John Middleton, Inc Carter Hall
(3.03)
Cross cut burleys with a sprinkling of Virginia flake.
Notes: Carter Hall has been providing a straightforward and enjoyable smoking blend at an affordable price since 1895 by keeping things simple: ribbon-cut Virginia and burley leaf of good quality, combined in the right proportions.
Details
| Brand | John Middleton, Inc |
| Blended By | John Middleton, Inc. |
| Manufactured By | John Middleton, Inc. |
| Blend Type | Burley Based |
| Contents | Burley, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Bourbon, Cocoa / Chocolate |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 14 ounce plastic tub |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.03 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 21 - 30 of 446 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 01, 2008 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I like my various English blends and smoke mostly those. Unfortunately, I smoke outside and down around San Antone, It gets too hot early in the year and stays that way until late in the year. Smokey Latakias just don't do it for me in the heat. I can't do the modern type aromatics at all. I've been venturing into the world of VA & VA/mixed flakes. However, there are times, more times than not actually, I would like to have a tasty, easy to smoke blend that works year round.
Where a fine English/Balkan blend, or a fine VA fits the contemplative, meaning of life, philosophical mode, there are times ya just want to kick back and reflect, or just enjoy a moment without having to be tuned in to every subtle, changing nuance. Carter Hall is that fishing hole, sitting by the barn, faded overalls and work boots kind of smoke.
I grew up on a farm in Southern Ohio and we raised Burley. I drove tractors without cabs, A/C and stereos. Growing tobacco is hard work and a gamble. But, I have some fond memories of farmers pitching in to help plant, harvest/hang, and later strip the tobacco crop, as well as cooperating on getting other crops planted and harvested. Recreation was country too. Not too many fellows there who smoked Dunhills stuffed with imported, tinned tobaccos. American Burley blends in the various working man's pipes were what those who smoked a pipe carried around.
On a nostalgic note I tried to find one of those basic, still to be found in a drug or grocery store blends. The Prince and Granger just did not cut it. Sir Walter Raleigh Aromtaic is decent, but taste ashey towards the end and can bite in a breeze or if you smoke it too quick.
I came back and gave Carter Hall a real try. I found a downright pleasant smoke. As others have mentioned, a cob is the ultimate place for this simple mix. But any decent briar works just fine.
You can turn it spicey and a wee bitter if you smoke it too fast. It's tasty enough with a nice creamy smoke you just want to puff away on it. Slow down to keep that flavor to the bottom. It doesn't bite much and smokes pretty cool overall.
Will it replace my tinned tobaccos? No. However, it may relegate them to times when they can be savored and thoroughly enjoyed. Instead of tiring my palate by smoking many pipefulls of English and VA types and reducing my appreciation of them, Carter Hall gives me a tasty, pleasant, enjoyable smoke throughout the day or when I just want to amble about. Then when the time comes to really indulge in a fine tobacco, I get the most out of that tobacco. Oh yeah, and it quickly brings back the memories of hardwoods in the fall, the smell of hay and curing tobacco in the barn.
I give it three stars that it can stand on alone regardless of class. If comparing it to others in its class, DS the like, it should be considered a four star.
When simple pleasure is on the menu, this is it.
Where a fine English/Balkan blend, or a fine VA fits the contemplative, meaning of life, philosophical mode, there are times ya just want to kick back and reflect, or just enjoy a moment without having to be tuned in to every subtle, changing nuance. Carter Hall is that fishing hole, sitting by the barn, faded overalls and work boots kind of smoke.
I grew up on a farm in Southern Ohio and we raised Burley. I drove tractors without cabs, A/C and stereos. Growing tobacco is hard work and a gamble. But, I have some fond memories of farmers pitching in to help plant, harvest/hang, and later strip the tobacco crop, as well as cooperating on getting other crops planted and harvested. Recreation was country too. Not too many fellows there who smoked Dunhills stuffed with imported, tinned tobaccos. American Burley blends in the various working man's pipes were what those who smoked a pipe carried around.
On a nostalgic note I tried to find one of those basic, still to be found in a drug or grocery store blends. The Prince and Granger just did not cut it. Sir Walter Raleigh Aromtaic is decent, but taste ashey towards the end and can bite in a breeze or if you smoke it too quick.
I came back and gave Carter Hall a real try. I found a downright pleasant smoke. As others have mentioned, a cob is the ultimate place for this simple mix. But any decent briar works just fine.
