Am I alone in this? Your loss GH and SG. I’ve got some of their snuffs but have no desire to buy more because I loathe tap-boxes.

I agree OscarWabbit. The only exception for me is the Bernard snuffs. They are oil based so dont dry out (well not as quickly). Still wish I could get them in good sturdy 25g tins though. I am planning on soon reducing my snuff to about 5 types and buying in bulk. Once I can decide which ones. Even 25g tins dry out pretty quickly with all the opening and closing.

Yes I’m with you there Mopey. The end of this month I am going to make an exception and get some Bernards from MrSnuff. Only because I’ve heard good things about them though.

Oh they are good! Shame you cant get them in bigger sizes though. They must be some of the most expensive snuff out there at the moment.

Man I prefer tap boxes to pinching any day…Im a “anatomical snuff-box” type of guy…

I agree I hate sneeze boxes. I understand why companies introduced them, to give themselves a modern image etc. But they are crap at keeping snuff fresh. Every GH snuff I’ve tried is like sand, so I refuse to buy them. At least SG are backtracking a bit and going back to tins, thank goodness, just hope GH follow suit. Stefan

GH is available in 25g tubs too, not just sneeze boxes. You can get them at Mr.Snuff

Yes, and the tubs, whilst not pretty, do the job. Though there is only one GH snuff I like!

I hadn’t noticed the GH tubs. I might give some of those a try.

I like the tap box method. The empty poschl gawith apricot containers are mighty convenient to refill.

Samuel GAwith tap boxes do seem to dry out faster than others IMO…

Tap-boxes are abomination! I have completley revised my opinion of Gawith Hoggarth after getting a large selection of snuff in 25g mini tubs. They make some pretty fantanstic snuff. I won’t ever buy a sneeze box again!

I hate sneeze boxes too, but some of my favorite snuffs are only available that way; Ma’s Ruin being a good example. For that reason, I’ll keep buying some of them – but only under protest!

I would be very happy to see Mr. Snuff offer more SG snuffs in the vacuum tins. Irish D and KB I’ve been getting in bulk, but there are many more that I would probably enjoy as occasional treats.

Buy in bulk guys, all these little cans do is give you a false idea of what snuff is like. You will always be taking snuff which to a lesser or greater extent is stale with brand cans. Unless you are decanting from an airtight can to a snuffbox on a daily basis you are missing out, IMHO. Even using airtight cans like FandT because if you use it as both container and snuffbox you are going to get it going stale just through opening it to take a pinch. Snuff is annoyingly delicate.

Wise words of wisdom snuffster! There is nothing like fresh bulk, nothing.

I’m just buying up the tins right now so I can find my favorites. Going bulk is just around the corner. I’ll start with bulk next month. My next order is going to be more tins because there are still many flavours/brands I want to try (wow, sun, she, temptation, bernard, toque).

Of course you have to sample snuffs to find your favorites. The trouble is that some of the smaller tins, and especially tap boxes, have allowed the snuff to deteriorate to the point that all you get is a hint of the glory that once was. I have a huge collection of small snuffs, but now that I have found favs, Bulk. The exception to that rule is Gawith Hoggarth tubs, really great at keeping 25 grams fresh, and the SG vacuum tins, clearly these two approaches are superior to the loose fitting tins. There is just the inherent ability of a bulk quantity of snuff to keep the essence intact. I always decant a small amount to the fabulous Lacons containers that can keep these snuffs sharp. You probably know these containers better as “smash boxes”. They come in every size possible, I keep 25 of them topped off at any given time. I just change to a smaller one when needed to keep the air out! I keep them all in a 65% RH container. You can go to the Lacons site and request a sample, they send a very generous cross section. The 25 and 50 gram sizes are just completely airtight. Once a month I micro mist the inside of the lid with distilled water. The snuff sucks the moisture right up. I never spray the snuff directly, and the micro fine mist is the key. I bought a micro fine mister for $1.65.

Hey Whalen, where could a person buy less than 1000 of them containers?

You can get them from the online snuff stores for pennies. They do make a very good cheap snuffbox.

the problem with bulk though is which ones to get. I’ve decieded my next order that’s what I’am doing is trying out this bulk bunk you cats always jazz on. The thing is I have no idea what to get. I’am down to a handfull of choices. On a similar note the G.H. 25 tubs are mucho awesome.

Thanks for the advice @Whalen. I use smashboxes for a lot of my snuffs. My 25g tins and above are taped up and double bagged in the fridge.

I think a person can’t go wrong with plain type snuffs…Toque Quit specifically for me. The reason being, (for me), my tastes for different scents changes quite a bit day to day. And the plain could be scented in the future if you wish. I agree, Bob. I’ve only had GH Cm and was VERY impressed! Enough to order many more 25 g from Mr Snuff…which I’m still waiting on. Perhaps I will start a thread about it (after I finish off this tin of ‘butterfly dust’.)

Hooked - That is a problem, I bought a ton of them from Tom, he called them the 2 and 3 ounce size. I have found them listed on Chemical supply houses but they still are priced by the 100 lot. It was all I could do not to order a thousand of the 2 oz size ( holds 25 grams). But I am to broke now. If you send for samples you will get several sizes, they ship fast.

Tap-boxes are to snuff what Edward D Wood was to film direction. Avoid at all costs (unless you enjoy awful snuff and rotten film).s. Perhaps if sales plummet the manufacturers who murder their own product will withdraw the nasty little efforts. Bulk is by far the best way to buy (especially with gros) - it’s fresher and much cheaper.

Having just received some of Snuff Store’s house blends in their superb new screw-top tins, I am even more disgruntled with the way SG varieties dry-out in those wretched plastic tap-tanks. I also dislike the difficulty I have opening the slider on the SG tanks. When I have a few more empty WoS tins, I may try decanting and re-humidifying some of my collection of SG from those nail-breaking nightmares! About the only tap-tanks I find “tolerable” are those used by Pöschl for Red Bull, President, their “Gawith” Apricot. Even the gold-style ones they use for the GH varieties tend to go dry rather sooner than tins. Snuff Store, Wilsons of Sharrow, F&T, McCrystals all seem able to supply their snuff in good containers [traditional tins] - exemplifying the old maxim: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I don’t understand why SG went over to those horrible plastic monstrosities, when they take such pride in the age and traditions of their mill!

@Fretless I quite agree with you but here is some brief explanation: Pöschl does not moisten their snuff with water, but with oils. If it were water based, rest assured it would dry out in the tap boxes. Samuel Gawith no doubt switched to tap boxes in an imitation of Pöschl’s “success” and thinking it would make their snuffs more trendy. Their own offered explanation is that the tins they had often rusted. I’ve seen that happen, but I’d say that that’s due to them sitting on shelves too long except in the case of very moist snuffs. They must have struck a deal with Bernard in Germany who also uses the exact same style of box. In that case however, they tolerate it better due to being oil based (Fienster Kownoer being a notable exception.)

Does anyone know of a place to buy Taxi Red in bulk?

wasn’t bernards going to go out of bussiness a while ago. Then didn’t someone mysterious buy their company and then didn’t Samuel shortly after that start using shitting tap boxes? That’s how I rememeber it going down.

Bernards just downsized. Bernards is the importer for SG, which I think is mostly pipe tobacco.

I’ll chip in with the same view…if you have only tried SG and GH in tap boxes then you’ve probably got quite a twisted view of some of their lovely snuffs…Particularly with GH, I’ve had some very nasty experiences from their gold coloured tap boxes which might lead me to think that their snuffs are just horrible (dry, sandy, not nice in the nose), if I had not sampled some of their snuff in tubs- which I would not now be without. I’d go so far as to say that some of the reviews of their snuffs are probably based on these horrors rather than the real thing. They can’t be doing themselves any favours. Off Message; does anyone have a UK phone number for Mr Snuff? Grateful if you would PM me.

