(Originally posted by @JimInks )

This review thread took six months to complete. Of the 44 match blends I have reviewed, only Middleton’s London Dock Match was not made by the Sutliff Tobacco Company, but I included it because I had the opportunity to do so. In nearly every case, although I was already familiar with many of the originals, I did direct comparisons between the match blends and the originals. I wrote reviews of the originals I had not smoked, and rewrote several reviews of those I had previously smoked. There were three original blends I was unable to access, and I make note of that in those particular reviews. I spent much of my smoking time trying to find differences; otherwise it would have been very difficult to tell one from another in a number of cases. Nearly all of these Matches were created by Sutliff's blender, Carl McAllister. I hope these reviews will be of help to everyone. I thank everyone who was kind enough to trade, or in a couple of cases, gift me the needed tobaccos. You have my greatest appreciation. I could not have done this without you.

Amphora Red Match (Euphoria):
This blend is sold under the both the Euphoria and Amphora Red Match names, and indeed, there is a similarity to the original regarding taste. The fruity topping has the same floralness, orange and berry flavors, though the berry is a shade less pronounced in the Match while the floral notes are a little more obvious. I detect a little more of the burley and Virginia here than I do in AR. The Match is a very comfortable aromatic that burns well, leaving no dottle and no bite. If it’s dry when you get it, I suggest you hydrate it a little for full effect. As with the original, I found this tasted best when sipped, and once it seasons a pipe, the flavor seems to get a little more obvious to the taste buds. The Match can tingle the tongue if pushed hard, and the same is true of the original to a lesser degree. The Match is just a mite less intense in flavor. It's not complex (neither is the original), but it is a good all day work and play smoke.

Argosy Match:
The original was a rather mild, unobtrusive black cavendish with a vanilla and chocolate topping, and a little tobacco taste. This Match is identical in every way, except it’s a little deeper in taste, much smoother with no chemical notes, and doesn’t get harsh at the finish. It may not have the richness of some black cavendish blends like Molto Dulce, but it does well enough for the smoker who wants a mild smoke with mild to medium flavor. A comfortable all day smoke with no bite that makes a good mixer, too.

Balkan Sobranie Match:
This Match is based on the 1970s version, and not the later or current Sobranie productions. This is very similar to the ’70s Sobranie. The main differences are the Orientals are a shade spicier, there's a little less latakia, and a little more creamy sweetness in the Match. It’s also missing the mild unflavored “soda” note from the Yenidje that the original had, though the Macedonia plays the very same background notes. The original was a slightly drier smoke. The yellow Virginia is lightly grassy with a natural sweetness in both and the red Virginia is lightly tangy. The Cyprian latakia has the usual smokey sweet woodsy flavor, and is balanced nicely by the other components. Both were/are an all day smoke for my personal taste. Like the original, it burns perfectly well with few relights, a consistent flavor, and no dottle.

Balkan Sobranie 759 Match:
Sold by Pipes&Cigars and designed by Russ Ouellette, the Match is fairly close to the original with a few exceptions. The Match is a little sweeter and the latakia a little less prominent. The Match has a little black cavendish which the original did not have. The Virginias are about the same, a little grassy with a slight sweetness. The Orientals in both were woody and a little spicy, though there is a little dark fired Kentucky in here to aid in those qualities. The latakia in both was smoky and woody, but in the Match it is a little sweeter, probably because the original used Syrian latakia, whereas the Match uses the Cyprian variety. The yenidje in the original had a floral unflavored “soda” note the Match lacks, but as I have not noticed much in recent blends, I wonder if the strain of yendje has changed in the years since both Balkan Sobranie and the 759 were made. Both versions of 759 burned well and cool with no harsh or weak spots and no dottle.

Barking Dog Match:
The latakia provides a smoky base note to the main star, which is the earthy, nutty white burley. The burley is quality choice as is the lemon Virginia that adds an enjoyable tangy sweetness. The rum topping is mildly applied. Burns perfectly to the very end, and has a multiplicity of flavors that don't crowd each other out. The original was different several ways: the burley wasn’t as sweet, the Virginia was more hay-like and less sweet, and the topping was fainter than the Match. For the most part, the flavors are same in both versions, but they are a little deeper in the Match than they are in the original. It may also be that a little of the flavors have faded from the original, which would result in my observation in the previous sentence. The Match was freshly produced. The cut is the same, and both burn without leaving any dottle, though the original tended to be a little harsher after the half way point, and was a little rougher, less refined smoke. That is not true of the Match.