Recently fell in love with Capstan Blue. Apparently it’s sold out everywhere… which is annoying. So does anyone know of a blend that’s similar that can scratch that itch?
Capstan Blue
- Thread starter Prancingponypatron
- Start date
While not a perfect replacement, Hamborger Veermaster is a good replacement and is widely available...
Capstan Blue strikes me as mostly Red, with a bit of some sweet/tangy topping that reminds me of sweet tea. There's no 1:1 substitute, but a few that you might check out include:
- C&D Interlude. It's a Red with a honey topping, so some similarities to what you're talking about.
- LC Edisto. This doesn't have the sweet topping, but it's a higher grade Red and may scratch the itch.
- HU Janneman Flake. This has a slight hint of perique, but IMO not to a degree that puts it in a very different category. It actually sort of reminds me of Capstan in some ways.
60.2055108 Capstan Original Flake 50g Tin
Is one that survived the cut.
I am not sure if this is the yellow or blue tin.
I am also not sure if it’s available yet.
If it is the one that is continued by STG I can say I have found new ST Bruno that was marked as STG and not Mac Baren so there maybe hope.
But it maybe what you are looking for or in the ballpark? A wiser man could help clarify this for us perhaps.
Is one that survived the cut.
I am not sure if this is the yellow or blue tin.
I am also not sure if it’s available yet.
If it is the one that is continued by STG I can say I have found new ST Bruno that was marked as STG and not Mac Baren so there maybe hope.
But it maybe what you are looking for or in the ballpark? A wiser man could help clarify this for us perhaps.
Soon the STG Capstan Blue will be on the market and widely available. We shall see how it smokes but keep in mind STG made this blend up until about 2009 so they know how to do it.
Didn’t know that. Gives me some hope
Thanks for this information. I’ll have to go take a look at each of these!
I’ve never found anything close to Capstan Blue except aged and extremely dry HH Pure Virginia.
I had a Tin of Dunhill Flake that came close or at least made me ponder on it but that’s all.
I’ve always found Capstan to be unique to itself.
I had a Tin of Dunhill Flake that came close or at least made me ponder on it but that’s all.
I’ve always found Capstan to be unique to itself.
F&T Cut Virginia Plug is the closest comparison to Capitan Blue I've smoked.
My next tin of St Bruno flake I intend to open a STG marked tin. Want to see if there is any difference.
I speculation is it was a mac Baren produced but just marked by STG, so who knows. I will report back.
I speculation is it was a mac Baren produced but just marked by STG, so who knows. I will report back.
They are probably moving the blends over one at a time, and taste testing them. Perhaps they started with St Bruno first.
I'll second this suggestion, and add it to my previous list. I hadn't thought of it in this connection, but now that it's mentioned, yes, this has similarities.
I should add in regard to the forthcoming STG-made version, prepare yourself for the flake to come in a round tin. Upshot is better seal I guess.
One of my favorites also. 4noggins has it in stock, but very expensive.
Capstan: ORIGINAL FLAKE BLUE 50g
A medium to mild blend of carefully selected Virginia tobaccos with a natural aroma. Originally produced by W.D. and H.O. Wills, now being re-released by MacBaren. Strength: Medium Flavoring: None Detected Taste: Medium Room Note: Pleasant
4noggins-com.myshopify.com
This makes it sound as though STG gives a shit about what the pipe tobacco they make and sell tastes like.
It'll be fine. STG produced Capstan long before Mac Baren did starting 2017.
True but the world is a much different place now than it was even 8 years ago.
I also recommend you try HU Janneman flake as a reasonable substitute for Capstan Blue. It is one of the HU blends that is sold in the US..
Thats true! But many of the staff and blenders will be working for STG producing the same stuff... and from what I tried of the MB/STG transition blends before I left Mac Baren, I didn't notice any differences. We'll see what happens after they shut down production at the end of the year.