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 - 9 of 9 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 07, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Strong |
Capstan - Ready Rubbed.
Starting with the unlit blend prior to smoking: the smell coming from mine is a fairly basic Virginia one, there is only a delicate citrus note if you deliberately search for it. The build of the mixture appears to be quite dainty, one or two longer/thicker pieces but mostly it consists of shorter/slim pieces. It's easy to see that it is 100% Virginia, it's all a medium brown in colour and the quantity of water is spot on, it's ready to smoke immediately.
It's relatively simple to get lit but the moment it is burning it accentuates the first issue, the temperature of the smoke is too much. Sadly for Capstan this isn't the only low point (for me), this one is a real biter, whether sipped slowly or sucked with aggression it has as much bite as a Great White Shark! On to some positives now, firstly flavour. Throughout it has a really pure/full Virginia taste, I note that others notice a few additions in there but for me it is a truly "straight forward" Virginia taste, even when retro-haled it still bestows a pure V' taste. On to Nicotine now, this is the perfect amount of Lady N for me: it's very satisfying, quells the lust without being too much and is a doddle to inhale. Sadly I must point out an additional negative, the room-note: yes it is a straight up Virginia one but it is (like the temp') just too much! When smoking Capstan it is necessitated that you have some windows opened! A final good point to end on is that the flavour stays nicely even throughout, there is no fluctuation with taste, only a steady Virginia one.
I score this 2 stars and not more for a few reasons, the bite is at the top of my list of impairments!
Starting with the unlit blend prior to smoking: the smell coming from mine is a fairly basic Virginia one, there is only a delicate citrus note if you deliberately search for it. The build of the mixture appears to be quite dainty, one or two longer/thicker pieces but mostly it consists of shorter/slim pieces. It's easy to see that it is 100% Virginia, it's all a medium brown in colour and the quantity of water is spot on, it's ready to smoke immediately.
It's relatively simple to get lit but the moment it is burning it accentuates the first issue, the temperature of the smoke is too much. Sadly for Capstan this isn't the only low point (for me), this one is a real biter, whether sipped slowly or sucked with aggression it has as much bite as a Great White Shark! On to some positives now, firstly flavour. Throughout it has a really pure/full Virginia taste, I note that others notice a few additions in there but for me it is a truly "straight forward" Virginia taste, even when retro-haled it still bestows a pure V' taste. On to Nicotine now, this is the perfect amount of Lady N for me: it's very satisfying, quells the lust without being too much and is a doddle to inhale. Sadly I must point out an additional negative, the room-note: yes it is a straight up Virginia one but it is (like the temp') just too much! When smoking Capstan it is necessitated that you have some windows opened! A final good point to end on is that the flavour stays nicely even throughout, there is no fluctuation with taste, only a steady Virginia one.
I score this 2 stars and not more for a few reasons, the bite is at the top of my list of impairments!
Pipe Used:
Peterson Sandblast Sherlock Homes Baskerville
PurchasedFrom:
G.Q Tobaccos
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 2014 | Medium | Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Typical Virginia tin note of molasses, honey, dried figs. Typical honey-molasses based casing. Reminds me of other Mac Baren blends: that Mac Baren tongue bite is there, but not so strong... This is not bad, but not great either.
Pipe Used:
Half-bent Billiard, straight Billiard
PurchasedFrom:
Thepipeguys.com
Age When Smoked:
12 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 24, 2020 | Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Mac Baren- Capstan Navy Cut RR
Tin dated Jul2018, upon opening I was met with a strong household cleaner citrus smell almost like a urinal puck that was quite unpleasant, the tobacco was packed hard as a puck and still had a good seal upon opening.
Pulled enough to get a full bowl and let it dry for 15 minutes as I refilled my late evening coffee.
First light was slightly harsh, noticing quite early the almost citrus topping, the Virginia’s are bright, fresh hay and grass on the retrohale. I get a nice slight sweetness on my tongue throughout the bowl.
This will need more drying time, and a few re-lights to get started, I have not tried the flake counterpart but the consensus is that it’s the superior version, so down the road I may give it a shot.
Straight Virginia that delivers some citrusy hay flavor, but overall seems very one dimensional, I think others in the same category do it better, I wonder how this differs from the original smoked by countless before.
I will revisit this tin and thus far while not impressive it’s an average smoke. I will give this a flat 2 rating may change as I smoke this more down the road.
Tin dated Jul2018, upon opening I was met with a strong household cleaner citrus smell almost like a urinal puck that was quite unpleasant, the tobacco was packed hard as a puck and still had a good seal upon opening.
Pulled enough to get a full bowl and let it dry for 15 minutes as I refilled my late evening coffee.
First light was slightly harsh, noticing quite early the almost citrus topping, the Virginia’s are bright, fresh hay and grass on the retrohale. I get a nice slight sweetness on my tongue throughout the bowl.
This will need more drying time, and a few re-lights to get started, I have not tried the flake counterpart but the consensus is that it’s the superior version, so down the road I may give it a shot.
Straight Virginia that delivers some citrusy hay flavor, but overall seems very one dimensional, I think others in the same category do it better, I wonder how this differs from the original smoked by countless before.
I will revisit this tin and thus far while not impressive it’s an average smoke. I will give this a flat 2 rating may change as I smoke this more down the road.
Pipe Used:
Rossi 320
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
22 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 30, 2017 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Tolerable |
I've never been sure why this is called "ready rubbed". Ready rubbed generally implies a pressed tobacco that's been rubbed out some before packaging, e.g. like St Bruno ready rubbed. Capstan however is a shag(ish) cut that's clearly never been pressed into anything.
