Mac Baren Amphora Virginia
(3.38)
Amphora Virginia is a well-balanced and mellow blend with the natural sweetness and flavours enjoyed by Virginia lovers worldwide. Made with a mixture of Virginias from Brazil, USA & Zambia.
Details
| Brand | Mac Baren |
| Blended By | Per Jensen |
| Manufactured By | Mac Baren |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Broken Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams pouch, 100 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.38 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 32 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
From this year on, Mac Baren is the Producer and Distributor of all Amphora Blends. For me it will mean a gain in quality, because people at Mac Baren really have passion and love for Tobacco. Unlikely other bigger Tobacco Companys. Per Georg Jensen from Mac Baren gave me a Pouch of this new Blend at the Intertabak Fair in Dortmund, and said "This is our last Virginia- Blend, i promise you it is a pure Virginia, but i will not bite, but gives you full flavour". What should i say? He was completey right! Very good to know is, that this is a hot pressed tobacco. A method, which is at mac baren only used before at their HH- Flakes. It gives the tobacco a fuller flavour, marry the tobaccos better together, and makes it a bit more harmonyously. I have expected a bright Virginia Flake as i read "Amphora Virginia" - with grassy and hay- like notes, maybe like OGS. But that is not the case. It is a middle- brown, broadly cut Virginia- Flake, that smell like a good german dark bread. Very deep and roasted- spicy. Packing is as easy as you would expect, but lighting needs a little patience. Once alight, it burns very consistent and even, and gives you a flavour that is very similar to what you have smelled out of the pouch. It has very deep spicy, bready flavour and surprisingly just a little sweetness. And it does not bite at all- remarkable for a pure Virginia. It just smeems to me, it is a better and more matured version of the HH Pure Virginia Flake- which was boring. This is a must try for all pipesmokers that like the darker Virginias. It has a remarkable quality. But Dear Mr. Mac Baren- please put it in 100g Tins! It has addictive potencial- just emptied my third pouch. Per Georg Jensen just wrote on facebook that they have trouble due to FDA regulations to get this good stuff to the US. So by now (November 2016) it's only available in Denmark and Germany. Pipesmokers in US! Annoy your pipefriends across the pond to send you a pouch, you will like it a lot!
Pipe Used:
Several Briars. Dunhill, Winslows, Savinellis...
PurchasedFrom:
Cigarworld.de
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
Mac Baren - Amphora Virginia.
I opened the pouch prepared to find a slightly mundane, medium brown, virginia ribbon. But, I lifted back the flap to find a dark brown broken flake...... winner! It's a bit too wet, but nothing to get in a stew over.
The smoke's very citrusy, and also slightly sharp. The citrus quality is so loud it totally eradicates any of the other Va nuances! On a low note, the citrus can cause a bit of an annoying sensation on my palate if it's not taken gently, but providing it's sipped, it's a true joy.
A bowl of Amphora Virginia burns superbly, leaving a pure white ash behind.
The nicotine's quite mild, and the room-note's brilliant: light virginia.
A bowl of this will put a spring in your step!
Highly recommended.
I opened the pouch prepared to find a slightly mundane, medium brown, virginia ribbon. But, I lifted back the flap to find a dark brown broken flake...... winner! It's a bit too wet, but nothing to get in a stew over.
The smoke's very citrusy, and also slightly sharp. The citrus quality is so loud it totally eradicates any of the other Va nuances! On a low note, the citrus can cause a bit of an annoying sensation on my palate if it's not taken gently, but providing it's sipped, it's a true joy.
A bowl of Amphora Virginia burns superbly, leaving a pure white ash behind.
The nicotine's quite mild, and the room-note's brilliant: light virginia.
A bowl of this will put a spring in your step!
Highly recommended.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Dracula #221
PurchasedFrom:
The Danish Pipe Shop
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2018 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I was very happy to see this finally offered in the USA and quickly purchased 2 pouches. I was greeted to a nice, medium to dark brown broken flake with a solid aroma of Virginia leaf, but not as in-your-face grassy or hay-like. It also had the scent of tea (not Earl Grey, more Lipton). Fresh out of the pouch, loading and lighting were a breeze and I was not disappointed with the smoke. There was a subtle, natural sweetness while smoking, and not in any way confectionery. The after taste was pleasant and mildly tea-like. This never smoked hot or with any bite - at all. Next to HH Pure Virginia, the tamest (but one of the tastiest) Virginias I ever have smoked. For those wondering, way better than Orlik Golden Slice. Will be an everyday smoke for me and in light of our present anti-smoking climate, I hope it's always around to be enjoyed. 5 stars for me.
Pipe Used:
Stanwell sandblast featherweight poker
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins.com
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from pouch
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
A very nice offering from MacBaren/Amphora. This has nothing to do with MacBaren's own Virginia#1: a rather sugary, honey coated tobacco, once described by a fellow reviewer as "Napalam on a stick". Amphora Virginia is a very well crafted broken flake, Cavendished in that particular Dutch style. Up to a certain point it reminds me of the old Amphora Regular (from the D&E years): straight forward, woodsy, slow burning and delicious.
This Virginia is neither sweet (in that raisin-molasses style of some Dunhills' and Rattrays) nor acidic/abrasive (in that vinegar-ketchup style of McClelland). Rather it has a toasty flavor, reminiscent of hay and wheat. It's sharp, smokey and easy to light and keep lit. If anything, is closer to Briar Fox, but in broken flake-Cavendish form. Indeed, a very nice surprise, rich in natural flavor, humidity and strength. In my book, this is a winner.
This Virginia is neither sweet (in that raisin-molasses style of some Dunhills' and Rattrays) nor acidic/abrasive (in that vinegar-ketchup style of McClelland). Rather it has a toasty flavor, reminiscent of hay and wheat. It's sharp, smokey and easy to light and keep lit. If anything, is closer to Briar Fox, but in broken flake-Cavendish form. Indeed, a very nice surprise, rich in natural flavor, humidity and strength. In my book, this is a winner.
Pipe Used:
Royal Dutch, Comoy's Every Man's pipe.
PurchasedFrom:
Tobacco shop in Bolognia, Italy
Age When Smoked:
N/A
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25, 2017 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Expectations over this new Amphora were high.
You should know that we italians (poor pipsters) have never had available any OTC virginia. This one fills the gap, and it does very much fine than I could expect.
I think of this basically as the Mac Baren’s Virginia # 1 without the honey. Or a cheaper broken flake standing between the Golden Glow and the Best Brown by Samuel Gawith. It’s a very good basic virginia for any home made blend, which I have started to experiment by fractional addings of say SJF or LD (or both) or BF, and getting differentiated facets to the base. But AV stands by its own merits. Strenght is satisfactorily near the medium mark. Flavour is citrus & hay with some pleasant spice. Smokes cool and absolutely unbitey.
After five pouches, and still three waiting in my cabinet, I can confirm that this one “has an addictive potential”. A very nice surprise. Four stars.
You should know that we italians (poor pipsters) have never had available any OTC virginia. This one fills the gap, and it does very much fine than I could expect.
I think of this basically as the Mac Baren’s Virginia # 1 without the honey. Or a cheaper broken flake standing between the Golden Glow and the Best Brown by Samuel Gawith. It’s a very good basic virginia for any home made blend, which I have started to experiment by fractional addings of say SJF or LD (or both) or BF, and getting differentiated facets to the base. But AV stands by its own merits. Strenght is satisfactorily near the medium mark. Flavour is citrus & hay with some pleasant spice. Smokes cool and absolutely unbitey.
After five pouches, and still three waiting in my cabinet, I can confirm that this one “has an addictive potential”. A very nice surprise. Four stars.
Pipe Used:
mainly Castello and Radice
Age When Smoked:
fresh from pouch
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2019 | Mild | None Detected | Full | Very Pleasant |
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I thought I was buying a bargain Virginia blend in a pouch and what I got was some lovely, grade A, dark, dark Virginia’s in a Broken Flake form for a bargain price. I knew the second I opened the pouch that this was going to be a treat! Like I said, this is a dark VA so it provides that stewed fruit, citrus and bready qualities that I enjoy so much from a good Virginia. There’s no green here, these are well matured VA’’s and properly cured for a really good price. Nicotine is mild, so it’s great for an all day smoke, room note is that wonderful natural VA scent we pipe smokers have come to love over the years. Honestly, why others are crying about the loss of McClelland, I’ll be over here silently enjoying Amphora Virginia Blend and cellaring this one DeeeeeP, this blend will only improve over the years.
Essential (to the Virginia connoisseur)
Wow, just wow! I’m telling you. Mac B, I think I’m in love.
Essential (to the Virginia connoisseur)
Wow, just wow! I’m telling you. Mac B, I think I’m in love.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 18, 2018 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Amphora Virginia Blend is truly wonderful! It’s not the greatest Virginia pipe tobacco but given its economy price, over the counter availability and high quality it’s an exceptional value for money blend. I stocked up and it takes quite a lot to impress me. It’s a medium strength, seductive tobacco eminently suited as an all day choice. Cut up, rubbed out and sipped slowly it has everything. As a mass produced tobacco I was shocked and then overjoyed. Bowl after straight bowl delivered unexpected Virginia satisfaction. Would take to perique or latakia really well. Highly recommended! Came well sealed, moist and ready to go after preparation. So if you appreciate straight Virginia I advise not to hesitate - just do it.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
4Noggins
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 09, 2018 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
Ready rubbed or broken flake; often thick leaves. Push down some to eliminate air pockets. Slow to get started to burn, but burns steady after a few lights. Not real wet. I don't dry it. Smoked almost a full package and will finish it up.
