After three years’ absence from snuffing, I rediscovered my stash, kept in two tight wooden cigar boxes in a cool, dry place for the entire time, untouched and untried. Part of the stash were a number of small sealed plastic packets from Dholakia. Back in the day, one could get samples directly from them, which I did. I went through a couple packets of the Sparrow Cool, then Mrs. Squinty began to object to my snuffing habit, so the rest went into the stash, only to be reopened yesterday. My problem is this. I am blind and cannot read the packets. Since I am unfamiliar with Dholakia to begin with, I had no way of identifying any of the samples by smell or texture. Well, I am happy to report that a friend helped me identify the packets. I had used a couple of the Sparrow Cool packets three years ago, but still have a nice selection: Manjul, Kamal, Sparrow Regular and (thankfully) two packets of Ganga. Once I receive the bullets I’ve ordered, I’ll try them all, as I cannot seem to snuff the right amount using other techniques and end up draining a load into my throat and maybe, lungs. That being said, the generosity of Dholakia allowed me to try Indian snuffs for the first time, and I fell in love back then with the complexity of the scents I tried. Beyond exotic, there is something deeply satisfying about the Indian snuffs I’ve tried. It wouldn’t be hyperbole or a lie to tell you that there is something almost spiritual about using the Dholakia snuff. Aside from the very hippie-sounding comment above, the Indian snuffs are a wonderful change from the traditional Western European and American snuffs I’ve tried in the past. For me, these won’t be everyday or all-day snuffs, but I can see where there will be times where nothing else will do. If you haven’t yet tried the Dholakia line, I heartily suggest you do so, and soon. Be aware, at least in the case of the ones I tried a few years ago, the snuff is very finely powdered, so using a bullet or other snuffing apparatus may be a good idea. Also, be prepared for a big hit of nicotine. My advice to the first-time Dholakia user would be to proceed slowly and use smaller pinches/doses than what you normally use until you discover the best quantity and technique for yourself. When I place my next online snuff order, I want to try some of the other Dholakia scents. I am also now very curious about 5photo, 6 photo and Sun snuffs, and hope I can find the latter, as Mr. Snuff currently carries neither 5 photo nor Sun. If anyone knows of a U.S. distributor of Indian snuffs, please reply here. In fact, if anyone knows of *any* online source for 5 photo and/or Sun, please let me know by commenting on this discussion. I do appreciate it. Yes, there is something truly magical, different and lovely about Indian snuff. I must try more varieties.
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I find the opposite to be true in reagards to bullets. My first Sparrow Cool came in a bullet. OUCH! I have since dumped it in a tin and enjoyed it from there. Pinching allows much more control of fine snuffs.