P&C's Battle of the Blends pits two tobaccos against each other, and you get to vote for your favorite by submitting a review. Best of all, you get both tobaccos at a bargain price. We'll tabulate the votes and announce the winner at a later time.
Let's get down to business and see who should be Sliced & Diced in this round of the Battle of the Blends. First up we have the Capstan Original Flake that is a gentle smoke and subtle. Next we have the HH Signature Anniversary Flake which is one of the best selling blends in the HH Signature series. These two are a perfect pairing, so take advantage of the great price on both blends and tell us which is the better smoke. Let's get to the bottom of this Sliced & Diced.
This is a great mellow tobacco. The tin smells of raisins/plums, and light hay. The smoke flavor is similar, mild, slightly sweet. A very pleasant smoke!
5 out of 5
Rub me out
Nov 13, 2020
My first Virginia and one of the blends that made me go from “I like smoking a pipe” to “I LOVE smoking a pipe!”
Sweet and rich, grassy, bready, just wonderful. The smell out of the tin alone is worth it.
5 out of 5
A smooth smoke. Might be
Sep 03, 2020
A smooth smoke. Might be classified as an all day tobacco. About the closest match I've found to the discontinued Troost.
5 out of 5
Really quality! Mellow and rich at the same time!
Aug 26, 2020
Easy to fold and stuff.
5 out of 5
Excellent Virginia
Aug 24, 2020
This is one of my top three favorites. It's my first straight Virginia. I wasn't sure if I would like a straight Virginia but this was excellent! It's no wonder Tolkien apparently liked this one.
4 out of 5
Great Tobacco!
Aug 12, 2020
Love the smell and aromas involved in this tobacco, the sweetness and the powerful taste!
4 out of 5
Very nice
Aug 08, 2020
I tried this one as part of a "Battle of the Blends" and was not disappointed. This is very similar to Comoy's Cask #4, which I like very much. Definite Virginia hay and grass taste, with just a little spice from the perique. Nice, easy smoking, and it burns very nicely.
5 out of 5
Ok
Jul 13, 2020
This is fine
5 out of 5
This is probably what Old Toby tasted like.
Mar 22, 2020
This is a fantastic tobacco. I am sure this is what old toby tasted like., this tobacco gave inspiration to the greatest writer of the greatest novels of all time. Imagine Tolkein writing about the battle of helms deep while smoking this tobacco.
5 out of 5
Awesome Flake
Mar 13, 2020
First straight Virginia, and first flake as well for me (newbie here). Very fine smoke, and I will be ordering more to smoke, and cellar. I do not have a very discernible palate, and as Jeremiah M up above said with an eye roll “it’s sweet and cool.” That’s about as perfect as I can describe it as well. Gave about an hour smoke with the fold and stuff method and burned to ash with little dottle. Love it.
5 out of 5
Gift to Friend
Jan 07, 2020
He really enjoyed it. Hard not to like a classic
4 out of 5
A great mild smoke
Nov 15, 2019
All the comments mentioning hay and grass notes are correct. I usually go for more robust blends but I really like this mild classic. Excellent quality and very approachable. A great choice.
4 out of 5
I like
Aug 22, 2019
I received a first tin. The top came off way too easily; the seal had not been made properly or had been opened before I received it. Replacement tin was much better; ready to smoke right out of the tin. I like the clean grassy taste. Smoked with minimal re-lighting. A better-than-average Virginia. Haven't tried the Wild Man, yet.
5 out of 5
Nice virginias
Apr 08, 2019
This is a excelent all day smoke.
5 out of 5
Last of the Greats
Mar 30, 2019
As producers of Virginia flakes close their doors, the flake resins a stalwart against which others are to be measured.
5 out of 5
Great tobacco
Mar 28, 2019
Out of the handful of tobaccos I've tried this is my favorite and will probably be one of the tobaccos in my rotation. It took me a few bowls to get to know what flavors and such were in there. The tin note is ketchup-esk with a hint of hay and citrus (eye roll) like everyone says. When I smoke it, it's sweet and cool. Really like this stuff.
5 out of 5
Capstan Blue
Mar 27, 2019
Wonderful Matured Virginia Blend. Experienced smokers will REALLY appreciate.
4 out of 5
Old smoker
Jan 29, 2019
Glad to find it local stores have stopped carring pipe tobacco
4 out of 5
Good Stuff!
Jan 16, 2019
I had smoked Capstan Yellow and Blue many years ago - and in fact saved one tin of blue in my cellar, so I was able to compare the "new" vs the old - tho' of course, the old has aged since about 1980 (yea, that long ago), so they WILL BE DIFFERENT. But, the two weren't that much different! The taste is similar, the cut is almost the same (the older we approx. 1.0mm wider strands). The newer was a little sharper, but that's to be expected. I hope I can buy more - as I like the flavor of the Blue. I hope you all don't like it as much as I do, so there will be more left for me.
5 out of 5
Excellent Service
Nov 13, 2018
great service...highly recommended
5 out of 5
capstan
Oct 17, 2018
this is what I expected. I have smoked it for a long time and this pretty much what I expected.
