Anyway, it is every bit as formidable as stated by Pipestud, and should be picked up whenever possible at almost any price.

The 50 gram tins I have look to be the same size as the current Peterson Irish Flake tins and the lid is painted a Salmon pink color. The thin black flakes themselves are very large 2" X 3 1/4"

The tobacco itself (A Va/Burley) smells similar to SG's FVF. The flakes rub out easy and light up no problem, the taste is medium to full and very malty and not as grassy as a lot of Virginia's can be. Nicotine content satisfies and there is no tongue bite. Like most flake tobacco's, one bowl can last fot a long time, which is a good thing when smoking Capstan Navy full!

Remembering that my sample was ages old, it was black as coal with broken flake. Once loaded, it provided a smooth, creamy Virginia richness that I cannot begin to translate to computer. The leaf was bitter-sweet, and provided an almost floral scent at first light. It quickly settled into a mouth watering burst of tobacco flavor with every puff. The nicotine content was better than average and the smoke was somewhat spicy and tickled the nose. It did burn a tad warm.

Finally, this one got better and better as the bowl progressed. By the time I hit bottom, I was almost in Heaven.

The closest two or three flakes to the original are:

Freiborg/Treyor Cut Virginia Plug

Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake

McConnell Scottish Flake

I was excited to see the name on the tin but disappointed when I put match to tobacco.

Not bad, but not Capstan Full. There is a reason you don't see much original Capstan Full available on the 'collectable' market - it was darned excellent tobacco.

But still this tobacco is of very high quality. The slices are neat and beutifully prepared in the tin; dark brown VA leaf mixed with a little kentucky. It rubs out perfectly, and packs and lights easy. It tends to be a little greasy, but i don't think it's been cased.

1/3 Of the bowl: Upon lighting, strong peppery taste, and you know allready that this is indeed a nicotine bomb.

2/3 Of the bowl: Well this may be odd, but i detected notes of burning pine. (pleasant) Not in a christmas kind of way, but more like fresh sharp-smelling harpic. The Kentucky is present but well balanced.

3/3 Of the bowl: Now this is what i love about brown VA! Full-strengh heavy VA sweetness and at the same time; gentle on the palate as a summer breeze. Yummy!

This flake should bear the name: Capstan Nightcap:) It´s strong, gentle, delicious. Not an allday smoke, but a perfect evening tobacco before bedtime.

My favourite among the CAPSTAN classics has always been Medium, a hauntingly velvety and savoury desert-island treat. The Mild may turn vicious if overpuffed, and this one, like all the heavy Virginia solids, I find a trifle dull. If you have recently discovered the "lake district" plugs, twists and flakes, and enjoy them, you owe it to yourself to try this old standby. It, and some of Murray Sons traditional pressed blends, are part of a noble, and endangered, tradition. That none of them are readily available in America doesn't say much for our smoking culture.