Mac Baren Capstan Original Navy Cut

A generous PSF forum member and friend supplied me with this in a trade. Masochist that I am, I couldn't resist a chance to try a blend that is all but impossible to source here in the colonies. My thanks to him for the chance to grumble yet again.

This is Irish Flake lite. There are differences(sweeter, possibly more of a topping, less oomph), but this is my take. To be sure, I find this to be a good thing...a blend that reminds me of one of my favorites, but doesn't kick like a mule with a grudge.

If it were easily procured, this would be a welcomed addition to my rotation, one that I think I could even smoke exclusively, heavens forbid. It cannot replace IF, but as a milder, less in your face rendition(again, my take), I should imagine it would get more than its fair shares worth of burn time.

0 stars for availability, 8 stars for my endorsement equals...

4 stars. (Funny how that math worked out.)

I really like this one, it is a new tobacco for me since I've moved to Spain. It has taken me some time in my pipe smoking journey to get to the place where I can appreciate blends like this. These type of blends require the highest degree of attention and take the "art of pipe smoking" to it's highest heights. This tobacco is not for those who just want to light and go, very different from your american aromatics or your english blends with latakia. You don't want to go to town puffing on this one, no it requires a slow sipping technique, but once you get that down it opens up a whole new world of flavor in pipe smoking, and I feel like blends like this with their light sultry sweetness and their temperamental bite teach you to relax and take your time with the pipe, which is what it's all about. I love to lightly rub this one out or fold it and pack it loosely and just sip away, a slow smolder, lots of relights, but keeping this one on the edge of going out will keep you in heaven!

I have been smoking pipe for more than 40 years.....started up with Macbaren....mixture...dark twist.....virginia.....after many years trying i started with Capstan......and have been smoking that in 25 years now......its the most complete tobacco for everyday smoking.. sometime i try ...just for fun another brand.......but very quick i am back on the Blue Capstan....there is two bad things i think....first.....its not good to light up the pipe again after it is cold......and second.....and the worst,,,,now they changed the tincan......and its so bad that the tobacco drys out very quick...its not sealed ok.....i smoke 3 - 4 cans a week......and after new can i am so tired of this....but the tobacco is still the best i ever smoked.....but like all navy cuts/flakes......dont rush...take the time to smoulder proper....then its like heaven...

A classic tobacco I had ever tasted. Better late than never... I kept it closed in my “cellar” for about a year. So, I tried a quite matured Virginia flake tobacco, rich and sweet flavor, with perfect humidity that causes no tongue bite, with moderate nicotine power. I am under the impression that it has a very light fruit flavor, which makes it even more pleasant to smoke. Even towards the end of the bowl has no roughness, and leaves a very white ash. The aroma is not at all annoying. Fills easily the bowl, but be careful not to over-fill it because the flakes can expand and stuff the pipe. Lights and stays light easily. Ii left with the same positive impression as the Orlik Golden Slides.

Quite long time from my last encounter with Capstan Medium (now Capstan Original) Navy cut. This is now happening since my nearest local tobacconist was displaying the last tin, I thought it was chance to grab it and review.

I don't detect any heavy changes between the older version (Imperial) and the current (Orlik) , thus CMNC remains one of my favourite classic flakes to keep in stable rotation. A true example of plain and uncomplicated medium Va, with the most discrete top dressing. Easy lighting and burning, cool and refreshing smoke.

And I do agree with Noorrmm's review back in 2002 in saying that it's a rewarding smoke both casually or contemplatively.

What keeps me from rating 4* is that it starts “really” too plain, the true game starting from the second third.

A pure, strong, honest, high-quality Virginia flake. I'd love it, if VA happened to be among my favorite types of tobacco; but it isn't so ? my preferences go to Burley and aromatic types.

After 1 tin of this tobacco, I can say that this is a good blend that could be better smoked with a "full stomach" (after lunch)due to its nicotine percentage. It burns very well in any kind of pipe. 2 stars.

3 stars upon trust of what the British version of this truly legendary flake used to be. Now it's made in Denmark and don't know how does it taste. It's plain, good virginias, with just a little flavour of dried fruits, nothing else. It packs well, smokes cool and dry if you leave it on the air for a while. Maybe a bit too "normal", but it's the standard against which you judge every Virginia flake. A Classic.

This is a nice medium level Virginia flake and is certainly much improved over its brother- Capstan Mild! This flake actually has some flavor and even a tiny bit of complexity. It's great in the morning with a good cup of English Breakfast tea. It doesn't bite and its aroma is a pleasure. This is what is so very wonderful about the diversity in pipe tobacco. A great tobacco for any situation! I had to order this from Synjeco in Switzerland, but sometimes it's worth the extra money to be a part of these sublimely perfect moments.