Tobaccos Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) - Half & Half Regular

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Perique (163)	2013-09-27		Very Mild	Strong	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I must agree with some previous reviewers that the recipe for this tobacco must have changed recently. I seem to remember smoking this and it being hot, ashy, uninteresting. My pouch says Lane LTD, Tucker, GA. This is certainly not a cigarette tobacco, nor does it taste anything like cigarette tobacco. This is a pipe tobacco -- the question is whether it's a good pipe tobacco. In that regard, I must still answer no, not really.

Presentation is somewhere between ribbon and cube cut. Call it broken ribbon. Or, better, call it "OTC cut". Comes very damp, soaked in PG. Pouch note is largely of pleasant Christmas scents and something else.... aniseed?

Like most OTCs, the charring light is all it needs and it's off to the races. Burns fast, but not particularly hot. There must be some propellant agent OTC companies use to get these PG-soaked tobaccos to burn so fast. Initial flavors are a burst of maraschino cherry and other glazed, candied fruits. Akin to Christmas fruitcake. That hint of aniseed in the background. Overall, a pleasant casing on some poor quality, chemically drenched tobacco. I would enjoy tasting this topping on a high quality burley/Virginia Christmas blend. As it stands, there is little to no tobacco taste and after mid-bowl the topping wears thin as a more ashy and nondescript chemical taste asserts.

I have to admit to liking this topping. Just not a big fan of the overall blend. But far from awful. May appeal to those who enjoy very mild, OTC aromatics with bold toppings. Were I in a pinch, on the road, and out of tobacco, I would probably opt for this right after Sir Walter Raleigh, Carter Hall or the more difficult to find Sugar Barrel.

20 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3048)	2015-01-04		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I tried this blend in the 1970s and hated it. I wasn't ready for burleys and certainly not this one. Very recently, I decided to give it a try when I learned Lane took over production from Pinkerton, and a number of people said this was better now. I had to wait until I finished a pouch before deciding what to think of this blend. I didn't like the first few bowls. I was put off by the strong chemical taste and smell. I had thought about not finishing the pouch, but I soldiered on. I'm glad I did. The taste grew on me a bit. The chemical taste became less noticeable after I dried it out, and started smoking it slowly in a cob and one dedicated briar. The alcohol/liquor, anise, and other toppings (one of which has a cherry-like essence) and spices fairly overpowers the Virginia (which is lightly grassy), and halfway does the same to the burly, though I do get a nutty, earthy, molasses taste from it. There is a slight cigarette note, too. The nic-hit is mild. The strength is just past the center of mild to medium, while the taste is a step past that. It burns cool at a reasonable pace, and gives you a decent amount of smoke, and a very consistent flavor. Didn't bite or get harsh, but left some moisture in the bowl. Requires an average number of relights. Can be an all day smoke. Two and a half stars.

-JimInks

12 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Backwoods Piper (70)	2013-12-14		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Pleasant to Tolerable

Back in the 80's I worked for a tobacconist who offered this Lane Limited tobacco in bulk. It was a very popular tobacco and we sold it often by the pound. I smoked it occasionally and often used it as a blender with heavily cased cavendishes.

In an emergency I bought a pouch of this from a tobacco shop hoping for the same honest no nonsense blend that was so cherished by my customers at the cigar shop in the 80's. I was so very wrong.

Upon opening the pouch I was surprised at the unsavory sickeningly sweet citrus apple aroma. It was a very random appearing tobacco with crumbled ribbon and broken flake cocoa brown in color. I let it dry out 15 or so minutes before packing it into an old YB billiard. It lit fairly easily after the char. The room note of this tobacco was not unpleasant at all but the flavor was lacking in an extreme sense. I was hoping for a straight tobacco smoke flavor as I remembered instead I got a mouthful of a flat tasting smoke that seemed dry and indescript if not a tad sour. I might have to try it in a cob or something I haven't smoked too many stout VA's or English blends in.

This is one I will hopefully pass on to another smoker who has a taste for this blend.

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-06-12		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Very Pleasant

half and half is one plain tobacco that I find myself going back to for over 20+ years. I usually smoke lanes 1Q (aka captain black royal!!)When I grow tired of the sweet stuff and want some good plain tobacco I smoke this. I also found that this tobacco is one of my favorites for building a nice cake in a new pipe!! Its got a 'spicey" falvor and the only words I can think of to describe it is a fresh, crisp autumn day! It also is great in a corncob. I'd recommend it to a seasoned smoker of a couple months. It does have to be smoked slow, -and enjoy it!

tommyboy

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Theosprey247 (73)	2016-04-10		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable

A classic drug store tobacco blend that has been given a bad rap by some smokers. The pouch note is similar to Velvet, a sweet raisony kind of smell. Lights well, and generally doesn't need to many relights. The flavor is reminiscent of Velvet, but doesn't become harsh like Velvet can. A good change of pace blend. As for those who don't like this blend, I bet if they put it in a tin and charged $15+ for it they'll probably love it. Highly Recommended.

