Pinkerton -- Half & Half

Brand: Pinkerton
Blend: Half & Half
Style: Burley/Virginia
Pipe Used: Cob
Price: $2.85/1.5oz.

Appearance: 8
Taste: 7
Room Note: 8
Value: 9
Overall: 8

Half & Half is one of those classic drugstore blends that has been enjoyed for well over a hundred years. Easily dismissed due to their easy availability and low price, these codger classics are quite often worth a try and this one is no exception.

Upon opening the pouch I was hit with one of the finest pipe tobacco aromas I've ever experienced. Some have referred to it as a rum raisin type of smell but to me it seemed more like IHOP butter pecan syrup topped with a bit of lemon. It almost made me want to grab a spoon and eat the stuff!

The tobacco consisted of a medium-brown, ribbon cut blend of Burley and light Virginia and was a bit moist right out of the pouch. After leaving some to dry for a bit I loaded up one of trusty cobs and gave it a light.

The tobacco lit easily, burned evenly, and only required one relight as I neared the bottom of the bowl. The blend also refused to bite even when I found myself smoking it fairly fast. The ease of smoking is one aspect of these old classics that I've really come to admire.

The flavor profile was about what one would expect from a quality Burley/Virginia mix -- a rich nutty taste complimented by the sweetness of the light Virginias. And while the pouch aroma was evidence of the addition of some toppings, whatever was added didn't adversely impact the flavor or burn characteristics at all. There was even a faint touch of spice that I could feel as a tingle on my lips and tip of my tongue. Half & Half displayed a consistent flavor profile from beginning to end which is just fine for this type of inexpensive, everyday smoke.

The real test for me with these drugstore blends is in the aftertaste. Too much humectant or artificial flavoring can lead to an off-putting taste in the mouth long after the pipe is finished. In the case of Half & Half the aftertaste was primarily that of good tobacco but I did also detect a slightly chemical undertone that forced me to knock down the flavor score by a point.

The room aroma was that classic pipe smell that is enjoyed by most folks whether they be smokers or not and didn't have the harsh, cigarette-like edge to it that I often find with Burley blends.

Half & Half is a good pipe tobacco and if it was repackaged as a new product in a fancy tin it could easily sell for much more money. As it is, we pipe smokers should be glad that it's available for just a couple of bucks a pouch at most corner drugstores. I enjoyed it very much and it may well replace some of the other Burley/Virginia blends that I currently smoke. Score one for the codgers.