I’m getting ready to undertake a comprehensive exploration into McChrystals Medicated Snuffs, and was hoping to solicit some opinions. I have plenty of O&G, and am not looking for a replacement, but rather for a different experience that I can use to alternate with my favorites, which are the O&G, Hedges, Toque Menthol, Toque Peppemint, Sparrow Cool, WoS SM 500 and Blue, and de Kralingse Perpermunt (which doesn’t really qualify as a medicated snuff). All are similar in falling under the heading of “medicated” snuffs (again, except for the Pepermunt), but all have their subtle differences that make having each worthwhile to me. For example, I know that the Supermint is peppermint based, so it’s a must-try for me, since I love peppermint but am not much of a fan of the Crumbs of Comfort style of spearmint. But what of the Highland Ice, the English Menthol, the Sturco, and JIP? Any strong likes or dislikes among these less famous kin of the O&G?
Hello LHB! I love to switch between the O&G and the Highland Ice. I think the Higland Ice is the same tobacco but it’s sweeter and a little bit more of menthol and less camphor. The JIP is not my style. It’s very heavy mentholated and lets your eyes gettig watery. WoS SM 500 is my third love of medicated snuff. The tobacco base is great and you can still taste it after the first menthol-punch has left your nose. Scott
LHB, I second Longcut’s opinion of JIP: staggering menthol! I assume since it’s a long selling snuff it has it’s fans, but it’s just too painful for me. The Sturco I found a little stronger than O&G, but I liked it…Just took a pinch to make sure…yep, I like it! it’s a somewhat finer grind, nothing too challenging though, and the tobacco is a paler colour. Make of that what you will. Very refreshing. I’m looking forward to hearing your opinion of the alternatives to O&G.
While I like O&G, I’m also a big fan of the Highland Ice, Supermint, and English Menthol from Mcchrystals. Of course, that’s only in the metal tins. I also purchased all three in the plastic tap boxes and they were all dried out and really bad. I agree that Highland Ice seems to use the same base tobacco, and while I can’t fully place what else is in there, it’s a delicious concoction. I like the JIP too, but only in moderate doses, and mostly only in the winter. For some reason it seems more “mentholly” than hedges and all the SM’s roled into one. But the sturco was not for me at all. I apologize I can’t go into more detail, but the last tin I used was over a year ago. And if you like peppermint or spearmint I would highly recommend the supermint. It reminds me a lot of Wilson’s extra crumbs of comfort, but it’s got that really fine, fluffy tobacco base and it seems to linger for quite some time in the nose. By the way, I would also investigate the JH wilson’s medicated no.99. That stuff is wonderful and if you get the big tin it comes almost vacuum sealed and the snuff stays fresh forever.
I would have thought some of the Poschl range might compliment your existing snuffs, particularly the Gletcher and Lowenprise brands. As you are using some of the WoS, I would also think a plain WoS SP would be complimentary - SM followed by Tom Buck? It’s not a menthol but when you are looking to compliment (rather than just find alternatives) I think that would go very well; like a shot with a beer.
Likes: Hedges, O&G, Highland Ice, JIP!, Sturco, GH CM, Spartan and Special Medicated, Toque Menthol, SG Golden Glow and Dr Vereys Plus, Wilsons Prime Minister and Aniseed Extra, Poschl Ozona President and Packards Club, Bernard Zwiefacher et al. Indifferent: SG ZIP, Supermint, SG CCC, Toque fruit menthols Dislike: All Wilsons SMs (painful to my nostrils), Poschl Red Bull, Lowenprise and Gletscherprise McChrystals for me have the most refreshing and pleasing range of menthols, from the assertive straight menthol of JIP! to the complex camphorated, slightly floral O&G and the minty Sturco. Some of the Gawith Hoggarth menthols are also well worth trying (and they are always well balanced). The German menthols are variable, but all tend to be “drippy”. Samuel Gawith menthols are good, but nothing special for me. Most Wilsons menthols over-egg the pudding, to the point of pain for my nostrils.
Can somebody please tell me what’s in the non-O&G menthol snuffs? I guess Olde English is what used to be called English Menthol and has similar ingredients to O&G, but something like JIP! might have menthol and eucalyptus. Are there others with camphor like O&G as well?
Cheers 