In my limited snuff experience, I think the key is to master the sniff. I often find myself with an amount on the back of my hand(that’s how I have been taking it), and then maybe over analyzing how to approach the sniff. I sometimes just wave my nose over it and sniff lighly, but too light and you don’t get the mist of it in, and too deep takes it too far, and still trying not to snort it. I guess it’s all about practice, and from what I hear(or read) I’m not the only one. In fact I just did a sniff of WE Garrett, and I think I did it too deep, as I am feeling a bit in my throat. It’s so light and dry, it doesn’t take much, and that fine line of not enough sniff to too much seems easy to cross. Any other’s comments on mastering the sniff? Tom

I have found it helpful with fine dry snuffs is to put my nostril flat on the snuff. Then, as I gently sniff i roll my hand away. This seems to help keep it in the front of my nose. I have also tried exhaling on the snuff first to add a bit of moisture. I have had mixed results with that. The first one worked better.

Thanks for the comments. I’ll try both of the methods. I have yet to use the pinch method, mainly as the container I have been using is a flip top, and more for tapping out. I haven’t had any bad sniff experiences, yeah, sometime a bit in the back of the throat, but no full on lung snort. I did try the breath in well before taking a sniff, that seemed ok, though I don’t know if it was comfortable, as I was sorta holding my breath, and then sniffing. Thanks. Tom

I pretty much do it the way SnuffyPM describes. I find I get a lot more control with a pinch. I use the thumbnail method if the type of contianer makes me pour it, and a spoon if its really course. You have to learn different sniff strengths depending on the type of grind, and also depending on how blocked a particular nostril is at a given time. Practice makes perfect! Read the FAQs and also research some past postings on this. Troutstroker has a nice description he reprints from time to time.

Thanks Xan. I did read the FAQ and articles. I opened up my can of Bruton last night and did a few pinches. I do agree it does seem like you get more control that way, though I found my pinches maybe too small, and had to do a few. I think I’ll be pinching the Bruton all day today. Tom

Can one master taking a shot of bourbon or tequila? Sure, you can sip it and some are made for sipping. You can slam it like a glutton no matter what type. Usually the second shot will be easier than the first. There is nothing like a coughing, gagging, spitting, tear wrenching snoot of a fine snuff. In the end the snuff masters you not Vice-versa.

It took me a long time, but I finally learned to snuff without using the lungs at all. Try it, hold your chest still, don’t breathe in, just snuff with your nose only. It sounds impossible; it takes some practice, but it’s possible, and it works. A large pinch will take several sniffs to finish. Before, I would dust the back of my brain, and get snuff behind my eyes. It hurt, and I’d pay with coughing and hours of sinus disturbances. But now with this method I can take huge pinches of the finest of finely ground snuffs, and not over-shoot.

Sniff and inhale both involve the nose and lungs, but sniff stops short. It’s a fine line, and easily crossed. I think I am getting better with time. Tom