Evening fellow snuffers. I understand Samuel Gawith Kendal Brown Original has been made since 1792, but is this the oldest. Perhaps it’s Wos Best SP?
Stg. de Kralingse Snuif en Specerijen Compagnie has a non-tobacco snuff from which the unaltered recipe dates back to 1862 Jaap Bes.
Kendal Brown is still made, apparently, according to the Thomas Harrison 1792 recipe by Samuel Gawith. Because of the copies made by other manufacturers an application was made for a trade mark on 14 November 1877 by William Nevison (Nevinson according to Samuel Gawith’s website). After Samuel Gawith acquired the Eamont Bridge mill in the 1930’s they also acquired the rights to the snuff. The brand name was due for renewal on 11 July 2013, but I haven’t checked to see whether they have complied. They have the sole right to use the word ‘Original’ (previously ‘Genuine’) in their distribution of Kendal Brown which otherwise is a non-proprietary name. It is almost certainly the oldest snuff to have been continuously manufactured in Britain, but not by the same manufacturer. That at least is my understanding.
Thanks @PhilipS so am I right in thinking SG didn’t make KG Original initially? Was William Nevison with SG or independent? KG Original is my no 1 snuff. The scenting is sublime, the grind and moisture just right for my nose.
Very interesting. I very much enjoy the S. Gawith KB Original. Just perfect in scent, grind and moisture. I order this regularly, and always at least 2 tins so I always have a stash of it. The other KB named snuffs I’ve tried simply don’t compare with the Original!