Pipe Used: Briars

Age When Smoked: New

Similar Blends: Velvet.

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JtotheCtotheL (3)	2014-08-07		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This tobacco does everything a tobacco should. "Drug Store" or not, I like it better than 90% of the expensive tobaccos I've tried. Good thing I don't always listen to people on the internet.

Half & Half won't take you to a far away land with elves and fairies and giant stags. But it hits the spot when you come home from work and it smells good enough that your non-pipe friends won't think it's cheap. I can see myself smoking quite a lot of it.

Edit: So far, l like it packed very loose in a cob. Better taste, no tongue burn to speak of and stays lit.

Pipe Used: stanwell poker, balsa filter. Cobs.

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: P&C

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2013-08-02		Medium	Extra Strong	Overwhelming	Very Strong

Funny thing. I once bought a box of this wonderfully soft, easy burning, chocolatey type of burley....but someone poured the nastiest cough medicine all over it!

This stuff would be pretty good if not for the topping. I almost can't believe some people like this. It is so horrible that it left a bad taste in my mouth for DAYS. And I do NOT have a sensitive palate. Tried unsuccessfully to make it through a bowl in hopes I would discover something good. When I first discovered Latakia it took a few bowls to get it, and now I love and crave it. I thought I might have the same experience with this stuff. But I couldn't even make it through a half bowl. Dumped the rest and tossed the package. I wouldn't even give this garbage away.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Appalachian Scholar (34)	2014-08-15		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

I tried this in 2010. It tastes and smells ten time better when smoked than it looks and smell in the pouch. Best thing in a corn cob. Overall nutty flavor, I don't like the anise flavoring because it is too similar to cinnamon which I despise. It is true that it looks like a one tobacco blend that smells like medicine, but its a pretty decent smoke.

Pipe Used: Corncob, Basket Billiard

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Ingles

Similar Blends: Carter Hall.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	codyp (65)	2014-02-12		Very Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

As far as OTC blends go, not too shabby. I'd actually recommend it to somebody just starting, and only had access to a drug store, or cruddy tobacco shop. It's not a bad place to get to know your burley. The virginia didn't come out to me very much and almost non-existent.

A lot of OTC blends are over cased but this is pretty tasteful. I have my complaints, and I wouldn't buy it again, because of the chemical burning and some bad after taste. It does smoke cool, however. A decent mild aromatic.

As far as price goes, you can get a million times better aromatic burley over at mcclelland or almost any where else. For any beginners, I would start there.

Pipe Used: H.I.S Egg, Cob

Purchased From: Local Shop (J & R Fielding Co.)

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Clinthulhu (8)	2015-09-14		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Personally I love Half and Half. It's been my go-to, everyday pipe tobacco for years. It's simple, cool, dry and clean, making it easy to smoke all day long. There are those who dislike this tobacco and I'm not really out to change anyone's opinion here. I think that too often pipe smokers become like craft beer enthusiasts, unwilling to try or enjoy tobacco's that aren't "trendy" or "hip" and they turn their noses up at OTC brands like H&H or Captain Black. While I enjoy a good tin of more expensive "craft" tobaccos as much as anyone else I look at tobacco like Half and Half as the "workhorse" of pipe tobaccos. It's the Genesee Cream Ale of pipe tobacco and while it isn't fancy and doesn't have the "mystique" of other tobaccos it's still a solid product and it gives you exactly what you are paying for.

OTC tobaccos for me are what I like to call a "baseline" tobacco. You can't truly enjoy good tobacco unless you have a point of reference. Half and Half is simple and sweet. It's a classic old school flavor that you probably remember your Grandfather smoking. It's not going to blow your socks off but at the same time for those of us who enjoy smoking a pipe all day long you would be hard pressed to find a more reasonably priced tobacco with the same quality and flavor as Half and Half.

Give it a shot and even if it isn't the most incredible tobacco you ever smoked you are only out a few bucks. I think I picked up my pouch for less than $4.00 so it's not exactly breaking the bank.

