Is anyone interested in T.A.S Madras No. 1? I’d have to describe it as looking like F&T HDT in grind, moisture, and colour. It tastes sweeter, somehow, though, and not at all smoky to my nose. I figured I would mention it, as I know of a store on my way to uni that sells it. It comes in 50g tins, and they cost $2.99 each. If anyone is interested, I’ll probably be able to pick some up next Friday, 22.10.2010. If there is any interest in trying this, I’m simply asking for either the cost of the tin+shipping fees, or a trade of equal value. It’s a fairly regular supply, and although the tins aren’t the best (think the sort of tins the Xichang cigar snuff comes in), the owner apparently does a rather booming trade with local Indians who buy it up. Unfortunately, this is the only Indian snuff the man stocks, and to quote his explanation, “You see the No 1 on the label? That means this is the best, it’s good for you. Those other snuffs, they are no good for you, I will not stock them!” So, sorry namrata, I tried getting him to get Dholakia’s pre-PACT, but he wouldn’t budge. Then again, I don’t think this guy cares much about PACT.
It sounds very interesting - if the tin is low-profile (ie you can fit it in an envelope as opposed to a box) I’d love to try some - I’d happily trade for the two Italians (Poeschl-made actually, but not bad at all) if you care about them and feel it’s a reasonable trade. I could probably add a Himalaya micro-tin with a couple pinches missing, since it reminds me waaaay too much of the air-freshener employed in public bathrooms in Italy. Just one question: it doesn’t taste like FUBAR Grunt, does it? That is, there is no added coconut oil, right?
I’ve not had any Grunt, but I don’t believe it to have any coconut oil. It could probably fit in a padded envelope without much hassle. Besides, if you’re worried about customs, worst case I’ll get creative with my customs declaration and write it in Russian in something. It’ll have an accurate description, just not one that much use to Italians. Also, that sounds like a decent trade to me. I’ll just let you know how it looks next week.
Lovely! I’ll be waiting =)
@ shikitohno: can you post a photo? Is this any different than the Madras snuff that Tom502 scored about a year ago? I got a 50g tin of that one, but I don’t recall a “No. 1” anywhere on it. It was made by Jayaram and Rathnakumar. It was packed tightly. No coconut oil, but Madras snuffs are made with ghee oil as a base. That’s butter with everything but the oil removed. It is degradeable, but has a very long shelf life. My Madras snuff was very plain and perhaps a cousin to Dholakia Sparrow. No one but me seems to think it also has a little bit of a cardamom taste.
It may be the same, not sure. This is the best picture I can get of it. It says No. 1 right above the greenish band around the middle of the container. Well, they’ll be a pic in a minute. I think if this new, updated snuffhouse I’ve heard about materializes, I’d like most to see the attachment system redone. Every time I try to upload a picture, it’s always some sort of major pain in the ass. Right now it’s telling me the file is empty and that .jpgs aren’t allowed. Edit: 
Well, I can’t realy make it out, but it looks different to the one I have. Whisper what you want to trade for it.
The tin looks very much like the regular Madras. Very good stuff and my second favourite “Dog walking Snuff” next to Old Paris. (Just more pleasant to Walk a somewhat unruly Canine when the world smells nice.) It’s got a very earthy fragrance. Sort of reminds me of a non-smokey American Scotch.
Well, just to help you make sure they’re different, going from top to bottom, the label reads: Shree Arumugam Ramamurthy ,No- 1, T·A·S Madras Snuff, Sovereign in colour. If this is a different one, just whisper me a what you have available for trades and I’ll let you know if there’s something I’d like. I do have more than enough American Scotches at the moment, though.
Okay, I’ll be buying these tomorrow and shipping them off either tomorrow or Saturday. $3+ shipping or a trade is what I’m asking for them. Just to make sure I don’t leave anyone out here’s the list so far. Trades: pgcd, Xander, rn9inchnails Buying: sprangalang Anyone else who’s interested, either comment here or whisper me by 6AM EST tomorrow morning. After that, I’m gone for the day and will be unable to see any further requests until 11:30PM, by which point you’ll have to wait until next week at the earliest.
@shikitohno - are you sure that kind of tin can fit in an envelope? It looks a tad bulky to me…
It looks like it is the same size as the 5 Photo 50g tins
If it’s the same as the ones I have, it’s similar to a scotch snuff can, but I think, a little taller.
Its tall and thin. I picked up four tins today, but unfotunately Ive just realised now that two were dented on the bottom and leaking snuff. Im sending the two good ones off to pgcd and Xander since they were first. Ill be leaving for uni early on Monday to make an extra trip for two rep lacement tins, so you guys are only going to have to wait a couple days longer. Sorry, but I wasnt about to send you guys tins that werent good.
I looked at my can yesterday, and just realized it does say No. 1. When I first came across Madras snuff, I sent some out, I don’t have the older can, I don’t recall if it said No. 1 or not. But then I saw new cans, more colorful too, and sent some of those out. Some got both cans. But the No.1 is not very big or prominant, which is why I never noticed it. It’s black type on a blue back ground, right above the white lettering of T-A-S Madras Snuff. What’s the stamped date on your cans? Mine is 2008.
If anyone’s tin gets damaged in the mail, just let me know so I can sort things for you.
Just to update this, I got the replacement tins for the ones that were dented/leaking. Sorry about the wait, but I was a bit strapped for cash this week. As soon as everyone sends me their address I can have your tins off and in the mail.
Everyone who whispered me an address should receive their packages within the next several days, next week at the latest.
By the way, for anyone outside the US, let me know how this goes with customs. I tried to help you guys out and keep you from getting any sort of charge, so the CN-22 says luktsnus. Of course, if you happen to luck out and have a Swede or Norwegian working customs that day, it still says snuff, just in Norwegian.
I received the package today, no problems with customs