Am I a ‘Codger’ for Wanting to Smoke Only Half and Half?

[thedoc333]

I picked up a pouch of Pinkerton Half and Half the other week and haven’t been wanting to put anything else in the pipe. It’s sweet, nutty, spicy, burns well. It’s somehow light and robust at the same time, has a je ne sais quoi spice note (what is maze anyways, mace?, corn?) It just makes me think of forgotten times and mystery, maybe in a jar in a forgotten temple. The metallic pouch is great, it seems more fresh. Don’t get the full on PG mouthfeel from other pouches I have smoked (Mix 79). I like the stark and iconic branding, the Christmas colors.

Has this blend clicked for anyone else? Any of veteran Half and Halfers out there who prefer a certain iteration? I have been perusing old tins on Ebay. What does this mean? Will I smoke anything else? Sometimes a little latakia will call me or a straight Virginia... Thinking of trying some Gentleman’s Caller as I hear it’s a Burley Deer-tongue blend.

I have some ideas about what I like about it but... wow. Somehow I even like its tendency to nip a little.

Is the STG as good? Does it still have that mystery factor? Tub vs Pouch?

Thanks much

 

[bullet08]

Half & Half is OK. It's little heavy on topping for me, current version. Never had older release before. But I think it was s rather popular in the past.

 

[crawdad]

And here we go…

 

[OlJawBone]

I am a big fan of the half and half pouch. Donno if it makes you a codger tho. Side note, gentleman caller is a lovely blend

 

[ChuckMijo]

Nothing wrong with it. If you love it, good on you. I don’t care for it personally, buts that ok. Glad you found a tobacco you enjoy!!

 

[ray47]

The current version of Half & Half is good. I smoke it from time to time but I don't consider it an all day smoke. The Pinkerton version was very harsh to my tastes. I've got about 8oz of the Pinkerton version in some mason jars where it has been stored for 13 years. Maybe it's time to open a jar and see what 13 yrs has done to it.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I don't buy into all that codger stuff. Smoke what you like, that's all that matters.

 

[anotherbob]

no but it means you're smoking like one. Hey I had a few weeks where I pretty much only smoked Sail Yellow. There is nothing wrong with finding something you really like that hits the right buttons in fact some people feel that's a goal they're striving for. I think to really be a true blue codger you would have to refuse to try anything else.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I like the current offering, but I find the topping a little cloying if it’s a big bowl. It’ll ghost, too. Next time I smoke it, I’m gonna cut it with Crooner. Half & Half used to have deertongue in it. I’d like to at least attempt to recreate some crude facsimile of what the old school stuff tasted like, for curiosity’s sake.

As a side note, you mentioned the pouch Mixture 79 being goopy. I’ve never tried it from the pouch, but if you order bulk Sutliff Mixture 79, there’s no detectable PG. It’s damp, but just water moisture, not humectant. I enjoy it quite a bit. Goes great in a cob.

 

[kcghost]

Yes, yes you are.

 

[newportpipe]

You have me wanting to try Half & Half! I think it’s cool if you’re into it and it’s all you want to smoke (at least now). Makes decisions on what to smoke obsolete. A win for sure.

 

[shanez]

I picked up a pouch of Pinkerton Half and Half the other week and haven’t been wanting to put anything else in the pipe. It’s sweet, nutty, spicy, burns well. It’s somehow light and robust at the same time, has a je ne sais quoi spice note (what is maze anyways, mace?, corn?) It just makes me think of forgotten times and mystery, maybe in a jar in a forgotten temple. The metallic pouch is great, it seems more fresh. Don’t get the full on PG mouthfeel from other pouches I have smoked (Mix 79). I like the stark and iconic branding, the Christmas colors.

Has this blend clicked for anyone else? Any of veteran Half and Halfers out there who prefer a certain iteration? I have been perusing old tins on Ebay. What does this mean? Will I smoke anything else? Sometimes a little latakia will call me or a straight Virginia... Thinking of trying some Gentleman’s Caller as I hear it’s a Burley Deer-tongue blend.

I have some ideas about what I like about it but... wow. Somehow I even like its tendency to nip a little.

Is the STG as good? Does it still have that mystery factor? Tub vs Pouch?

Thanks much

As long as you enjoy what you're smoking I don't think it's a codger issue at all. Heck, one of my favorite blends is Sutliff Sweet VA which is not a fancy blend by any means. What it is is a non-pretentious visit with an old friend that relaxes you and makes happy. Everything a blend should be.

 

[thedoc333]

no but it means you're smoking like one. Hey I had a few weeks where I pretty much only smoked Sail Yellow. There is nothing wrong with finding something you really like that hits the right buttons in fact some people feel that's a goal they're striving for. I think to really be a true blue codger you would have to refuse to try anything else.

I’m weirdly getting there ?.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I am fortunant to have a local tobacconist.

 

[Merton]

I don't buy into all that codger stuff. Smoke what you like, that's all that matters.

Completely correct. There is no right or wrong. I recently posted on enjoying a bowl of Gawith FVF. My cellar is fairly well stocked with a variety of fairly expensive blends including HU and other reasonably well regarded tins. However, for the past year, i reach really almost every day for Amphora Full Aroma. A year or so ago I would never even think about smoking what I would have considered an OTC blend. But I like it a lot and plan on enjoying it until the time when I no longer do, which may well be never.

 

[indoeuro]

I'm a big fan. A point if advice for when you upgrade to the paintcan: take the lid off, let it air out for a couple of days. More if you live in a humid climate. It really improves the smoke.

 

[admin]

I don't mind some Half & Half every so often.

You might want to try some Carter Hall too.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Completely correct. There is no right or wrong. I recently posted on enjoying a bowl of Gawith FVF. My cellar is fairly well stocked with a variety of fairly expensive blends including HU and other reasonably well regarded tins. However, for the past year, i reach really almost every day for Amphora Full Aroma. A year or so ago I would never even think about smoking what I would have considered an OTC blend. But I like it a lot and plan on enjoying it until the time when I no longer do, which may well be never.

Amongst those so called codger' smokers in the continental EU ,blends like Amphora Red Full , The Original brown one, Clan Aromatic and Mc Barens Scottish Mixture/Golden Extra are kinda staple of choice and highly appreciated tobaccies,year after year

 

[Trainpipeman]

I’m weirdly getting there ?.

And once you have arrived at the old codger spot, pat yourself on the back. You may find that you like not strictly one blend, but several blends within a category. For me, it is Balkan blends.

 

[thedoc333]

I'm a big fan. A point if advice for when you upgrade to the paintcan: take the lid off, let it air out for a couple of days. More if you live in a humid climate. It really improves the smoke.

Thanks for the advice.