Hello, my name is Alex. I received another order from nicotinerush.com yesterday. As with (I’m assuming) many snuffers I’m on my quest to find ‘the one(s)’. You know how it goes, you make an order for several different kinds, something sweet, something savory, something dry, fine, moist, coarse, what have you- your collection grows as you seek out the jewels that will slake your thirst, enjoying the ride in the meantime… You pick up a couple of buddies here and there as well as idiosyncratic acquaintances, some entertaining you from time to time and others aiding you in your search, all manner of powdery friends you acquire on your journey toward finding those who will be your soulmate(s). Or, you know, maybe other snuffers don’t see it like that, and I’m just a freak. 
Anyhow, thank god I found the snuffhouse forum and can finally post in it(I’ve been a lurker for the better half of a year now) as I never would have had an inkling of what direction to go in as far as snuffs to try first. Right now I’m interested in trying snuffs that are darker, and more moist. Which brings me to my review, and a few questions. REVIEW: The sample that came with my last order is a snuff called ‘5 Photo Himalaya’; I tried searching for it on the nicotinerush website, but found nothing. I checked on the snuffreview website as well, and came upon two reviews with no clue as to where to buy it or who makes it, and why it’s called ‘photo’? I was also somewhat confused as to how I could receive a sample of something not carried on the website. (Ehh??) ‘Himalaya’ is a snuff that seems very different from others that I’ve tried; granted, I think that at this point I’ve only sniffed about 20 different snuffs. Himalaya is a dark, moist snuff- it isn’t quite black, but it isn’t the warm yellow/reddish brown of some of the other snuffs on the moist end. It’s more of a purple-brown, yes purple, edging towards black, with a greyish sheen when I smear it between my fingers and hold it up to the light. The consistency of this snuff is pretty moist, and because it’s so fine, it’s… Just about smushy. I did an experiment once where I took some peach Wilson’s snuff and kept adding water to it and mixing it, to the point where it was still a ‘powder’, but just a few drops and a smear away from becoming paste. This snuff reminds me of that experience. It’s soft, fine, wet, fluffy, and… Well, the texture of it is reminiscent of this: http://www.candlemaking.com/store/images/redvelvetcake1.jpg What I wonder is, is the snuff so purple/dark because of moisture, and is the moisture from the essential oil in it, or from simply not drying the tobacco out so much, or both? Or perhaps from a hydrosol or absolute? Some of these deeply perfumed Indian and Euro snuffs make me wish I had an idea of the ingredients. Dholakia Black, for example- it’s the blackest snuff I’ve ever seen, black as coal, yet it is very fine and very dry, but at the same time, sticky and resinous, as it tends to cling and is easily pinched into balls! Obviously this is some component of the essences added to it! Yet it does not smell like a perfumed snuff. Peculiar! Himalaya on the other hand is NOT sticky, oily, OR resinous. It’s moist, moist enough that it feels wet between ones fingers, puffy, and transcendentally fragrant. It took me a little while to pinpoint it, as the smell reminded me slightly of some Egyptian rose essential oil I once had a bottle of, yet the snuff is not rose, of that I’m sure. The type of flower represented here smells of the thick, fleshy petaled varieties commonly found in the tropics: i.e., pikake, puakenikeni, plumeria, yet less heady, and none of those flowers specifically… After some sniffing I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s NAG CHAMPA. The scent of this snuff is akin to all of the nag champa scented things I’ve come across, bath products, perfumes, and of course, the famous incense. It’s a very exotic floral aroma, subtle, complex, subdued. Not as powerful as, say, opening the incense box and snorting out of it, but reach for it, and you’ll find it. There is the slightest amount of burn from it, barely there, lasting only a second or so, along with just a touch of menthol. Enough for a mild hint of the smell and a gentle cooling sensation. Possibly one of the most mild, gentle mentholated snuffs I’ve had. Yes, I just brushed a few specks off of my face with a white tissue, and the powdertrail