I really shied away from American snuff when I first got into the habit because I had tried a pinch of WE Garrett Scotch once whilst drunk and found it to be very painful. That was of course before I had any real experience snuffing. So, I bought all the english and german snuffs first when I actually got into snuff, but lo and behold Tom sent me a free tin of scotch with one of my orders. I gave it another try and was really glad I did. I now have at least one of every US scotch (with the exception of Dental mild) in my collection (>200). I won’t get into any arguments about what region has the best snuff though because I find myself enjoying snuff from all over. Some days I’m all about schmalzler and other days I just want to dive into the scotches, just depends on what my nose is craving.
Like snuffegnugen, I too was not interested in trying American snuffs, especially because I thought they were generally considered worse for your health than snuffs from other places…Tom also sent me some scotch, Bruton actually, in my first order…at first I though it was horrid, but as time went I used up the whole sample, and found that I was craving more… I’ve only had Rooster, WE Garrets, Superior, and that fateful Bruton sample, but I intend to get more. Rooster is my favorite judging by sheer quantity used, but that seldom-mentioned Superior is some really good stuff too… I love Checkerberry, and sometimes find the urge to ram copious amounts of Maccoboy in my nose, too. Sweets are good too, occasionally…I have Red Seal and Honey bee in my collection now, and had Garrets Sweet, but that was sacrificed into the toilet one terrible night, and I miss it so, especially because it was the only snuff I’ve ever bought in a store besides Poschl’s. I love American Snuff just as I love English, and German, and Indian, and African snuffs…as one wise man once said…“I LOVE SNUFF!”
I don’t think this is worth a new thread, no new information, but it is quite interesting: www.uttyler.edu/vbetts/snuff.htm The more I use the American snuffs the more I like them; not at the expense of my English snuffs, mind. I really feel that they stand on their own merits, and have their own long history. The bbq taste is elusive, thus far, when I took my first snuff of Railroad Mills it was exactly the scent of a walk-in humidor well stocked with Cuban cigars! One of my favourite aromas! Just doing a little fact-checking: Yep. Humidor, with a little farm yard scent there, too.
PACT does not prevent individuals from mailing non-commercial shipments of tobacco. I can buy American snuff locally, and will be happy to mail it to anyone outside of the US who wants it. I’ll be happy to trade for English/German/Dutch/Indian/etc. snuffs.
American scotches are absolutely wonderful to me. I tend to like simple things. Scotches for the most part are straight forward. But they do differ in subtle ways and this is what I like most about them. Its like an unexpected, pleasant, surprise when cinnamon, or malt, nutmeg, and ginger pop out from under a plain pinch of scotch. Every snuff order, for me, includes European and American snuff. I just tried Three Thistles for the first time last night and that is some very nicely crafted scotch. It has the most complex smokey flavor of all the ten or more plain scotches I have. I simply cannot rest until I’ve acquired them all. My personal favorite lately is a bit of SP thrown into a scotch( at 1:1). You get the high notes of SP, the middle smoke, and the finish is a clean spicy flavor that often pops out from under a scotch. Simple, elegant, and subtle.
Alcyon, your description of railroad Mills is perfect! Humidor with a bit o’ barnyard is the reason RR Mills is my usual all-day snuff. The reason the bbq smokiness eludes you is because it’s not there. There are (basicly) three kinds of American Scotches: the sweet ones (Tube Rose, DeVoe, Red Seal) the plain ones (Navy, RR Mills) and the smoky ones (Square, Ralph’s, Honest). Rooster is the finest grind of any snuff I’ve tried (it’s a bit finer than HDT under my microscope) and though i like it, it’s too dusty for me to use all day. Honest is not as finely ground (finer grind than Toque Natural under the 'scope) so it’s easier to take than some of the others and the smokiness will be right up front. So far, every American Scotch seems to have something to recommend it, so try 'em all! Besides, the tins will look great in your collection.
A microscope!!! Dusty, I like your style! Question, I hope I don’t have to start a new thread…How do dippers of dry snuff carry their daily ration? I have been giving it a whirl with Dental Sweet and I have to say I could see how a fellow could really get used to it: mellow tobacco flavour with a subdued sweetness, quite nice and very satisfying, actually. But the cardboard tube of the small container? Nigh onto useless, really, for outdoors pocket carry. And yet a snuff box would be too small for the steady user. Anyone know?
I’ve been using an empty 10g Toque tin. the screw top rocks.
smash box. They come in different sizes.
I was wondering more what the average Joe or Jane in Alabama used, or uses, as the case may be. Ten grams for popping into the lower lip wouldn’t go far at all! While the technique of using dry snuff is darn enjoyable, I think once I finish this tin of Dental Sweet I’ll be done. When I think of the money invested in those teeth of mine…yikes! Shoulda been a dentist.
I read from an old pamphlet posted on here, to pour a bit into the lid, and from there place it in your mouth.Link to old post
People have often compared dip with loose snus, and how Ettan and Copenhagen both came out is 1822. But snus is more like a scotch snuff with added moisture. It’s really like powder with enough moisture to make a putty like thing. It’s not like dip, apart from the fermenting/steam thing, due to the cut.