Being new to snuff I have yet to try Medicated or Menthol snuffs. Thus I have a few questions about them… 1. I see a lot of “Medicated” snuff saying they have menthol in them. Are these basically the same thing or is there something special about medicated snuff. 2. Is medicated truly “medical” on some level? For example it’s used for stuffy nose, sinus problems or bullet wounds? Or is this just a carry over from days-of-yore. 3. I’m not a big fan of menthol cigarettes so would I even like these kinds of snuffs? I’m always interested in trying new things but don’t want to waste my time or money on something I probably wont like. Basically I just don’t want it to feel like I’m sucking a Newport up my nose because if that’s the case I will probably just pass on these kinds of snuffs
I think medicated and menthol are the same. It will open your sinuses for a bit. Think Vick’s mentholated rub. I’m not usually a fan of menthol, but I’m low on snuff and broke out the Hedges from my first order and am learning to like it a bit. It has it’s place.
Vick’s, Hmmmmm… Yeah say no more. I think I will be skipping that. I don’t like Vick’s all that much to want to smell it all the time.
Try O&G and L260. And perhaps CM. If you don’t like these, maybe menthol/medicated isn’t for you.
- Medicated is a blanket term to include primarily menthol but also some other scents such as eucalyptus, camphor, pine and mint. However, those scents are often paired with menthol 2. Yes and yes. Its both medicinal (depending on your point of view) since it does relieve congestion at least temporarily. But, yes, its really a holdover from the early 20th and late 19th century when they were marketed as medicine. 3. No way to tell. Snuff doesn’t really compare to cigarettes. Its not going to break the bank to try one, and they do represent a significant part of snuff culture. Also there is no way to know if you will like it. I actually hated them at first, but now use them from time to time, I just have to be careful as a little menthol goes a long way. Best one to start with is probably McChrystal’s O&G. Not my fav, but easy enough to get in very small and well sealed tins. It is one of the more extraordinarily popular ones out there.
Back when I discovered snuff it was via the little blue boxes of J&H Wilson’s that every newsagent seemed to have on the bottom shelf of their cigarette display, and back then I was quite partial to Medicated no. 99. These days I’ve tried Hedges, WoS S.M.500, President, and even less overtly mentholated things such as Ozona Raspberry and I find they make me sneezy and block my nose up. Whether I’ve changed or no.99 wa different I don’t know, but that might be worth a try, it’s in a tiny box anyway. Might have to stick one on my next snuff order, just for old times sake.
When I smoked ciggies, I never cared for menthols either, but I adore medicated snuff. I would like to also add Toque’s menthol is another one to start with. Very nice, IMO. Edit- Toque’s menthol has nothing to do with Vick’s scent.
@SnuffnStuff I agree with above. Definitely has its place. Some LOVE the stuff. I can enjoy from time to time in small doses, but… I am one of the people who get a ‘rebound effect’. the menthol really opens up the passages and it is wonderful!!! Then a little later (think minutes in my case), BAM, they swell shut and it can take hours to open. i did have a period of time when I think I was enjoying self inflicting pain, thinking that if I could just shove enough up there then all the problems would go away… No so. Well, over time, I can use mentholated varieties, but in small amounts. It is a shame really because if it were not for the ‘rebound effect’ I would love them. Oh well, there are some AWESOME options out there… enjoy!!!
I’ll second the Toque Menthol suggestion…its got camphor/menthol essence in it, but doesn’t smell like Vick’s vaporub. Its the sensation of a strong menthols like Hedges and Red Bull, that I like, not necessarily the scent. For example, Ozona Raspberry is menthol, but the scent gives me a headache and smells sort of like plastic, so I don’t use it on its own but rather mix it with chocolate snuff. And…Some mentholated snuff have less of a menthol hit, that actually adds (or distracts, depending on your liking) to the flavor of the tobacco…for example, for me, I think Gawith Cola’s slight menthol adds a sensation of “fizziness” to the cola scent. 
As a few have already mentioned, the rebound effect does affect some people. I had a bit of rebound for the first few week, but now no more rebounds, so I like carrying a menthol with me each day as part of my rotation. If you’re interested in trying a menthol, I’m sure some of us would be glad to send a sample… no sense in spending money on a whole tin if you don’t like it after trying.
Don’t rule out a snuff just because menthol is an ingredient. I had no idea that 6 Photo Kailesh had menthol in it when I first tried it. Some companies are able to mix it into an experience in some of their varieties.
Some menthol’s are a feel, some are a scent and some are a scent enhancer ,some are lightly medicated and all points between to heavy. Most of the time the manufacture won’t list in the description if it has menthol or is medicated. So research the reviews on the snuff before you invest. Most poschl snuffs are medicated , A lot of 6 photo is medicated. most Silver dollar are lightly medicated. some of Paul Gotard are medicated. a few of Samuel Gawiths and Wilson of Sharrow are in that way. heck even Abraxas has menthol dragun. I didn’t like them at first snuff but now I have a hankering for some on a daily basis. I don’t leave home without a box of 6 Photo special, because I can relies on it working. Other I use for pleasure.
Years ago I could only tolerate snuffs with at least a bit of menthol. To me the most accessible heavy menthol is WoS SM 500. If you are like me, more than a trace of camphor can ruin a snuff, while eucalyptus can make 'em better. I guess what I’m trying to say is, try some different types of medicated. I’d suggest: some of the WoS’s, McChrystal’s O&G (I think has some camphor), some of the Indian’s. Also it’s good to know some which have non-medicational(?!) scents as well as the menthol etc: some fruit and menthols (Toques recommended), 6Photo makes some nice floral/incense like scents with a moderate hit of menthol. Also worth a shot from WoS: Vanilla Ice, Super Menthol(a menthol with SP scenting)… Have fun!
@basement_shaman i totally agree regarding 6 Photo special. Really clears you out and while not heavily mentholated it tastes divine. They got the name right on this one. I have it every evening at a certain time.
The weird thing I’ve noticed though is that most non-snuff enthusiasts like mentholated ones. I personally love it as well. Hedges is basically my go-to snuff. As much as I like O&G, I drip like crazy when I use it.
Im not a menthol user for the fact of it sticking with you and making all other snuff after smell menthol like. Plus it smells like vicks. I will use it on a small occasion for a stuffy nose. But its popular and thats all that counts, to each his own…
I enjoy lightly mentholated snuff like NTSU Green and Taxi Green. When I have a cold, I think 6 Photo #66 is the best menthol-camphor snuff I’ve found, and for something different Mullins & Westley Keen Scented is a nice menthol-eucalyptus combo.
Maybe I will put a menthol in my next order just to see what I think. I will start out with something light because I don’t wanna be turned off by a super powered menthol right out of the gate. But it’s worth a try even if I only use it when I have a stuffy nose.