I won’t buy GH or SG Tap boxes. Not even to sample the snuff, as it will be horrid by the time it gets to me. Only made the mistake once.

I’ll agree. I had Sg in a tap box and swore it off. I’m glad I gave it another try in the 25 g tubs. I love the KB Plain, KB, and black Rappee. Sorry I’ve been missing something good all this time.

Indeed, @Petersuki. For me, SG’s saving grace is that I remember what they used to provide to G Smith’s in London [in small glass jars], and the excellent blends they produce for Snuff Store. Certainly, the tap-boxes do not present SG to a standard that seriously deserves shelf space alongside the tins from Wilsons of Sharrow or those superb tubes from Fribourg & Treyer. @Xander thanks for confirming the oil issue with Pöschl snuffs - that would explain a lot. Still a pity I find some of theirs just so offputtingly synthetic and artificial. That said, Red Bull and President can be handy when I need something convenient for a quick sniff between lessons [I teach] - and the oil content means their tap boxes remain “tolerable” in the snuff pocket of my jacket over a reasonably long period.

Having now got most of GH in tubs, I can also say they do some lovely snuffs. Quite literally a world apart from their ghastly tap boxes. I love Lakeland, Strawberry, Tia Maria, Western Glory, Irish D, and don’t dislike the others (except perhaps Wallflower). I’ve been reading their reviews on snuffreviews and clearly some people are rating the tap boxes and some are rating the tubs, which is why GH reviews are so inconsistent. Now I want to buy all the SG’s I can in tins. Just wish I hadn’t bought their whole range in tap-boxes when I didn’t know any better

@OscarWabbit : "Now I want to buy all the SG’s I can in tins. Just wish I hadn’t bought their whole range in tap-boxes when I didn’t know any better " I can relate to that sentiment. What comes in those plastic boxes is pretty ghastly - and the slider tings are also a pain [some guitarists/bassists value our fingernails!] - only their work for Snuffstore has preserved my faith that SG can still make good snuff!

Fretless I sampled tins and bought in bulk 500 gs of SG SP no1 High Mill. My favourite all day snuff. Lovely stuff to my taste, - which tends towards the plainer sorts. As to Gawith Hoggarth, I went today, with the air of piligrim who knows that he is visiting a factually discredited shrine, but goes in any case, to Smiths in the Charing Cross road. The Smith’s snuffs are now available in the Gawith Hoggarth 25 g tubs. Absolutely identical apart from the G Smith & Sons marking. I would imagine that they are are probably made by GH rather than SG. I bought two tubs, Golden Cardinal and their High Mill. I won’t comment on them apart from to say that they were over £8.00 for 25 gs. I would have liked to try some others but was not prepared to throw any more money at them. With train fare included, say, £25 for 50gs of snuff. Bonkers, - but I was drawn there for old times sake. It’s quite sad to reflect that both SG and GH probably invested quite a bit in the machinery and marketing for those failed boxes, which, as PhilipS says, simply murder their own product. I truely like several of the snuffs of SG and GH in tins and tubs.

£8 for 25g??? Fucking hell thats scandalous. Stefan

Haha, sure is. Yikes… that’s a lot of dough for some damn Samuel Gawith or Gawith Hoggarth snuff.

I used to work in W1 years ago, and it was literally my local tobacconist. (Four Square, real Three Nuns, real Gold Block - gone with the wind). I would have noticed that kind of price differential in those days, and can’t recall paying such rip of prices for my snout. Anyhow, Stefan, I’ve survived and put this episode of TAD behind me.

I should think you have Peter at those prices, get your fix online mate, it’s a hell of a lot cheaper. Stefan

I’d have bought them just because but then again I would be visiting from another country and it would be a better thing to bring home then a postcard.

