Half & Half vs. Prince Albert / Battle of the Codgers

An absolute slugfest, but one narrowly took home the victory!

[@MrMikeyt65]

I've been bit by a few tobaccos on occasion,but I've never been bit by h&h. I need to try some PA though. On a side note,my dad loved Half & Half,but he used a few others like Captain Black and Captain Black Royal. Great video 👍

[@DangerZone83]

A little while ago, I started on an OTC journey. So far, Prince Albert has become my favorite OTC and actually one of my favorite pipe tobaccos in general. I'm really glad it is available again after its little hiatus a few months ago. I do have a tub of Granger, I am looking forward to cracking open.

[@RayRay80]

I probably have over 100 different blends jarred and still more so than not, I'll reach for something OTC. The simplicity and no-nonsense of them is just something I love. I've never tried Granger, but hope to some day. Thanks for stopping by, brother!

[@artied1807]

New pipe smoker here. I decided to start out smoking several of the 8 brands on your list. CH, SWR, H&H, PA & Velvet. The ones my grandfather would have purchased otc. Want to get to know all the true old iconic brands first. I am still learning to taste the flavors in the tobaccos. All I can say for now is none of them are harsh on my palate and I have not yet suffered tongue bite with any of them. Question for you. Are these old brands considered to be aromatics as in comparing them to the more modern day true aromatics? Thanks, Artie

[@DangerZone83]

@Arrhur Dunlap I am definitely no tobacco expert, but I personally would not consider any of those five blends you listed to be true aromatics, although some may disagree. I do believe that all five of those have at least some degree of flavored topping added, with Velvet being the most noticeable to my palate. The reason why I don't consider those to be true aromatics is that, to my palate, the tobacco is still the star of the show, with the topping just there to enhance aspects of the natural tobacco flavor. To me, a true aromatic would be a blend where the topping is the star of the show, and the tobacco is the background. Old school examples of true aromatics to me would be something like Lane 1Q or Middleton Cherry, where the vanilla in 1Q or the cherry in the Middleton is very noticeable.

[@artied1807]

Thanks for your opinion. After reviewing your's and a few other's review on these old blends I wasn't for sure although there does seem to be a big difference to these as opposed to say Capt Black or Borkum Riff codger blends. After getting to know my five old otc blends a little better I may try say Edward G Robinson or Lane 1 Q next, those being aromatics that you enjoy. Then go from there. Sure do like the battle of the brands series you did. Lots of fun!

[@RayRay80]

An Aromatic is a very broad category, but like DangerZone said, a true aromatic will focus more on the topping than tobacco. By definition, nearly all OTC are aromatics, though the additions are used in many different ways.

[@SmokingCardboard]

Thanks for sharing. Need to give both of these a try 😊👍🏻

[@RayRay80]

True staples in the tobacco world. Good seeing ya brother, thanks for stopping by!

[@treeherder2201]

Love them both.

[@DoingitWrong]

So far your picks match my expectation. Fun series!

[@RayRay80]

Thanks for watching and glad you enjoy! Take care, brother!

[@gh87716]

So is one a snob if one prefers to smoke better quality tobaccos?? Either way, I'm anxious to try out both of these blends you showed. And good video.

[@Pipemonkey]

Great post buddy you’ve convinced me to try half & half but in a filtered pipe because no matter what tobaccos I try I suffer with tongue bite unless I use a filtered pipe Cheers ray.

[@RayRay80]

I've smoked it filtered many times, doesn't affect it at all. Definitely give it a try and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by, brother!

[@semajniffirg230]

you just have to smoke through the tongue bite, eventually your tongue gets used to it. Smoke your tobacco dryer and slower also.

[@englishmanpipesmoker3425]

Prince Albert is my all day tobacco. It's cocoa and molasses topping. It's cased with liquorice.

[@PaladinPiper]

Man I love BOTH of these blends. I think in the end H/H may edge out PA for me also. But man PA came around on me late in the game but I do love it.

[@RayRay80]

Any given day I could like one more than the other. Just so happens this day it was Half & Half lol. Good seeing ya, Pat! Thanks for stopping by, brother!

[@chaseoroosky6249]

I really like both these blend..I like a little kick though and to my half and half is almost to smooth witch sounds crazy. The flavor is awesome on both..I have to say for me though PA wins just because of the kick. Crazy how we choose haha. I don't smoke inside so I don't have to worry about that at this point haha. PA is also a daily smoke for me.

[@GrognardPiper]

I’m a Prince Albert guy. It’s my go to for just smoking whatever whenever.

[@oldsagerat]

I never could finish a pouch of Half and Half ! Always left me with a tongue bite. I'm a Prince Albert smoker. I tried some Hobbits Weed today and was left with an aftertaste I didn't care for. Prince Albert won't do that.

[@oldandintheway1955]

Interesting, I've always been a P. A . man for OTC's. I'll have to try Half & Half.

[@RayRay80]

A pouch is on the cheaper side around my parts and always available. When you get a chance to try, let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by, brother!

[@GeorgeCampbell1964]

Now I wonder just how some Lat would work out with PA. I may have to give that a try.

[@paulthescandinavian4992]

Thanks for the review, personally I do better like this PA ,nonetheless I have been told they dropped this PA out of production recently, a Happy MidSummer weekend(Summer solstice) from Finland-EU, Paul

[@RayRay80]

I believe PA will still be available in the larger tubs. Luckily, I can still by pouches all day long around my parts. I think I'm the only pipe smoker for miles lol. Thanks for stopping by, brother!

[@aromatix5741]

Yes Half/Half the win !

[@RayRay80]

It wasn't easy lol. Good seeing you, Jeff! Thanks for stopping by, brother!

[@ParsimoniousPiper]

And it’s ratcheted up a notch…

[@RayRay80]

Getting down to the nitty gritty!