Pipe Used: Mastercraft

Age When Smoked: Pouch

Purchased From: B&M

Similar Blends: Prince Albert - Prince Albert, John Middleton, Inc - Carter Hall.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Uncle Burl (7)	2017-08-04		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Having smoked a great many custom blends through the years I feel I finally have enough experience to evaluate and appreciate the old OTC brands. In my final evaluation I'd say that Half and Half is THE FINEST "Over The Counter" blend ever produced and still sold! That would be followed closely by Prince Albert, but H&H wins for me hands down. It has everything I was looking for in an everyday, anytime pipe tobacco. It's flavorful and the taste reminds me of a little bit of Ocean Spray Cranberry at times regardless of the companies actual listed toppings. It burns well and doesn't bite if it's not pushed by smoking to strong or fast. Though not PC today it's even mild enough to inhale coming from the time period long ago of a "crossover" blend (think lucky strike) tobacco for pipes and roll your own cigs. I frankly find myself reaching for it most always even though I have a wide variety of tobacco cellared away. I am well aware of how subjective taste among people, but I'm very pleased that a great many obviously agree with me since it's still being produced. Don't let older reviews keep you from trying and potentially enjoying this historical and familiar favorite of mine. If for some reason you happen to not enjoy it, you can send any left over my way! It's seriously that good to me. Some may call me common, but I've learned there's nothing wrong with that. I'm an "earthy" man, that comes from simple folks that worked the land by the sweat of their brow with calloused hands. Half and Half goes well after good honest work, wearing blue jeans and of course is best smoked from the venerable Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob Pipe.

Pipe Used: Missouri Meerschaum Cob

Age When Smoked: 2017 new tub

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Prince Albert I guess, but it really stands out alone..

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2081)	2016-07-05		Medium	Strong	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Half & Half - Half & Half Regular.

Firstly, there's no way this is a ribbon, it looks very similar to Sir Walter Raleigh: the cut's nearly the same (cube), it's just a little brighter in colour. To tell the truth, I didn't realise this was an aromatic, so what was going to be a blend to enjoy transpired into a 'quick review' job! The aromatic appurtenance is easy to identify pre-light, and the moisture's good from a fresh pouch.

The first word that jumps to mind upon lighting it is 'cheap', it just tastes cheap and nasty. The tobacco's may be of a decent quality, or they may not be, I wouldn't know as the disgusting topping fulminates any chance of them gaining praise. This topping, lol, may have anisette, cherry, and licorice included, but that's 'by-the-by', it just tastes horrible, so I'm not fussed about what the ingredients are: like fellow reviewer Mcnulty said, 'nasty cough medicine'.

Okay, I'll write a few of the positives to try and make this not a total thrashing: it burns well, the smoke's quite cool, it doesn't bite, and the nicotine's medium.

One of the worst blends I've ever smoked, not recommended:

One star.

Pipe Used: Enricoro Big Freehand

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes.com

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	wintermute (90)	2015-10-23		Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Tolerable

I am going to review that latest version of this stuff put out by Scandinavian Tobacco Group. I have tried this in the past and found it to have a perfume type smell and taste that I did not care for. But with the new version being put out by STG, this blend is just wonderful. The first thing you will notice is that the pouch is not a foil pack inside a cardboard box like the old days. It is a quality roll-up pouch and does a good job of keep the product fresh. The pouch aroma is what you would expect and will still smell of perfume, but do not be discouraged. It packs nicely and lights easily. I do recommend a charring light on this one. The smoke is white are pretty thick. The taste is pure Burley, but with the brights over-shadowing the darks. The perfume is just lightly there and only adds to the smoothness of the smoke. It disappears about halfway down the bowl. The Burley taste is consistent down to the bottom of the bowl and you hardly know you are done when the smoke just fades out. The ash is fine and white and jumps out of the bowl with a knock. The nicotine level seems pretty tame to me. And, the room note is closer to a cigarette than most of the tobaccos in this genre. In other words, it won't win friends and influence people, but it goes away rather quickly. This is my 50th tobacco review and I cannot believe that I did not review this OTC standard years ago. I am glad I waited to review that latest incarnation of this find old blend. I think all Burley lovers should try this again and see the improvements STG has made.

Pipe Used: MM Legend

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

Similar Blends: Carter Hall.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jorge Soler (203)	2015-08-29		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

This is probably one of the cheapest convenience store blends there is, but I think it is wrong to judge a tobacco by its price tag. Some reviewers seem to be saying this tobacco has changed over the years, but so far as the tin note is concerned, it has the same aroma so characteristic I remember from years ago, that is, sort of fermented oranges or citrusy with a tangy note to it. The moist content is about right and its ribbon cut is very loose, so you will find it easy to pack in your bowl. The strength of this blend is rather medium, and I think I'd say the same about its taste, though it can build up the more you progress every quarter of your bowl. I cannot detect any tongue bite or, at list, it is not apparent to me due to its mellow character. Despite this, this blend has failed to impress, but as an everyday's smoke, I think it is good enough for what it is. I am giving it 4 starts though, not so more because I might think it deserves it, but just to offset the bad reviews (I don't think this tobacco is as bad as many claim it to be). Just give it a go and find for yourself whether it might suit your smoking needs. If you take into account its price tag, you won't be loosing that much in case you get it wrong after all.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jevverrett (107)	2014-10-02		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

This was the first pipe tobacco I ever smoked. My great uncle smoked, and still does smoke this blend pretty much exclusively. I'm not going to bash it, I did enjoy it at the time. It's really just that I have moved on in my range of taste. I can still remember my aunt complaining about the smell of it when I smoked it in the house. She said it had always been rotgut, and tried to tell me about aromatic blends lol.