5 out of 5
Great Virginia
Oct 12, 2018
Great smoke-nice room note.
5 out of 5
Anniversary Flake
Sep 08, 2018
As with many of Russ's blends, this is a great smoke. Easy to load, easy to light and easy to smoke. Clean, bright, tasty.
5 out of 5
Must be what the hobbits smoke!
Aug 31, 2018
I'm a beginner, so everything is new. I smoke this one on a clay churchwarden and it's smooth and pleasant. On the third bowl I started getting more details not noticed before. If you are a Tolkien fan, you have to try it, since he is known to smoke this tobacco.
4 out of 5
A good, straightforward Virginia
Feb 28, 2018
Just as advertised. A mellow and straight-forward Virginia with a fine flavor. A bit on the pricey side, but a nice smoke.
5 out of 5
Excellent!
Dec 11, 2017
Everything I buy From here is excellent. They have never let me down!
5 out of 5
very good
Oct 08, 2017
Sweet and sour, very delicious
3 out of 5
Not as good as the crumble cake version
Aug 24, 2017
I was super disappointed in this blend. Anniversary Kake is my favorite blend, and I love flakes as well. This version doesn't hold a candle to the crumble cake version. I'd rather smoke Orlik Golden Sliced than this one.
5 out of 5
It's good.
Jun 28, 2017
I'm a latakia smoker, and I usually turn my nose up at any Virginia blends. This one however, is top-quality and one the only Virginia blends I like!
5 out of 5
A Classic Straight Virginia
Feb 06, 2017
Capstan Blue is a mild-medium Virginia flake with a wonderful citrusy, hay aroma out of the tin. There is enough darker leaf to give it body, and plenty of Virginia sweetness and grassiness. Capstan responds well both to being rubbed out, and being folded and stuffed. Mild, tasty, and fragrant. This is one of my favorites.
5 out of 5
Capstan Original Flake - Pure Taste
Jan 08, 2017
There are times when we all want something that is uncomplicated, without numerous ingredients, condiments or toppings. To me, Capstan Original Flake foots the bill. Pure Virginia taste, period. This tobacco is great for earlier in the day when the palate wants to keep things simple. The flakes are beautifully wrapped and when rubbed out, I ended up with a pile of fluffy ribbons. Burns to a white ash while providing a sweet Virginia taste throughout the smoke. Basics can be difficult but, this tobacco is basics done well. Highly recommended.
5 out of 5
Anny kake flake?
Sep 14, 2016
Thought I'd try it, great presentation but it ends there. Same as the bulk version just fancied up a bit with a higher sticker price.
4 out of 5
Flake
Jul 05, 2016
I thought it was very smooth but a little too much bite.
5 out of 5
Excellent Smoke!
Jun 24, 2016
Whether you're new to smoking flake-cut tobacco, or an old hand at it, definitely try this! Capstan boasts a time-tested flavor, that is pleasant all around. The price is a little steep, but the product is worth it, even still.
5 out of 5
Just what I was looking for
May 08, 2016
Love the flavor, not harsh, great milder Virginia flake.
5 out of 5
A True Classic VA Flake
Mar 29, 2016
I have been pipe smoking for a few years now but it was not until I tried Original Flake by Capstan that I really began to understand what is a good Virginia. I smoke English blends more than anything else but after trying Capstan Blue I can safely say that straight Virginias will be more regular in my rotation. It has a great grassy / hay flavor and when sipped is sweet. It can bite if smoked too hot and fast, but I have found that happens with most Virginia blends. Give it a go (and feel like Tolkien!).
5 out of 5
I am very happy I tried this.
Feb 10, 2016
I hesitated purchasing this since the price is comparatively higher than other blends. Well I just purchased a tin and immediately opened it. This broke my first rule I impose on myself of always putting tins into the cellar for 6 months prior to smoking. Wow! This is one fantastic tobacco. It is just the right blend of tobacco. Really mild but not too mild, burns great and absolutely no tongue burn. It is quite hard to describe this tobacco. Each pressed piece is exactly right to rub out and fill an average size pipe. Just one thing I must mention. Dunhill Ready Rubbed is as close to this as you can get and almost 1/2 the price. I smoke DRR as my daily tobacco but will make sure I have Capstan on standby for at least two smokes each day.
5 out of 5
Top 5
Oct 26, 2015
This is a excellent tobacco. Definitely in my top 5. Only thing to say negative about it is the price. It is so good that even that doesn't stop me from buying it. Highly recommended.
5 out of 5
Satisfying Straight Virginia
Aug 08, 2015
Capstan Original Navy Cut is a straight Virginia blend with a slight but undetectable casing. It is just shy of a medium bodied blend; lighter than Dunhill Flake and a little sweeter. Typical Virginia hay and grassy notes are there with some sweetness and an occasional lemony apricot-y note wafting through. Silky, creamy, simple, unpretentious, and delicious are words that come to mind. Comes ready to smoke, but also benefits from a few minutes drying time when new. Smoke it gently and enjoy.
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