Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Half & Half
(2.24)
Burley based pipe tobacco. Made in the USA. Pouch description: "Burley and Bright" Pipe Tobacco.
Notes: Originally from an American Tobacco 19th century formula. Originally, it was a local Virginia favorite for both cigarettes and pipe tobacco.
From https://halfandhalfpipe.com/hhp-home/ :
Half and Half is a timeless mix of loose cut burley and Virginia tobaccos with flavorful notes of cardamom, coriander and maze. Enjoy this smooth, easy-going smoke again and again.
Details
| Brand | Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) |
| Blended By | |
| Manufactured By | St-Group |
| Blend Type | Aromatic |
| Contents | Burley, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Anisette, Other / Misc, Spices |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams pouch, 14 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild to Medium
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.24 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 31 - 40 of 120 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2017 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Growing up, I remember playing with my father's one and only Tabacco pipe. It was an old Dr. Gray bow with a narrow bowl. Dad had bought and used the pipe in the late 60s and early 70s enjoying campfires and listening to hounds run fox in the East Texas Piney woods. Over the years I heard him mention that Half and Half was the popular blend among the old time houndsmen.
Nearly 50 years later, October 2015, I was honeymooning in a small town called Craftsbury Vt, and went into the gas and fishing tackle store in town. As a was paying for my fishing license, there over the counter was two packages of half and half. I had never considered buying H&H, but here was my chance, and coming prepared with two pipes and a pouch of Boswells Northwoods I was eager to bet back to the cabin and experience a bowl while BBQing in the Vermont woods.
Upon opening the package the smell of the tobacco was of a pleasent earthy/ nutty notes. I don't know how old the pouch was at the time but the ribbon cut tobacco still had some noticable dampness. But even with that, I had no problem with having to relight. Starting the bowl the nutty characteristics remain and believe this is the burly tobacco in the blend. This stayed evident throughout the bowl. Though I'm not a Virgina fan, and am critical of virgina blend tobaccos I could detect the virginas but it was not overpowering or up front. Approaching the middle of the pipe, it began to gurgle with a small bit of hissing. Also burned hot. The room notes stayed pleasent with a constant nutty earth tone.
I've read many reviews stating that at some point in time the blend was changed, there being old H&H and new H&H, with the new blend getting many negative reviews. I will say that if this the "new" blend, I was completely satisfied with it. I could of asked my father to be the guinea pig to test between old and new and if there is a diffrence, I would much rather him remember it as he experienced it back in the day. For me and my experience, it's a winner!
Nearly 50 years later, October 2015, I was honeymooning in a small town called Craftsbury Vt, and went into the gas and fishing tackle store in town. As a was paying for my fishing license, there over the counter was two packages of half and half. I had never considered buying H&H, but here was my chance, and coming prepared with two pipes and a pouch of Boswells Northwoods I was eager to bet back to the cabin and experience a bowl while BBQing in the Vermont woods.
Upon opening the package the smell of the tobacco was of a pleasent earthy/ nutty notes. I don't know how old the pouch was at the time but the ribbon cut tobacco still had some noticable dampness. But even with that, I had no problem with having to relight. Starting the bowl the nutty characteristics remain and believe this is the burly tobacco in the blend. This stayed evident throughout the bowl. Though I'm not a Virgina fan, and am critical of virgina blend tobaccos I could detect the virginas but it was not overpowering or up front. Approaching the middle of the pipe, it began to gurgle with a small bit of hissing. Also burned hot. The room notes stayed pleasent with a constant nutty earth tone.
I've read many reviews stating that at some point in time the blend was changed, there being old H&H and new H&H, with the new blend getting many negative reviews. I will say that if this the "new" blend, I was completely satisfied with it. I could of asked my father to be the guinea pig to test between old and new and if there is a diffrence, I would much rather him remember it as he experienced it back in the day. For me and my experience, it's a winner!
Pipe Used:
Vintage Amphora
PurchasedFrom:
The only gas station in Craftsbury, Vermont
Age When Smoked:
unknown
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 04, 2017 | Mild | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
If you like Lucky Strikes this is the tobacco for you. Be sure to give half and half some time to air out before smoking. The only real negative is that the nicotine is not very strong for my tastes but this can be solved by inhaling now and then.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 16, 2017 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Yet another American style Burley blend, light, a bit bland, nutty, all day smoke. There can be little did about the blends other than that they were being smoked by our grandfather's and if it was good enough for them, it should be good enough for us.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 01, 2016 | Mild | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Nice long lasting smoke. As OTCs go to me this is one of the best. Almost the perfect all day smoke. Give this one a try . I have smoked Nightcap and Early Morning Pipe Peterson’s Balkan Delight Irish Flake 1792 Flake IRC Virginia Flake And this is just as enjoyable.
Pipe Used:
Big Ben
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 24, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Medium | Tolerable |
I bought a pouch of this today. It was moist and had a strong anise smell.
I had to relight twice. I'm guessing this is from the humectant. Burn was good. No tongue bite, or other problems smoking this tobacco.