You can turn it spicey and a wee bitter if you smoke it too fast. It's tasty enough with a nice creamy smoke you just want to puff away on it. Slow down to keep that flavor to the bottom. It doesn't bite much and smokes pretty cool overall.
Will it replace my tinned tobaccos? No. However, it may relegate them to times when they can be savored and thoroughly enjoyed. Instead of tiring my palate by smoking many pipefulls of English and VA types and reducing my appreciation of them, Carter Hall gives me a tasty, pleasant, enjoyable smoke throughout the day or when I just want to amble about. Then when the time comes to really indulge in a fine tobacco, I get the most out of that tobacco. Oh yeah, and it quickly brings back the memories of hardwoods in the fall, the smell of hay and curing tobacco in the barn.
I give it three stars that it can stand on alone regardless of class. If comparing it to others in its class, DS the like, it should be considered a four star.
When simple pleasure is on the menu, this is it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 09, 2022 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This will be the 397th review of this tobacco. That speaks volumes to the brilliance of this legendary OTC Virginia/Burley.
If I had appreciated Carter Hall more when I began smoking a pipe I may not have accumulated so much variety in the cellar. This is simply a perfect choice to smoke anytime of day. It treats beginners equally well as seasoned smokers. Give it a loose pack and smoke away. I cant think of an easier burning tobacco. You’ll taste the nutty Burley a bit more than the sweet Virginia. The tasty chocolate, bourbon, and molasses topping is applied gently and makes for a pleasant room note. It’s easy on the tongue and palate and can be smoked to nothing but ash. Hopefully this will remain in production until the end of times.
If I had appreciated Carter Hall more when I began smoking a pipe I may not have accumulated so much variety in the cellar. This is simply a perfect choice to smoke anytime of day. It treats beginners equally well as seasoned smokers. Give it a loose pack and smoke away. I cant think of an easier burning tobacco. You’ll taste the nutty Burley a bit more than the sweet Virginia. The tasty chocolate, bourbon, and molasses topping is applied gently and makes for a pleasant room note. It’s easy on the tongue and palate and can be smoked to nothing but ash. Hopefully this will remain in production until the end of times.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 17, 2018 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
I purchased an estate pipe online that was reamed back to bare wood and had a heavy vanilla ghost. I hoped to dedicate this pipe to Virginia blends, but I knew I had to exercise the ghost first.
I read many reviews saying Carter Hall was great for building cake and smoking out old ghosts. After smoking a 1.5oz pouch, I’m happy to say it worked as expected. What I didn’t expect, was how much I would enjoy smoking Carter Hall.
This OTC killed the tobacco snob in me. It is simply a smooth nutty burley blend with a sprinkling of Virginia’s, and a very light (chocolate, whiskey maybe?) topping. It’s one dimensional, but enjoyable from start to finish.
I now feel foolish for being such a tobacco elitist. I plan on checking out some other OTC classics to see if there are any other hidden gems I’ve been overlooking.
I read many reviews saying Carter Hall was great for building cake and smoking out old ghosts. After smoking a 1.5oz pouch, I’m happy to say it worked as expected. What I didn’t expect, was how much I would enjoy smoking Carter Hall.
This OTC killed the tobacco snob in me. It is simply a smooth nutty burley blend with a sprinkling of Virginia’s, and a very light (chocolate, whiskey maybe?) topping. It’s one dimensional, but enjoyable from start to finish.
I now feel foolish for being such a tobacco elitist. I plan on checking out some other OTC classics to see if there are any other hidden gems I’ve been overlooking.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 07, 2016 | Extremely Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I had heard so much about this stuff for so many years. Mostly positive. So I finally got my hands on some. (Had to order online since its not available here in Japan).
I've been a pipe smoker for around 5 years and tried around 40 different blends. Just to give you an idea of my taste here are some of my favourites: Frog Morton on the town, 7 seas regular, macbaren Vanilla...)
So...first 2 bowls were a little disappointing. I thought I might end up throwing the stuff out. There really wasn't anything special there. (Sorry...I am not good at describing all the various flavours and room notes).
3rd bowl was not bad. Smooth. Easy to smoke. And...something about the simplicity of it...that grows on you.
By the 4th...I was won over. Even 7 seas regular I can't smoke all day long. Becomes a little too much for me. But this stuff I can smoke 2 or 3 bowls a day (usually one is enough for me).
Now...it's my daily smoke. Occasionally I feel like something more exciting...but this is my meat and potatoes (or daily rice in Japan).
Great stuff.
I recommend it. But give it a chance...it will grow on you.
