Mac Baren Capstan Original Navy Cut

I found this one very boring compared to capstan gold, smell from tin is good. The taste and smell when smoking is however more towards the cigarette departement, room note is no good, non smokers think it does smell like cigarettes. I get a kind of bitter, acrid sensation in the bowl, escpecially towards the end, what should be nice flavourful virginias is unfortunatly drowned by this bitterness.

Would not say its terrible, its just not any good for me.

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!

My favorite straight Virgina. Love the darker virgina leaf. High quality stuff. Burns cool and slow. More on the bread/sweet side, but there are no detectable toppings... just great Virginia flavor. I prefer this to other straight virginia flakes like Dunhill flake (more of a citrus flavor in that one which I don't love). Nic hit is mild. An all day 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.

Summary: a blend of light Virginias that provides a sweet, non-complex smoking flavor and mild nicotine.

This simple blend gets the pipe smoker as close as possible to the cigarette experience. It is near-monochromatic in flavor, having bonded bright and darker Virginias into a chord, with a sweet taste reminiscent of grain or hay with an earthy lower boundary from the darker Virginias. It lights easily and stays lit well and, like a really good cigarette, delivers a consistent flavor that is both non-distracting and pleasurable. If you like light Virginia flakes, this is a good one to keep around.