Mac Baren Capstan Original Navy Cut

I have never had the pleasure of sampling previous incarnations of Capstan Original Navy Cut, but the current Mac Baren version is an outstanding example of a pure Virginia Flake.

The presentation in the tin is spot on. Nobody produces more perfectly cut flakes than Mac Baren. Two neatly stacked, identical rows. While the rustic presentation of Samuel Gawith does have its rough-hewn charms, there's something admirable about symmetry and consistency (especially in our often slovenly and topsy-turvy world). The color ranges from medium to darker browns (an intensification of color and maturation of the leaf that is the result of the pressing process), with scattered streaks of lighter leaf intermingled.

The Virginias have a touch of brown sugar sweetness and a dark caramel edge, along with an underlying citrus sharpness and tang. I don't get any grass and hay, which is ok by me since I'm not really into graminoids or animal fodder. I've smoked it rubbed out and used the fold-and-stuff method (or rather a crumple-and-stuff method, interspersed with firm tamps to compress the air pockets), and I've found that the flavors are deeper when it's left un-rubbed.

There's no danger of tongue bite, even if vigorously puffed, nor does a hasty cadence blur or diminish the flavors. A rare straight Virginia flake that is very forgiving of technique, a quality which would make Capstan Original a suitable starting place for those considering a foray into VA Flakes.

I have smoked this and the Capstan Gold Navy Cut. Presentation in the tin is similar. Moisture level is great and I did not dry. I smoked mine rubbed out - mostly in wider bowls.

This is a very high quality Virginia Flake. Strength and flavor are slightly higher than Gold Navy Cut. I claim this has no topping. There is a full and slightly sweet Virginia flavor with grassy and earthy notes. It was easy to keep lit, and it smoked cool for me.

As a value, this is very expensive per ounce, but it is in stock and easy to find. I would consider it very close to Full Virginia Flake at a similar price. FVF might have a slightly fuller taste. As a smoke for me to have in inventory, this is a 3. I like it more than Gold Navy Flake, but this still does not rise to a 4. It is almost there.

A really nice find. Beautiful tin/ artwork-lovin' the blue label. Smooth and silky. Slightly tangy in the right places and at the right times with a delicate spicy undertone. Well pressed sheets of brown and yellow flake. I wish it were offered in a larger tin, but a little goes a long way. Just when I think I've hit the bottom of the bowl, there's more to be smoked. Got a good 25-30 minute smoke out of a full bowl. I found no bite with this blend. Just a tamper or two to keep things in check. A must try and must have in your rotation. Four stars for this one.

I waited awhile to review this fine flake, smoking it in various pipes and with various prep methods. And I'm still struggling to articulate the flavor profile of this outstanding blend. While some have described this as a sweet Virginia, I must agree with several previous reviewers that there is a spiciness to this blend. Not peppery but rather salty. There is, however, the most delightful, subtle, natural Virginia sweetness that asserts shortly after the charring light and remains present throughout the bowl. It's enveloped by a more classically robust Virginia flavor that frames the sweeter notes. Then there's that saltiness- could there be some high quality burley in this blend? Regardless, the sweetness and the saltiness intermingle in an almost magical way.

I enjoy a number of Virginia flakes and ribbons and can honestly say this one stands out as unique in the field. An outstanding blend. All of the classic VA flake presentation, visually and in tin note. Benefits from some drying time (I like 45 min to an hour, but I'm in a damp climate). But otherwise takes a match well and requires little prep or maintanance (unlike another popular VA flake). That mellow spiciness might just make this the VaPer lovers favorite straight VA flake.

This one has world class aging potential written all over it from the first puff.

I've been smoking the new Mac Baren incarnation of this classic; the flake in the blue tin is what I'm speaking of. Upon opening the tin you are greeted with a predominantly darker brown flake with some speckles of lighter leaf present. The tin aroma is one of prunes and figs with a moderately sweet note. Loading with the fold and stuff method and lighting were a breeze. The taste is very raisiny with little if any Virginia hay/grass present. There is a spice to this one especially when allowing the smoke to enter the back of the throat and come up the nasal passages - not over the top, but present. The smoking experience reminded me of a milder, but slightly fuller in body, Dunhill Flake (one of my favorites). No matter what my smoking cadence, I could not get this to smoke hot nor bite. This was certainly one fulfilling Virginia smoke and I can see why many have raved about it. I have yet to try the yellow-tinned flake yet, but will do so after I smoke more of the blue.