I've been a pipe smoker for around 5 years and tried around 40 different blends. Just to give you an idea of my taste here are some of my favourites: Frog Morton on the town, 7 seas regular, macbaren Vanilla...)
So...first 2 bowls were a little disappointing. I thought I might end up throwing the stuff out. There really wasn't anything special there. (Sorry...I am not good at describing all the various flavours and room notes).
3rd bowl was not bad. Smooth. Easy to smoke. And...something about the simplicity of it...that grows on you.
By the 4th...I was won over. Even 7 seas regular I can't smoke all day long. Becomes a little too much for me. But this stuff I can smoke 2 or 3 bowls a day (usually one is enough for me).
Now...it's my daily smoke. Occasionally I feel like something more exciting...but this is my meat and potatoes (or daily rice in Japan).
Great stuff.
I recommend it. But give it a chance...it will grow on you.
Pipe Used:
Corn cob, briar churchwarden
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 2015 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I have not been smoking a pipe very long & got many recommendations to try this tobacco. I have to say I enjoy the taste of Carter Hall! It is a non-aromatic OTC brand with flavor which works for me & many others as well.
It's got a sweet, subtle bourbon smell with hints of other flavors when you open the package. It's not a grab you by the nostrils aromatic by any means, but it entices you to taste what lingers inside.
It's easy to load, burns well in a cob & stays lit with few relights which helps you to savor all the flavors without distraction. I can taste throughout the bowl a sweet mixture of bourbon & cocoa tobacco goodness. I get some nutty flavor here & there, but only slight. It was one of the 1st tobaccos that I actual knew what I tasted when I tasted it, besides vanilla or chocolate aromatics.
I am a new pipe smoker & haven't sampled a lot of tobaccos in this category. I hear a lot say there are better tobaccos out there. This is a good OTC tobacco, that can be found easily around most towns. It's a good smoke & if that's what you're looking for you found it!
It's got a sweet, subtle bourbon smell with hints of other flavors when you open the package. It's not a grab you by the nostrils aromatic by any means, but it entices you to taste what lingers inside.
It's easy to load, burns well in a cob & stays lit with few relights which helps you to savor all the flavors without distraction. I can taste throughout the bowl a sweet mixture of bourbon & cocoa tobacco goodness. I get some nutty flavor here & there, but only slight. It was one of the 1st tobaccos that I actual knew what I tasted when I tasted it, besides vanilla or chocolate aromatics.
I am a new pipe smoker & haven't sampled a lot of tobaccos in this category. I hear a lot say there are better tobaccos out there. This is a good OTC tobacco, that can be found easily around most towns. It's a good smoke & if that's what you're looking for you found it!
Pipe Used:
MM Legend
PurchasedFrom:
local B & M
Age When Smoked:
fresh to few weeks old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 22, 2013 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I got this one as a result of a recent trade via PSF.com as it's unavailable here in the UK. I have been wanting to get my hands on it for a long time as it seems to be a much talked blend. I did some reading up on it, mainly the reviews on here, so had a rough idea what to expect and, it turns out, it didn't disappoint.
The initial packaging of the 1.5 ounce packets I had, for me, were a pleasant novelty, to come in a nicely presented foil wrapper in a nice box was certainly pleasantly different. The aroma, too, was something a little different, something akin to confectionery, perhaps a mildly flavoured bubblegum. Packing was very easy due to the finely cut ribbons as was lighting. The smoke carried on much the same as the aroma from the packet, a nice mild and sweet flavour. This flavour and the aroma, however, developed into something a little nutty, though maintaining the sweetness. As for tonguebite, I got a little to begin with but after four of five smokes it disappeared.
I can understand why this is so widely and highly regarded. No, it's not a fantastic tobacco, it's not the same standard as, say, RDF or FVF, but then it doesn't pretend to be. It is a good, cheap and easily affordable (for the US anyway). Yes, it is quite obviously cased, but is done so expertly. Comparing this to "better" tobaccos is like comparing bubblegum with steak, there is no comparison. Sadly, it's not so cheap to get in the UK, what with international shipping charges and all, and even if it were on general sale over it would probably still cost the same as most OTC blends over here, somewhere in the region of £10 or £11 for 50g, saying that I would probably still buy it, even at those prices, though perhaps not so often as I'd like. Saying that though, I can see why it's so well regarded, it's designed to be cheap, not designed and then made cheaply.