I like buying in bulk, partly because I think it’s true the snuff is much fresher than in smaller packages, but also because I don’t have to reorder favorites as often. At the same time, tap boxes don’t bother me all that much; perhaps it’s true the quality of the snuff isn’t quite - up to snuff - but I’ve been able to try some snuffs in small quantities I would never have gone out on a limb for buying only in bulk. I prefer the little WoS tins the most, but tappers don’t keep me from making a purchase.

They’re fine for oil based (mainly German) snuffs, but they murder water based snuffs so they’re completley inapproprate for English snuffs. If they were more airtight it wouldn’t be an issue. In that scenario it simply would be a case of preference. If you don’t understand the ‘buying in bulk’ thing its becuase you haven’t tried it. Its absoultey amazing how good fresh snuff is, especially when compared to dried out snuff.

A year or so ago I remember Troutstroker commenting on the Gawith Hogarth snuff range, and saying :- “I don’t know how they have kept in business all the years” At that time I thought the same. Then when I started to get their product in bulk, I now have a very different view.

I’ve no problem with oil/ghee based tap box snuffs!!! They stay fresh! But UK snuffs, which aren’t allowed oil, should NEVER be packaged in tap boxes. Hence my criticism of GH and SG. E2a: I bought the whole range of Bernards tap boxes. Within a few weeks their water based snuff had turned to sand. When you’ve had this happen to you, you’ll hate tap boxes too!!!

@petersuki £8/25g [or even £8/1oz] is scandalous. That’s almost pipe baccy prices, for a tobacco that isn’t taxed. … and you’re right, Smith’s prices were never thus when Vivian Rose ran the place [I was a customer around 1979-83]. I guess the change came with the guys who bought it when he retired - still, they have West End rates/costs to pay, and, I guess we can say “at least they keep the old place open”. On the other hand, I can get 1oz/25g tubes of Fribourg & Treyer from Snuff Store for £3.15 and it’s always first-class fresh. I wonder what theirs would cost if they were still on the Haymarket. Seems expensive to buy Smith’s, especially since Café Noir and Golden Cardinal are available under similar names among Snuff Store’s “House” blends, in very classy aluminium tins, for about £1.30/10g. That works out at £3.25/25g against 8 quid in the West End. Funnily enough I was in the West End on “business” this weekend [along with 400,000 or so other disenchanted tax-payers] - and didn’t get the chance to venture up CXR - I don’t especially regret the “missed opportunity”.

Fretless> Are we two bassplayers here on SH? I see a red FJB on your logo? I own a US Stingray 4. Well, regarding the boxes, “TBs suck - SBs rock” And I hate the warning labels, the bar codes and bla bla - nothing beats a good snuff box in keeping the tobacco fresh.

The SG tap boxes I buy on sufferance due to the fact that they do not seem to be able to produce/ship the whole range in the 25g tins. Snuffstore de has the best selection, and Mr Snuff carries a few but damned if I can fins a tin of yellow crest or golden glow for sale anywhere. My smoking shop keeps promising a re stock but this has been going on for months now. Please, somebody, stock SG 25g tins.

@viking @fretless That would make 3 of us! I snuff and slap like crazy I own a Warwick 5 and 4.

@Khalid: Join the Union! If none of us buy their boxes anymore, they will have to switch to tins!

I seem to think it was not long ago it was tins, that you all complained about. Ok, I know it was the the high ridge on the tops.

I think those were wilson’s tins I have learned to live with them, but would still love the day when they have screw ons.

Yesh. Well, there is no perfect device. Tins have drawbacks too, but I’d rather deal with the occasional overspilling or mild rusting than dried out snuff. The moist Wilson’s varietes are known to corrode tins pretty badly, they would do fine in the SG style vacuum tins though, as they appear to be anodized or something to resist corrosion. Those are perfect for the moist SG snuffs.

