Did multiple searches on this snuff and found no results, even after checking Ermtony’s site. I found the wrapper in the bottom of a tin I got in trade. It has a cigar type smell, actually very good. Also has the name Jayarem & Rathnakumar on the label. Any help, or am I missing something obvious?
Try searching for Jayaram & Rathnakumar instead and you will find results.
Thanks, Philip. Looks like Tom502 is the man I need to talk to about finding more of this.
That must be the TAS Rantham Madras snuff. I always felt it had a hint of cardamom to it, but otherwise a strong plain fine snuff. We had a short timer turn some up in Boston a few months after Tom502 discovered it. Bart, I keep checking local Indian markets. You may also want to check the ones around you, if you have any. All the ones around here look at me as if I were a Martian when I ask for snuff. I even show them snuff, and they all seem to have never heard of it.
The unique flavor of Madras snuff is due to the tobacco being fried in ghee before grinding. A coworker of mine found some in a little Indian grocery in Austin TX and gave me a 50 gram tin. You can find just about anything in Austin, except an honest politician.
Yes, we’ve had this argument. I still smell cardamom!
I didn’t say you didn’t, did I?
Well, no. But do you smell it? That’s what I’m saying. No one overtly agreed either.
Cardamom- a member of the ginger family has high amounts of volatile oils such as borneol, camphor, eucalyptol, limonene and terpinine, among others. This equates to a great scent for snuff.
I agree! I don’t know why we don’t see it more often. It probably in a lot of the Christmas mixtures though.
I plan on visiting some Indian groceries when I’m out today at work.I think I’ll bring the label with me. Yes, you fellas describe it well, and it is GOOD stuff,imo.
That does seem to be the Madras Snuff. I love Indian snuffs, and want to get them all. India has a large snuff market, and more snuff companies than England and Germany combined, I think.
@ Xander I’ve made cardamom scented snuff & it doesn’t taste anything like the Madras snuff to me.
I use a lot of cardamom in cooking, but have also tried it for scenting home made snuff. Of the two main varietes I prefer the black cardamom for virginia based snuffs. I use one pod, slightly crushed, in about 20-30 grs of base –– just let it sit there in a jar, and in about a week it has left its wonderful spicy and slightly smoky aroma. The pods are dried on open fire, thus the smokiness… The two cardamoms: 
I have the kind on the left in my spice cabinet.
Yes that madras snuff is excellent, certainly one of the best if not the best I’ve tried. I suggest you get you’re hands on as much of it that you can, since it can be difficult to find. I’ve never seen it online and only know of one place in Boston that sells it.