New BAtch of Olde england Pipes
Professor Tolkien's Tobacco of Choice
Oh Capstan, my Capstan...
7/26/20242 min read
Pipe Dreams in Motion
Many people like myself have taken up the pipe because of The Lord of the Rings and often we wonder what kind of pipe tobacco the professor smoked. Tolkien himself had been asked about what the pipe-weed depicted in his books constituted but he seemed to have no desire to answer such a question.
However, Tolkien described himself many a time as a hobbit in all but size and it is very clear that the character of Bilbo is essentially him. The lives of creator and creation are inextricably bound and their habits and family history are no exception. Tolkien was a man who loved simple food, good drink and medium bodied tobacco. His tobacco preference is hinted at in the 1929 audio recording he made with a friend called, “At the Tobacconist’s”. Here he describes a very good medium-strength blend “of his own”.
Tollers' Tobacco In Memoriam
Many tins of Player’s Navy Cut, Three Nuns, and of course Capstan Medium Navy Cut, were found scattered throughout his home. These tins usually ended up being filled with knickknacks by his family like most of our consumed tins of tobacco. Capstan, however, seems to be a particular favorite of the professor. Evidence for Tolkien’s penchant for Capstan can be found in a receipt dated March 3, 1972. Here he apologizes for some mishap with the shop owner and purchases a pound of Capstan in the form of 8 2-ounce tins. Much to our chagrin, this bulk tobacco order only costed him £6.50!
Lastly, Tolkien once went to Rotterdam for a “Hobbit Dinner” that was organized by Voorhoeve en Dietrich, a famous bookseller. Besides the humorous menu item entitled “Maggot Soup” there also were a plethora of Van Rossem tinned tobaccos with names from his books. Tolkien seemed rather pleased by his trip, despite the “heady incense” of his many fans praise. We hope to release some tobaccos soon that we think would been right up Professor Tolkien’s alley and I know all of us are extremely grateful for being introduced to such a fine hobby through his works.
