Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Half & Half

A few points to add to the excellent review by "Hink" of a true American tobacco. Pinkerton has done a great job in maintaining one of the classic American tobaccos, some of the others being Prince Albert, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Edgeworth RRd. When H&H was an American Tobacco product, the burley was a little thicker cut, but basically, the aroma and the burn are the same. Nothing here but Kentucky and Tennessee burleys and virginia bright flake. Funny but I always found that this tobacco favored a larger billiard bowl, and would always smoke clean to the bottom, with a fragrant white-gray ash and very little moisture. It also has one of the most distinctive room fragrances that I ever encountered. It is still my "go to" tobacco if I'm traveling and run out of my normal smoke. The only complaint that I ever had was that if H&H was dry, it wouldn't rehydrate and that it would only re-blend with Paladin Black Cherry (3 parts H&H to 1 part PBC, evens out the PBC). I do prefer the can to the pouch, because the first cut from the can gives out some of the best fragrances of tobacco, especially like that of baking bread and autumn leaves. It may not be the best smoke to start a pipesmoking career, because it can be a little stout for a new smoker. Highly recommended as a change of pace smoke for the aromatically inclined, to taste what tobacco is really like.

I'm recanting my earlier heresy; this is a 4star tobacco. After finishing my second full can of H&H, I'm convinced that H&H may be, w/ PA, the best "go-to" tobaccos on the market. Acrid smoke, unique taste, never bites...Pinkerton, I'm sorry that I doubted your abilities. I will not mock the nay-sayers. I will only say that these blends bring it home for me, w/o pretension or guile.

I am setting the record straight. This tobacco is a very good smoker, it has a great taste, and is does not bite like people say, there is a little bite at the end of the bowl, but that is common with a lot of tobaccos. I say try it. You see the problem with most reviews are that 1. These people are newer to pipe( I'm 18 years running) 2. Haven't explored the range of tobaccos( I'm 830 blends stong 3. ( the big one) their palate isn't for this kind of tobacco ex:aromatic, english ect. This is a good blend, just give it a try before these bad reviews make it disapear forever.

When Skandanavik bought this brand they must have gone back to the original recipe. I smoked this in the 1970's and really liked it. Pinkerton tobacco changed the formula and it was horrible. I am not sure if it is still made in Owensboro, ky. The formula has gone back to the old one that I loved. When you buy this stuff, make sure it is stamped Skandanavik. Other wise, you will be getting the old production of less tasteful tobacco blend. SOme smokers have said this contains deer tongue tobacco. Others compare it to anise or cherry. It has a very unique taste. I love it personally. I sometimes mix it with other burleys to flavor it just a bit. I will be buying a few tins to keep on hand. This tobacco does not burn my tongue. It is smooth to me. Taste great in a cob or briar. Burns rather quickly. Easy to light. I am so glad they went back to the original formula.

Well, I'm going to finally add my 2 cents to the reviews of this tobacco. I've put it off for no particular reason. Maybe I just wanted to say the right things. This was the 1st tobacco I smoked that let me know that I am truly a pipe smoker and probably always will be. I, for the life of me, cannot understand why so many seem to dislike this blend. I absolutely love the pouch note and I think this is how pipe tobacco should smell. I just can't get enough of the aroma! I end up having to make myself stop smelling it so I can load it up to smoke it. I've smoked all kinds of pipe tobacco and have a veritable pipe tobacco store inside my house. This is in no way an uninformed review. I had the best pipe smoking experience of my life smoking this blend. It was one of those where you just sit back, close your eyes, and smile as you smoke. Not because you're trying to 'engage' that feeling and experience, but just because it's happening all on it's own. I'm not sitting here saying that just anyone can go buy a pouch of this and replicate my experience. All I can say is what I've personally experienced with half n half. I still have this in my rotation and it's flavor evolves with my tastes and I'm in a better than usual phase with this tobacco at the moment, but it is always good to me. People compare it to PA or CH, but for me, hnh is too different to directly compare to anything really. It stands on it's own as my favorite OTC blend. I will always have a place reserved for the tobacco that really properly introduced my to the wonderful, immensely enjoyable pastime that is pipe smoking.

A very very good all day smoke. Easy on the tongue as it is on the wallet. I have many tobaccos in my cellar that I dont enjoy nearly as much as this fine tasting blend. I feel that you really need to use a well burley seasoned pipe to get this tobacco. Keep telling yourself that you need to spend $5 an ounce on pipe tobacco before its any good. If Pease had his label on this blend, and a $50 per/lb price tag. The internet tobacco experts would all sing its praise.

I like the current Scandinavian Tobacco Group iteration. I realize that each persons taste & aroma impressions are highly subjective. Reading over the other reviews here, one sees every description of this blend from anise, to cherry, deer tongue, etc... to those who perceive it as uncased Burley & Virginia. Having tried this in the past ( ancient pouches on dusty drug store shelves) from past makers, I can't say I was too impressed.... dry and bland. As years go by, from time to time, one sees these old familiar blends for sale and cannot help but ask what gives them their staying power in the market for so many decades... and I pick up another sample. The latest was of the STG current product. After finishing the pouch, I went and ordered a tub from P&C's. It's sweeter and spicier than I'd remembered, and I couldn't place the flavors, but they were definitely there and pleasant. Going to the horse's mouth, the STG web page, it states that Half and Half has flavorings of Cardamom and Coriander.... in my book, a unique combo, and one that works very well here. I also felt redeemed in my describing it as a sweet-spice flavor. Also, better from the tub! This is a tobacco that some will love, and others, not so much. All a matter of tastes. But I've come to really enjoy it's flavor & aroma, and would encourage others to try it without any preconceived notions about it.. ( it's a "codger blend".. "it's too inexpensive to be any good" etc...) .... just be sure you get current production, and not a shelf-relic.

This is my favorite pipe tobacco, my "Desert Island" pick. Yes, I like burley & yes, I like a cheap smoke. There is no shame in knowing what I like & admitting it. There isn't an activity I can do & smoke a pipe while doing that this doesn't fit. Walking the dog, fly fishing, doing yard work, Half & Half compliments them all. I like that the flavor is consistent from top to bottom & from bowl to bowl. I like the "mint" or "clove" essence (I'm not sure which it is). My only complaint w/ another “codger burley”, Prince Albert is its tendency to get bitter at the end of the bowl & Half & Half never gets bitter or bites. I can smoke this fresh out of a new pouch or when it's dry at the end & it still delivers a good smoke. The comments about “anise” or “licorice” are so far off the map I'm not sure where they come from. Or are people just repeating what they see other guys post? No anise flavor here. Nope, just a cargo of contentment.

I have recently been trying all the "old school" blends and have fallen in love with Half and Half (H&H). While many have commented on the simplicity of this blend as a negative, I think this is what gives this blend character. If you are looking for a smoke that tastes like tobacco, this is for you. I have been smoking this blend solely the last four days and find it to give me everything I look for in smoke - pleasant taste, easy to stay lit (low maintenance smoke), no tongue bite and a pleasant aftertaste when smoke is completed. I think I will make this my everyday smoke and know it will be available well after the evil FDA regulation goes into effect later this year. If you are looking for the Miller/Bud Light of tobaccos, this is it...simple and delicious!

As a kid I remember walking in a room where half and half had been smoked and loving the very aromatic after smell. Now as a pipe smoker in my 40s, it is my #1 go to brand and the best tasting tobacco I have ever put in a pipe. Perhaps my opinion of it being the best is based in a somewhat biased criteria as it gives me a mild sense of de ja vu of a simpler time. Still, biased or not doesn't change the fact that it's a very good smoke. Five stars from me.