It has an excellent burn quality and a unique flavor. Think of a heavily cased version of Prince Albert. Same kind of cut too. It is also pretty inexpensive.

I'm not going to recommend this to others, chances are they will encounter this whether they want to or not. It everywhere, usually on the shelf next to Prince albert, carter hall and captain black.

Pipe Used: Cobs and chacom dee gee

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Similar Blends: Prince Albert.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2012-07-13		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

Not a bad smoke. Far superior to CH among the OTC's.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wikguy (11)	2016-10-13		Mild	None Detected	Overwhelming	Extra Strong

Avoid this like the plague.

It stinks, tastes horrible, bites every part of your mouth and makes you look like an idiot for buying this.

I would rather smoke my own finger nails mixed with floor wax.

Luckily I was giftes with this mess and did not spend money on it.

Pipe Used: Unfortunately my good pipes

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bluesmoke (75)	2015-01-03		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Half and Half produced a consistent anise topped smoke. It was pleasantly easy to smoke, at first, and had a hint of nuttiness which came through the added flavorings. This was stronger than some other Burley blends, like PA, but I found myself feeling inundated by the aroma...the flavoring was just too overdone and left a chemical taste which lingered. Additionally, this was harsh for most of the bowl and left my mouth feeling a little "burned" and irritated. Some may like this, good amount of smoke, packed and burned just fine, so at least the basics were met. In the end I have to say that the tin is half empty rather than half full. :) PTLOGJ

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ruffinogold (112)	2014-11-10		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Lane recently took over this brand , thank goodness . Imo , the Pinkerton version had a Listerine flavoring added and I could not tolerate it . It was really just plain ole bad . Todays is such an improvement ! I jokingly say it has a flavoring of Rolling Rock beer , but I don't really know what the topnote Is , other than a bonus to the blend . This blend might be one of the easiest blends to light and keep lit on the market , as an OTC should be . I assume it's half Burley and half Virginia but I get more Virginia up front than any kind of solid burley flavor . I smoked a number of pouches of this blend this past summer . It is mild+ in nicotine . It's mild in body and will produce a full mouth of smoke . I rather like it and think it's a vast improvement to the last version . For the three bucks it cost ... it's very much worth a try

Pipe Used: Smoked it in everything imaginable

Age When Smoked: I buy fresh pouches

Purchased From: OTC

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	incognitopoet (37)	2014-10-03		Medium	Extra Strong	Overwhelming	Tolerable

I tried this years ago because my dad used to smoke it. He wasn't very good at tobacco selection. It was hot, steamy, and filled with foul, dangerous chemicals. Avoid at all costs.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	NHPro (4)	2014-08-13		Mild	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I enjoyed my first bowl of this tobacco in a corn cob. My initial reaction to this "old codger" favorite was OK. It was smooth with no bite and a pleasant note without being overly done. H&H will not be my go to blend by any means, but it was enjoyable enough and left a good overall impression. I would recommend it.

Pipe Used: Corn Cob

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Purchased From: Local Shop

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Kraft1994 (54)	2014-02-05		Very Mild	Medium	Very Mild	Pleasant

As OTC burley blends go half and half is one of the better ones. Granted, thats not saying much. It burns well, smokes cool and has a nice nutty flavor to it. However the nice nutty flavor that it starts with quickly disappears and is replaced by a chemical flavor. The aroma is also chemical laden. Over cased, low quality. Yet somehow better than most OTC burleys. To any new pipe smokers considering this blend I'd say its a good starting place. Readily available and inexpensive. However I'd recommend new pipe smokers to go to pipesandcigars.com or smokingpipes.com and order some tobacco samplers. A much better place to start.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gam86 (49)	2013-12-20		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

this tobacco is nor good or bad. For what it cost it give you what you want. Is pleasant, doesn't bite and havens good flavour. But the casting doesn't remain constant and after 2 weeks it become a so and so tobacco

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2008-12-29		Medium to Strong	Medium	Full	Strong

Picked a box up at the local smoke shop to give a try. Not to my liking at all. Reminds me of passing the local refinery in taste. Chemical taste was very strong and unpleasant. If there were a tobacco taste I did not notice it. I do not recommend this at all.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gae (46)	2003-07-12		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Disgraceful! I would not tell anyone to bother with it.It's neither this or that,except VERY FOUL!