I think the best are Toque’s 10g tins I know they are soft alloy but very manageable, and airtight.

I agree with Khalid. I’m looking for a good place to order a wide variety of SG snuffs in 25g tins. I really want to try some London Brown and others and I don’t want to order a tap box of such a moist snuff.

@jbruckus http://www.snuffstore.de/onlineshop/index.php/cat/c232\\_25g-Dose.html Looks like snuffstore.de just got a re stock and hurrah, finally they have some yellow crest!

Does snuffstore.de sell to the U.S.?

4 damn and by the way there are a few more

Indeed, 50 SG varieties in 25g tins.

Wow. That is a great sight/site. Most of the SGs available in 25 g tins. But What about Snuffstore UK? Same Company? Still don’t think you can get these here.

Not the same company.

I’d have to buy English snuff from Germany? Seems perverse

Tell me about it. We have to buy American snuff from the UK!

Yes. Sorry about that. Still not quite clear I understand your arrangements there. Thank goodness snuff taking is such an eccentric habit here that no self respecting politician would consider it worth any attention. I am certain that if snuff ever did take off again, political interference, in detail, would inevitably follow.

@khalid : Thanks for the link, man. Real nice selection here. Now all I have to do is figure out how to navigate this site that appears to be entirely in german…LoL. They do ship the U.S. I hope…

@jbruckus Google Chrome will auto translate, but don’t bother…no US shipping =( Sucks since they have a great selection!!!

I’ve been reliably informed that they will ship to the US on request. You will have to write to Günter ahead of time for instructions though. He does speak English.

I remember somebody suggesting that Tim and Julia at snuffstore will be re stocking with SG tins also. Not sure if this is the case though, I will enquire.

“Thank goodness snuff taking is such an eccentric habit here that no self respecting politician would consider it worth any attention.” -petersuki They could attack it indirectly–it got rolled in with everything else (except cigars!) when PACT act passed. Hence ordering US scotches from the UK! Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking my foot, but now isn’t the time for that. Tap boxes suck for water based snuffs. I think they suck for oil based snuffs too, but that’s also another story.

Hear, hear matsnuffs! Now that we have pressured Samuel Gawith to return to the big vacuum tins (sort of) and Gawith Hoggarth into new plastic tubs, we need to take our pleas to Bernard! They have had a disturbing trend of switching the snuffs out of glass bottles and into tap boxes, and the schmalzlers out of foil pouches and into tap boxes. Civette Extrafein has recently lost its glass bottle in favor of a tap box.

@viking @transistor Bass is close to a FJB - it’s a fretless AXL Player Deluxe [a model they deny existed, and possibly part of a one-off run that reached the UK - I’ve seen two others, both the same colour, one of which was left-handed]. It has their awesome EMG pickups, and has enjoyed compliments from a couple of “real” FJB players. Health warnings - strange, when there are UK GMC-accredited doctors who have gone “on-record” as recommending snuff. The overwhelming evidence is that it’s the heinous act of burning good tobacco that produces both the tar and the toxic fumes that are the death of smokers. Still, we mustn’t complain too hard about the health warnings - at least our pleasure isn’t taxed to the same level as “burning tobacco”! As to tap-boxes - sadly, the SG variety seem the worst on two grounds - the snuff seems to dry-out unbelievably fast in these; also, many of them are an absolute bugger to slide open! A pity; some of their snuffs can be very good [I have London Brown and KB original on-the-go just now, and get some pleasure from their Raspberry, Apricot and Jockey Club varieties, having re-hydrated brand-new tap boxes!

@Xander Glass bottles - ah yes, I have a cherished glass bottle of G Smith’s Otterburn from the late 1970s. I think those jars were being phased-out at Smiths at the time - I also have a small tin of Golden Cardinal from the same period. The “rubber plug” style tap boxes used by GH [ironically similar to those from Pöschl - is there a connection?] seem marginally better - although the snuff still dries-out too fast …