An addendum: Capstan & Tolkien

[@hobbitonpiper]

I love listening to people share their thoughts and experiences with Capstan! Both the blue and gold are all-time favorites of mine, but the blue in particular continues to reward you the more time you spend with it. I really enjoyed listening to you and am glad I found your channel today. Very well spoken and beautifully presented. Keep working on those green smoke rings. :) Subscribed! -Kevin

[@thepiperstable]

Kevin, welcome, and thank you so much for stopping by! It was actually from watching your videos that I learned about Capstan and its connection to Mr. Tolkien. So, really, I must thank you! I was truly surprised by how wonderful Capstan Blue is! I've only recently ventured away from aromatic territory, and honestly, virginias were not of particular interest to me. But just, WOW! I still need to try the yellow, but the blue very quickly has become one of my all-time favorites as well. It's a wonderful companion smoke and just has such a warming and comforting quality to it. Plus, an excellent flavor profile! Cheers!

[@oldandintheway1955]

A good example of the importance of spending quality time with a particular blend. Insights and revelations unfold. For many years, Rattray's "Accountants Mixture" (my introduction to English blends, nearly 50 years ago) was my go to, all day smoke. A good old friend that I could rely on to give satisfaction, with out pomp and circumstance. That is a sweet churchwarden; does it actually break down into 3 pieces? Some well lit stills of it would be interesting to view. The Chicago Pipe Show, taking place in April this year, may be a good resource for research on that pipe.

[@thepiperstable]

I feel like this whole, spending quality time with a single blend, is the beginning of an evolution for me. Like, a whole new phase of enjoying and contemplating tobacco. Thank you, I absolutely love this churchawarden. It only breaks down into 2 pieces, I almost made the mistake of thinking 3 when I first went to clean it. I'll get some well lit photos of it at some point. I would also love to come to the pipe convention, and perhaps I'll make it. And I still haven't come across any rattrays blends lately on any if my brick and mortar tobacconist quests...

[@oldandintheway1955]

@@thepiperstable Hit me up, I'd be glad to send you some samples. My email address is in the "about section" of my channel.

[@mushroomleg]

smoking accountant's mix right now! lol. one of my favorite englishes. like a sweet bowl of chili in tobacco form (at least to me!)

[@oldandintheway1955]

@@mushroomleg it's easily an all day smoke, very satisfying.

[@TheGentlemanScholar]

Excellent analysis, sir!

[@BrodyJoeandBriars]

A very compelling treatment of the flowing of Tolkien's creative juices as he smoked Capstan, Cody! I can relate to the intermix of background music and a favored blend as I spend hours fine tuning my nature photos at a meticulous level...it's a powerful combination that inspires the best that things can be!

[@thepiperstable]

Yes, I agree man. I'm very intentional about background music and I think it's fair to make the comparison been this blend and that feeling of good background music. And absolutely yes, mixing Beckford music AND a great tobacco... now that's a magical combination!

[@joelhensley5322]

damn, look at that sub jump! Glad to see it brother! Been waiting to pull the trigger on some, in due time I suppose.

[@thepiperstable]

Thank you! I think you'll really enjoy the Capstan Blue. I am really curious now to try the yellow!

[@marcspade_pipes]

Five bowls of Capstan will make any day lovely. It certainly whispers to you from the shelf, I agree. You may have pegged this blend and perhaps the reason for Tolkien’s affinity. Fantastic videos, my friend.

[@thepiperstable]

Man, I honestly like the stuff so much it's tempting me into becoming a pure Virginia smoker haha. I think it's a fair comparison right? Background music, or at least the concept of secondary and tertiary details, can be a major factor in the process of concentration/imagination/focus, etc,etc. Thanks for stopping by Marc! I need to catch up on your latest videos. I will tell you, I did aquire some white knight!

[@UnicornPiper]

Background music… I like that analogy!

[@thepiperstable]

I think it's a fair comparison! We all create a certain ambiance to enhance our study/meditations, etc. Capstan blue is a very fine one for the piper!

[@mythicalhistory]

Wonderful video. I haven't tried Capstan yet, but I will pick up a tin as soon as I can.

[@TheGentlemanScholar]

Laconia, NH is right up the road from me...

[@gh87716]

What are your thoughts on dedicating pipes to tobaccos, and also your thoughts on coating the inside of your bowl with honey or maple syrup?

[@thepiperstable]

I have many thoughts on this, actually. I have been planning on making a video about just this topic. It's a great question and lots of people do both those things, or at least have opinions on it.

[@thegrimpiper7237]

Capstan is where I fell in love with Virginias. Wasn’t the biggest fan at first but the flavors really open up after it’s been in a jar for a couple of months.

[@thepiperstable]

I'm with you. I enjoy P.S. luxury twist flake, but the Capstan is a finer Virginia blend in my opinion. It really intrigued me. I've got it in my vest pocket now and I don't think this tin will last long enough to go to a jar...haha.

[@GhostCob]

Just found ya. Hope you are doing well. Gave you a sub. Welcome to the community. Keep em. Burning…

[@thepiperstable]

Why thank you very much! Cheers!

[@tramperscott]

I like the idea of a background blend. I think we all have a blend like that. Thats a cool pipe. I have no helpful info though. Be well

[@thepiperstable]

Absolutely, it's an important aspect of the contemplative personality types. Ambiance is crucial, whatever that consists of.