Tobaccos Mac Baren - Amphora Virginia

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3019)	2017-04-01		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

The Virginias provide some earth, grass, tart and tangy, acidic citrus, a little wood, toast and tart dark fruit, light earth, lemon, a couple spice notes, sugar, tea and a hint of a rough edge. The strength is in the center of mild to medium, while the taste is a couple of steps past that mark. The nic-hit is a step behind the strength level. Won’t bite or get harsh. Has a few small rough edges. The tobacco is mostly broken flake, but easy to pack and break apart a little further if you wish. Burns cool and clean at a slightly slow pace with a very consistent, fairly smooth, mild to medium sweet flavor. Leaves very little dampness in the bowl, and requires a few more than an average number of relights due to the cut of the tobacco. Can burn to ash. Has a pleasant, short lived after taste and room note. A rather easy going all day smoke with a very slight smoky, tart and tangy quality. Three and a half stars. Should age well.

-JimInks

34 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ChristianProbst (4)	2016-11-04		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...

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Cigarworld.de

Similar Blends: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia.

33 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2075)	2016-11-01		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.

Pipe Used: Peterson Dracula #221

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: The Danish Pipe Shop

29 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	doc'spipe (241)	2018-05-24		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

Age When Smoked: Fresh from pouch

Purchased From: 4noggins.com

Similar Blends: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia.

17 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Tantric (321)	2017-10-31		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.

Pipe Used: Royal Dutch, Comoy's Every Man's pipe.

Age When Smoked: N/A

Purchased From: Tobacco shop in Bolognia, Italy

Similar Blends: Briar Fox..

17 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Skando (203)	2017-06-25		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.

Pipe Used: mainly Castello and Radice

Age When Smoked: fresh from pouch

Similar Blends: Mac Baren's Virginia # 1, Samuel Gawith's Golden Glow.

16 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Talltree (31)	2019-10-02		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I've been smoking this off and on for three months now. Very tasty indeed with no casing or flavoring added. It is a good mid-day smoke. Nothing fancy about it. It produces a tingling in the nose which I like. No nic hit, wife doesn't mind the aroma, and only a relight or two.

After a month I've become attached to this simple tobacco. I like mild tobaccos and this is no different. I like the citrus aroma in the bag. For me, this a 3-1/2 star smoke. No negatives. Simple is better.

Pipe Used: corn cob

Age When Smoked: fresh out of the pouch

Purchased From: pipes and ciars

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	the_german (309)	2017-08-20		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

After having been disappointed by Amphora's other offerings (as far as I could get hold of them), I was intrigued by the brand offering a pretty much pure VA, and of course by MacBaren having taken over production. Cue a pouch arriving in the mail.

Opening the pouch, this is very much a MacB product: the broken flake is the same as in many MacB blends, only here, it is just the VA flake and nothing else. A light citrus note, a lot of warmth and a touch of pepper are in the package. The leaf is medium to dark yellow and brown.

Stuffing is easy for any danish-style pipe, lighting and maintenance, too. The broken Flake makes for a relatively cool smoke, and from the beginning, there is sweetness, some warmth, a touch of grassiness... all good VA.

The room note is of hay and rum (not a flavouring of the blend), some airy driness in there, too. Wider bowls should be preferred (this is, after all, sort of a processed Flake). At the end, I have a minimum of dottle and no condensation, ergo no bite.

Being a pure VA, there is little variation in there, but for those who want the flavour of VA, this should be a go-to 'baccy. And here I am, highly recommending something branded Amphora. Watch out for snowdrifts in Hell.

Pipe Used: db Mayflower, VAUEN Barontini

Age When Smoked: ~3 months

Purchased From: DanPipe, Lauenburg, Germany

Similar Blends: Samuel Gawith - Golden Glow.

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	hawky454 (107)	2019-01-30		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.

Similar Blends: Mac Baren Pure Virginia Flake.

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Uncle Al (17)	2018-11-18		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

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: 4Noggins

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Adam T Valleau (21)	2018-11-05		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I had to smoke a few bowls of this to decide whether or not I liked it. Well, I have concluded that this is a pretty decent straight Virginia blend. Keep in mind that my favorite straight Virginia is G.L. Pease "Union Square", so I'm comparing this blend to that. As other reviewers have noted, this blend has a sharpness to it along with the usual hay-like quality. The pouch note led me to think that there might be some kind of light topping, but after smoking several bowls in a briar and a cob, I'm thinking maybe not. I also didn't notice humectant. But that sharpness is rather nice. It's not too sharp. The overall taste is very nice. It is grassy with a noticeable touch or sweetness that intensifies as the smoke progresses. I, too, find that this blend gets a little rough around the edges and a tad bit ashy near the end of the bowl. But the majority of the smoke was very tasty. It looks like a broken flake to me, so I just bent and stuffed it into the pipe and I tamped it in there fairly firmly. I didn't find it too hard to get lit and it generally required only one or two relights. I think the key here is to keep the burning tobacco firmly tamped as I'm smoking. At least this works for me, and it seemed that I could keep that bowl going very nicely through almost all the smoke. I only needed to re-light near the end of the bowl. This blend performed best in my MM Country Gentleman. A full bowl in the Country Gentleman provided about an hour and twenty minute smoke for me (and yes, DO sip this blend for the best flavor). Overall, a very decent smoke. Not nearly as good as GLP Union Square (but that's nectar of the gods to me), but really decent, just the same. Tasty, nice room note, long burning, doesn't seen to bite, smokes cool if you go slowly with it. It comes at a decent price, too. This blend will likely age well, but I'd take it out of the pouch and jar it. I recommend this blend if you like straight Virginias, and it would not be a bad selection for those wanting to try a straight Virginia for the first time. Cheers!

Pipe Used: Al Pascia Curvey, MM Country Gent

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: SmokingPipes.com

Similar Blends: Sutliff "Virginia Slices" (but a bit stronger)..

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Karim (6)	2018-09-04		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

My frist sharp Virgina tobacco, I usually prefer aromatic ones.

At pouch opening: I would say broken flake with thick pieces, natural, intense and pleasant pure Virginia aroma.

At touch: not too wet, a little thick.

Loading and lighting: need to break it to smaller pieces. I prefer to dry it a little. Burns well after some relights.

Smoking: obviously stronger than my habits. No tongue bit but some harsh to me. Leaves a clean bowl.

Room note: my wife is used to sweet aromatics so that's just tolerable to her.

The after taste is pleasant, not too persitent.

I'm smoking it repeatedly to appreciate it as it deserves. I'll try in my corn cob. Not an all day to me, but I'm sure it will be appreciated by those who love Virginia's.

Recommended

Pipe Used: Savinelli Pocket 202

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: local dealer

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PickyPiper (11)	2021-07-18		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Contrary to what the yellow pouch may suggest, this is not a bright Virginia blend. The broken flake is very brown, and the pouch note smells of bread, with a little cigar-like hay and sweetness. The moisture level is very good, pliable but dry to the touch. It can be smoked right away, but I'd recommend drying it for a bit. I find the cut to pack surprisingly well, no need to rub anything out, just stuff into your pipe and light. It's a little hard to light at first, but stays lit well afterwards.

The taste is different than I expected from the pouch note. It reminds me of a nice dark rye bread, malty and a little spicey. The sweetness does not much carry over to the smoke, just enough to round off the bitterness but not enough to taste "sweet". Not much of a sour tang, as again this is a hot-pressed, brown flake. There is a heavy room note, and there was surprisingly more nicotine than I expected (although I do not know how much was from the tobacco and how much was from breathing in all the extra smoke it produces). It has ridiculously good smoke volume, which is something I feel is often lacking with pipe blends. Smokes hot, as many Virginias do, but curiously it doesn't bite at all. Had this been sold a regular pouch price, say $5-7, it would be an easy 4 star; but seeing as it is being priced like a tin, I would say there are other blends out there that I'd rather smoke at the same price. It's also a tad bit too heavy for me to call it an all day smoke.

Pipe Used: Nording Bent Bulldog

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Smokingpipes

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stan (178)	2018-08-09		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.

Pipe Used: St. Claude Panel

Age When Smoked: new package

Purchased From: SPC

Similar Blends: old Sail aromatic; HH Pure Virginia; Orlik Golden Slices..

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	WolfmanSam (37)	2018-08-09		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

The broken flakes are quite moist and need to air dry for about an hour. Upon lighting I’m greeted with a mouthwatering citrus taste. It’s sweet and sour. I’m immediately captivated. It’s also spicy, but doesn’t bite. I would describe the citrusy taste as a combination of lemon and bitter orange.

It burns at a moderate rate. It’s not harsh, even when I puff repeatedly. Be warned, the bowl will heat quickly if you’re a quick puffer. The nicotine level is almost medium, and the taste/body is slightly greater than medium. It smokes well in briars and cobs.

Do not be discouraged because it comes in a pouch. These are high quality tobaccos. It may contain glycerol, but it does not interfere with the taste or burn. I suspect this will age well. 3.5 stars

Age When Smoked: Fresh

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	butman (50)	2019-08-25		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

Age When Smoked: 1 month

Purchased From: Smokingpipes

Similar Blends: Stratford, Telegraph Hill.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lager (52)	2018-08-05		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This is a really good grade of Virginia and Macbarren hit the mark with this one! Most blends from Macbarren bite me like crazy. The H&H series and this are an exception. It comes as a somewhat broken flake and that for me needs an additional rubbing out. The moisture level is a bit on the wet side as I would expect from a quality Virginia so some drying time may be in order. This is semi sweet, hands down good quality offering. If your a virginia lover, give this one a try you won't be sorry. Highly recommended!

Pipe Used: Peterson, savinelli

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Pipes and cigars

Similar Blends: Some of the McClelland Va's.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	GeeJay (3)	2016-11-22		Very Mild	None Detected	Mild	Tolerable

Well, to my big surprise I'd got a royal sample of this tobacco, in a pouch. Once opened, I saw a light brown broken flake. A good smell of Virgina, pure reached my nose. A bit kitteling. Need 3 matches and the flakes burn quite slowly in their medium meerschaum bowl. When I smoked it 2/3 I need a relight, one is enough. People may ask where is your tobacco-review?? Well, .... this is a pure Virginia blend. Nothing more nothing less. For the Dutch market it means really an acquisition. We don't have such a tobacco. This is a Virginia that will have a very warm welcome in many smaller countries like NL. I can imagine that you'dçhoose Virginia as an allday tobacco. Congratulations MB. Edit: the other day my hand grabbed automatically to the pouch Virginia. For me it means it passed the test, it has a good chance to be my daily tobacco. Also important: I've smoked this tobacco without a filter. And it's true what the rumours say: there was no tongue-bite!

