Mac Baren Capstan Original Navy Cut Ready Rubbed
(2.83)
Like the milder-bodied Capstan Yellow, Capstan Blue was originally created by W.D. & H.O. Wills of Bristol well over a century ago. It's remained a favorite to countless pipe smokers across generations (J.R.R. Tolkien having been on of its most noted aficionados), a testament to the quality of this fine Virgina flake, here offered in ready-rubbed form.
Details
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.83 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2014 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Very Mild | Tolerable |
When I smoked cigarettes, I found that almost every different brand was smokable and had different positive and negative qualities with the exception of Rothmans which I tried a few times back in the 90's and then gave up on the brand altogether - there must be something odd going on in my mouth because they used to sell enough of those cigarettes and nobody else I knew found them toxic and nasty. But I did.
Well same thing with this - I spent quite a while trying to like it and persevered to the end of tin, but in the end, it just turned out to be not for me. Hot, steamy flavorless tongue bite is all that comes to mind when recalling this tobacco. i also learnt on this tobacco that if the first bowl of a highly recommended tobacco is a complete personal disaster, ditch the rest of the pack quickly in the bin and move on rapidly to the next blend - eg just because you eat lots of brussel sprouts, doesn't mean you will ever like them. Life is too short. So I am swimming against the tide here, but thumbs down on this from me.
Well same thing with this - I spent quite a while trying to like it and persevered to the end of tin, but in the end, it just turned out to be not for me. Hot, steamy flavorless tongue bite is all that comes to mind when recalling this tobacco. i also learnt on this tobacco that if the first bowl of a highly recommended tobacco is a complete personal disaster, ditch the rest of the pack quickly in the bin and move on rapidly to the next blend - eg just because you eat lots of brussel sprouts, doesn't mean you will ever like them. Life is too short. So I am swimming against the tide here, but thumbs down on this from me.
Pipe Used:
Brigham Heritage 02
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
New to 3 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 01, 2016 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Unnoticeable |
The Blue Capstan has a long history behind its name. I have no idea what it used to be in the glory times of old but what I have here in my tin is a Bland Boring Bity Blend.
Well, it's not bad per se, it's quite a decent Virginia with some subtle notes of fig and citrus and it's got some nicotine in it which is good. But to my taste, any of the cheaper and less celebrated straight Virginias by Sam Gawith is far superior to Capstan.
Leaving one star I'm not saying it's bad, I just mean "I don't recommend to spend your money on this when there's a variety of better options". Some guys may love it but that's not my case.
Well, it's not bad per se, it's quite a decent Virginia with some subtle notes of fig and citrus and it's got some nicotine in it which is good. But to my taste, any of the cheaper and less celebrated straight Virginias by Sam Gawith is far superior to Capstan.
Leaving one star I'm not saying it's bad, I just mean "I don't recommend to spend your money on this when there's a variety of better options". Some guys may love it but that's not my case.
Pipe Used:
Peterson 80s Limerick
Age When Smoked:
1
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 23, 2023 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild | Unnoticeable |
This does not taste like pipe tobacco at all, but like cigarette-rolling tobacco (think Old Holborn or Golden Virginia). Very little to recommend it, and I've rarely seen a tobacco that reminds you of how much tax the UK government stick on top. Not recommended.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Dublin filter
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 14, 2019 | Mild | None Detected | Very Mild | Tolerable |
Sometimes I smoke a tobacco having read other reviews and I start to wonder how my opinion can be so different from everyone else’s. Thankfully there seems to be a polarised split in opinions on this one...
Firstly the cut. How this can be sold as ‘Ready Rubbed’ is beyond me as it has clearly not been rubbed from anything. It is more of a fine shag cut. Fine to the point that I expected it to burn hot even before it had seen a flame. Pouch note an inoffensive Virginia. Nothing to get excited about.
Sadly I didn’t get excited once I’d lit the bowl. Took a couple of char lights and despite giving it some drying time to get to a reasonable moisture (the tobacco in my pouch was almost Gawith-esque in its dampness) the number of delights required to get through the bowl almost led me to believe I’d forgotten how to smoke. Even two weeks later (still in the original pouch and therefore much drier) it is fussy and needs relighting a few times. Seriously I never smoked anything that just won’t stay lit like this.
All of this would be forgiven if it was a delicious unique smoke but sadly I just find it bland, characterless, almost flavourless... steamy, hot and boring. Despite having no flavour the room note is actually pretty strong and cigarette-like - not nice. I’ve given it a fair chance but I don’t think I can be bothered to finish the pouch. At least it only comes in 25g in the UK so I won’t be ditching too much!