I've tried many Virginias over the years and my biggest complaints were that they were either too grassy/hay-like in taste or they had very little taste and body. The blue Capstan Flake seems to me the near perfect - if not the perfect - Virginia flake. For those who like Virginias, this will not disappoint. All the trouble spent with Sam Gawith's offerings were truly a waste of my time when compared to Capstan Original Navy Cut Flake! As a predominantly Burley smoker, I can smoke this every day and be happy. Truly a 5 star, and stellar, smoke that rates a highly recommended from me.

This has very quickly become one of my all time favorite blends.

I have a real attraction and fascination with old time traditional blends. I would be willing to bet that the vast majority of those who enjoy a pipe have a fascination with things of yore and days gone bye. The provenance of this blend is unmistakable, and the varitable hall of fame of past famous pipers who have enjoyed this particular blend just adds to its lore.

The presentation is beautiful. A square tin with a humble yet regal label. Inside, a beautiful gold presentation of nicely done flake. The tin note is magical, raison, fig, and various dried fruit...apricot maybe? That said, it all comes off as very pure tobacco. I am sure there is some form of casing here, but it is almost not noticeable at all.

The flakes came a little moist, I prefer my tobacco to be rather dry anyway. The flakes smoke rather well both moist and dry, but a much easier time to keep lit and less pipe cleaners required after some air time. I smoked this blend both rubbed out and folded and stuffed, and I much prefer the later. The fold and stuff method also produces a very slow and long smoke for me, which is perfect, because every time I load a bowl of this tobacco I do not want it to end.

Some have mentioned this as a "middle" english, and I would agree. It is not as bright as OGS but is not anywhere near as dark as my beloved Wessex brigade dark flake. It is anything but boring, great flavors off this tobacco. It behaves well, and although it is considered a "pure" Virginia, it has many different flashes of different flavors throughout the bowl, which keeps it very engaging. At times, when it hits just right, there is an almost incense like flash, that is so fleeting, and I find myself looking for it.

I cannot say enough good things about this tobacco. I wish it were a tad bit cheaper, but will gladly pay to stock up and cellar (which I think it will do beautifully). Quality and enjoyment is always worth a little extra.

The legendary blend, a former favorite of Professor Tolkien, which jumped through several masters before falling into the clinging hands of the Danish manufacturer, has been changed the varietal composition a bit, but is still a pure blend of Virginia tobaccos - simple and without frills.

The open tin smells like bread and floral hay. A little bit of citrus flavor is felt. The slicing is quite thin and very neat, no brambles or sticks that can be found in mixes from Gawith. The color of the cut is light wood.

It lights up and burns medium-hot, doesn't overheat the pipe. I've tried Capstan in large and small pipes of various shapes - the result is always the same.

The flavor is bready and barely sweet, reminiscent of the sweetness of a dried apple - but very close to neutral. It doesn't bite, doesn't have any harsh undertones. The strength of the tobacco is just below average.

The tobacco doesn't distract you at all from what you're doing - it just burns slowly and evenly in the pipe, giving a moderate light smoke, the smell of which - all the same floral hay, bread - immediately dissolves in the air. The blend is very simple in taste and odor, probably will not irritate those around you. There is practically no aftertaste.

This is a amazing and rare True Neutral in the world of tobacco blends these days. I will definitely keep a jar or two in my collection.

I have already tried the Ready Rubbed version of the blend and if you are interested to hear my thoughts I do have a review of that one as well. When I first bought this I had a strong idea what I was getting into, having smoked through a whole tin of the Ready Rubbed.

All this aside, when you first open your tin you are greeted with those perfect MacBaren flakes golden brown in color, and the tin note smells of hay, grass, sweetness and spice. I did find that my flakes were very wet compared to the dryness of the ready rubbed version, so much so that they left residue on the paper in the tin itself. So, what I ended up doing is leaving the tin open for a few weeks and then I rubbed it out into a jar. Room note is very subjective and I'm loathe to say anything either good or bad, but in my mind this has a very pleasant sweet Virginia smell. Lighting is relatively easy and it requires the average amount of relights. It burns a bit slow, but that's exactly what I want.

The taste is sweet, hay-like, grassy, woody, almost honeyish. There is a spice to this, vaguely cinnamony. Its a well rounded taste and I don't find it changing much throughout the bowl. The slower you smoke the more you will get out of this one. Capstan is really my first foray into straight Virginia's, I normally smoke VaPers but this is so good I've now ordered tins of HH Pure Virginia, and John Cottons Double Pressed Virginia to see if I can expand my palette.

Very smokeable, easily repeatable, and could be an all day smoke.

A mediocre tobacco based on a widespread British blend of yore. Acidic, acrid and a wee bit green. Apart from the attraction of the long-established and historic name, I cannot think why this has been hyped up to the heavens. There are far too many straight Vas out there of greater superiority to be wasting your time on this pocket full of nostalgia.