Pipe Used: Hilson Virgin Nature

Age When Smoked: fresh from the pouch

Purchased From: a friend

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tobaksrøg (53)	2022-09-03		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

The gold standard of straight virginias for me. Dark virginias that require some drying and an extra rubbing before loading. Exceptional taste, great mechanics, great quality and killer price.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Calamiti (84)	2022-04-27		Mild	Extremely Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I love Straight Virginias. And, at the same time, I have hypersensitivity to the Virginia bite. Even though I smoke my Straight Virginias in filtered pipes I still feel the bite most of the time. So I just have to bear it, if I want to enjoy subtle flavours and aromas only Straight Virginia can produce. I didn't expect much from this blend: it's a pouched tobacco in a lower price category, after all. In a way, my low expectations came true. Flavourwise, Amphora Virginia is not the most remarkable Virginia blend I've ever tasted in my life. Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake and Full Virginia Flake are richer, more flavourful and overall superior.

But...

This. Virginia. Does Not. Bite.

Which is a true wonder of nature.

The blender from MacBaren who created this blend was heard telling at the presentation that Amphora Virginia won't bite.

He wasn't kidding, it turns out. It doesn't.

It's sharp. Pretty sharp. But not bitey.

It's citrusy. But not acrid.

It's not soft or mellow. But it doesn't tire the palate.

It's definitely made from cheaper tobaccos than the competition. But not even a hint of bitterness or any other evident indicators of the simpler leaf is present.

Like the other two new Amphora blends (Burley and Kentucky) its quality far exceeds its price tag. And it's the cheapest of all True Straight Virginias. And quite a decent one.

I could suggest to explore this blend to anyone who, like me, have Straight VA hypersensitivity. You may find it the first Straight Virginia comfortable to smoke.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PipeDragon (42)	2022-01-06		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.

Pipe Used: Peterson House Pipe

Age When Smoked: 2 years

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Tomcat (212)	2020-02-27		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Unnoticeable

From the yellow pouch ,I thought this would be a bright blend . It is a darker brown broken flake with hardly any casing . None of the citrus fruity heavily sugared casings or toppings here . It is a full flavored bready grassy toasty brown Virginia. A bit of a nic-hit also .I like it and would like to compare it to bbf of fvf but they are aging and too soaking wet to try yet . This comes with perfect moisture from the pouch . Very well done ! I would add a little tangy and a little spice . Will be ordering several more pouches to my next order .

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Madox07 (43)	2020-01-03		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

From the get go, I must say that this is one of the more interesting Virginias I have experienced. By far the most forgiving in terms of tongue bite - since your regular virginias are rich in sugar I find that others have nibbled at my tongue as I pushed them a bit, but not this one. In terms of aspect this looks like a pile of fine broken flake with a dark brown color. The nose is rather sweet and earthy, with the taste not lagging that much behind. Once lit the taste is sugary sweet, earthy, a bit grassy, and on top I do find somewhat of a coppery/metal taste. While this added element does not seem 100% natural (the package doesn't mention anything of a topping, although I do suspect this may be the case) it is what defines this blend. At the same time, this is what seems to tone it down in sweetness, which for me - not being a huge fan of an overly sweet Virginia, makes it so enjoyable. I rated it a 4/4 as per the scale of this page, but truth be told I would rather say it is almost a 4/4.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Voyaging (80)	2019-12-24		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

This came kind of dry-ish for a Virginia blend. It's basically ready to smoke, and in a rubbed out flake form. It looks nice and smells tangy like fruit.

The taste is woody and tangy with some dried stone fruit flavors. There are some honey tang, cereal, and bread notes, the barest nutty note, and something vaguely sourish, in a pleasant way. There is even a touch of smokiness and sour woodiness in the way that HH Pure Virginia is smokey and woody. There is a faint marshmallow note I get with some other Mac Baren blends. The richest of these flavors is the fruit, and a wonderful vanilla note that occasional comes up. It's nearly a fruit bomb of a blend, but the other nuances save it. I even think the topping is a light fruit flavor. There is a nice dark mission fig flavor that develops towards the end of the bowl.

The combustion is great, perhaps a little fast.

The nicotine is somewhat unnoticeable. The strength is mild to medium, and the flavor is a firm medium.

I'd recommend this to any lover of straight Virginia blends. It's a good blend, quite natural, and an all-day kind of thing, and it's always available at a wonderfully acceptable price. The only things I don't like about the lack of body, and the tendency to get a little ashy in taste. But, it is a damn good Virginia blend and good value for money. It reminds me of Capstan blue without the body and strength of Capstan Blue. I could say the same about HH Pure Virginia. Not as strong or full as HH, but similar flavors. Three stars.

Update I could even go to three and a half stars after further smoking. This blend is great, available, and is inexpensive.

Age When Smoked: Fresh from pouch

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Capstan blue, HH Pure Virginia.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	KahveDelisi (73)	2019-01-23		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I am not a fan of Mac Baren offerings in general. That said, I have to admit their Amphora Virginia is a game-changer. Unlike their other effervescent & bite-machine Virginia blends, this one greets you with fermented black tea scent and a whiff of Heinz ketchup. The overall scent is very similar to McClelland's dark Virginias. However, you'll find out the taste couldn't be more different than those McC Virginias. From first light to last bit, toasted flavor with woody under notes, it's neither nutty nor citrus-like. The taste is very similar to baked bread made of 100% Rye flour. I can see Amphora Virginia as my daily smoke accompanied by a nice dark beer such as Leffe Brune or Fuller's Black Cab. Good job, Mac Baren, keep up the positive change, please!

PS. No bite, none, nope. Can you believe that? Even after several bowls, I still can't!

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Greekpipesmoker (201)	2018-01-17		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Being a bit dissapointed from other Amphora blends i hesitaded a little but some great reviews and being a virginia flake lover made me purchase a pack of 50 gram.once the seal breaks a nice aroma of sweet grasses and tea notes comes out.the broken flakes are very similar to the HH line flakes so some rubbing is needed.if not rubbed the lighting is really tricky and several relights are needed through smoking.the blend moisture is proper.while smoking the flavours combine very well each other and feel very natural.lots of grass notes,some citruses,tea notes,lots of dark fruits and some earthy notes are popping out from the beginning till the end.smooth and sharp tastes co exist giving some complexity to your tongue with no tongue bite.burns slow and cool to perfect ash with some moisture being created at the end of the bowl.the room note is pleasant and the after taste pleasant too.an all day smoke with no harsh spots that any virginia lover should like.despite all these something is missing for me.i know some of you may critisism me but i believe this blend is incomplete without some perique.with this addition i believe the blend will launch it's flavours and can be a 4 star blend that a lot should love.

Age When Smoked: Rubbed and packed at once

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	L'Italiano (231)	2017-08-10		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a good straight Virginia. A pleasant surprise. Not entirely natural, because there is a little bit of flavoring in it. Anyway the taste is Virginia, pure Virginia. Brown in color it is robust enough, with a high nicotine content and it needs to be smoked slowly, without warming up. For Virginia' lovers. In my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 8 and three stars.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Leon (82)	2022-06-12		Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The tin note carries a mild aroma of sweet and citrus, mostly orange.

Straightforward smoking notes of citrus, grass, a bit of tang. It reminds me of orange candies. Pretty sweet and juicy. I even get a whiff of smokiness within the first third of the bowl, especially in the retrohale. Additionally, some sourness really picks up towards the end of the first third of the bowl again, reminding me of these citrus candies that I loved as a child.

The dominant notes tell me that this is composed of mainly bright Virginia leaves with just a small amount of Red Virginia. I don't think that the dark color comes from the natural leaf, but from the heat press process which mellows and balance the leaves.

Whatever casing was used, it really highlights the citrus note and while most blends lose their additional casing or topping at a certain point in the smoke, Amphora Virginia keeps it throughout the bowl.

While the moisture level is ready to smoke from the get go, I prefer to let my tobacco dry for a bit. One reason is that fresh from the pouch it can be just a little difficult to light and keep lit. However, giving it a bit of a drying time keeps it mostly lit without the loss of flavor. Still needs couple of relights throughout the bowl.

Similarly, I prefer to completely rub out the tobacco, just to make it easier to deal with. Once it's in the condition that I like, it's an uninterrupted smoke from beginning to end.

Haven't gotten any tongue bite however, I think that an inexperienced smoker who will puff too harshly will get their tongue bitten. But using this throughout the day in different scenarios, it stood very well with my tongue.

Another benefit of this blend is that it smokes very slow, even after being rubbed out and dried, which sometimes feels like smoking double amount for the price of one. And if you count the affordability of it, this is an absolute winner.

Mild-medium in body, picks up to medium strength. Not a complex blend - this is a straightforward all day sweet smoke, very well balanced and great-tasting.

The closest blend I can compare this with is another amazing and affordable Virginia - Orlik Golden Sliced. I can't choose a favorite here yet, but the point is that Amphora is, without a doubt, at the top level with Orlik and others.

Factoring all the elements into consideration, this is an easy winner blend for Virginia lovers. Easy all-day smoke for anyone who's looking for one. I know that I'm going to get a lot more of this going forward.

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bushleagueosu (20)	2022-01-06		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Unnoticeable

Very good all around basic virginia blend. Moisture out of the pouch was perfect for me. If you like your tobacco on the dry side this will only require a couple minuets of dry time. The broken flake format is well done. Can be packed as is for smoking in a wide bowel and rubs out very easily. Takes easily to the flame and does not get to hot or bite. Covers the range of most virginia flavors. Slight notes of citrus and hay, lots of bready sweetness and every now and then a hint of red virginia flavor. There may be a touch of added sweetness to this but it is very slight. Not the most complex but far from boring or one note. Great all day smoke for a virginia fan. I will definitely be buying more to see how it ages.

Pipe Used: various

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: tobaccopipes.com

Similar Blends: Cornell & Diehl Derringer.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PaulMcCoy (78)	2021-12-14		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

It has notes of grass, hay, bread, and wood. I like it in a filtered cob. The filter seems to mellow it out perfectly. It also provides the bonus of a dryer smoke. Highly recommend primarily based on what your getting for the price.

Pipe Used: Missouri Meerschaum, Missouri Pride *with filter

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Pipesandcigars.com

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Smokolier (21)	2021-12-13		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Normally I don't expect much from pouch tobacco, and my uninformed first impression of Amphora was that it seemed a little "cheap," but I was honestly blown away by the quality of this Virginia.

This tobacco comes in thick strips of some sort, some of which are so long that they can be tricky to pack. It's also a bit wet, which is to be expected from a pouch, so dry it out before smoking it. Otherwise, it doesn't bite too hard. Its flavor is robust and complex -- honey, caramel, wood, and sweet earthy hay dominate the palate. Occasionally, a slight floral note would creep in.

For the price it's hard not to recommend this variety. It's sweet but not simple -- there's a surprising amount of complexity in Virginia leaf. Definitely give this a try.