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Doctor Max (29)	2020-02-15		Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I have to say I enjoyed this blend much more than I expected. I guess some things are classic for a reason! Really straight-forward tobacco. Ribbon cut, pleasant pouch aroma: I smell grassy notes from the Virginia, cocoa notes from the Burley, and a sweet scent with notes of anise and cherry (reflecting the colours of the packaging?). These flavours comes through clearly in the smoke as well, along with some coriander and nutmeg notes. As expected quite a light smoke, but pleasantly sweet and consistent with the pouch aroma, and surprisingly consistent from char to heel. Surprisingly low on nicotine for a classic tobacco. Really quite sweet and pleasant room note. While far from an ecstatic smoke, I think H&H is one of those tobaccos that every pipe smoker should try at least once.

Pipe Used: Corn cob

Age When Smoked: 0-1 years

Purchased From: Expendeduria Número 3, Calp, Spain

Similar Blends: Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) - Kentucky Bird, Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) - Erinmore Flake, Mac Baren - Navy Flake, Mac Baren - Amphora Full Aroma.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	tbear79072 (18)	2016-11-23		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Very Pleasant

If you want a basic tobacco that has flavor and is not anything fancy or frilly then buy a pouch and try Half and Half. It's not fancy or exotic in blend or flavor. It has been for sale longer than any of us have been alive. I use this when I want a smoke I don't have to worry about pampering. It packs, lights, and burns well. The flavor is pleasant on the tongue. If you sip it like a fine scotch or bourbon you will see that it doesn't have to have anything else to make it good. I have heard all kinds of descriptions as to the flavorings used. All I know is I like it whatever they are? I keep this on hand to smoke on a calm Saturday morning or when I need to sit and think something through. I am planning on buying a tin to put on the shelf so I have it whenever I want it. Yes it is an old codger blend. Yes it has nothing but burley and Virginia in it. Most of all it has been around for 100 years or so. To make it that long there must be something right about this tobacco? I'll just keep smoking it for the next 20 years or so and see if I can figure it out!

Pipe Used: Missouri Meerschaum Hardwood

Age When Smoked: 1 Month

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PeterD (91)	2016-10-17		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

The current Half & Half by Lane(STG) is different than the one by Pinkerton...I won't get into a definitive comparison but I find the Lane version a bit "softer" and not as over the top in flavoring, and will still be an OTC I continue to keep in my Rotation. Frankly, I like the taste and aroma of Half & Half and find that half the bowls I smoke weekly are of the OTC genre...Mainly a plug and flake smoker for the last 35 years, I do enjoy a wide variety of strong, complex, and refined tobaccos, but the last 10 years I have moved back to the OTC side more often than not... Based on the reviews, I suspect folks either like or don't like it, but its a worthy contender in the OTC line-up and perhaps the Lane version might be more appealing today more than before...

I do miss reading the by-line..."a cargo of contentment in each bowl"...

No longer in a 14 oz. can...only 12 oz. can or pouch. 10/18/16...I have read a number of reviews and folks talk of a cherry top note...I do not taste or smell any cherry flavoring when I smoke this...

Pipe Used: gp. 4 size and larger

Age When Smoked: fresh, and cellared

Purchased From: Windy City Cigars

Similar Blends: Velvet,CH, and various other OTC tobaccos.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Young Piper (304)	2016-09-02		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Update: I just purchased two more tins from Pipes and Cigars since i just adore the Scandinavian H&H version and they had a 20% off sale. Who knows what the Nazis at the FDA have in store for the future, (yes i know it seems ridiculous but everyone said i was crazy in 2008 or whenever the giant cigar tax took hold) so i am hording just a little at current prices... But the new version of H&H has the most intoxicating Christmas aroma in the tubs that translates to a delicious slightly aromatic Carter Hall IMHO. Be sure to get the tub as its much better but if you want to try a small amount to start. the old stuff came in foil pouches and the new stuff comes in a plastic like shiny pouch just as an FYI so you can tell the difference without looking for the manufacturer

Ah I sure am glad the Scandinavians are resurrecting these old blends (or just re-blending them with quality leaf) H&H and Sail are two off the top of my head that were not so good before and now have risen to the quality that they were before (its too bad that Sail has been discontinued though). My new pouches of H&H from Pipesandcigars listed STG as the manufacturer and once opened I could tell this was going to be a much better experience than my Pinkerton trials years ago. I get a Cherry / Anise like topping with the usual Kentucky Burley and Bright Virginia combo in a ribbon cut. My two pouches that I smoked did not have any sticks or stems, were mostly bite free and after ten minutes in the Las Vegas air, were dry enough to smoke to the bottom with one or two relights. Very happy to have decided to try H&H again and also pleased that STG has decided to make an old time OTC with the quality it deserves. 4 stars for quality to price ratio and i just love the Christmas tub aroma! Try it just to see the quality difference, you might be surprised like I was!

