Pipe Smoking Basics

 Captain Black is not going to wow the experienced pipe smoker.  As I said about the Original, it's pipe tobacco.  Our fathers and grandfatgers smoked Captain Black because it was an easy brand to buy and most of them had only one pipe.  It may have been a Dr. Grabow pipe they picked up at the local drug store along with a can or maybe a pouch or two of Captain Black.  Every pipe smoker needs to smoke at least some of the old standard blends.  Why?  Just to see what our fathers and grandfathers smoked back in the day.  

We connect with them by carrying on the same traditions.  Some might hate everything associated with Captain Black and some of us understand why these old blends have been around a century or longer.  These old blends don't pretend to be something theey're not.  They're just good pipe tobaccos at good prices.  Some might say they're cheap tobaccos, all of them.  So be it.  But there is a reason why they just don't go away and in Captain Black's case, still remains a best seller.  Captain Black has been around since 1956 and has remained on top for good reason. 

Maybe other brands like Prince Albert, Carter Hall, Half and Half, Mixture 79, and the others are so-so.  If that is the case, why do they hang around?  Simply put, they're all good blends.  Many English smokers will not give them much thought and might wonder how it is that some of us still smoke a pipe.  Why?  Because some of us just want to smoke a pipe.  I've had the best.  It's not boasting.  And I can tell you that some pipe snobs won't even think about putting cheap stuff even in a cob pipe.  

But I'm not smoking Captain Black because it's cheap tobacco.  I did buy all three of my Captain Black tobaccos because they were on sale.  But I thought to myself that I am a pipe smoker that is curious.  I put my rather expensive tin of Eileen's Dream away because I'm still today figuring out whether I like it or not.  I bought a tin of Consummate Gentleman because one, Ashton makes fine tobacco, and two, it's an English blend I wanted to try.  I thought my wife would not like the smell of it, as just about any English does not have a pleasant room note, but she surprised me by saying it's not too bad.  I will review it in tomorrow's post.  

But getting back to Catain Black Dark.  I could review this and say what I said about the Original.  Some pipe smokers love Cavendish and some don't care for it.  Cavendish is steamed tobacco, which is a process from the late 1800's, that is either Burley or Virginia.  Captain Black Dark is Burley based.  It has a strong Vanilla taste with a background of dark chocolate.  I've had richer tasting Cavendish, but the Dark isn't too bad.  In comparison is far from the worst and is better than average.  It is as advertised with strong Vanilla flavor with a hint of rich dark chocolate.  

I would say it's better than average.  I still like the Original better, but then I prefer Cavendish as a blending tobacco.  Alone, this Cavendish leaves me wanting more flavor.  However, having said this, Cavendish is a change for something different.  I might not order more, but still it's pretty good, as Cavendish goes.  A Virginia Cavendish is naturally sweeter, but as a Burley it's pretty darn good.  

One might not like cake for desert after every meal, but still I like cake.  And such as it is with this Cavendish.  It's a pleasant change of pace as something different.  It's not Eileen's Dream different, but then I am not sure  anything is.  I'll keep the pouch on hand as I am finishing my second bowl.  This would pair well with a glass of Rum.  

So, that is my thinking of Captain Black Dark.  The 3.88 rating on Smoking Pipes is about right.  Just shy of four stars.  It's better than average, but not the best.  It's worthy to have on hand.  Well, those are my thoughts about Captain Black Dark.  It's simply good.  The room note is rather strong but not too bad.  The Original is better in that regard.  And since I won't write a separate review for the Captain Black Platinum, I dont find much difference between the two.  This morning I am smoking my Savinelli St. Nicholas pipe with some Captain Black Original.

There might be some of you wondering about hurricane Idalia.  It's going further north.  We'll get some wind and storm surge is expected to be 2-4 feet.  We may lower the hurricane shutters this evening, but we'll see how things develop.  However, we're not concerned.  We're just on the edge of its predicted path.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave