Well, I was tempted by the new Abraxas snuff, especially after the great review, hype, and the thought of being able to say I’ve had ambergris up my snozzler. However last night’s order to MrSnuff comprised two Samuel Gawith snuffs, two from Wilsons of Sharrow, and one from Bernard. All new snuffs and I can’t wait. To put things in perspective, the SG and WOS snuffs totalled 70 grammes and cost me around 10/11 pounds, the same as the Prince Regent. I’m bound to like all four snuffs and for me that’s better value for money than the single snuff from Abraxas. Who agrees, and who thinks I ought to have gone for the one expensive snuff?
I guess it depends upon your snuff cellar. I buy bulk of my favorites, and add the occasional more expensive “treat” when I think my supply of the “regulars” is sufficient. I think a lot also depends upon your experience level–it’s great to try a wide variety–you might be missing out on a new favorite. So, no wrong answer is my answer.
There’s no really solid logical reason for buying expensive snuff. On the other hand, there aren’t that many logical reasons for buying cheap ones, either. You can say you made a wiser decision, but the third man put his ten quid in his pension fund and is laughing at both of us. EDIT: Just thinking about this a bit more with some SWS in my nose. Really, if you think back to the best meal you’ve ever had, it was probably a good home cooked meal cooked by someone who loved you, served while you were hungry, and eaten with friends. But if you have money to spend on luxuries and a curiosity about food, you might still be tempted to try a fancy resto from time to time. Bit like that with snuff. I’d still say my very favourite snuffs, or the ones I enjoy the most, are Viking Dark, Dholakia White and HDT, none of which cost that much. But I like trying new snuffs in the evening, when I have time to appreciate them. Sometimes, it’s just curiosity to find out what everyone is going on about, I just want to join the conversation about some new Abraxas or SWS snuff. I don’t gamble beyond the odd penny and dime card game, I don’t drive an expensive car, I eat mostly at home, on holidays I enjoy fairly low budget hotels in Asia, and I’ve never been to Las Vegas. I really do understand that some people have to count every cent that they spend on luxuries, and I don’t disrespect people who need to save money in every area of their lives. I don’t even think they are missing that much in life, or certainly not in the area of snuff. But curiosity and a few spare dollars is enough justification for me to buy a few jars of Abraxas and SWS. And I do have a few kilos of my basic snuffs in the cupboard tucked away, I might feel different if I was just starting out and didn’t have that to fall back on.
It boils down to how much money you want to spend. Boutique snuffs are like boutique cigars, generally very good, but expensive…
Cost. I tend to think of purchases now in terms of ‘Tanks of Gasoline’. If a purchase is less than a tank of gas, I don’t worry, that much, about it being a mistake. And … Yes I ordered the snuff.
Be who you are and buy what you want.