Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Half & Half

Smoking this as we speak. A fellow reviewer described Half and Half as stout. He is absolutely correct, which leads me right into the debate of OTC versus high end blends. If you're not use them, are new to OTC fare or have never learned how to prep before firing up a bowl then you're missing out on some very rewarding smokes. I admit Half and Half is not my favorite go to. However, it is a solid sipper type. As with all OTCs this should be dried out then crushed down somewhat before packing. Give it a false light, then light again. Sit back. puff gently and relax. The anise-cherry essences stand out. It's malty, a tinge sweet, spicy with a faint cocoa character-slightly earthy. It reminds me of Blender's Gold Royal Cherry after drying and being broken down. Half and Half is one of those blends you learn to appreciate but don't necessarily love or smoke all the time. The room note is quite nice: like brownies baking with a somewhat waxy finish. Being a loyal fan of Velvet I would probably rate this as three and half stars.

Splendid pouch note, perfect moisture level, and a great smoking experience. I taste a sugary sweetness (possibly deer tongue) with nutty burleys. Reminds me of everything good about Burley in one fantastic and unique purchase. Leaves a bit of a peppery taste mixed with something like molasses behind when finished. This is a love it or hate it smoke. I recommend everyone interested in something unique give it a try at least once.

I have seen a photo of President Gerald Ford in the oval office with a large tin of Half and Half on his desk. Perhaps it was in P&T Magazine. I have always thought of giving it a try but never got around to it with all of the other "new" and more glamorous choices and options. Still, when Lane sent me coupons to buy four pouches for only $1.00 each, I was finally ready and eager to give H&H a try.

Mind you, this is the 2015 vintage. Fresh and clean by Lane Limited owned at this time by STG and headquartered in Tucker, Georgia. I mention that for reference as I never tried the blend back in the late 70's when the President's smoke was available en mass.

The pouch looks plain and dated. No pizzaz, flashy color or slogan. Just the age old red white and green with the standard warning from California. The pouch was additionally enclosed in a cellophane pouch to further preserve the contents and no significant smell escaped to my senses before opening.

Once the cellophane was removed the pouch turned out to be a better than average keeper. It seem to be a more dense mylar / plastic blend that is completely opaque to light and thus I am sure going even further to protect the contents from light.

Once opened, the pouch aroma suddenly seemed familiar yet difficult to place. Over the next few minutes as I mused over the scent I wanted to call out the usual "dried fruit" but then there was even an almost chocolate mixed in. It seemed to have been in my memory but I just couldn't place it. I closed the pouch and left for a while returning to try again and this time the sensory recall was much more clear. The above analysis was correct but there was a very surprising reminiscence of Sir Walter Raleigh Regular. My first though was that Lane had simply altered a tidbit of the classic SWR recipe and was calling that Half and Half. It wasn't SWR, but it was close. Even the cut was not terribly dissimilar. The tobacco was clearly different, however, and appeared to live up to the classic tag line of "Burley and Bright." I thought to myself, We shall see.

The excellent "Chunky" cut packed softly and easily into a Stanwell Canadian with a good cake. The moisture content seemed just right from the pouch and no drying or moistening was in order. Lighting was effortless with a single match and although it may not have been needed, I let the charring light go out, gently tamped the ash with my favorite Victor Yashtylov tamper and struck match number two to begin the bowl. A rich flavor ensued that was unique to my palate.

Interestingly and rare, the flavor was quite similar to the pouch aroma. There was also clearly a tobacco flavor. I am fond of aromatics and a 25+ year smoker so my pace was set as such to move ahead slowly and yet deeply, ejecting dense clouds of grey blue smoke to curl up and over toward my table lamp. The flavor remained the same throughout the bowl with only a modest INCREASE in flavor as the bowl reached about half way. I usually find the opposite to be true with aromatics but here, the bowl did, in fact, get better as I went.

The predominate flavor was more of the "dried fruit" variety than chocolate and still I can't quite place it between plum and anise or some mix of the two. Each is very distinct and yet here, they were difficult to discern. The bowl went out just past 1/2 way and after a final relight, the tobacco burned well toward the bottom leaving only a bit of dottle and that fairly dry. The aftertaste was mild and very clearly tobacco and not topping. After the bowl was empty, a pipe cleaner was barely darkened. I used both ends and the second came out quite clean. No residue or evidence of propylene glycol.

