A couple of weeks ago I decided to branch out from my usual Toques and bought myself a selection of Samuel Gawiths. I got: Almond Black Coffee Honey Cola Banana Hazelnut Toffee Whilst I quite like most of them, they all have the same underlying scent that I just don’t like. I can’t even describe what it is, but I’m guessing it’s the scent of the base tobacco. Does anyone know which type of tobacco they use, and similarly which type Toque use?
I haven’t had any of those snuffs but is it a sort of smoky, musty, basementy, leathery smell?
Yeah, that’s pretty close to it. It’s certainly smokey and musty. Writing the post prompted me to give them another try and although it’s still there, it does seem to be a little less pronounced than when I first got them.
First question. Tins or tap boxes? If tap boxes, you’ve wasted your money. Secondly. I haven’t had any of those flavours (except banana which Im not a fan of) and whilst they may be good, they’re definitely not the most popular SG snuffs except the Black Coffee which is popular (I don’t like coffee snuffs). The banana does have some fans though. SG can be pretty hit or miss but their hits are stunning. Edit: I’ve had the honey too. Unimpressed.
All tins, I’ve been frequenting this place long enough to stay away from the tap boxes! I’ve revisited them all tonight, they’re better than I remember them being. Maybe they needed to air a little. Which SG varieties would you recommend @snuffysnuff ?
All the dark coarse ones basically. I’m not keen on their tan snuffs, which tend to clog me up. London Brown Scotch Black KB Original KB Scented KB Special Peppermint Dark Princes Dark Lavender Dark (the only single floral snuff I like) Black Rappee Non darks, tans I like SP scotch SP no 1 High Mill Irish D light is their toast. It’s popular. I love toasts. But I hate this one. I’m in a tiny minority though. Other popular ones Firedance St Elmo’s Gin & Tonic Bouquet Chocolate Black Coffee Some like the Crests, Cobs, Vereys, Grousemour, and other plains. I’m not keen. And don’t forget the excellent Viking range made by SG. All of them are good, esp the Viking Dark, although I can live without the Spearmint. There are better Spearmints out there. The SG fruits are pretty rubbish, although some like the Banana. Toque do the best fruit snuffs by miles (although I like McC’s and Wilson’s fruits for different reasons).
Must be the ammonia that is annoying your nose. A bit more airing and all good. In time you may learn to love it though.
I thought it might be that, but I don’t get ammonia from the tin. I have several Toques in bulk, so I’m familiar with ammonia and how it feels in the nose. I’ve also altered my technique with them. The first, unsatisfactory go round with them I was pinching. Now I’m using a spoon (well, cuticle pusher from my Swiss Army knife actually! Great idea from another member) and they do seem a lot better. The two nut flavours (almond and hazelnut) are strange. Not unpleasant, but not nutty in the slightest. I’m not sure how much coffee I get from the Black Coffee either.
Even from bulk, I’ve not detected any ammonia from SG. Doubt it’s that. Loads of ammonia from Wilson’s bulk, but never had any at all from SG and I’ve got quite a few. Can’t explain why. Also, id recommend ditching the spoon. Learn to take big pinches for maximum flavour and nicotine.
I agree they can be hit and miss. I’ve only tried the coffee of the ones you list, but I can tell by the names of others that I would not be too impressed. For me, as a rule of thumb, the more mysterious the name of the SG snuff is the more likely I am to like it. I found a lot of the straightforward named ones have something of a medicinal scent, and the fruit and floral ones to be just bad. I like (or expect I would like due to experience with others) all their rappees, SPs, KBs, and toasts. A few other odd named ones I really enjoy, like Dr. Verey’s, CCC, Bouquet, Blue Crest, Yellow Crest, Cob Dark, Princes Gold, SP Scotch, Special M.
I believe SG to be the finest snuff maker around. They are elegant and refined. Of course this is only my opinion. I will admit I’ve not tried the fruity ones, but the florals, mentholated, and the plain tobaccos are incredible. I bought a large tub of KB original…so aromatic and moist. Tobacco heaven.
1 Like
SG Coffee is my least favorite of their fine snuff. Black Rappee, Lavender Dark, Xmas 2013, and all the Crests are my seasonal favorites.
