McClelland Captain Cool

This blend was very good and has a great "nose" when you open the can. I am not sure it could be described as Vanilla or Chocolate, more like a Speyside single malt in a sherry barrel. I love the aroma and and consistent burn But it does burn fast and should be kept slightly moist to slow down the pipe. I am in the process of mixing this blen with some other McCelland blends and have found it can be a readily mixed and yet remain a great smoke. Smoked in an Ashton pipe.

The burley is a little nutty. There's a touch of butter and honey from the lighter cavendish. The black cavendish offers some vanilla. The vanilla topping is mildly sweet. I also get a hint of caramel here and there. The mint is faint, though I did notice it more in the last third of the smoke. Has little nicotine. Burns cool as a reasonable pace with a fairly consistent flavor. Won't bite, and needs a few relights, but it's not goopy, though it'll leave just a little moisture in the bowl. A fairly pleasant all day smoke with a decent after taste, but it lacks the necessary flavor punch to elevate it beyond two and a half stars.

-JimInks

Its ok I guess. The only thing I could not detect was the mint that's supposed to be in there. Tastes alright but burns a little on the hot side. I find that this blend is best smoked in an old briar or the corn cob pipe.

Very nice mild aromatic. Would be the perfect smoke for a new pipe smoker. Hints of vanilla and mint were detectable throughout the smoke. Burns well when dried.

Caption Cool... The note on the tin says “a hint of vanilla and a touch of mint”. Neither was found in the tin aroma, which seemed more cherry like. After a 15 minute drying time under my desk lamp, it was now show time. Light up was easy, followed by clouds of mild aromatic smoke. The casting is very low keyed vanilla taste, with something else, maybe that touch of mint. The mint becomes a little more apparent as you smoke down the bowl, and especially, in the after smoke mouth fell. I found this baccy to be free of any bite or harshness, just lots of mild thick smoke. Overall a very pleasant and low keyed experience. Being somewhat of a novelty, with its hint of mint. Would I buy more? Sure, I can see myself enjoying a bowl or two of this stuff, every now and again. But for now, the tin I have will suffice. If this blend sounds worthwhile to you. You need not worry; McC did their part, very well indeed.

McClelland - Captain Cool.

Bear in mind that this tin has a few years age on it, that may have adjusted the flavour compared to a fresh tin. But, with this being discontinued, I'd wager most tins in circulation have some age on them!

The mixture appears to have an equal amount of each constituent. However, the black Cavendish has been cut coarser. The mint takes most of the unlit aroma up, so it smells fresh and lively. My moisture's faultless.

In the smoke the mint is quite strong. I find the mint is definitely running the show. The vanilla works as more of a support, offering a sweet, smoothing, quality, but it isn't 'sticky'. The tobaccos have even weight, it isn't awash with heavy black Cavendish. The burn from it's cool and steady, but although free from tongue bite the mint causes a sharp sensation to my palate which I don't care for.

Nicotine: mild. Room-note: not bad!

Captain Cool? Hmmm, I can see why some folks used to enjoy it, but it isn't one for me! Somewhat recommended:

Two stars.

I can't believe that I have failed to review Captain Cool as I've smoked it on many occasions. As some of you fellow reviews know, I love Vanilla Cavendish and this one is a tasty treat and really biteless. I mix mine with Five Brothers (a stout burley loaded with strength but offers little flavor of its own), and relax in Vanilla heaven. Lots of perfection here as McClellands can mist, soak and bathe leaf like no other.

No bite, but where is the taste? I found it flat, although I noted some improvement as the bowl progressed. The room note is pleasant - in the same vein as Captain Black White and Benjamin Hartwell Evening Stroll, but not as pronounced. I prefer White and Evening Stroll, as they offer a bit more flavour and a more satisfying smoke.

I agree with other reviewers that this blend may fit well with first time pipe smokers who are looking for a super-mild tobacco without bite.

The mint flavoring seems to be a complete mystery on this one. Some will tell you it's overpowering, some will tell you it's not there. Not sure if it's an issue with inconsistent packing or mouth chemistry....

I don't get any mint but the vanilla comes through very nicely. A nice body and smells great in the tin. As advertised, will not bite and quite cool smoking.

I wish I could get some mint flavours because otherwise it's fairly lacking in complexity. I get get the sweetness of Cavendish and vanilla flavours and that's about it.

A very flvourfull and tasty blend, I just wish It was a bit more complex and had more mint.