My overall impression was that this is a tobacco well worth its price at retail and if it were in a tin with an interesting name and a story behind it their would be many who would extoll its virtue. Perhaps blind tested against a well aged virginia with a bit of quite old perique for flavor the seasoned smoker could tell which was which but most would be guessing. Many would prefer the Half and Half based on the smoothness of the flavor, inability to generate a bite to the tongue and overall pleasant experience. I enjoyed this enough to make it a regular event when I am in the mood for a classic burley blend. Maybe the reason all of the "Codger" Burley's have been around for so many decades is because if we give up our snobbery and forgo our homage to marketing of niche blends and "famous" blenders, these old classics for the most part are just good tobaccos.

As an undergraduate at UGA I had a chemistry professor that always smoked his pipe during his lectures. I have found memories of the aroma in his lecture room, wood, chalk and the aroma of his pipe. There was always a pouch of Half and Half on his desk. Will never forget the mentor he became and the knowledge he imparted to me. I like good Virginias and VaPers but sometimes a simple satisfying bowl that does not require attention just good pipe tobacco flavor is special. Half and Half has that whiskey aroma that has not changed over the various iterations of this classic. Maybe not for the 'single malt moments' but sure goes good with coffee, coke or beer anytime. I always keep a pouch around for those contemplative porch sessions just to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

A very good OTC blend with the aroma and flavor of black licorice. Will not bite and has a good strength both of tobacco and casing. I do like smoking it from a cob on a summer day in the yard. Will ghost your pipe so either really like the flavor (as in you want all your tobaccos to taste like half and half) or dedicate a cob or pipe to it. Can leave a little goopy sugar in your pipe, but it’s worth it.

Otc blends are like bottom shelf whiskey,some are as good as the high end brands. I smoked H and H back in the 60's and always enjoyed it. Then another company took over and it all changed and not for the better. Every time I bought a pouch I always wish I had left it in the store.Then a couple of years ago I noticed H and H was in a new package. Went ahead and bought one and was very impressed! It was better than back in the 60's. Seems like every brand taken over by STG has improved. Just fill the bowl loosely,tamp once, light,tamp lightly, relight,and you're good to go to the very bottom of the bowl.Thanks STG for saving a good traditional blend.

I avoided this for a long time as I tried it many years ago and had a bad experience with it. I recently went through a pouch and then bought a whole can. This is a simple mixture with a light topping so don't expect a flavor explosion of great magnitudes. I like it and can see why our fathers and grandfathers may have smoked it. It is a simple blend that was created in simpler times. Packing and lighting is easy, but don't go crazy on puffing or it well get hot. Judge this on what it is,not what you think it should be. This is a good, simple all day smoke that requires little thought. We live in a crazy world, simple is good!

To be honest sometimes this stuff is just awful. It can smoke hot, bite, and taste terrible. On the flip-side it can be a wonderful simple Virginia/Burley with a nice top note. One out of every five bowls is a great smoke.

When it shines, the burley is very nutty with some chocolate. The Virginia is grassy with some hay. The topping is vaguely reminiscent of deer-tongue. It's herbal, tart, and sweet. It reminds me of ginger-ale. The retrohale shows some spice. I've grown to really enjoy this OTC Tobacco but it is tough to find the sweet spot of humidity. Too wet and it bites too dry and it tastes foul. Oh well one out of five bowls is good enough for me.

Half and half has been around a while. Both as a pipe mix and a roll you own blend. Toasty nutty Burley and Bright Leaf Va. While Half And Half has taken some bad ratings, it is what it is, a simple solid no nonsense tobacco. Will it bite you, yes if you huff it too hard. Will it deliver the nicotine, yes an ample amount. Will it taste the same from top to bottom, I believe it does! While I don't smoke this everyday I do smoke it every week and I enjoy it. While this blend is not a top drawer blend it ain't exactly floor sweepings either. Solid 2 1/2 stars. I give it 3 because on the initial light it reminds me of my Grand Daddy and the Lucky Strikes he smoked.