Mac Baren Capstan Original Navy Cut

This is a review of the Mac Baren-produced Capstan.

The flakes are uniform, thin, and even, as expected, being produced by Mac Baren.

The taste starts off grassy, sweet, maybe a hint of honey. Overall there is a natural tobacco taste, and it is very pleasant. There are notes of honey, cereals, oats, cinnamon, brown sugar, citrus tang, almost molasses, a clove-like taste that develops as well. There is also some spice that I initially perceived as mouth irritation, but I think it's just spice.

My only problem with this blend is the price. It is, however, a great straight Virginia flake that's quite full, that covers the entire spectrum of Virginia tastes, in my opinion. It is delicate and full and rich, all in one flake.

Nicotine level is mild, strength is mild to medium, but I never smoke on an empty stomach.

If you like Virginias, especially straight Virginias, I recommend this one. If you like sweet blends, in general, I recommend this blend as well.

Recently got to try a tin packaged in the 80s and I'm ruined. It was a beautiful thing! Citrus and dark fruit were very complex. Zero bite and a fine mellow smoke!

This is my first time trying out Navy cut tobacco. The flavour is very Nice my favorite tobacco to date. Very Nice and sweet natural flavour, worth every penny spent on it. I really enjoyed the texture, very smooth. The tobacco burns slowly sp it is easy to savour.

The mrs is not to Keen on the scent from this blend. Not enough to complain, just enough to mention it on one ocation.

Grassy, sweet and notes of dried fruit from both the tin note and the taste. Smokes well being folded or rubbed out, though I do prefer rubbed out. Never smoked the original but this Mac concoction is top drawer. Consistent in burn and flavor throughout the bowl. Medium nic hit with no harsh notes or bite. 4 stars without hesitation.

if it is possible this blend deserves five stars. no harsh no gurgling, absolutely no bite. very smooth and delightful smoke.

It turns me from English to Virginia

A very nice straight Virginia flake, although whether it is a true navy flake is debatable as I detect no rum. Like all Mac Baren products there is a real air of quality and an impeccable presentation. The classic light blue of the 20th century blend remains and the namesake capstan with several turns of line is illustrated on the lid. Printed paper with a repeating geometric image cradles these beautiful flakes. Deep straw like odor in the tin, and when fresh has some slightly dried fruit scents, especially raisin. Light brown flakes, slightly moist, with some bright leaf and birds-eye like flecks.

The flavor is deep and grassy, yet soft. It burns quite nicely. Some light molasses or honey is evident at the light, what I've found to be relatively characteristic of Mac Baren blends, but it's possible this could just be the natural sugars. A subtle sweetness that develops throughout the bowl, with some herbal components and fleeting butter. It has a very clean finish, but can be slightly acrid at times with the faintest citrus. Very light toasty note and some white chocolate. A little woolier when moister with some different fruit flavors.

A well behaved, good burning, light to medium Virginia. I have been pondering the rating on this for months and ultimately it earns 4 stars; that is, I highly recommend it. The quality is undeniable, it's slightly stronger than expected (a good thing), and it's very nice in a middle of the road way. That is what gave me pause because it's not a must-try, however there are simply no faults to it and that is worthy of a full rating. To me superior in all respects to FVF, but it certainly carries a premium price.

I love this flake! Capstan Original Navy Cut was my first VA flake and it didn't disappoint me. The flakes come in a very nice presentation and regular sizes, of bright colours and fresh grassy aroma. Easy to fold and stuff. I smoked couple of bowls using the rubbing out method, but I got less flavor using this method. It can smoke a bit hot if you, like myself, like to puff like a train, but otherwise is a cool smoke for a VA. I got my tin from Danish Pipe shop and I went through it very quickly. I know there are plenty of other VA flakes out there, but Capstan is quality stuff.

Edit 15/08/2015 It ages very well and turns even better and sweeter with time.

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.

The tin note, as you open it, does not hit you as something out of the ordinary. It just smells like plain virginia tobacco (there is nothing special about it). The flakes are well presented and they're all pretty much the same length and width. As they contain a fair amount of Virginia gold leaf, they look rather light (brown) with visible gold spots. Virginia tobacco will in most cases burn hot in your bowl, but I haven't experienced any issues with this respect. In the nicotine department it seems to be rather mild and I haven't detected any flavouring at all (not that it is not in there somehow). As you light up your pipe, the taste is rather mild, but it seems to evolve quite nicely as you progress more and more with your smoke. I find this tobacco quite pleasing on the tongue and really satisfying as you pass it through your nose. As you enter your the 3/4 of your bowl, its virginia characteristics will start to show off. Despite its apparent sweetness and sugar content, I find this tobacco to be a slow burner. This is a virginia tobacco that will display all of its glory and splendour if you know how to approach it. That is to say this it is not recommended for newbies, virginia hatters or hard puffers.

Edit1: This is probably one of the best full virginia tobaccos I have ever tried so far. In terms of value for money, I believe this is one of the best options there is out there in the market. Pity they don't sell it in bulk.