OTC Tryouts-Half n Half

[dylan793]

I'm slowly making my way around to the various common "drug store" or "over the counter" blends. So far i've gotten around the Captain Black White pouch and Carter Hall. I'm not too fond of CBW, but Carter Hall has been an excellent early morning go-to.
After work today I went grocery shopping, and decided to try another OTC blend. I had my choice of the usual suspects found in grocery stores, drug stores and convenience stores across America, and landed on Half n Half. For $2.71 even if it turned out terrible, I can live with taking the loss.
When I got in my truck, I opened the pouch and took a sniff of the contents. Very plain, burley and a light aroma of the anise casing (according to tobaccoreviews.com). On the pouch it describes HnH as a blend of "burley and bright tobaccos". Ok, bright tobaccos? Tobacco reviews claims it's burley and virginias, that's something I can understand. I filled my Peterson Rock of Cashel 408 and lit up. The anise was much lighter and pleasant than the review sites led me to believe. I quite enjoyed it actually. Dry, nutty burley was evident, and the virginias (or whatever they are) added a certain "oomph" to the flavor I can't quite pin down. Half way through the bowl the anise faded out, and set into a nice burley dominated groove.
I give Half n Half a thumbs-up and will keep it in my truck for a good "run around" tobacco. Questions and additional comments are welcome here! Thanks for reading 8)

 

[weezell]

30 years ago smoked som HnH and liked it.One of those codgers I have not got back to(yet).Tried CH,liked PA better.CBW is a no.Good review buddy,keep it up :!:

 

[pstlpkr]

Dylan, if you like the pouch you're gonna love the 14 oz. can.

It's good stuff!

::
Edit: I should mention that there seems to be a difference between the pouch and the can.

I like the can better. It has been discussed on occasion.

 

[pstlpkr]

Dylan, if you like the pouch you're gonna love the 14 oz. can.

It's good stuff!

::

 

[pipetrucker]

I also like the tub much better, and always keep some in my truck. H&H is a staple for me.

 

[judcole]

That's one of the "codger burleys" I haven't tried, and probably should, along with a revisit to Carter Hall - after I smoke up the Granger and Walnut I just bought. ::

 

[pstlpkr]

I should probably mention that H&H builds a good cake... quick.

::

 

[jchaplick]

That was the first non aromatic tobacco i have ever tried, it really isnt bad, had an opportunity to try an old smple that still had deer tongue in it, its much better than the newer stuff

 

[tiltjlp]

Half & Half is one of the Classic American Blends I enjoy regularly. And yes, it's better in the tub.

 

[colorduke]

H/H is a good old codger that i enjoy also,sometimes it does get a bad rap,but to each there own if you enjoy it smoke it.

 

[papipeguy]

I believe that the original blend had deer tongue in it. C&D's Gentleman Caller in a mainstay of mine because it reminds me of the old Half&Half.

 

[dylan793]

Thanks for the positive responses so far guys! Im very curious now about what's different about the tub version. I can't recall if they had tubs at the grocery store, but im sure it wouldn't take a lot of effort to locate one.
@coalsmoke Don't get me wrong, the smell of CBW is why I started pipe smoking in the first place! :lol: The blend just doesn't really do anything for me as the one smoking it. I can sit around and smell it all day though 8)

 

[yohanan]

Thanks for the review, I have some H&H but haven't tried it yet, I dont think I will be disappointed. ::

 

[smokey422]

I haven't smoked any Half and Half for more than 35 years. For me it was an OK smoke but I always preferred Carter Hall. As others have noted, it's usually better out of the tub.
Smokey

 

[spyder71]

Thank you for doing these Dylan.

 

[dylan793]

Your welcome spyder71. I thought about going back and doing reviews for CBW and CH since I still have some on hand 8)
As an addition, regarding HnH, im about 1/3 through my pouch so far. Mostly just smoking while im driving, or having a quick smoke at work, and i'm noticing the anise casing less and less. I don't know whether im just acclimating to it, or whether it's inconsistency in the blend. Kind of disappointing though, as I quite liked it.

 

[chopz]

"swr,ch,ky club,pa, "
swr - smith and wesson revolver
ch - carter hall
ky - jelly
club - med
pa - the keystone state
for ya'll playing along at home.

 

[jpbass]

Good review, I actually almost bought some H&H tonight, but opted for CBW, which oddly is the only one of the CBs I've never tried.

My verdict, it's not bad but I still like royal and Gold better, though I think my mixture of BCA and PA blows away CBW.

 

[admin]

Thanks for the review Dylan.
Just an FYI - "Bright" tobacco is another name for "Virginia", usually referring to a Virginia tobacco that is more on the yellow-colored side, hence bright.
For more on Virginia tobaccos, read "Virginia Tobacco NOT from Virginia!?!?!" and "Tobacco Basics - Nicotine & Sugar Content - Curing Methods".

 

[dylan793]

Thanks for the explanation on "bright" tobaccos there Kevin. I was a bit confused when I read that on the pouch :?