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	W. Carter (6)	2016-04-23		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Good burley everyday smoke. Mild to medium taste, burns good, medium nicotene, and great price. I would recommend it to any pipe smoker that has a taste for good ole burley tobacco and occasionally inhales. I always keep a 12 oz. can on hand!

Pipe Used: Grabow Bent Filtered

Age When Smoked: 12 Oz. Can?

Purchased From: Smokers Outlet Online

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2016-04-03		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Picked this up with some other OTC blends I was trying out, to see if there were any staples of cheap easy to find tobacco to fill my tobacco collection. This is definitely one I will keep smoking.

In the pouch it has a strong, powerful aroma that I can't place, but love the scent of. It was easy to pack and light and stay lit for me easily.

The taste was strong, spicy, and nutty, and I loved it. It was a taste that I knew I would be able to use as an all day smoke. The room note is very pleasant and great smelling.

For me, this was a great find for a cheap OTC that I can easily get a hold of and enjoy.

Pipe Used: Cayuga Churchwarden, Dr. Grabow Omega W/ Filter

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Shell Gas Station

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Moe (46)	2016-02-01		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Half and Half is a really nice American blend that has stood the test of time. Dont let the internet experts put you off of trying this iconic blend that many of our granddads called number 1. Many of them like to sound pretentious and would eat worms if you gave them a fancy french name. Smoke some properly and in a cob and you'll understand.

Pipe Used: MM cob diplomat, Chacom Canadian

Age When Smoked: 10 yr old Pinkerton version , and fresh

Purchased From: Meijer

Similar Blends: Carter Hall, Prince Albert.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	mightysmurf8201 (28)	2015-12-22		Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant

I tried this a few years ago and managed to finish one bowl. Tongue bite like crazy, and really not much flavor. Tried it again today and although it wasn't as unenjoyable as last time, I still don't see myself finishing the pouch. It did bite a bit, and the only flavor I could get is just a faint hint of fruitiness and not much else. It doesn't have a bad room note. I'm satisfied that I've given it a fair shake, but in the end, the only time I would ever smoke this again is if the only other option was Borkhum Riff.

Pipe Used: cob, briar

Age When Smoked: new

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	blitzer (1)	2015-07-15		Medium to Strong	Strong	Overwhelming	Overwhelming

This is not the same Half & Half as once was desired by many back in the day. After stopping by the Tobacco Store & picking up a few things I made the bad decision of getting a flap of this stuff. After arriving home & fixed a glass of ice tea I went to my smoking spot, my porch and packed a bowl. 3 puffs later I was trying to figure out what to do with it. It was awful! My dog gave me this go to hell look before he limped off & the neighbors gathered trying to figure out how to call in a fire retardant drop from the forest service air wing. Took 20 minutes of brushing my tongue before finally getting that sweet burnt tar flavor out of mouth. Maybe I had a bad batch, but roofing tar with molasses was the smell. Good luck..

Pipe Used: not any longer, had to throw it out.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Old German puffer (106)	2015-07-08		Very Mild	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant

Half and half is still a weekly staple in my home. It costs a dollar a pouch and Lane is more than happy to send coupons monthly. It smokes clean and has little bite. I tend to blend it with whatever I feel like at the moment as filler. It is a clean, good room note and burns like a freight train. If you need to thin something strong use this.

Pipe Used: GBD. Dr. Grabow. Kaywoodie Yellow Bole

Age When Smoked: pouch

Purchased From: TRO

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	RJ Beattie Jr (4)	2014-10-18		Mild	Medium to Strong	Medium	Unnoticeable

This is the absolute worst thing I've every smoked. I used to work in a chemical plant, and this tastes like what happens, if ya get smoke in your mouth, during a fire in the plant. Personally I wouldn't even give this as a joke. It may work as an execution product though, in a word HORRIBLE !!!

Pipe Used: Missouri Meerschaum Washington

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: local store

Similar Blends: Hot chemical waste.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pop pops pipe (28)	2014-07-30		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

When Pinkerton and American tobacco co. Made this it was good, more like Granger with some va added. Now that lane took it over they ruined it ! You can still find 14 oz Pinkerton tins though and those are the ones I'd try to get if you like this.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PaulMcCoy (78)	2021-11-27		Mild	Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I haven’t had this fresh in years. My jar is from 2013. Revisiting it now, it’s not as bad as I remembered it to be. Could be that the age has done it some good, or maybe my pallet has changed over the years. It burns fantastic. It’s very affordable, and easy to find in the states. The burleys have a hint of cherry added to them, but mostly tastes like warm aromatic burley air. I don’t pick-up on the Virginia’s at all. This one also slightly bites me, so those two things alone bump it way down. Its not for me, but It’s worth a shot. Many people really like this blend.

