The Big Difference

 I said in my post yesteeday, that I would review Lane's RLP-6.  It is just about the same as Captain Black Original, but without propylene glycol added as a preservative.  This will give the tobacco with this chemical added a very slight chemical taste, and if RLP-6 is the same I would prefer it, as in bulk it is a bit less in cost.  Pipe shops often will buy bulk tobacco in five pound bags and give certain tobaccos their own proprietary names.  RlP-6 is Lane's name for it just for this reason.

Lane uses a weird lettering and number system just because they sell in large bulk quantities to tobacco shops.  Shops can then name the tobaccos anything they wish.  Sutliff's Rum and Maple is named what it is.  Since RLP-6 is Captain Black Original, I would prefer the former over the latter.  I prefer my tobaccos to be chemical-free.  However not a lot of store packaged tobacco has propylene glycol, but I might have noticed it mote in Mixture 79.  That tobacco had a weird flavor anyway, and in all fairness to Hef, I can see why he smoked it.  

Back in the day, every pipe smoker purchased their tobacco over the counter and there were limitations on what one could get.  But today this isn't true.  While a pipe smoker back then might be able to choose between 25 and 50 blends at a shop, today one's choices are virtually limitless and there are so many places to buy all kinds of blends on-line.  

Today howeve, it is Lane RLP-6.  It is a top 100 seller on Smoking Pipes and gets a 3.76 out of 20 reviews on Smoking Pipes.  One suggested to let it age a month.  It might take me that long to get through four ounces, so again, I don't like to give immediate reviews.  It might seem that being in the too 100 isn't very good until you realize how many blends are out there.  Most don't make it on a list.  This is why you take reviews with a grain of salt.

Captain Black has been one of the top sellers since it came out in 1956.  But it was sold everywhere pipe tobacco was sold.  The Scandanavian group owns Lane and Captain Black and simply sells both.  One is with the chemical prservative and one without.  RPL-6 is simply the generic without chemicals added.  Most simply prefer RLP-6.  Captain Black Original gets a 3.50 score with 99 reviews on Smoking Pipes.  Many pipe smokers don't notice the chemical added.  And the chemical wears off over time.  So take your pick.  They are both about the same.

Now the question might be whether I like RLP-6 over Rum and Maple.  This is why I bought eight ounces of Rum and Maple over four ounces of RLP-6.  I like Rum and Maple better.  But it just depends.  Having both can suit my moods.  I might want a more Fall-like tobacco most of the time.  It's like having a good English on hand.  It just depends on what one desires at any given time.  It's always good to have several tobaccos on hand depending on what one wants.  

RLP-6 is not a favorite.  Okay?  But I might like to have some on hand.  Maybe I'll set it aside for a month and then see again.  Meanwhile I'll smoke my Rum and Maple and enjoy that and then see.  But RLP-6 is better than CBO.  I prefer all my tobaccos to be chemical free.  I think RLP-6 is something I'd like to have around which is what I said about CBO.   RLP-6 is just a bit better than CBO, but both are good.  

RPL-6 is priced better and sold in bulk.  That gives RLP-6 the edge.  It smokes cool with no tongue bite.  And it's chemical free!  The 3.76 over 3.5 is about right.  I might rate RLP-6 at least a 4.0 out of five.  The flavor is very subtle, but after a little time aging we'll see.  I might give RLP-6 my own name like "Shwashbuckler."  Don't read too much into that name.  It's like Captain Black, but it's just a tad better.  I just like the word.  Today it is "Shwashbuckler" with my Savinelli Favola Churchwarden pipe.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave