Mac Baren Amphora Kentucky Blend
(3.27)
Amphora's Kentucky Blend is a harmonious blend based on more than 150 years of experience of tobacco blending. A large proportion of dark-fired Kentucky is blended with high grade Virginia tobaccos to achieve the solid and smoky taste of the Kentucky tobaccos.
Notes: Introduced July 2019
Details
| Brand | Mac Baren |
| Blended By | Per Jensen |
| Manufactured By | Mac Baren |
| Blend Type | Burley Based |
| Contents | Kentucky, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Broken Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams pouch |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.27 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 14 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2020 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Mac Baren - Amphora Kentucky Blend.
There are many non-aromatic blends where it's easy to decipher and list a plethora of flavours, nuances, etc. This, however, isn't one. What this is, IMO, is a steadfast, basic, LOVELY, smoke.
The pouch contains a coarse, dark, slightly smoky smelling, perfectly hydrated, broken flake. I put mine into an empty Wild Man tin to save spilling any when filling from the pouch!
The Kentucky leads, unequivocally, but is a more 'chilled out' variety than a lot. I don't find it too fire-cured in taste, but has a calmer smokiness, rather than a bitter Dark Fired Kentucky flavour; to me. It's this acridness from the curing which often deters me from DFK, but it isn't present in Amphora Kentucky'. The Virginia gives the blend backbone, and build, but doesn't have much of a 'fresh' presence. The burn from AKB is exemplary: coarse tobacco=slow, cool, burn!
Nicotine: packs a punch! Room-note: not great!
Amphora Kentucky Blend? A remarkable smoke, and one of the best of this genre! Highly recommended:
Four stars.
There are many non-aromatic blends where it's easy to decipher and list a plethora of flavours, nuances, etc. This, however, isn't one. What this is, IMO, is a steadfast, basic, LOVELY, smoke.
The pouch contains a coarse, dark, slightly smoky smelling, perfectly hydrated, broken flake. I put mine into an empty Wild Man tin to save spilling any when filling from the pouch!
The Kentucky leads, unequivocally, but is a more 'chilled out' variety than a lot. I don't find it too fire-cured in taste, but has a calmer smokiness, rather than a bitter Dark Fired Kentucky flavour; to me. It's this acridness from the curing which often deters me from DFK, but it isn't present in Amphora Kentucky'. The Virginia gives the blend backbone, and build, but doesn't have much of a 'fresh' presence. The burn from AKB is exemplary: coarse tobacco=slow, cool, burn!
Nicotine: packs a punch! Room-note: not great!
Amphora Kentucky Blend? A remarkable smoke, and one of the best of this genre! Highly recommended:
Four stars.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
1 Month
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 2020 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Summary: dark fired spice with undertones of Virginia that emerge in the second half of the bowl.
Similar to the Drum rolling tobacco or Mac Baren "Old Dark Fired," this blend consists mostly of rich, spicy dark fired Kentucky Burley, which gives it somewhat greater strength and a zesty piquant flavor, thanks to the Virginias incorporated to balance it. Those varietals, forming a minority of the flavor here, create some magic in the second half of the bowl when they caramelize and the spice of the dark fired becomes a tangy molasses-like flavor, as if the sweetness melted into the smoked leaf and gave it a new dimension. Not everyone will like this, but it is a great option to have in a drugstore package, and in my view will improve quite a bit with a couple years of age. If I had a wishlist, it would be that this blend get closer to "HH Bold Kentucky," which has more bright Virginia to give the flavor a balanced character; sometimes, too much dark fired is too rich, just like too much Latakia can obliterate all other flavors.
Similar to the Drum rolling tobacco or Mac Baren "Old Dark Fired," this blend consists mostly of rich, spicy dark fired Kentucky Burley, which gives it somewhat greater strength and a zesty piquant flavor, thanks to the Virginias incorporated to balance it. Those varietals, forming a minority of the flavor here, create some magic in the second half of the bowl when they caramelize and the spice of the dark fired becomes a tangy molasses-like flavor, as if the sweetness melted into the smoked leaf and gave it a new dimension. Not everyone will like this, but it is a great option to have in a drugstore package, and in my view will improve quite a bit with a couple years of age. If I had a wishlist, it would be that this blend get closer to "HH Bold Kentucky," which has more bright Virginia to give the flavor a balanced character; sometimes, too much dark fired is too rich, just like too much Latakia can obliterate all other flavors.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 23, 2019 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
yup. i'm an unabashed tobacco (and other area) elitist snob. i try every day to downsize myself and ego. thank you amphora kentucky blend for helping me beyond imagination in this endeavour. deep rich kentucky with a beautiful support of fine, sweet virginia (rolling stones anyone?). i wake up and spend the day trying to avoid smoking this bowl after delicious, unctuous bowl. $6 and a plastic pouch and i'm a proud man without pretense. thanks again ;o)).
Pipe Used:
i'm a straight billiard guy
PurchasedFrom:
smoking pipes
Age When Smoked:
new, but some age prior to tinning
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 2019 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Mac Baren has another bell ringer with this one. The spicy, dark Kentucky is well complimented by the Virginias which leave no sharp edge to the smoke. My pouch came partially rubbed out and a bit moist. A bit of dry time and it was ready to roll. The somewhat stout blend is bold but not overwhelming. The Virginias seem to be of good quality and the nicotine is close to medium. Requires a few relights and I rubbed mine out a bit more too, but you preference may differ. May be to much for the beginner but is great with a cup of coffee or a good lager beer. Could be an all day smoke to some. Highly recommended.
Smoke while you still can- Lager
Smoke while you still can- Lager
Pipe Used:
Pete's, Savs, Stanwells
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking.pipes
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 09, 2019 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
Dark fired Kentucky with enough Virginia to add sweetness and modulate the flavor a bit. Authoritative but not strong, a rich flavorful smoke. In my opinion, best in a large capacity briar bowl. Presentation is broken flake that can be more or less haphazardly stuffed and packed straight out of the pouch. Good moisture level as it is. An easy to deal with smoke that should be appreciated by any Burley lover. No bad habits with this one, no bite no steam from excess moisture.
Pipe Used:
Peterson large Bulldog
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking Pipes
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
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