The initial packaging of the 1.5 ounce packets I had, for me, were a pleasant novelty, to come in a nicely presented foil wrapper in a nice box was certainly pleasantly different. The aroma, too, was something a little different, something akin to confectionery, perhaps a mildly flavoured bubblegum. Packing was very easy due to the finely cut ribbons as was lighting. The smoke carried on much the same as the aroma from the packet, a nice mild and sweet flavour. This flavour and the aroma, however, developed into something a little nutty, though maintaining the sweetness. As for tonguebite, I got a little to begin with but after four of five smokes it disappeared.
I can understand why this is so widely and highly regarded. No, it's not a fantastic tobacco, it's not the same standard as, say, RDF or FVF, but then it doesn't pretend to be. It is a good, cheap and easily affordable (for the US anyway). Yes, it is quite obviously cased, but is done so expertly. Comparing this to "better" tobaccos is like comparing bubblegum with steak, there is no comparison. Sadly, it's not so cheap to get in the UK, what with international shipping charges and all, and even if it were on general sale over it would probably still cost the same as most OTC blends over here, somewhere in the region of £10 or £11 for 50g, saying that I would probably still buy it, even at those prices, though perhaps not so often as I'd like. Saying that though, I can see why it's so well regarded, it's designed to be cheap, not designed and then made cheaply.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 2013 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Whenever posting a few thoughts on a drugstore, over the counter blend, I often struggle with whether or not it should be rated on what it is intended to be (OTC) or lump it together with the more boutique blends. When it comes to Carter Hall, for me, it doesn't make any difference because either way it is a pretty nice, lightly aromatic blend. After taking a fair amount of time drying CH out, it packs with ease, and burns smoothly. There is a slight undertone of nuttiness, but less than I expected. There is no complexity here so if that's what you seek don't look here. CH is sweet, but not sickly sweet. My only real negative is the slight, but only slight, chemical taste. I experienced no bite whatsoever although if you have a sweet tooth, there may be a temptation to over puff it so I can see how it might be a possible biter. I find CH a great tobacco for those seeking a decent, affordable tobacco at a budget price.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2013 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Tried Carter Hall mainly for the $2.49 price tag on the pouch and in somewhat of an emergency(long car trip, no tobacco).The taste was initially sweet, then faded away and reappeared periodically throughout. It wasn't harsh although no matter how I smoked it, it always seemed to smoke hot. Anyway, if you're in a pinch, you could do a whole lot worse than Carter Hall. Recommend.
UPDATE: There's something about Carter Hall,the more I smoke it the better I like it. Very pleasant. I think I'm going for the big tin and cellar it. Nothing wrong with this price or taste. Just a good mild tobacco.
UPDATE: There's something about Carter Hall,the more I smoke it the better I like it. Very pleasant. I think I'm going for the big tin and cellar it. Nothing wrong with this price or taste. Just a good mild tobacco.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 23, 2013 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Taking my tour of OTC classic tobaccos I found Carter Hall to be a pleasant surprise. While very mild in taste it did have a light nutty flavor here and there as I smoked a bowl, mixed in with the slight burley flavor. The flavor is so mild I hesitate to call it an aromatic as the packaging says. Like most of the OTC's it lit well, burned consistently down to the bottom of the bowl. This is certainly something you could smoke daily and your tongue won't fall off or have a ashtray in your mouth the next morning. The room note was very light and neutral. I would say this is the best, for me, of the OTC tobaccos I have tried. A solid unpretentious blend that is worth a try.
Update 5/30/14: Upped to four stars because this has become my everyday smoke.
Update 5/30/14: Upped to four stars because this has become my everyday smoke.
Pipe Used:
Cob
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 23, 2009 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Carter Hall is hands down the best OTC blend I have tried to date. It tastes like tobacco, is nutty, doesn't bite, and leaves a nice aftertaste. There isn't much nicotine in it, but enough to notice. It lites well, but doesn't produce tongue burn. Whereas PA tends to get bitter towards the bottom of the bowl, CH doesn't.
CH has replaced PA as my OTC burley of choice for breaking in pipes. 5-10 pleasant half-bowls and you have a nice cake. I will return to this blend again when I run out. For what it is, an OTC plain burley, it is definitely 4 stars! Buy a pouch, it's inexpensive and it won't disappoint!
CH has replaced PA as my OTC burley of choice for breaking in pipes. 5-10 pleasant half-bowls and you have a nice cake. I will return to this blend again when I run out. For what it is, an OTC plain burley, it is definitely 4 stars! Buy a pouch, it's inexpensive and it won't disappoint!
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