Pipe Used: Crown Manola Sandblast 608

Age When Smoked: 1 Day

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HabaneroHardy (395)	2020-08-30		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Unnoticeable

I bought this at the local pipe and tobacco store where we use to have our club meetings before COVID a few weeks ago. Upon opening the pouch, I was surprised that it was a dark broken flake. I was expecting a light-colored ribbon cut. The usual nice sweet Virginia tin note. One thing I like to do while smoking my pipe is to read the reviews about the particular tobacco. Not sure if this means anything but I noticed that the photo on the site the packaging says Virginia and paraphrasing from 3 continents. My package says Virginia blend which makes me wonder if any dark fired was added. I am no expert but this blend reminds me of some of the Red Virginia blends I have smoked in the past. I have smoked this in cobs and briars and find this to be an excellent blend. Don’t let the packaging fool you.

Age When Smoked: New

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sangagor (77)	2020-02-03		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Tolerable

After opening not such pleasant aroma. Packing is simple. Burning is really cool, slow with pleasant sweetnes. Little bit earthy and grassy. Mild strengh and only few nicotine hit give this tobacco to group "for beginers". There is no bite even you suck like locomotive. Good companion to more rounded VA as FVF. Definitely add to my rotation till I will find more melow blend.

Pipe Used: Stanislaw

Age When Smoked: new

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	fr_tom (393)	2019-12-14		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The cut is a mostly rubbed out flake. It came at a good level of hydration for me. Some of the hunks are a little hearty, and after a couple of bowls, I discovered the best way for me to smoke it was to gently rub out a pinch in my hands and stuff from there.

I teeter on the edge of 3 and 4 for this one. For a Virginia pouch tobacco, this is remarkably good. In the grand scheme of Virginias, it is just good. I can easily believe this could be a Virginia goto because it is a great smoke and readily available. It was not one of those blends that knocks your socks off.

The flavor is grassy and slightly sweet with some fruit and a mild sharp edge when puffed. It was an easy smoke and fairly mellow. It has more body than some Virginias, and that contributed to the overall good impression.

I am rating this as a 3, but if you are looking for a good Virginia that is not complicated or hard to find, it is really a 4.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Workman (3)	2019-05-31		Mild	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This one comes in a yellow pouch. Both the packing and the price suggest an OTC. Maybe it is, but in that case a damn good one. The tobacco comes as broken or lightly rubbed flakes. It is darker than I thought it would be, various shades of brown with just a few light yellow ribbons. Although it appears as a fairly stoved, medium brown virginia, the flavor is on the bright side. Or to be more precise, the flavor is all over the virginia range, but dominated by the soursweet, lemony, buttermilk notes of bright virginias. There is also some bread, very little grass and hay, and some tanginess. I find it very flavorful with some complexity. It will reward you if you concentrate on the flavors, but it is also easy going and flavorful enough for you to puff away while doing something else. Where this one fits in the best is with Samuel Gawith's Best Brown and Full Virginia Flakes, this one being the bright morning smoke. I sense absolutely no toppings or casings. Not much nicotine either, but it's there of course. For my own use, I rate blends from 0-6. Amphora Virginia gets something like 5.5. It's very good

Purchased From: Danish Pipe Shop

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	wintermute (90)	2019-04-08		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Tolerable

This is the fourth blend in the new Amphora line that I am reviewing and I saved it for last because I am really not a full Virginia fan and also because I thought it would be my least favorite. I was wrong. When my pouch arrived, it was a little dry for my taste. After some hydration the tobacco really came in to it's own. The smell from the pouch is more like a rich tobacco rather than the more more grass-like aroma from your typical Virginia blend. The cut is thicker and it packs rather nicely with some attention to detail. It takes a light very well and the taste is more like a Summer evening rather than a Summer day. It is a darker taste like one would find in a really good Virginia flake. There is no spice, but the taste is full and goes great with a light lager. It is a full, slightly sweet, tobacco taste with almost no added flavorings. It is a lot better than Mac Barren Virginia Flake NO 1 and about half the price. The flavor does get a little more intense down the bowl. But it does not really change that much. The nicotine level is light. The aroma will not win any friends unless your friends are Escudo smokers. If you look at my reviews, you will see that I gave many legendary Virginia blends lack-luster reviews. If I could only buy one Virginia blend, this would be the one; especially when you consider price. The ash is fine if a little moist. And the tobacco will not ghost your pipe. By the way, if you try Amphora Original, you will taste this samae Virginia but to a much lesser extent. It is there, however.

Pipe Used: MM Huck Finn

Age When Smoked: 6 weeks

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

Similar Blends: Mac barren Virginia Flake No, 1, Sail Yellow, Scandanaviak Original.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	A Scot in Argentina (19)	2019-01-13		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Been smoking this regularly for over a week now and have to say it's surpassed all my expectations in every department. My usual Virginia based blend is Samuel Gawith's Full Virginia Flake and this blend is every bit as good and may even beat it in certain areas. The dark hot pressed broken flake looks good from the start which I think is important in a blend. For me it smells and tastes like what a good non aromatic tobacco should taste like...tobacco. So if you like FVF you'll like this one.

Pipe Used: Alco/Falcon/Gordon

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Similar Blends: Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake..

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Chili guy (14)	2018-12-18		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Finally got around to opening the tightly sealed foil pouch and trying a few bowls. Overall, nice stuff. For me, it works best in a narrow deep bowl and indeed my MM General and a couple of freehands were vastly better than the short push bit pot bowl that I tried originally. Presentation... except the pouch...is Mac Baren all the way with the moderately broken flake of a cavendished blend...sort of fun to sort out or just stuff it in the bowl and keep pressing. It lights easily and stays lit after about a third of a bowl, burns to a gray ash with no excess moisture or dottle. Room note didn’t bother my wife but there was no raving about how good it smelled either...room note is pretty low key. It has a subtle sweetness, makes plenty of rich smoke, isn’t strong, doesn’t bite, smokes dry. All in all, a pleasant smoke deserving of a try whether you’re a Virginia lover or not...I like Burley tobaccos best. You should try it and Mac Barens should have this in 100 gr. tins.

