Review: Captain Black
Tobacco Cellar
Editor’s Note:
This one is for the pipe-smoking enthusiasts looking to expand their palate along with their cellar selections. Zack Grafman, who is known in the P3 offices for his breadth of knowledge on tobacco, has penned a review and personal anecdote centered around this particular blend.
I’ll be sure to procure a pouch of Captain Black for my own enjoyment.
- Frank Theodat
My grandfather was a primary factor in pipe smoking entering my life during my late twenties. He hasn’t smoked a pipe in years, having (tragically for posterity) sold his entire collection in middle age before returning to cigars after his long hiatus from tobacciana. But I knew pipes had been a part of his life, and (mostly unconsciously at the time, more intentionally now) pipe smoking for me is nothing if not a return to the ways and rhythms of previous generations. So when I first began my initially frustrating experiments, I also thought to ask him about his favorite blends.
“You need to get Captain Black, in the white pouch” he opined sagely. “Smooth, mild. You’ll like it.”
Now like all young men over-gifted with confidence and unburdened by wisdom, I chuckled inwardly at this advice. Why, Captain Black wasn’t even available in tins, like all the enticing and refined blends I browsed online! I slummed it in a local Tobacco Express, found a pouch slumbering in a far corner, and brought it home with expectations at critical lows.
At first, I thought myself vindicated. I suffered through steamy, thin whisps of scalding fume, questioning anew my decision to spend time and money in this masochistic pursuit. Flavor? Hardly. Enjoyment? Precious little.
But I persevered. And this, after all, the pursuit of a persevering spirit of patience, is one of the chief benefits that a brother of the leaf receives. Sure enough, I was rewarded. Gradually my pace slowed, my relaxation deepened. Instead of Hot Air and Misery I began to detect Marshmallows, Vanilla, perhaps even some Honey? All a little faint and cloying, perhaps. But sturdy and dependable as well.
And beyond even the tangible experience was the physical connection I felt to one of the men I most love and respect on this planet. What a priceless gift to study the same demanding art that this true renaissance man has passed on to me. Seeking to see what your heroes saw, think as they thought, is one of the first steps towards generational wisdom. Even if it will never become my favorite on merit of taste, Captain Black has other reasons for it’s position as a part of my cellar.
Best with lit with a match and consumed from a favored old smoking instrument, well-dried and tended gently. Puff away while you putter around your garage or shop, tinkering and planning projects. Pairs well with some classical music off NPR playing on a battered tapedeck radio. Enjoy your domain.
Some form Black Cavendish is the pipe tobacco for me.
It's funny what tobacco does to nostalgia. My dad was a die-hard Players smoker but I can't find the old version of what he smoked anymore. Canadian commercial cigarettes are a sad imitation of what I grew up smelling. So I roll my own and though I prefer halfzware, once in a while I reach for blends that take me back to that smell, or as close to, and it makes me wish I was sitting around with my dad again (though he'd kick my ass for smoking hahaha)