Mac Baren Capstan Original Navy Cut

The presentation of the tobacco is great. As well as the story about it in the write ups. Who wouldn't want to smoke what Tolkien smoked? I smoked this flake rubbed, and folded. My verdict is that it is defiantly a Virginia flake. This flake was a bit temperamental needing a couple of relights and pokes here and there. However it burned relatively cool, with no real tongue bit to speak of. The flavors are a typical mild Virginia profile. Earthy, and bready, with some notes of citrus, sugary sweetness, and a mild spice. Overall I did like it and it is a quality tobacco, it just does not offer anything special. In my humble opinion of course.

Not sure what all the fuss is about. My opinion is clearly the minority. I have tried 2 tins of this. No matter how I prepared it, rubbed out, fold and stuff, cubed, it burns hot and gloopy, and is not tongue-friendly. The first time I bought this, I couldn't wait. Got home, put on Lord of The Rings, as this was a favorite of the author, and packed my favorite churchwarden. I was disappointed. While the roomnote was nice, the taste was acidic and inconsistent, sour. And yes, I let flakes air a bit before packing the pipe. I let the other tin age for a year, and it was a little better, but it still bites, like a lot of Mac Baren blends. Some aging did help. The second-half of the bowl wasn't bad. There is a nice sweetness to it, but it's short, a dry mouth feel, and it still gums up my pipes. Maybe a year just isn't long enough. And from what I have read in other reviews, it may just be a candidate for extended time in the cellar. In my humble opinion, there are far better flakes to be had...

I must confess I am not very familiar with Virginias. I recently finished a tin of Escudo Navy De Luxe and by the end of it, oddly found myself wanting to revisit the taste of hay I initially didn't connect with. While these may be two totally different beasts, to my limited exposure they fell into the same camp.

The Capstan flakes are huge and required one of my larger pipes to take it all in. The tin looked and felt quite nice in hand (as a side note) and held a golden sweet smell that reminds me of hay. It wasn't earthy or flecked with Eau de Manure. Lit well and maintained an acrid heavy smoke that was a new sensation for me.

For me it was harsh, but not bitter, had a mild sweetness and sipped well. I was not in love with it and prefered the Escudo Navy De Luxe for being smoother, but it does offer something without frills for when you just want to smoke and not pay attention to some specific flavor (as I do with Aromatics).

Review warning: I was suffering a toothache at the time and this may of altered my opinion.

What drew me to this tobacco was that it was that which J.R.R. Tolkien smoked and I was curious to know what his tobacco experience was.

When I first popped the tin, what surprised me was that in addition to that usual grassy-hay sweetness you expect from Virginias, there was a very pronounced fruity, citrusy type of scent -- I am certain there must be some sort of topping to that affect. If there is / was, I cannot say that I've detected it in the tobacco as of yet.

At any rate, beyond the tin note, what I experienced in smoking this tobacco was pure, naturally sweet Virginia bliss. Prior to trying this I spent last weekend smoking F&T's Cut Virginia Plug and I'll have to say that Capstan Blue very much reminds me of that. In fact, I'd easily see the two as being interchangeable for me. CVP isn't always easy to get and this would suit me absolutely fine as I get a similar flavour profile from it.

Really just very enjoyable. Worth spending the bit of extra for it. Also the most perfectly formed flakes I have ever seen.

This is definitely one that I can see myself stocking up on.

Although I am not a big fan of flake tobaccos, this tobacco I smoked for the first time some thirty years ago, as a young smoker pipe. Then I was found very strong ( then I loved aromatics, which is normal!), so that at the time I was very disappointed. A few days ago I got this "new version" of Mac Baren and I was very pleasantly surprised! Yet more than thirty years of experience in the matter! This tobacco is a superb blend of several types of virginia. The first time, when they lit a pipe, is quite flat, but when smoking goes on, develops deep, high quality sweet aroma of superb Virginia! Tobacco for the all day, undemanding, with very pleasant room note! For each referral!

It's my favourite straight-virginia. Mild at start, with a subtle honey taste (maybe a slight casing), its flavor becomes more and more full troughout the bowl, ending with a nutty hint in the last quarter. Burns slow even rubbed out and the smoke experience is fully satisfying from the start to the end. I'm cellaring some tins of this cause I guess it will age great.

Nothing special about this tobacco. Taste like cigarettes. Can not recommend it. However no tongue bite. Lights and keeps easily lit. Burns to white ash. Very over hyped tobacco!

Before some time i could easily say the best straight virginia out there is:::: SG Best brown flake !!

Sorry; for me not any more! To much "problems" with tobacco preparation; why on hell should i pay dam 12,5 EUR for moist flake (moist like somebody has urinated on it.....sorry Sam!) if the CAPSTAN BLUE is avaliable for 10,2 EUR!!!!!! Be fair and sell normal (dry) tobacco. Now- i just simply open my nice small tin, pack a pipe, 3-4 matches and THERE WE GO.....(without any preparation...drying, cutting, cubing etc....)

So; Capstan has quickly become my favourite all day virginia smoke. The flavor and aroma remind me on chestnuts and raisins. A little honey sweetness, especially on relights.... excellent plain tobacco flavor. I can smoke it all morning and still be game to smoke anything in the afternoon and evening, whether I decide to stick with straight Virginias all day, or switch to Virginia-Perique. Burns easily and stays lit with slow, gentle puffing.

I love this tobacco and will be cellaring as much of it as I can afford. Some days the CAPSTAN will turn to LEGEND.

Similar Blends: Samuel Gawith - Best Brown Flake.

I saw SP's sales ranking, see its noble price, since that is very good. Bought a taste, unfortunately, there is smoke ridge!!! Even as PS luxury sections of these cheap chips will not happen.

Taste, delicate, mellow, the price is generally.