Light and real sweet IMO. A brilliant sweetness that may make you want to puff fast it is so brilliant, but slow down or it can get hot and bite. Sip as usual for a VA or even slower.
Taste is both orange (more than OGS) but some sour too, and occasionally spicy. Not earthy to me unless you dry it out some or set it down.
Per J. said on pipes magazine talk show (Summer'18) this was his favorite blend; he blends it. I can see why. More tasty that OGS to me.
Not my normal cuppa, but it has a brilliant flavor to keep tempting me. Recommended to Cavendish or Sail lovers, with a sweet tooth.
Light and real sweet IMO. A brilliant sweetness that may make you want to puff fast it is so brilliant, but slow down or it can get hot and bite. Sip as usual for a VA or even slower.
Taste is both orange (more than OGS) but some sour too, and occasionally spicy. Not earthy to me unless you dry it out some or set it down.
Per J. said on pipes magazine talk show (Summer'18) this was his favorite blend; he blends it. I can see why. More tasty that OGS to me.
Not my normal cuppa, but it has a brilliant flavor to keep tempting me. Recommended to Cavendish or Sail lovers, with a sweet tooth.
Pipe Used:
St. Claude Panel
PurchasedFrom:
SPC
Age When Smoked:
new package
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 06, 2022 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Right from the get-go, this is another one of those cases of not judging a book by its cover (or rather, a tobacco by its pouch). Going blindly, after seeing the bright, yellow pouch I was expecting a bright, golden Virginia. But, after unsealing the pouch, oh boy, was I surprised! The tobacco is dark, with a nice smell of dark fruit, some grass and quite a lot of sweetness. It really smells like a good, dark, aged Virginia.
Came somewhat moist, but well preserved moisture considering that my particular pouch already had 2 years of age. As with every Amphora blend, it's ready rubbed. Pretty rough, so some extra rubbing is definitely required.
Mechanically, this is perfect. Once dried up and rubbed out, it's a breeze to work with. Packs easily, lights easily and stays lit well. Doesn't bite or get harsh, smokes dry and very cool, even if pushed. Also, being a ready rubbed, it burns at a slow pace; filled in my House Pipe, it provided 3 hours of smoke.
As for the smoke itself, it has all the qualities expected from a straight Virginia: grass, dark fruit, citrus, bread, toast, some earthy tones and some spiciness here and there. I also detect some hints of nuts and even slight glances of grounded coffee. Quite complex, but also well balanced. None of those qualities mentioned above stick out. Instead, they harmonize together in perfect unison. The citrus is a bit more pronounced when put to the flame, but it tones down once it reaches an even burn. The taste is consistent all throughout. Burns down to ash and leaves a pleasant fragrance in the surroundings.
Overall, I was very impressed with this one. A high-quality, all day smoke straight Virginia with quite a complex taste, yet tame and smooth. Even though it may be considered almost an OTC, it's far from it and behaves just like any other high-end Virginia. Proof that, once again, the people at Mac Baren really know their craft.
Came somewhat moist, but well preserved moisture considering that my particular pouch already had 2 years of age. As with every Amphora blend, it's ready rubbed. Pretty rough, so some extra rubbing is definitely required.
Mechanically, this is perfect. Once dried up and rubbed out, it's a breeze to work with. Packs easily, lights easily and stays lit well. Doesn't bite or get harsh, smokes dry and very cool, even if pushed. Also, being a ready rubbed, it burns at a slow pace; filled in my House Pipe, it provided 3 hours of smoke.
As for the smoke itself, it has all the qualities expected from a straight Virginia: grass, dark fruit, citrus, bread, toast, some earthy tones and some spiciness here and there. I also detect some hints of nuts and even slight glances of grounded coffee. Quite complex, but also well balanced. None of those qualities mentioned above stick out. Instead, they harmonize together in perfect unison. The citrus is a bit more pronounced when put to the flame, but it tones down once it reaches an even burn. The taste is consistent all throughout. Burns down to ash and leaves a pleasant fragrance in the surroundings.
Overall, I was very impressed with this one. A high-quality, all day smoke straight Virginia with quite a complex taste, yet tame and smooth. Even though it may be considered almost an OTC, it's far from it and behaves just like any other high-end Virginia. Proof that, once again, the people at Mac Baren really know their craft.
Pipe Used:
Peterson House Pipe
Age When Smoked:
2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 25, 2019 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I just ordered 4 pouches of the different Amphoras. Tried the original and it is okay. This Virginia is really good, tastes a bit tangy and smoky (really) and it is gentle. I like to smell it while I smoke it. I love Virginias and this has all the positive attributes without the tongue bite. There is just a bit of after taste and that is fine. Will buy more. If you like Virginias give it a try.
Pipe Used:
Briarworks Cutty, Castello, Ashton
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes
Age When Smoked:
1 month
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