Pipe Used: Unbranded pot bowl, unbranded freehand, MM General

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: P&C

Similar Blends: Non-aromatic flake tobaccos with little added flavoring..

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Harry_Callahan (14)	2018-11-12		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

This is the first Straight Virginia I tried, bought others and came back to review it. I think it is a great tobacco for its price. Out of the pouch it is fantastic, beatiful sweet smell..like honey. Nice cut, perfect pack and great taste. It isn't too grassy and I find very interesting in retrohale..nice and spicey!

Pipe Used: Missouri Meerscham Straight Rob Roy

Age When Smoked: months

Purchased From: Tabaccheria Giordano Ivrea(TO) Italy

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	WillBrown (137)	2018-08-18		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

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'

Purchased From: Chicago Pipe Show

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	NEWMAN (305)	2018-07-17		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Very Strong

I looked forward to trying this blend since I smoked the Green Amphora from D&E for many years. I was not disappointed. Nicely broken flakes have an ideal moisture content right from the pouch. Burns cool without relights; no bite or condensation. If they make it available in tins, it could be my all day smoke.

Pipe Used: Estella billiard; Montbatten bent billiard

Purchased From: pipes & cigars.com

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Giuliano (1)	2017-07-30		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Unnoticeable

Tabacco da tutti i giorni, ma con note molto nobili, ottima fumabilita'. Come flake rotto, impone un minimo di manualità nella fase di carica,ottimo.Lo raccomando decisamente. Non credo sia da consigliare a chi inizia a fumare la pipa, perchè rischia di complicare un po' la fase d'accensione. Direi che può essere utile valutarlo come porta d'accesso ai Virginia più strutturati è complesso. Direi che il profumo al fornello della pipa, risulta pieno, piacevolissimo, mai acido. Se lo si fuma lentamente non punta mai in bocca e rispetto ai suoi più blasonati concorrenti non sfigura per nulla; anzi.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Brunello (125)	2022-12-28		Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Per Jensen has stated that Amphora Virginia was specifically tailored to his own taste, and is the blend he smokes more than any other. I'd say that when a master blender talks up a favorite blend it is probably worth checking out!

I've been impressed with the entire range of Amphora offerings, not even considering their tremendous value. Although I tend to favor the Amphora Burley and Kentucky blends throughout the year, when the warmer weather hits I like to transition to Virginia-based blends, and light Lakelands. Amphora Virginia certainly hit the spot on many a hot day this past summer.

After getting to know Amphora Virginia on its own I decided to compare it against my previous summertime favorite: Ashton Gold Rush (a more golden Virginia than Amphora’s medium dark). But when I popped a fresh tin of Ashton Gold something seemed amiss. When I decoded the tin date on the Ashton (search “dating tins” on YouTube for helpful videos on understanding different manufacturer’s coding) I discovered that the tin I just received in the mail was nearly four years old. Age may work wonders for some Virginias but is not ideal for lighter, mildly-cased blends like Ashton Gold. From this same online seller in Pennsylvania I also received a tin of Erinmore Mixture that was nine years old!! That also proved to be substandard. So I drove more than an hour to my nearest brick and mortar and bought some fresher tins. The lesson here is to check the dates on your tins. I wonder how many reviews have been posted on Tobacco Reviews that have been based on past-prime product???

But back to Amphora: with a fresh tin of the Ashton, I compared the two (and several others like Sutliff 707 and five year aged Orlik Golden Sliced for good measure). The jar note suggests dark German bread but when lit the impression is lighter, like Asian fritters with sesame seeds. In briars and meers, Amphora Virginia was less sweet than Ashton, but more so than OGS. It was also medium on the retrohale pepper, more than Ashton but less than OGS. There is noticeable but neutral sweetness, and an aftertaste of lemon drop candy. Remember, “No flavoring” doesn’t account for the fact that they probably put a slice or two of lemon peel in the pH tempering sauce.

In a cob this neutral sweetness did take on a more honeyed note (honey toast), and not surprisingly (unless you are using a really old, well-seasoned cob that no longer imparts its own flavor), I got flavors of corn flakes, and a malty flavor that reminded me of smokehouse corn nuts. Ashton Gold was a bit broader and smoother on the palate, with sunflower seed and honey-like notes in all pipes.

Verdict: for the height of summer Amphora Virginia will now be my go-to choice (along with Erinmore Flake and Kendal Cream Flake for variety). For mild Spring and Autumn days I might go with Ashton Gold Rush. For the colder months I might dip into my stash of 7+ years Dunhill Flake, or pop an aged tin of Solani Silver Flake or Reiner Gold. But those are the occasional treat. Meanwhile it is almost ridiculous to have such affordable quality in a pouch as Amphora Virginia!

My three stars for Amphora Virginia is based on year-round application, but for summer I’d give it 3.5 stars.

Pipe Used: cob, briars, meer

Age When Smoked: 10 months from pouch date

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pipelicidad (26)	2021-10-27		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is an excellent virginia blend. A bit on the dark side of the virginia’s spectrum (i.e., woody-earthy-dark fruit), but with some “sharpness” (i.e., slightly acid and tarty). I cannot detect any topping, so I would say it feels very natural. It reminds me a bit of SG Best Brown Flake, but Amphora Virginia is less sweet and much tastier. The burning qualities of the latter are also superior to BBB. Although it is blended by Mac Baren, AV has nothing to do with Virginia No. 1, which is good but hard to smoke. I think AV can hardly bite. The room note should be tolerable for almost anyone.