is, in fact, a murky purple. I can’t tell if this snuff is high in nicotine or if it’s the aromatherapy that’s wacking my head up- but after sniffing up about half of the sample smashbox, I can say it certainly has a spellbinding effect, like my brain is being squeezed and I’m being ushered into a trance. If I had to sum it up with one word, I’d use ‘hypnotic’. I’ve really been appreciating the moister snuffs as it is winter time here and I’ve noticed that with the drier varieties they just seem to fly up there and fall right back out, as my nasal passages are incredibly dry. I never thought I’d appreciate being ‘clogged up’ so much, but actually having something that accumulates enough for me to effectively blow it back out is relieving! In fact, I almost feel that my nose is left more moisturized than it was before the sniff-fest. I like the Himalaya with spicy chai tea or coffee; be warned, the champa-barrage can be disorienting, and I wouldn’t recommend mixing it with certain foods/drinks or you may wind up with a headache. Himalaya is everything I had hoped Dholakia’s ‘Kamal’ would be. (I found the Kamal too pungent and lacking in depth. For some reason the powerful combination of rose and musk smells to me like a freshly opened package of diapers.) Conclusion: mesmerizing scent, light menthol, easy on the nose, and even the eyes! (To look at, not put IN your eyes!) QUESTIONS!: KEEPING MOIST SNUFF: I’m assuming that over time, like snus, these will get dried out! Is there some way to preserve them? The Himalaya and the F&Ts I picked up, for example, are so fresh and moist… Is there a recommended way to keep them that way? Should I be refrigerating the tins? If they DO become dry, is it acceptable to simply add water back into them, or is it something more precious than plain water that has evaporated? Is it advisable to get new tins instead…? How long does it usually take for a wet snuff to go ‘bad’? RECOMMENDATIONS: are there any recommendations from anyone here for other snuffs that are fine, dark, and moist? Or even just peculiar? Currently the only ‘wet’-ish ones in my posession are The Princes, Santo Domingo, Grand Cairo and the Aecht Altbayericht schmalzler. Are all of the schmalzlers coarse like this? I find the grind tough on the nose, and the drip burns like hell. I do like Toque, and the rest of the snuff I have is medium to very dry, but with the climate the way it is it just isn’t nice for my nose. I’m interested in expanding my experiences with other snuffs on the wet end of the spectrum. If you have any suggestions, please throw them at me! HIMALAYA: Where on earth can I get more of this? (I remember someone mentioning on here that they had an old tin, how does one tell if the one they have is old? I’m only guessing, but the sample I received did not seem ‘old’ at all! I am lusting after this snuff!) I’ve nearly sniffed the entire smashbox, but I would be so sad to use it all up without another source in sight! USING SNUFF ORALLY: I saw the thread discussing using some American snuffs orally, and I’m interested in trying this with my tin of Honeybee, but I can’t seem to find advice on… Well, how to do it. Do I just dump some of the powder into my lip? From there, you… Leave it alone? Spit? Swallow? Is it better to rub it into the inner lip/gums and leave a thin sheet of paste, or an actual pile? How do I keep it from getting all over in the rest of the mouth??? NETI POT: Is it alright to neti directly before or after having a sniff-fest? If I have a nasal passage full of snuff, wouldn’t pouring water up there have a chance of just causing the snuff to recede even farther back, into my sinuses? Digging around, blowing, q-tipping and then Neti-ing seems excessive, and I was wondering if this is the norm? Any suggestions or information is much appreciated! I’m sorry the post is so long, but I’d rather stick it all right here than spam the board with a post for each and every subject covered here! THANK YOU!
Make up for half year not posting in one post? Too many questions make brain hurt. My name Alex too. Many Alex here. You welcome to make more many post. Not sound like Himalaya I have. Mine dry. Look here: 5 PhotoNot usually available in USA. NicRush get some for give away as sample. Tom502 find some at Indian market. Buy for everyone. Make us happy. Need rest and tea and more snuff, too many question from newbie. Call back tomorrow. Xander tired now.
