W.D. & H.O. Wills Capstan Mild Navy Cut

A good blend, but not overwhelming. I tried it in the hope to replace the hard to find in my town Peterson´s University Flake but unfortunately it plays in a different leage. It seems quite flat in taste comparsion, not so rich in subtle aromas. The tin I got needed a lot of relights to end the bowls and burned too hot. Not bad, but I'll keep with University Flake as I can get some tins.

Capstan Mild is an exceedingly well-behaved flake, submitting to rubbing out fully or partially or to being folded and stuffed with equal grace, and without bite. It burns cool and leaves a dark granular ash.

It is a little `brighter` in taste than the Capstan Medium, but with lesser depth. I rather enjoy it as the first smoke of the day, and also mid-morning, but by the afternoon the tastebuds need something fuller. The taste and room note are comparable to those of Luxury Navy Flake.

The lettering on my tin is vertical rather than horizontal - I suspect to make room for the fatal warning.

Original 6/6/2008

Finally managed to get hold of a couple of tins of this, I have'nt had it for years, and I didn't like it then, so I thought I'd give it another try.

A very good quality tobacco, perfect moisture content, rubs out well without turning to sawdust, packs easy and burns down to a fine grey ash with just one match, no tongue bite.

A smooth cool smoke, slight hint of lemon in flavour, much better than Orlik's Golden Slce, but not much else, just a good honest tobacco, not pretentious in any way, wife did not appreciate the room note, I didn't notice it, thus "pleasant (for me) to tolerable" (for her). Sad rearly, I keep expecting more flavour from this tobacco, and it just isn't there, so I have to keep reminding myself, "If you want more flavour YOU SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE MEDIUM and not the MILD"

As I can only get this from Germany, when someone goes, will I ask them to get me some more ? most certainly yes. Will I miss this if I run out ? YES I think I will.

update 21/1/2010

Well I did buy more because I knew I would miss it before I ran out. I tend now to let it dry out on a sheet of newspaper for about 24 hours. It now makes an excellent "First thing in the morning smoke" for me, along with a large mug of industrial strength tea.

Well worth 4 stars.

This is a high quality Virginia way too mild for my palate. It varies from a sweet and grassy mild Virginia taste which reminds me of Mac Baren Virginia No. 1 (minus the tongue bite), to an almost flat smoke.

Airing out before smoking improves the taste a lot, as it does DGT. In fact, I only smoke this tobacco after DGT'ing, which kicks the taste and improves its strength significantly.

I haven't tried it yet, but if Capstan Medium Navy Cut is similar at an extra strength, I'm gonna love it.

Just started with this one, I am switching more to flakes these days having tried and liked, McBars Navy Flake. This is a really great mild smoke. I find it fruity and citrus. My first bowl was a bit of a disappointment. But there after it just gets better and better. Its amazing how a 'MILD' tobacco can have so many hidden surprises in there. It was tobacco of the month in Amsterdam's most famous shop here - www.hajenius.com. And, rightly so. I picked-up the Blue tin (Medium) liking it so much, but that felt a little like a Navy Flake with too little flavour for me, I am sure that will change as I smoke it though.

But right now the mild is great. It feels like a good french white table wine, that you just keep going back to (in your superior cellar) because it is so honest and modest. That said the price is a little high. Along with Sherlock Holmes from Peterson, this will be my all day mild and sweet smoke...and I know that for sure 100% only after about 5-6 bowls. Now how many tobaccos can you say that about?

This is a very mild and smooth smoke. But it is not rich. Rather it is refreshing. There is no 'get in the way' flavoring. Best for folks who wants to try out pipe smoking. Or good for short smoke breaks cause I find this stuff burns pretty fast and also vey hard to make this thing bite. Too bad I can't get it over here in HK. If it is then this is my everyday smoke for work and play. But this would not be the end of the day bliss, not enough flavor for that type of use.

Contrary to what one might think when they hear the word 'mild', there is significant taste present in this blend. I let a veteran piper try some and he thought it was more like a medium. The tin I picked up had at least 3 years of aging. The tin aroma is inviting, but the flavor I found to have too much of a cigarette quality however that might be because it does not age well. Good tobacco in a pinch, but I have two more tins of this around and they will probably be given away.

I was smoking this for a number of years on and off. One day I found a tin that was forgotten in a drawer for some years. Now, that tasted better! I started to age tins of Capstan Yellow and I have to say that this has upgraded my perception of the blend greatly. A very nice virginia flake with a subtle orange topping, that builds some strength towards the end. Can be very pleasing, provided the tins are aged IMO

There exists a rubbed out version of this also, which I have tried, but for some reason find it inferior

There just isn't a whole lot to work with here. I bought a number of tins that have been aged 5 years. This aging has apparently worn away whatever character that may actually have existed. Capstan Mild smells good, albeit lightly, in the tin. The flakes rub out very easily and the blend puts up minimal resistance to the match. Room note is almost non-existent, even as reported by non-smokers. After half a tin, I finally decided, "What's the point?" The rest of mine will go up for sale. Capstan Mild isn't bad in any way so I can't give it a single star in good conscience; two stars it is.