Lane Limited Captain Black Black Sea

Satisfying mixture of tobacco flavor and aromatic room note. Disagree with the description on the tin label--This is not a Balkan mixture hybrid, because the addition of latakia does not constitute Balkan. Show me the Orientals--then we will talk Balkan! The Dark Kentucky nicotine kick was nice, the mixture eye appeal was nice, the tin note nice. True flavor with aromatic twist. Good stuff.

I was given a couple of ounces of this by a friend. It is a small "fish flake" cut, and can at a pretty good level of hydration for me. I just packed it and did not do anything special to prepare it.

The smoking experience is a little thin, but it is pleasant. It is sweet and has some latakia woodsy flavor and room note. There may be a hint of vanilla here, but it is a mostly a nondescript sweet with latakia in the background. I did not get much tobacco flavor when sipped. Puffed I picked up some Virginia notes.

This is a solid 2.5. I will smoke up what I have and not regret the experience. I am not likely to buy any more.

The Cyprian Latakia is a smoky, earthy, slightly woodsy, minor component that mainly acts as a flavor push to the other ingredients, but you will notice it. The black cavendish is sugary with a touch of vanilla, complimenting the sweet, mildly nutty, woody, earthy Kentucky burley, the latter being a supporting player. The Virginias are citrusy without a hint of grass or earth, leading me to suspect it's subjected to the cavendish process. The very sweet topping sublimates the tobaccos to some extent, and though I'm not sure what it is, it does have a little alcohol base. The strength is a couple of steps past the mild mark. The taste is almost medium. Has very little nicotine. Burns at a reasonable pace with hardly a relight and no bite, and almost no moisture in the bowl. The taste of the product is consistent. An all day very sweet smoke. Two and a half stars.

-JimInks

Received as a gift from the owner of www.wvsmokeshop.com. He wanted me to try it, so we enjoyed a pipe together. IMO it's a Very mellow blend with a pleasant room note. Aromatic hybrid...must say IMO this tobacco is a joy to smoke. Two non smokers said, "that smells really good." Just after I had lit the pipe. As I continue smoking this mixture it's evident that it's flavorful, and I think the variety of flavors are complex. I typically prefer a Virginia or an English blend, but for a mild all day smoke this blend has the perfect amount of Latakia. Certainly will keep the " a Black Sea" in my rotation.

Finally a full American / English Blend Loaded with Latakia. CBBS A smooth hefty full bodied smoke that doesn't get boring all the way through the bowl. All I can add is that I Love it Love it Love it.

For those who know Captain Black, this one is a complete departure from the typical aromatics that the Captain puts out. This is one of those aromatic blends that companies try to make so that smokers can enjoy an English style while still pleasing the people around them. When you open the tin, there is a smell of leather and smoke and sweetness. Even after aging for 6 months, the moisture level is just about right. The ribbon cut seems a little shorter than typical ribbons to me. It packs well and lights right up. The taste of Latakia comes through from the start along with the distinct flavor of Virgina tobacco. The smoke does not come in giant plumes, but it is a good amount to keep you puffing. The room aroma is the only sweet part of this tobacco that I can detect. None of that sweetness comes through in the smoke. In fact, this is only the second Latakia blend that the wife will tolerate in the house. Most are evicted at the first puff. The only other Latakia blend that made the cut was Presbyterian Mixture. Oh, and one more thing about the aroma, it goes away very quickly. The flavor stays the same to the bottom of the bowl and the stuff finishes in a fine ash. There is no tongue bite. There is plenty of spice for the back of the throat. The nicotine level seems higher than all of the other Captain Black blends. There is no after taste and the pipe is left clean and dry and ready for another trip on the Black Sea. A real winner! By the way, there is supposed to be Burley in here, but I could not taste any of it. I am a huge Burley fan, but no luck with finding it here.

This is a great, simple blend. Very mellow and easy on the tongue. Burns well, but just a tad wet. Minimal drying needed. However, it does not last long in a travel pouch, in a car, maybe 4-5 days. You can taste the Latakia, it's not dominant, but just right. The balance is great and everything just works well. Maybe I won't buy this particular blend again, but I'm definitely buying the rest of the CB premium offerings to try out. Definitely recommended.

Interesting, surprisingly!

Touted as a hybrid, this blend attempts to do both the impossible and the unthinkable at the same time, and to a degree pulls it off. Typically, as crossovers tend to be, this blend achieves neither the qualities of an English nor those of an aromatic. That said, I find the execution to be excellent and in their own right the Captain’s blenders have achieved a very smokeworthy and unique blend.

Upon opening the tin, you are greeted with that unmistakable odor of Latakia followed by a strange and contradictory sweetness that bewilders the senses. A newcomer to the world of Latakia might be as easily put off as the hardcore Lat aficionado, and rightly so. However, I suggest a level head and an open mind be maintained by either and one dare to fill their favorite pipe with a loose pack of this strange mélange.

The cut is coarse and the quality of the Cavendish and other tobaccos is undeniable. It takes some effort to get a consistent burn, but the creaminess of the smoke is will reward your effort. The Latakia taste is much milder, for better or worse, than the tin note would lead you to believe, yet strong enough to tell you are not smoking a typical aromatic either. Don’t push it though, because it will tickle the tongue and may even bite.

Taste is surprisingly pleasant and you will be glad you didn’t toss the tin as you were initially inclined. I remained perplexed throughout the first bowl as the taste of the Latakia became gently more present through the evolution of the smoke, as the sweetness moves from the foreground to the background, without ever quite disappearing.

Perhaps not immediately, but soon your curiosity will likely get the better of you as you reach for another bowl of this anomaly.

I have to hand it to the Captain for his efforts, and I’m thankful I had the good sense to give this blend a chance. I don’t see this blend ever becoming my standard fare, but at the same time it was a positive experience and I’m sure to enjoy every bowl the tin provides.

Give it a try for yourself, knowing full well this blend is unusual, but at the same time tasty and unique.

Update 2017-05-27:

My inexplicable craving for another tin has caused me to upgrade my rating from 2 stars to 3. Yes, this is one strange concoction, but hey, one man's trash is another man's treasure!

First off, let me say I enjoy this blend, but I like the whole spectrum of crossover and hybrids that combine American style blends with some English attributes. In this case, just the right amount of Latakia. The other components (Virginia, Burley, Black Cavendish, and just a touch of Vanilla casing) speak much more of the other Captain Black lineup members, and the lighter Lane aromatics (1Q, etc). But the Latakia here is a nice touch. Smokes full, cool, a little spicy, and mostly bite free. The smell is great, as you'd expect, with the light are predominating, but not cloyingly so, and the Latakia smokeyness makes it all legitimate. Very much enjoyed!

Nothing really new here, and that's good. Black Sea isn't a Balkan for sure as there are no Orientals included in this blend. Also this isn't a classic "English blend" either. Actually Black Sea is another entry into the "American - English" category of pipe blends. The tin is filled with a kind of flaked cut of various shades from black to golden. The aroma is smoky and sweet, vanilla but not at all overpowering in any regard. The blend is moist, I find that a plus. The smoking experience is sweet and smooth following an easy lighting and it doesn't require more than perhaps another relight. The taste is certainly sweet but not too sweet though and the vanilla is there but somewhat muted. There is some Burley body a tad of nuttiness but not much. The flavor is predominately Black Cavendish and Latakia. The Latakia is not at all powerful but it is certainly there and in an amount which exceeds many well know "English mixtures". There is a bit of natural Virginia sweetness but no prevalent distinct Virginia flavor and no Virginia tongue tingle or burn. I found Black Sea to be very enjoyable and a pleasure to smoke. Those searching for an "all day tobacco" could certainly consider this blend. Black Sea reminds me of Edgar G.Robinson's Pipe blend but heavier on the Black Cavendish and with vanilla topping replacing the plum. Black Sea isn't exotic or powerful, it has nothing that jumps out at you, everything is moderate and balanced. Black Sea is just tasty, relaxing and easy to smoke. The nicotine is mild so if you reach for another bowl your head won't spin.