Tinder Box Captain Spice

I originally posted this review under the Captain Spice entry that is listed under Lane Ltd as it was not listed under the Tinderbox database.

I first started pipe smoking in 1976 with London Dock, then discovered CB Perkins Mutiny On The Bounty, and after a Tinder Box opened locally, I discovered Captain Spice. This was my number one blend for many years. I distinctly remember the written description on the jar and in the catalogs (which I still have several years worth) as stating, "Exclusively our own. Made especially for us in Denmark." I haven't smoked it for well over 15 years now as the local Tinderbox closed. What I remember most was an appealing black cavendish tobacco, not too sticky or goopy, little to no chemical taste, and a pleasant Vanilla room note. It was a favorite of non-smokers in the room as well. It had a modicum of tobacco taste and I recall that fact since other aromatics I tried during my early pipe smoking years were more like smoking hot air. Captain Spice was a blend a beginner could cut their teeth on without incident.

Today's version may not be the same as some reviewers have already stated. Other vanilla-based black cavendish blends I have smoked were usually too goopy and had a terrible chemical taste to them. Even though I now favor tobaccos with more tobacco flavor, if I could find the original again, I would be happy to smoke it. A solid 3 stars for Captain Spice original!

It has a very earthy, woodsy, almost pet shop or fertilizer smell, which I really like. Dark and creamy vanilla notes. Slightly fruity. One of the best aromatics I've ever tried, although if I smoke too much black cavendish I break out into hives at night, so I rarely smoke it. If you like aromatics, I would definitely recommend this one.

This came in a boxed set with 3 other Tinderbox aromatics I bought in 2004. While I'm not a big fan of aromatics, I still enjoy this one once in awhile. A nice vanilla, a little sweet and very forgiving to wild puffing, though I too have noticed a bite if it gets too hot. I still have 1/4 of that 2oz pouch I got back in 04, sitting in a plastic tub on my cellar shelf and while it still hasn't dried out, it is a bit less sticky than when new but it still tastes the same. It's a fun, pleasureable smoke and I get good reviews on the room note when I smoke it around the wife and daughter.

There is a tinderbox right down the street from my house. It is actually my primary tobacco and pipe store. I received two ounces of captain spice with a purchase of a pipe. This tobacco dominated the smell of every other aromatic that I had in the bag. It smells very sweet, mostly a strong vanilla smell. It was a very smooth smoke and did tend to get a little hot at times. It nipped at my tongue a bit. Due to this I rate this tobacco three stars instead of four. The taste is very nice. Smooth vanilla and it fills up the room.

When I first started smoking a pipe I started by buying a sample of every bulk tobacco they had. After smoking my way through a number of them I found myself coming back to Captain Spice. it had enough tobacco taste with just a touch of vanilla. It packed, lit, and maintained well with my noobish skill. It was what I smoked while all the other samples sat in the drawer.

I have moved on a bit now. I prefer full english blends and non-aro's for the most part. I still keep a few onces of this just because it is such an easy smoke. I do have to say now that my tastes have changed the vanilla taste is more pronounced but I am not complaining. All I can say I enjoy this stuff. If you are looking to try an aro or are looking to break ground into less flavored tobacco give this one a try. For the price it is worth taking the chance.

Enjoy!