Of the Wilson’s variety that is… Reason I’m asking is I’ve only recently acquainted myself with the Wilson’s brand of snuff and really like what I have in front of me at the moment, “Grand Cairo”, that’s all it says on the label. So much so I’ve almost exhausted a 10g tin over the past couple of days and I’ve already ordered a replacement from Tom at NR where I obtained the first tin. I’m pretty sure that way I’ll be getting what I first received (which is a very very good thing). It came on as being very fresh. Thing is, It’s listed elsewhere as being “Grande Cairo (Red Rapee)”. This isn’t what is printed on the tin I have and by looking at the snuff, red isn’t something that comes to mind. Might Wilson label the same snuff differently for different markets (say, UK vs. US)? I’ve seen a few similar questions here and there on the board but haven’t really seen an answer so I thought I’d throw it out to the group. The snuff I’ve been enjoying is very slightly moist, medium to medium fine grind, Bergamot heavy with maybe some other citrus scents thrown in for good measure (lemon comes to mind) and something floral which isn’t distracting at all. Same dark smokey tobacco base I get from a few other Wilson’s snuffs (Lemon Grove for example). Very fragrant out of the tin and long lasting in the nose. Is this the same stuff as the “Red Rapee” or is it entirely different?
Its the same snuff i think .
I don’t even know if there is a label that calls it “red rapee” I’ve only seen it that way on Snuff Store’s website. The only tin I’ve seen is the one I own. Damn fine snuff though. Rose, too, I have a similar question. Many refer to it as “Rose of Sharrow” my tin simply says “Rose” Are there tins from some other time and or place that labeled it that way?
Red Rapee is a description of Wilson’s Grand Cairo. At least that is the impression I got. Now, where is the Blonde Rapee?
They are the same thing.
Thanks all!!
I got a half-pound of Cairo today! This is really one of the best snuffs I’ve tried. It is very peculiar, and reminds me of a more subtle F&T Bordeaux actually. I really like this snuff, and could use this as an all-day snuff for sure.
@Viking, how does the bulk purchase compare to the smaller tins? I prefer the Strasbourg myself, it is similar in style, but ground coarser and is more flavoursome. May be my Grand Cairo was a bit old.
Sandy if you can, buy straight from the mills. You get the freshest batches that way. My Wilsons I bought last year are all still full of ammonia, just like the fresh Toque we get from Roderick! Snuffster said in another thread that his Best SP which he buys by the pound is night and day compared to the tins. Now let’s hear from Viking!
Sandy+Snuffbox - I can’t really compare, since I buy all my snuff in half-pound containers directly from Wilsons! Everything I got from them was always very fresh and really enjoyable. Buying from Wilsons is of course also my best option, since I live in Denmark, and shipping from the UK is only at the most 3 days. I never bought a tin of anything from Wilsons, except the F&T snuffs, and if I could, I would buy them in half-pounders as well :o)
I’ve been tempted to buy a tub of the Wilson’s. I’m finding myself a fan of SP type snuffs. Wilson’s seems to have several. Which would you experts recommend as the best of the bunch?
Best SP without a doubt.
I’ve been wavering between that one and the Tom Buck.
The Best SP is very slightly coarser in grind otherwise they are very similar. It might be my imagination but I seem to find Best SP to be more complex and interesting. Not sure if it’s any recommendation but I do seem to shift a lot of Best SP… 
I’ve been on Best SP & Tom Buck for most of the night and I’m with ermtony on this. It has to be Best SP.
"I’ve been tempted to buy a tub of the Wilson’s. I’m finding myself a fan of SP type snuffs. Wilson’s seems to have several. Which would you experts recommend as the best of the bunch? " Not a question of expertise but of taste, and taste varies from person to person. Your decision about bulk purchase will probably be determined by samples from tins. Best S.P (formerly Queens) is Wilson’s flagship snuff. This deservedly popular offering is best bought by the drum - both for economy and quality. Tom Buck is another very old snuff from Wilsons. The flavouring of lavender, Seville orange and lemon (typical of the hybrid Bergamot used in flavouring S.P) is here more pronounced. The zest is decidedly more piquant. However, don’t make the mistake of purchasing Tom Buck and Queens Extra Strong as they are one and the same in all but name. S.P 100 is also the same as Best S.P except for the slightly finer grind. On their website Wilsons seem to have a strange problem with nomenclature as quite a number of snuffs are listed as S.P “types“. There are, in my opinion, only two (three at a pinch) - Best S.P/S.P 100 and Tom Buck/Queen’s Extra Strong. Why not buy two half-pound drums of Best and Tom Buck? Despite the one-time image of cloth caps, clogs, belts and braces S.Ps are the most satisfying of all the medium snuffs and can be consumed indefinitely without cloying.
Grand Cairo was due to be deleted from the list in 2005, but has had an unexpected reprieve. Don’t count on it surviving if sales drop though. I find that Grand Cairo is acceptable in small doses and doesn‘t congest too much. Some say that Morlaix is the best of Wilson’s perfumed snuffs, but it isn’t anything like real French Morlaix which was gros, unscented and, I understand, no longer produced.
They will hear from me if they drop Grand Cairo. I love it. I guess its not an SP in the strict sense, but its a wonderful snuff nonetheless. I’ve also fallen in love with Gold Label. I would also recommend getting sample tins before you commit to bulk. I may buy Gold Label in bulk at some point.
Grand Cairo has become one of my favorite all-day snuffs. I wouldn’t like to see it disappear for sure! Regarding SP - I simply can’t understand how people say that Queen’s extra and TB are “the same”? Different texture, TB is much darker, and the bergamot is stronger in TB, whereas Citrus is dominant in Queen’s extra. But I guess not two persons experience different snuffs in the same way. I would definitely recommend Best SP too, as it is a friendly, forgiving and straight snuff to pinch all day.
"Grand Cairo has become one of my favorite all-day snuffs. I wouldn’t like to see it disappear for sure! Regarding SP - I simply can’t understand how people say that Queen’s extra and TB are “the same”? Different texture, TB is much darker, and the bergamot is stronger in TB, whereas Citrus is dominant in Queen’s extra. But I guess not two persons experience different snuffs in the same way. I would definitely recommend Best SP too, as it is a friendly, forgiving and straight snuff to pinch all day. " Different batches of any one snuff may be subject to slight variation and the diverse names suggests that there MUST be a difference between Queens Extra Strong and Tom Buck. They are, however, the same snuff as an email to Carol@sharrowmills.com will confirm. Bergamot, by the way, is citrus. Grand Cairo was due for deletion because sales had dropped and the flavouring is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Again an email will confirm the status of Grand Cairo as an endangered species of snuff.