I remember the flake as being a good quality "everyday" tobacco, but unfortunately the flake hasn't been available in the UK for many years, instead we just get the "ready rubbed".
The tin note is of a rather aromatic tea, and on smoking there's a tea or tannin quality present, albeit tea that's a bit "stewed". Not much flavour though, and for me at least a really bad case of tongue-bite to go with it. Capstan ready-rubbed is an old blend though, and one of the old English "standard tobaccos found everywhere", along with similar offerings in the form of Gold Block and Clan.
Personally I find it a bit too mild in all departments, and the tongue-bite bad enough that for me it's a no-go zone. Worth trying though if you like milder Va based easy smoking blends or are going through the ritual of trying as many of the old tobaccos once found in every newsagent's or corner shop.
Just wish the flake was available in the UK. It was up there with Player's Navy Cut as the best two common "OTC" medium flakes. Though Players quietly shuffled off this mortal coil in 2015, another good blend gone.
I remember the flake as being a good quality "everyday" tobacco, but unfortunately the flake hasn't been available in the UK for many years, instead we just get the "ready rubbed".
The tin note is of a rather aromatic tea, and on smoking there's a tea or tannin quality present, albeit tea that's a bit "stewed". Not much flavour though, and for me at least a really bad case of tongue-bite to go with it. Capstan ready-rubbed is an old blend though, and one of the old English "standard tobaccos found everywhere", along with similar offerings in the form of Gold Block and Clan.
Personally I find it a bit too mild in all departments, and the tongue-bite bad enough that for me it's a no-go zone. Worth trying though if you like milder Va based easy smoking blends or are going through the ritual of trying as many of the old tobaccos once found in every newsagent's or corner shop.
Just wish the flake was available in the UK. It was up there with Player's Navy Cut as the best two common "OTC" medium flakes. Though Players quietly shuffled off this mortal coil in 2015, another good blend gone.
Pipe Used:
Various, all briars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2014 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Tolerable |
This was a good navy blend, but just not strong enough for me. And it needs perique. I will try the flake next time. But not bad.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 03, 2023 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
We all know why you bought this. You heard that it was J.R.R. Tolkien's favorite pipeweed.
Let me put it to you this way: the tobacco we have now has gotta be way better than the tobacco they had back then (exceptions given for stuff like Syrian Latakia and some of the brands that have gone away in more recent times).
It's a little citrusy. Nothing to write home about. The ready rubbed flake packs and burns well.
Overall the taste is reminiscent of a mellow Virginia with an overtone of cigarettes. Not going to go out of my way to smoke more, but we'll see how well it ages.
Let me put it to you this way: the tobacco we have now has gotta be way better than the tobacco they had back then (exceptions given for stuff like Syrian Latakia and some of the brands that have gone away in more recent times).
It's a little citrusy. Nothing to write home about. The ready rubbed flake packs and burns well.
Overall the taste is reminiscent of a mellow Virginia with an overtone of cigarettes. Not going to go out of my way to smoke more, but we'll see how well it ages.
Pipe Used:
Missouri Meerschaum Charles Town Cobbler
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
4 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 21, 2021 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Oh well, you can't go back again.... As a devoted fan of the British iteration of Capstan Medium (blue), I had some hope when I was recently gifted an 8 year old tin of Mac Baren's version.
Frankly, it was unrecognizable to me. An uninspired blend of mediocre Virginias, devoid of sweetness, and a generally an unpleasant grassy taste. I have smoked a half dozen bowls, each time hoping that a different pipe would yield a more pleasant experience. No dice. I've never really cared for Mac Baren's offerings, and that's not changing with this blend.
Frankly, it was unrecognizable to me. An uninspired blend of mediocre Virginias, devoid of sweetness, and a generally an unpleasant grassy taste. I have smoked a half dozen bowls, each time hoping that a different pipe would yield a more pleasant experience. No dice. I've never really cared for Mac Baren's offerings, and that's not changing with this blend.
Age When Smoked:
8 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 09, 2020 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Well, this is good, pure 100% Virginia - take it or leave it. As a matter of fact I think this is the first pure Virginia blend that I have tasted, all others being mixed with at least a little bit of other varieties (even if light) or aromatized to some degree. The dried-haystack-in-the-summer flavour is wonderfully present throughout, from tin note to smoking to room note, the taste is just slightly sweet, and the largish, long, ready rubbed strands are a delight to pack a pipe with after just a little bit of drying, and then burn easily and consistently.
The problem for me is that pure Virginia just doesn't seem to do the trick for me. It's enjoyable, but a bit bland and boring. Therefore, a firm two stars but personally not likely to buy again - though Virginia lovers may just as well read this review as a reverse recommendation!
The problem for me is that pure Virginia just doesn't seem to do the trick for me. It's enjoyable, but a bit bland and boring. Therefore, a firm two stars but personally not likely to buy again - though Virginia lovers may just as well read this review as a reverse recommendation!
Pipe Used:
Gasparini, Chacom, corn cob
PurchasedFrom:
The Danish Pipe Shop
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 02, 2016 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
A bit of a let down from its Gold sibling. This tasted darker and less sweet than Capstan Gold, I know that was the point, but I just didn't care for it. Capstan Blue was rather boring and well....just so so. I liken this to a tobacco like Carter Hall, not in the composition as one is a Va. and the other a Burley, but in the heft and flavor interest, they will both get the job done, but with tobacco as expensive as it is, why settle for just OK. I suppose this might be a good Va. to use as a blending base for some more spicy tobaccos, as this would certainly not compete with them, but this was just too bland to warrant another tin purchase from me.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Local B&M
Age When Smoked:
New
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