Purchased From: Cupojoes

Similar Blends: SG Best Brown Flake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	glcslv (3)	2021-10-10		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Dark brown Virginia broken flakes, with a subtle citrus flavour. Good humidity, it doesn't need drying time before packing the pipe, I usually break it into ribbon. It will take a while to light it, once lit it smokes easy without too much trouble, doesn't bite tongue or get too hot in the pipe if smoked with no rush. Taste is very good from the beginning to the end with no particular evolution, but it's not a defect to me, if you want something more complex go for a Samuel Gawith, this is a good plain and simple straight Virginia. Easy to find and at a good price, I'd recommend it as an all day tobacco, best in medium-large bowl pipes.

Edit: I like it more if kept in a jar for some weeks rather than smoked fresh

Age When Smoked: New

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Poodlejuice (49)	2021-06-30		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Nice dark broken flake that comes at a great humidity level. Ready to smoke out the pouch, but I find a quick dry improves flavor quite a bit.

As far as Virginias go this is on the darker, more "earthier" side of the spectrum. I get a bit of spice, bread, almonds, & woodyness. As the bowl burns the wood notes intensify. Overall there's nothing about this blend that really amazes me. Almost to the bottom of my pouch and the most redeemable smokes I've had from it were blending it 50/50 with Amphora Kentucky. Maybe it's just not the VA for me. Burns well though. Will bite if provoked, but not nearly as bad as most Mac Baren flakes. Not much nicotine either.

I do have 2 more pouches and will eventually smoke them and report back if anything changes. If anything doesn't I will likely mix them with some brighter Virginias and/or dark fired and call it a day.

Pipe Used: Various Billiards

Age When Smoked: Fresh from pouch

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	rattdogg99 (51)	2021-04-28		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

What a delightful tobacco. I have never been much of a straight Virginia smoker but I tried this on a whim a short while ago and now can't get enough. Talk about the elusive all day smoke, I've found mine. This blend has it all. I find natural tobacco flavor, natural sweetness and natural mild citrus without turning bitter or biting. This is one I won't be without !

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: Fresh

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	UncleAl (17)	2020-05-24		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Amphora Virginia – buy up big time! This will store well if placed in airtight jars; perhaps with a little dark rum to keep it fresh and inhibit any possibility of mould. This is choice tobacco, so inexpensive and available. In no time it has built itself a strong and deserved reputation. So why hesitate? Absolutely fantastic in terms of exceptional quality and inexpensive price.

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: From the tin

Purchased From: 4Noggins

Similar Blends: Orlik Golden Sliced.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	renwardhoop (177)	2019-12-16		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Unnoticeable

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.

Pipe Used: Briars

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Dan Pipe

Similar Blends: SG Virginia, Macbaren RR, (ex) Dunhill RR.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Viscfab (36)	2019-06-07		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Oh dear! This has got to be one of the best blends executed by Mr. Per Georg Jensen. What a classy pipe tobacco. Upon opening the fresh yellow pouch a waft of fresh virginias invade your nostrils with full force. It is hard to believe that this bland has no topping at all... It smells so wonderfully great - It reminds me of Toast with marmelade. Broken flakes, golden brown, beautiful and easy to pack. Chars easily with two or three relights and goes to the bottom. Delicious sweet virginia flavours with fully satisfying flavour - french smoke it with your nose for christs sake and savour the full experience. Did not over heat, did not bite and made me want another bowl right after the 1st one finished. This is TOP notch!

Pipe Used: Vauen, Savinelli, Stanwell

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: local importer

Similar Blends: Mac Baren - Harmony.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	atomicbuster (79)	2018-12-03		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

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.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HeadmasterOfHerf (25)	2023-01-17		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Pleasant, grassy, easy to pack and easy to smoke. Comes in a broken flake, which is probably my favorite cut.

It won’t bite, usually.

Pairs well with a Michelob Ultra.

It’s good, but it’s just kind of boring for a VA.

Pipe Used: Mayfair 429 Bulldog

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jason09 (5)	2022-12-24		Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

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.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Ferrigno (7)	2022-10-11		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

A humble pouch tobacco, relatively cheap in the EU, but quality tobacco. I'm smoking this one in parallel with other straight Virginias: a couple of Gawith tobaccos (Full Virginia Flake and Bright CR flake), a GL Pease (Union Square), the Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia, a Peterson (the former Dunhill's Flake), a Dan Tobacco (Veermaster) and, in comparison to the others, Amphora Virginia has a peculiar burnt aroma. My favourite descriptors for this tobacco are: burnt bread crust, black tea, coffee, grass and hay. This straight virginia provides a constant flavour through the entire smoke, burns easily, is a bit wet and needs some drying time and leaves a clean taste in the mouth. It is relatively gentle to the tongue. Nothing grand, nothing extraordinary in it, but it is a pleasant smoke. Moreover, it has a unique character: if you like this burnt taste there's nothing like it around. It's better than other, more expensive virginias.

Pipe Used: Castello, Savinelli, Meerschaum, others

Age When Smoked: 12 months

Purchased From: Italian tobacconist

Similar Blends: Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia, but more toasted..