Firstly the cut. How this can be sold as ‘Ready Rubbed’ is beyond me as it has clearly not been rubbed from anything. It is more of a fine shag cut. Fine to the point that I expected it to burn hot even before it had seen a flame. Pouch note an inoffensive Virginia. Nothing to get excited about.
Sadly I didn’t get excited once I’d lit the bowl. Took a couple of char lights and despite giving it some drying time to get to a reasonable moisture (the tobacco in my pouch was almost Gawith-esque in its dampness) the number of delights required to get through the bowl almost led me to believe I’d forgotten how to smoke. Even two weeks later (still in the original pouch and therefore much drier) it is fussy and needs relighting a few times. Seriously I never smoked anything that just won’t stay lit like this.
All of this would be forgiven if it was a delicious unique smoke but sadly I just find it bland, characterless, almost flavourless... steamy, hot and boring. Despite having no flavour the room note is actually pretty strong and cigarette-like - not nice. I’ve given it a fair chance but I don’t think I can be bothered to finish the pouch. At least it only comes in 25g in the UK so I won’t be ditching too much!
Pipe Used:
Peterson Straight System, Dunhill Billiard
PurchasedFrom:
Mysmokingshop
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 20, 2019 | Strong | None Detected | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Very Strong |
I've been meaning to try this for ages. After all I rate the flake version of this very highly indeed.
This one, though, lacks the pouch aroma of it's flake parent, although a pleasant enough fragrance comes off this one. I can only seem to get this in the UK in the 25g pouch, I've not seen it in a tin anywhere, so I decanted it immediately.
It's a bit of a bugger to light to be honest, and needs numerous relights even though it doesn't feel moist. A light loading doesn't seem to make much difference, either.
The smoke itself is nothing like the flake. It's harsher, stronger and far less mellow. I came very close to biting the old tongue at one stage. Strength does not necessarily mean taste of course and this doesn't really have much of that. Sure straight virginias don't taste of much, but this one is really flat.
The room ends up smelling like someone's been smoking cigarettes and I'm surprised I haven't had a reprimand from Mrs RW.
So, this was really disappointing. I thought it was going to be a convenient version of the flake, but it isn't. No, it's very different, but not like say, St Brunos flake and ready rubbed are different. With those they are at least cut from the same cloth ; but this seems to be like a badly rubbed out MacBarens Virginia flake.
It almost certainly has the capacity to bite ; again the flake did not. I suppose the moral of the tale here is don't assume a ready rubbed version of your flavourite flake is going to be the same. It isn't in this case.
It is possible I have been a bit harsh on this blend, and I am going to try it in a pipe with a bigger bowl, to see if that makes any difference, but I certainly wouldn't recommend this to new pipers and with a bite warning to those of more seasoned experience,
This one, though, lacks the pouch aroma of it's flake parent, although a pleasant enough fragrance comes off this one. I can only seem to get this in the UK in the 25g pouch, I've not seen it in a tin anywhere, so I decanted it immediately.
It's a bit of a bugger to light to be honest, and needs numerous relights even though it doesn't feel moist. A light loading doesn't seem to make much difference, either.
The smoke itself is nothing like the flake. It's harsher, stronger and far less mellow. I came very close to biting the old tongue at one stage. Strength does not necessarily mean taste of course and this doesn't really have much of that. Sure straight virginias don't taste of much, but this one is really flat.
The room ends up smelling like someone's been smoking cigarettes and I'm surprised I haven't had a reprimand from Mrs RW.
So, this was really disappointing. I thought it was going to be a convenient version of the flake, but it isn't. No, it's very different, but not like say, St Brunos flake and ready rubbed are different. With those they are at least cut from the same cloth ; but this seems to be like a badly rubbed out MacBarens Virginia flake.
It almost certainly has the capacity to bite ; again the flake did not. I suppose the moral of the tale here is don't assume a ready rubbed version of your flavourite flake is going to be the same. It isn't in this case.
It is possible I have been a bit harsh on this blend, and I am going to try it in a pipe with a bigger bowl, to see if that makes any difference, but I certainly wouldn't recommend this to new pipers and with a bite warning to those of more seasoned experience,
Pipe Used:
Peterson 9mm briar
PurchasedFrom:
SK
Age When Smoked:
New
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