Anyone Like Captain Black

[bigvan]

Quick clarification: My comments about Captain Black SMOKERS were totally in jest.
But I stand by my assessment of the blend.

 

[ghost]

Well, I like it. With all this talk about it, I'm having some right now. (Cue the Billy Martin commercial...)

 

[captainprophesy]

Ive never tried it... not a fan of aromatics at all and from what ive seen those "drugstore" brands tend to be VERY gooey too.

But hey... to each his own... I say try it at least once.

 

[sparroa]

Captain Black White was the first thing I ever smoked.
I liked the aroma but it needs WEEKS or MONTHS of drying time to be somewhat smokeable...
I used to open the pouch and leave it sitting for a long while before I'd even go back to it.
Maybe if you dry each pipeful for hours and hours in advance you might be able to enjoyably smoke a fresh pouch.
I've got bigger hopes for RLP-6; hopefully that will eliminate the need for the drying process.

 

[clyde]

It's all a subjective question of taste. Must by doing something right as it's been around for years and is a popular brand. Just not on my list of favorites.

 

[revs]

I had a pouch I mixed with some PA and SWR then added a little latakia to. I went looking for a pouch again here in Utah and the first and only one I have found so far was $11! So, I passed on it for now. But the Middleton's Cherry Blend next to it was only $6.

 

[winton]

I have a pouch from the pipe show. I have not opened it yet. I view this blend like the coffee in a waiting room. You prefer Starbucks, but this is available for free. If it meets the need, then great. Give an honest answer to a request for evaluation. But don't knock those who are satisfied with this blend.

 

[brewshooter]

Happyjacks, if you next tell me you never judge a man based on his actions, I'm going to be wondering what criteria you DO use to formulate your opinion of others!!! :P

 

[johncorosz]

I started with the Capt'n and also Borkum Riff. They have their place amongst the pipe smokers of North America and those who need something for the pipe and do not live a good tobacconist. Keep in mind that not long ago there was no internet to order baccy from. You had what you could find locally most often or saved up for big trips to the nearest tobacconist!

 

[photoman13]

They only drug store blend I have liked so far is Middleton Apple. I however have never had the Captain.

 

[crazypipe]

Yes you should give all pipe tobaccos a shot ::

 

[auspipe]

One of the only tobaccos available here but never tried it as its too expensive ($50 a pouch). Would like to try it though, but my online vendor does not carry the pouches.

 

[tanless1]

$50 a pouch? That is criminal!!

 

[judcole]

Cheap, flavorless, low grade tobacco covered in preservatives and syrup until it's a sticky goo.
Preferred by rookies, poseurs and those recovering from major surgery.
But that's just my opinion.

:rofl:
I have never smoked the stuff. I smoked BR for a while when I started out (hangs head), but never the Captain. And I don't ever intend to.

 

[puffinbudgie]

Captain Black is my 'go-to' smoke. I started back in about '77. I've been through Prince Albert, Half 'n' Half, Borkum Riff, Amphora and a nice blend from RJ Reynolds called "Apple", that you can't find anymore (at least I can't) and have ended up smoking Capt. Black White or Blue label almost exclusively. Except for the well known overmoist condition easiy rememdied by leaving an open pouch or humidor for a while, it's the perfect smoke. I've got a small humidor of an English blend with more than a bit of Latakia and Perique that's been sitting for about a year now. I have pipes I haven't smoked in about a year as they're now exclusively for the English blends as they tend to 'color' a pipe so that anything other than English in them tastes of English and messes it up. As for 'gurgling', it does tend to happen but can be avoided for the most part by drawing slowly and not so often. If you do get a 'gurgle' a slow gentle puff back down the stem will usually silence it. At least that's been my experience.

 

[daytonsean]

I have some CBW in my cabinet. Once a week I go back and smoke a little, but I still get the same results; just leaves a weird nasty film in my mouth. But, the price is right where it needs to be.
And -1 to the Budweiser hate.

 

[sparroa]

puffinbudgie,
The key to enjoying the Captain is definitely to let the pouch dry.
It is unbearably difficult to smoke right out of the gates...
bigvan,
I'm afraid you expect too much from what is a simple OTC blend. Without all those preservatives you'd never find a fresh pouch. It is what it is, a sweet and mellow smoke for the masses. I used to like it but no it does not match up to all the acclaimed blends that are available today. In my opinion, however, it is better than some of the "high quality" aromatics I've tried from said acclaimed blending houses...
daytonsean,
I don't think it is Budweiser hate, necessarily, so much as Budweiser apathy. It is "the" generic American lager and it has all the character of Wonderbread and Kraft cheese slices. (Or Captain Black) The simplified flavours of these mass produced goods has caused something of a backlash among those looking for more challenging tastes. There's no doubting that Budweiser and the rest are masterpieces of marketing/consistency/technical perfection, though...
I can take Budweiser, but I'd rather leave it. I just can't stand the AB-InBev megacorporation that brews it.

 

[brewshooter]

Budweiser is actually a very well made and consistent product and I have a great respect for the men and women who make it...that doesn't mean I'll be drinking much of it at any point in the near future. :P

 

[lonestar]

This post has got Captain Black on my mind so I opened the pouch of blue label I was given at the Chicago Show. Been awhile since I smoked any and I am enjoying it. It does smell wonderful and smoke cool with very little effort. I wont be rushing out to stock up when this pouch is gone, but it reminds me this is really not a bad blend at all. Like someone else has mentioned, it beats the pants off several other more lauded aromatics.

 

[captainsousie]

I don't think it is Budweiser hate, necessarily, so much as Budweiser apathy. It is "the" generic American lager and it has all the character of Wonderbread and Kraft cheese slices. (Or Captain Black) The simplified flavours of these mass produced goods has caused something of a backlash among those looking for more challenging tastes. There's no doubting that Budweiser and the rest are masterpieces of marketing/consistency/technical perfection, though...

+1 Couldn't have said it better myself.