The origins of Captain Black can be traced as far back as 1957, when the brand appeared on a Lane Limited price list where it was sold in bulk form. Advertised as ‘slightly aromatic, slow burning, pleasant,’ it sold for 16 cents per ounce. The name itself came from Herman G. Lane, who was an aficionado of the notorious Captain Blackbeard, ships and Black Cavendish pipe tobacco.
The blend as we know it today was launched in 1973 and quickly popularized. It is the number one brand of pipe tobacco and is sold around the world, from Australia to Kazakhstan.