pouch. Has a difficult taste to describe. Sort of oily and diesel like at times yet still with those typical virginia grassy and for this one plum type notes as well. Ok but just wasnt for me.