Age When Smoked: New to 8+ years

Purchased From: Drug Store

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JackalMike (7)	2016-06-03		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I didn't care for this tobacco. I found it smoked hot and tended to get bitter. It also tends to bite if pushed and left bits of caramelized dottle in the bowl.

I removed the contents from the pouch and put them in a small jelly-sized jar. I still have most of it and will pass it on to someone who likes it... if I can find someone.

Happy Puffing,

Mike

Pipe Used: Cob, Briar, Hardwood

Age When Smoked: Unknown. 1.5 oz. pouch

Purchased From: Local B&M

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Corncob3 (77)	2016-04-15		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Smoking a bowl while writing this review. This blend is its own animal. Strong, somewhat dry, sour maltiness (think orange rind and bittersweet cherries) and a spiciness that stays pronounced throughout the smoke. The anise note is there, but acts more like a garnish. Midway down the bowl the blend became a tad sweeter. Some might mistaken the mix of sour maltiness and peppery aftertaste for bite. Which is more noticeable on the roof of the mouth rather than a sharpness on one's tongue. Smoking out of a cob it got hotter at the bottom, but slowing down between draws kept things cool and in check. I can't say I like H&H or hate it. This is a no frills blend that will be offputting at first to those who prefer aromatics. It does get some getting use to. The room note won't have you running for the hills either. The virginias aren't terribly sweet but the nuttiness of the burley makes up for that. I recommend airing out on parchment paper overnight then jarring. Which is what I will do once done with this review. Hopefully H&H will get sweeter and mellower with age. Just remember to take a leisurely pace with this one. To avoid the dreaded nip, tamper and sip. Not my favorite blend, but something to smoke once in a while.

Pipe Used: Corncob

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gladi8tor96 (143)	2016-02-26		Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

Interesting tobacco. The pouch note smelled like light tobacco with a slightly fruity smell with a bit of something I can put my finger on. Maybe the licorice/anisette?

Wasn't too moist. Loaded into the pipe well, lit perfectly and stayed lit with no issues. A bit of tongue bite during first light, but after that it didn't bite at all. Slightly sweet flavor that increases around mid-bowl. There is a hint of licorice, not just in flavor but in mouth feel, that I assume is from the anisette. It's interesting and not too overpowering. Not much tobacco flavor, just light sweetness from whatever topping was added. I didn't detect cherry, but it did remind me of fruitcake with a hint of burley smoke and some licorice. It's not a bad tobacco, but it's not one that I would make sure I have in stock.

Pipe Used: Cob, Billard

Age When Smoked: New Gifted

Purchased From: Gifted

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Corvus (36)	2015-12-13		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have only been seriously piping for about two years after some early attempts 10 to 15 years ago when I tried at one point the terrible Captain Black and foolishly shag cut Bugler. Since then I started with some bulks and then happily moved onto tins. However, I am also going through a couple of the OTC pouch blends. After all these are the tobaccos that the men we admired smoked of yore and are the signature pipe tobacco aroma.

The cut is kind of a coarse broken ribbon, of mostly a medium brown with some brighter leaf. It's undoubtedly moist, but the stew of humectants, accelerants, preservatives, and flavorings is undoubtedly a miracle of industrial chemistry. One match is plenty to get this going so there is no charring light, it is instant ignition. It smokes steady, with a medium volume of smoke at a moderate pace. It is very tolerant of abuse, and no matter the ferocity of puffing I can't induce tongue bite or steam and little gurgle. Those factors are alarming- natural combustion cycles don't produce those results. Practically speaking, it means it smokes well outdoors, without much attention, and can be smoked when active. I like it when I'm up on my tractor. If it is pushed hard you'll generate the synthetic burning of the various treatments, but that at a pretty low level.

The taste is okay. It seems that it is treated with anise/licorice that seems to blend to cherry liqueur that is quite boozy. It is somewhat sweet and nutty, but the sweetness has a sour, musty, and even slightly pungent quality that reminds me of black walnuts, not just the nut meat but the green walnut hulls. There is also a distinct clay-like taste. The aroma is somewhat pleasant.

Overall, it's okay. The natural tobacco flavors are muted, burley is no doubt present but I would never pick up the Va half of it. The flavoring is interesting, but the entire experience of the smoke is artificial from the toppings to the burn. It will do in a pinch and I would buy it again, maybe as a change of pace once a year. I need something to smoke up on the tractor.

Pipe Used: Cobs

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Corner store

Similar Blends: Carter Hall.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sweet Leaf (8)	2015-09-29		Mild	Mild	Medium	Tolerable

I like half of it and hate the other half. If you like smoking cough syrup this is for you. I would not waste your money.