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	GeoffS (26)	2022-09-02		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

Caveat this review with the fact that I'm not much of a straight VA smoker. Picked this up early in my pipe smoking journey to sample the taste of straight Virginias. Was not thrilled and threw it in a jar. Six months the color was noticeably darker and the taste markedly smoother and sweeter. The citrus notes developed into a deeper ripened peach. For the price I am consistently impressed with Amphora offerings. If they came in a tin and not a pouch you'd happily spend double for them. Quality tobacco.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	KG.Legat0 (4)	2022-01-01		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a really great offering for a 'pouch' tobacco. I expected something more akin to Mac Baren Virginia No. 1 or Newminster 400, but found a darker broken flake inside.

I found the only 'pain point' with this blend is that it is hard to light at first, even with significant drying.

Each bowl from this pouch has burned reasonably well once I got it going, however a significant drying time definitely helped.

Flavor wise I find this a bit more on the bready side, but some brighter/citrusy flavors tend to come out after the halfway point. I suspect there is a good amount of red Va. in here. (no complaints!)

No bite detected, even when pushed a bit...actually I found this blend to deliver some really interesting flavors when pushed a little.

I would buy this blend again.

Pipe Used: Cob, Briar, Meer

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Purchased From: web vendor

Similar Blends: GLP Union Square, Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gamzultovah (10)	2021-10-14		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

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 get ashy.

Pipe Used: Dunhill 2203

Age When Smoked: Fresh and with one year

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Marco D. (17)	2020-09-10		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Tolerable

Amphora Virginia is a blend of different Virginia, the cut is an average berween a broken flake and a ready rubbed, but what surprise is the colour with many dark shades that are not expected so isn't a simply Bright. With the nose we identify the classical Virginia aromas, but not too much matured and a general sweetness casing tipical of Amphora's blend. Despite the cut the packing is easy and the smoke proceeds smoothly til the end, just after opening the moisture is right, but airing it for some minutes is a good thing. In conclusion, is good tobacco, for me the best of Amphora, but is a Virginia straight, of course not one of the best, there are many better choice in this category.

Pipe Used: Savinelli, Ashton

Age When Smoked: Opened after the purchase

Purchased From: Tabacconist in Italia

Similar Blends: Amphora Original, Gawith Hoggarth bright CR flake, Capstan original.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	crosscountry (23)	2020-08-22		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I really like this tobacco. The presentation is very nice, with dark brown broken flake. You need to break it up a little before loading the pipe. That tactile portion benefits the experience of smoking it.

Opening the jar, I get a strong sense of being in a hay barn filled with newly made hay, a reminder of sunny days at the end of summer. There are also notes of tea when new.

It starts with a nice grassy flavor that gets a little muskier towards the second half, but that may be my pipe.

This one has a great price point for a non-aromatic, and it is a great introduction to pure Virginias.

Pipe Used: Pearwood Bent Apple pipe

Age When Smoked: New, then months after jarring

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Indianapolis (49)	2019-12-23		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Far and away the best of the Amphora offerings.

This virginia blend is really nice, a little latent sweetness, decent complexity, no frills. It smokes well out of the pouch, and even better with some reasonable drying. I smoke a fair few virginias, and this stands up to any of them.

It's a straight up, honest, tasty little virginia blend. No bite, no frills, no problems.

In terms of some comparisons, it's less sweet and darker flavored than Opening Night. Its much richer in flavor than Tilbury. Less sweet than Orlik Golden (and without the touch of perique).

Oh, and this stuff makes an AWESOME Va/Per. I've been mixing in about 35% blending perique and letting the combination sit for a month in a jar, and its a big plummy homemade VA/Per for cheap. Just FYI.

I tried some of the other Amphora products -- the burley, cavendish, and kentucky -- and was only mildly impressed. No reorders there.... But this one is special in its simplicity and bang-for-buck pricing.

Pipe Used: Briars

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BrokenRecord (124)	2019-11-17		Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Amphora Virginia: One of the best citrus forward Virginia blends on the market

Well this was a pleasant surprise. The tobacco seems to be made up of mostly red, dark, and bright Virginia varietals—in that order. Though the flavor profile is straight forward like most straight Virginia blend, the tobaccos lean more towards the citrus side of the spectrum. The earthiness and subtle grassy notes from the other Virginia leaf keep the smoke exciting and balanced, which sets Amphora Virginia apart from similar blends.

Other points of note: 1) The tin note is exquisite to both me and my non pipe-smoking friends. It smells of sweet melons and raisins. 2) The tobacco burns well without any bite. 3) I suspect some level of stoving in the manufacturing process. 4) Amphora Virginia reminds me of a sweeter and more citrus-like version of HH Pure Virginia.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SiChange (45)	2019-01-27		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Excellent, unique pouch tobacco. Just pure sweet mild Virginia tobaccos, without casing or top dressing. Although mild it holds interest and smokes cool even when I fall into hard puffing. Danish pipe shop offering (“Virginia”) and US import (“Virginia Blend”) are identical. This holds high the Amphora marque.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Berzerker (28)	2018-12-10		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Unnoticeable

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.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Megalo Al (38)	2020-11-18		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

Rapporto qualità prezzo notevole: il Giallo è un mix di buoni Virginia, a mio parere il migliore tra i pochi Amphora buoni. Non ha una grande evoluzione, ma è schietto e sincero e sa farsi amare. Una buona alternativa a Virginia più cari, anche se non può reggere con i vari FVF e Capstan. Buono!

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Megalo Al (38)	2020-11-18		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

Rapporto qualità prezzo notevole: il Giallo è un mix di buoni Virginia, a mio parere il migliore tra i pochi Amphora buoni. Non ha una grande evoluzione, ma è schietto e sincero e sa farsi amare. Una buona alternativa a Virginia più cari, anche se non può reggere con i vari FVF e Capstan. Buono!

Nobody has rated this review yet.