The anise was strong and even left an aftertaste for quite a while after smoking. I didn't find it disagreeable. The room note was merely tolerable.
While I prefer PA, CH and SWR in the OTC category, I would smoke this blend again, although I don't foresee it going into rotation. It wasn't a tobacco I feel I must keep on hand.
If you buy this, just bear in mind it is an OTC. It's not really comparable to a MacBaren grade tobacco. It's a plain Jane.
I had to relight twice. I'm guessing this is from the humectant. Burn was good. No tongue bite, or other problems smoking this tobacco.
The anise was strong and even left an aftertaste for quite a while after smoking. I didn't find it disagreeable. The room note was merely tolerable.
While I prefer PA, CH and SWR in the OTC category, I would smoke this blend again, although I don't foresee it going into rotation. It wasn't a tobacco I feel I must keep on hand.
If you buy this, just bear in mind it is an OTC. It's not really comparable to a MacBaren grade tobacco. It's a plain Jane.
Pipe Used:
Corn cob
PurchasedFrom:
Discount tobacconist shop
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 27, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
**Just recently bought and opened a new tub of H&H and it was even better than the pouches! Same Cherry and Clove type topping (Christmasy) and great quality leaf. Just make sure the can or pouch names Scandinavian Tobacco Group on it to ensure a quality product.**
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. 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, 3 stars since its still not my favorite blend. Try it just to see the quality difference, you might be surprised like I was!
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. 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, 3 stars since its still not my favorite blend. Try it just to see the quality difference, you might be surprised like I was!
PurchasedFrom:
Pipesandcigars
Age When Smoked:
Fresh Pouches & Can / Tub
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 09, 2015 | Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
I disagree with the reviews of this blend. Sure there are better, more expensive burley va blends with aromatic casings added, but for a few bucks and a trip to the local drugstore, you can't go wrong.
Stays lit, simple straight forward easy flavor, a 1.5oz pack is just enough to try it. I smoke this predominantly in a Mis.Meer. corncob, and it tends to be just fine. Id choose Carter Hall over HnH but hey, its an option that I enjoy
Stays lit, simple straight forward easy flavor, a 1.5oz pack is just enough to try it. I smoke this predominantly in a Mis.Meer. corncob, and it tends to be just fine. Id choose Carter Hall over HnH but hey, its an option that I enjoy
Pipe Used:
Missouri Meerschaum
PurchasedFrom:
Local BM/Drugstore
Age When Smoked:
New to 2yr aged
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 28, 2014 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Back in the late 90's I bought a pouch of this (the pouch was in a box). I thought it was truly vile. My grandfather smoked H & H for many years. I always like the smell of it. However, when I tried it, I wondered how he could stand it. (I couldn't ask him because he's been gone for 34 years) It was awful. Burned like dry old kindling, was very hot, and the taste was so strong and unpleasant I couldn't finish the bowl. I tossed the pouch, and made the decision that I'd never smoke it again. It's about 17 years later; a friend gave me two pouches which I politely accepted. They have been sitting around my house unopened for a few months. Finally, I said, "What the h*ll. I 'll give it another try. I'm very glad I did. The pouch aroma was nice. I could detect a toping, almost raisin-like. I smoked it in a cob. The cut is a very fine ribbon, even a shag, I'd say. It packed well and lit well, didn't burn too quickly, didn't burn hot, wasn't at all goopy, and didn't burn my tongue. It was simple and straight forward. No complexity; and I wasn't expecting any. I could taste some Virginia, but mostly a pleasant nutty burely with a very faint hint of licorice. I smoked the whole bowl and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was a very relaxing no-nonsense smoke. This pouch is from the Scandinavian Group. The stuff I tried 17 years ago was probably Pinkerton, I'm not sure. All I know is it seems to me to have improved ten-fold. I will say this, I left it on the front seat of my car for two very hot summer days. The pouches expanded like balloons, but deflated after a while when I brought them into my air-conditioned house. Was this the secret? I don't know, but I must say, I enjoyed it, and will certainly smoke it again once in a while when I'm looking for an old fashioned bright and burley smoke and thinking about my dear old Grandpa.
Pipe Used:
Cob
Age When Smoked:
5 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 18, 2014 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Around here, drugstore blends were what the old timers smoked when I was a kid. This is one of those blends, and although I've been smoking a pipe off and on for about 10 years, I had never tried this blend until recently. Let me just say this: it isn't for everyone. No, it's not the finest grade of tobacco. No, it is not a complex blend. Will it bite? Yup, like a junkyard dog if you don't watch it. So why do I recommend it? Because it is what it is: a classic American burley blend with some young VA's thrown in somewhere (I can taste them about half-way through). Try it with your morning coffee and you'll see why old-timers loved it as well. It's one of my go-to wake-up smokes (the other being Sutliff's Great Outdoors).
Pipe Used:
MM Cob
PurchasedFrom:
Local tobacconist
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 08, 2014 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Medium | Tolerable |
A good and cheap tobacco that gives yu what you expect. It's not the best around but for its price is very good. You've to love the gender because if you don't like it it's just a waste of time and money.
target="_blank"