I’m late to the Samuel Gawith line of snuffs, meaning I didn’t discover them until about 2 years after I started snuffing. Every one I’ve had I’ve been impressed with. Lavendar Dark, Peppermint Dark, No1 High Mill, Banana and Chocolate. All 25g tins. At first I hated the vac packed tins, but a large coin helps lever them off. I’m just sorry it took me so long to discover them. To be honest I was put off very early in the game with a dried out tap box of Lavendar Dark.
I was a big fan of the pipe offering ,and most of my first orders from Mrsnuff years back was the SG line and when I branched out:All toque snuffs smelled waxy, I couldn’t detect any scents variations from wilsons,schmalzlers were all candy and I could not stand menthol snuffs,now many years later ,I am at the opposite end enjoying fine dry snuffs and some of wilsons are in my top 50,still not fanatic about menthol’s but i employ a few dozen especially Indian offerings. I don’t get that waxiness from toque anymore and I have to be in the mood for heavy snuffs, used to love De Kralingse /Molens. I opened a tin of taxi red and couldn’t snuff it so I ended up dipping it. The snuff hasn’t changed, it was I that has evolved. I have expressed the importance of rotation but with new snuffs hitting the shelves it is easy to forget about old favorites. So Sg will find a place into my rotation, who knows I may find some new favorites.So many choices so little time
I love SG snuffs. I think that if I had to make do with the snuffs of only one manufacturer they would probably be my choice - London Brown, Viking Dark, Elmo’s, Irish D Light - that’s some seriously good snuffs and it only scratches the surface of what SG has to offer. If they did a fine, smokey snuff I am sure that would be awesome. Oh, and in reply to the OP, I do know what you mean about the characterstic ‘house style’ of SG snuffs. I have noticed it myself and I think is down to the types of tobacco used. Certainly, in the pipe world SG are known and respected for the quality of their leaf. I see no reason to think things are otherwise with their snuffs. I am sure that you will get used to it and come to enjoy it, as many of us have. Don’t give up on them, just give them some air. I was amazed at how much the flavour of my Red Crest improved once it had been aired out for a while…that’s another great SG snuff! 
1 Like
I have not had a lot of experience with SG, however, the few that I have tried I enjoyed quite a bit. One common theme that have noticed is that the majority of the fruit flavored snuffs tend to have issues. Then again, maybe on my next order I should order a ton of different SGs and determine for myself whether or not the fruit SGs are as bad as others say. I do not mind playing Russian roulette with my orders, its part of the fun.
I think we don’t realise how fortunate we are to have this vast selection of snuffs available to us. The S. Gawith list alone contains 77 snuffs - that’s seventy-seven of the finest snuffs in the known universe. I simply defy any snuff-taker to not find something to their taste in the S.G. menu. In short, there is no actual “problem” of any kind with S.G. snuffs. I would add that it is better only to try 2 or 3 new snuffs per day (issues of airing aside) to prevent confusing one’s sense of smell. It’s always tempting when receiving a new batch to go through the lot as quickly as possible and check them all out, but a more measured approach allows one’s nose time to adjust to each new snuff.
I think we don’t realise how fortunate we are to have this vast selection of snuffs available to us. The S. Gawith list alone contains 77 snuffs - that’s seventy-seven of the finest snuffs in the known universe. I simply defy any snuff-taker to not find something to their taste in the S.G. menu. In short, there is no actual “problem” of any kind with S.G. snuffs. I would add that it is better only to try 2 or 3 new snuffs per day (issues of airing aside) to prevent confusing one’s sense of smell. It’s always tempting when receiving a new batch to go through the lot as quickly as possible and check them all out, but a more measured approach allows one’s nose time to adjust to each new snuff.
I couldn’t agree more! When I started back in the early seventies the only snuff available (aside from American dry) was Dr. Rumney’s Mentholyptus. So I hoovered that until Dean Swift came along. Toque & Mr. Snuff are a goldmine of wonderful snuff…a new Golden Age of Snuff is upon us. Enjoy the variety while it lasts.
I like most of the SGs I’ve tried. I really love their Black Coffee, and I simply can’t be without their Wild Duck.
1 Like
@Bizzle I have the exact same experience as you. I ordered a bunch of SG snuffs recently and I do detect a familiar smell in all of them. Smokey would definitely describe it. It must be their base tobaccos, but it does seem pretty strong.