Pipe Used: Cob

Purchased From: B &M

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	The good Rev. Rizzo (36)	2015-08-07		Extremely Mild	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

My first OTC blend. As I'm admittedly not a fan of aros usually, I've decided to give this a try just to see what the history has been about. My tin is of the Lane Limited production for those who have seen this blend change hands. What I found upon opening the twelve ounce tin was a decent enough ribbon cut. Kind of unusual tin note. I still can't name that smell. But it's kind of sweet yet a tiny hint of almost vinegar. The tobacco is sufficiently dry enough to smoke with little to no preparation. Lights very easily. Decent white pleasing smoke billows. Maybe a touch on the light side of that compared to what I normally gravitate to. But for what it is, I'll accept it. The taste is of the average aromatic to me. Sweeter than I prefer. But not bad in any way. I did not find the cherry taste at all. I did find a little anisette and perhaps I kept thinking I got a mild honey taste. End result being pleased for what it is. I'll keep it around just to flirt with from time to time when I need a break.

Pipe Used: Tony Warner poker

Age When Smoked: Less than six months on store shelf?

Purchased From: Smoke shop in Massena New York.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	atomicbuster (79)	2013-12-17		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Tolerable to Strong

I have smoked only a handful of bowls of this tobacco. The pouch smell is OK, as are the moisture and burn qualities. I like the initial puffs, as they still give off that "crisp" sensation. But it goes away about 10 minutes later. What's left is the closest I've experienced of smoking a cigarette in my pipe. If you don't know what that means, good for you. For those of you that do know, you might consider it unpleasant. It's just not what I want when I smoke a pipe, so I can't recommend it... Period.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	manxman (82)	2016-06-15		Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Tolerable

Smells of cherry in the pouch. The smoke tastes of anise, this fades to an ashy cigarette like taste. Smokes cool, like the pouch says. Slight tongue bite. No nicotine or gurgle. Pleasant to retrohale. Good about staying lit. Minimal dottle.

Pipe Used: MM cob w filter,

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Convenience stuff

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	mnadz (69)	2016-04-28		Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

For real H&H reviews and description, please see Scandanivian Tobacco Half&Half. This must have been done in error.

Although I do get a kick when people read aromatic, they use it across the board and rate the flavoring more than what is actually there.

Similar Blends: Prince Albert.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	canvas (337)	2016-04-04		Medium	Strong	Medium to Full	Strong

It is easy to buy a horrible tobacco when you have to get one from a gas station or grocery store. You often get what you pay for. In fact, other than the readily available Prince Albert which I feel is worth the cost and does a decent job as a pinch hitter, this one is not worth the purchase.

The flavor was reminiscent of a hospital or some Vic's Vapor Rub. It was just gross.

Unless you want to revisit memories of Grandpa in hospice; best to avoid.

Purchased From: Uhle's

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Nwpipesmker (27)	2016-02-27		Very Mild	Medium	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Unnoticeable

Bought this on a road trip when the store didn't have my brand. Not my favorite it has a citrus, fermented apple smell to it and it tastes like smoking an ashtray.

Pipe Used: Missouri meerschaum legend

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Out of town store

Similar Blends: Nothing i ever smoked.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Duke Nukum (16)	2016-02-24		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

I last tried this many years ago. It came in a small card box with a plastic bag of product inside. There was no evidence of casing at all and the appearance was of a mixture of darker, ribbon cut with light torn leaf. It was what the box said - a half and half mixture of dark burley with bright Virginia. Mild and neutral with an 'outdoorsy' smell of autumn leaf-fires. Packed and burned well. However, this clearly is NOT what the blend is now.

Pipe Used: "Dr. Plumb" bent

Age When Smoked: As purchased

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2015-08-16		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

Not as bad as some of the reviews lead you to believe. It's straightforward and relatively mild. Burns hot if you push it but smoke slow and it's really an ok smoke. Been around for a loooong time so it has some redeeming qualities. Good to have around for the occasional "reset" smoke after you smoke a lot of the fancy sophisticated blends out there. Don't notice a ton of cherry aroma or flavor but there is a fruity casing applied.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrumSmoke (1)	2015-08-16		Mild	Medium	Medium	Tolerable

I purchased this tobacco today for the first time from my local smoke shop. The notes form the pouch give off a chemical cherry cough syrup smell with a hint of fake chocolate. I smoked this from a cob it lit well smoked cool but the overall flavor was of artificial flavoring. I blended this with some my mixture 925 and the flavor was still unpleasant.

Pipe Used: Corn cob

Age When Smoked: New from pouch

Purchased From: Smoke shop

Nobody has rated this review yet.