As I posted some time ago, this is a snuff I re-discovered when my wife saw it on sale in a local store. Prior to that I had not used it in 20 years, but 20 years ago where I was living it was the only snuff available. I remember it as a very plain SP along the lines of Top Mill No 1. The current blend is almost choclatey in flavour, so a question for fellow old timers: does anyone know if the blend has changed? J and H were swallowed up by Imperial many years ago and you can search the net in vain trying to find out their production rationale; any ideas? For folks that have not used it before this is a really overlooked snuff; it’s dry, flavoursome and I think quite unique. Well worth a tin on your next online order.
@Nigel, I’ve ordered a LARGE tin (25g?) from Tom NicotineRush which should be here any day now. Can’t wait!
You will love it. If you are new to it its worth every penny. Something in the post for you when I can find a minute to get to a PO - been a manic week at work.
I got hold of two very old small blue tins of Top Mill No1 and SP No1 pre the present health warnings, the tins aren’t airtight so snuff leaking to the cellophane wrappers. The snuff was very dry and lighter in colour but tasted just the same. I just tipped them into my ½ full large tins of same snuff. I’ve also got a little blue tin of J.& H. Wilson Finest Menthol, I don’t think it’s made any-more it’s almost plain tobacco, the menthol has just about gone.
I love this stuff i have an absolute ton of the stuff in fact i have about 20 small boxes of it !!
I have just noticed on the last pic that one of my younger kids have put crayon on my wall behind the sofa , right were are the little buggers !
Hears My tin of Finest Menthol.… 
Wow I have never seen that one befor snuff head . The tins are a total nightmare for leaking in your pocket …
Dead right there Dave, that’s when a snuff box comes in handy.
@Snuff Head Even the new small tins leak into the cellophane. I have to open them over paper and then sniff the remains off the outside of the tin!
That’s true the tins are very poor and the design hasn’t changed in years.
S.P No.1 and Top Mill remain my favourite S.Ps, but I haven’t bought or even seen the latter for some time. Unfortunately J & H Wilson’s snuff remains relatively expensive compared to bulk purchase direct from Sharrow so I buy No.1 less frequently now. The snuffs were made at Westbrook Mill in Sheffield along with many others such as S.P No.2, S.P No. 3, Red Special S.P and Special S.P. All the S.Ps were good and amply compensated for the foul offerings such as Jockey Club Perfume (ghastly shade of turquoise) and Otto De Rose (hideous shade of pink). S.P No.1 from the little blue box has not (in my opinion) changed flavour, but the grind seems finer than before and the colour (perhaps) a little lighter. The significant difference in flavour occurs with the vacuum-sealed tins, which are recommended as the snuff remains fresh and it is considerably more pungent than that in the box. It could be a revelation for those snuffers who don’t know what factory-fresh snuff is really like to try it. Top Mill used to come in two hues and flavours called Top Mill Red Horn and Top Mill Black Horn. One or two here might remember them. Thereafter Top Mill was described as - and I quote from a Wilson’s booklet - “similar to S.P but with added flavour in a higher concentration.” Opening the vacuum-sealed tins is a struggle. The advice on the tin is that a coin is inserted and twisted. All well and good, but the guidance assumes that your hand is as steel with the grip of a vice. I use a flat spanner that allows me to break the seal instead of my hand.
Excellent post, thanks.
I have to say now that every post of you PhilipS is a pleasure to read and Im grateful for you being on this forum.
I love my SP No. 1 It is my go to SP snuff. I have about 200g of it.
@ PhillipS: Thank you for the historical information. You are always helpful in giving me more pieces to the puzzle of snuff knowledge I am assembling. If you are in need of the Top Mill No.1 and cannot find it locally: I believe several of the online vendors carry it (small tins I’m afraid). I purchaced one from My Smoking Shop several months ago and was happy with it.
I believe the reason why J&H Wilsons still use those crappy little boxes is because they still have another 89 million left.
I just posted on another thread that the Black Swan Shoppe carries the large tins.
I can see I’ll have to put in an order there! Just been to the hospital for blood tests and called in at Clements News on the way back. They do indeed have a good selection in stock and I came away with a few tins. The owner seems keen to expand on that side of his business and he did say he was selling lots of it. A good sign I think.
I have just read here: https://www.thebackyshop.co.uk/products/jh-wilson-top-mill-no1-snuff-small-tubs, that Imperial Tobacco now has changed the packaging into round and better sealed tins. Has anybody seen these new tins already?