My brain hurt too. Too much work. Too much snuff. Too little sleep.
I’ll have a go…We do see it that way. absolutely. I got a Himalaya sample too. I thought it smelled purple. I haven’t bothered to look at the color yet. I thought that it feels cool to the touch somehow. Very nice snuff! I too want more. Taxi is probably my favorite moist snuff though I have not tried NSTU yet. These are not fine snuffs but the tobacco is very soft. For answers look at “rehydrating snuff”. Also know that the refrigerator is a drying environment not to mention smelly. Using snuff orally, I say don’t bother. As for the netti, my opinion is that it is not ALL right. There is a mucus recovery period after using that I consider important. This recovery period is also similar after taking snuff. Your sinuses drain naturally and the nose moves particles forward into boogers, The way I see it snuff boogers are the snuff you got in the right place. I try to plan out a few courses of snuff so there is somewhat of a controlled combination of scents. Not so important with most snuff but some long lasting scents can use timing. I also regulate my menthol use. The netti pot should have it’s own separate time if you are going to use it. That makes at least two freaks and now you have to reread your own post haha, Tootles.
Hmm? What would make me need to reread my own post? (Not that I have a problem with it :D) Thanks for the advice regarding neti, it makes sense that afterwards the nose is naked and needs a break. I’ll try to figure that into my routine. I don’t use a whole lot of menthol snuff, but sometimes the noserun it causes is pretty satisfying.
Himalaya is yummy, and it smells like a head shop!
I think if you like Himalaya, you would/should like Sun Snuff Pari. I find them both very similar. On using Scotches orally, just dip some in your lower lip, I’ve been using a spoon, and leave it alone for the most part, and spit when needed.
The reread comment is regarding the amount of details in the original post. I was guessing that you would need to refer to it to figure what responses matched what remarks you originally made. If not, I’m proud to have communicated successfully. You are quite eloquent yourself. It’s very good to see thoughtful posts here. Spam is fun too if you can punctuate a specific theme with it.
With regards to keeping snuff; there are a few people who refrigerate snuff - as with snufs and dip - but in my experience the only thing that really counts is having a completely airtight container. I have snuffs that are 30 years old and some from the 60’s that are in perfect condition and we’ve had even older snuff discovered on ebay that has been in great condition. It’s all down to keeping it in airtight containers. I use screw top plastic cannisters from Wilsons of Sharrow but any food grade, non porous type container will do the job. I’ve never used a Neti pot and been snuffin for years; just the occasional gentle blow does it for me - so they are not the norm, although a few people swear by them.
5 Photo snuffs should, barring any difficulties with customs, be available at NicotineRush.com by about mid January. Tom
How many varieties, Tom?
You’re not thinking of buying *more* snuff at this time are you Chris?
4 of the 5. Sagar was still in production
Damn… must resist.
I got a sample of the 5 photo Himalaya a few weeks ago with my Nicotine Rush order. I have to say I really enjoyed it. The only snuff I have that is anything like it is the Sun Snuff Pari. Both are quite dark, with a fairly moist, fine grind. While these are not everyday snuffs for me, I really like them on occasion because they are so different from everything else in my collection.
Of course not, Xander. 
I just got a sample of this with my Nicotenerush.com order and freaked out when I couldn’t find it on the site. Absolutely delicious, given past associations. I hope it gets into the U.S. soon. Reminds me of someone I was in love with back in the 70s. In the meantime, I shall take the advice of other posters and give the Sun Pari a try, and guard the 5 Photo Himalaya sample with my life.
Should have arrived by now. Probably stuck in customs. There are 2 - 5 Photo Himalaya’s. ‘Super’ and, I guess you would call the other, ‘Original’. The Super is a lighter brown. The ‘Original’ is very dark.