So, wanting to go and see what the local tobacco shop in upstate New York had on offer, I found that they offered just two snuffs: Railroad Mills and Railroad Mills Sweet. Okay, I thought, I’ll try both. They are both American scotch snuffs, of course, which was fine, though it’s not my usual thing. The problem I had was that they are very dry! They always go up too quickly for me, and then they get into my throat, as well as being unpleasant in my nostrils. Is this inevitable with these? Am I doing something wrong? For now, I have to say that they are the only snuffs I really don’t care for at all.
@Jacobin… Welcome back… haven’t seen you in a bit…I am a newbie… about 5 months snuffing ( first time ever in life… But not first thing in my nose.) I have tried roughly 15 USA SNUFFS ( all sold locally here in the suburban Atlanta ga area …BTW, I’m from NY as well ) anyway all are dry… And fine… WITH ONE EXCEPTION I SEEN The moistest one I have seen is railroad mills ROSE SCENTED MACCOBOY SNUFF SOLD IN A BIG BROWN MEDICINAL BOTTLE… I WILL DO OCCASIONALLY … i did not like it at first ( but that was when i knew nothing of snuff…by the way don’t let ROSE SCENTED name fool you… it doesn’t have a scent of roses…more like campy…earthy peaty like… somewhat brandy … but not much brandy, more the former descriptionsccc It has a more course grind ( much like a tap schmalzer from bernards that clumps a bit…course grind …hence more moisture… Most USA names like honeybee and superior and square and the Levi Garett’s or other scotches are all dry fine snuffs… That i have seen … I will let a more experienced member take over from here. Pic of railroad mill I’m taking about below
Close up of label…
And BTW… Like I have read b4 here… Just cause you don’t like a snuff now … Don’t throw it away… Store it the best you can… Go back to it and revisit it another time, our taste and nose changes… Or you an mix with it… Or trade it… And thanks Jacobin … Cause you mentioned railroad mills , I am really enjoying this brown bottle right now and haven’t touched it in months… Tastes change
Scotches take some serious practice, but RR mills is a pretty easygoing scotch snuff. Try taking bigger pinches and sniffing lighter.
Railroad Mills is an excellent Scotch but you are correct it is dry. One of the best ways (in my opinion) to use any dry snuff is in a bullet. Bullets make it very easy to modulate airflow into the nostril. You can even cover the air vent with a finger when using the bullet to slow down airflow.
Scotches are ok But I am so happy they are not my only choice. I do enjoy their smokiness , I would need a nasal spray bottle if I was to use them exclusively. Dampen the pathways then snuff. I will break my scotches out when it is humid. That is when I can enjoy them without gagging, I even enjoy the throat drip.
I’ve never found RR Mills Plain at the stores around here but the scent of RR Mills Sweet reminds me of Dholakia White a little bit.
I happily commit a sacrilege and moisten scotches. Latest experiment has been with peppermint extract (not the essential oil). Result is tasty, smoky and pepperminty. Very enjoyable.
I happily commit a sacrilege and moisten scotches. Latest experiment has been with peppermint extract (not the essential oil). Result is tasty, smoky and pepperminty. Very enjoyable.
Or one can hydrate the snuff any number of ways, such as with orange peels or a cap with a bit of damp cloth in a closed container
Even a warm damp cloth over an open container of snuff will do the job quickly enough.
My friend who goes out to America paid one of her visits and came back with a tub each of Navy Sweet and Railroad Mills Sweet for me. Railroad Mills is less sweet than Navy, but as you say, really fine. I’ve found the method that works for me best is one I read here, keeping the lips closed but airway between nose and mouth open, drop your jaw and this will bring just enough air into the nose to draw up the snuff without it going as far back as the throat. There’s some clever people here. 
Something I have done with snuffs I am not that fond of is put 'em in a jar and hang a cotton ball with a few drops of some essential oil I like inside - I found that not only does this change the fragrance over a few weeks but this also takes the dryness out of the snuff to some degree.
RR Mills is ok. One I need to revisit, I think. I compared all the scotches at one time and found it sort of bland by comparison (to the likes of Square or Three Thistle). I have a few tubs here for trading so maybe I’ll trade one to myself as its been a couple of years since I had some. Just need to empty my scotch box of Levi Garrett…
I find snuffing Scotches off the back of your hand gives you more control than the pinch method.
I happily commit a sacrilege and moisten scotches. Latest experiment has been with peppermint extract (not the essential oil). Result is tasty, smoky and pepperminty. Very enjoyable.
Or one can hydrate the snuff any number of ways, such as with orange peels or a cap with a bit of damp cloth in a closed container
I just got done rehydrating some Ralphs Scotch…put the snuff and a shot glass of water in a small plastic tub for a week.The outcome was excellent,the snuff was almost unusable but its fantastic now.
On the “Rose Flavour” of Maccoboy, an old timer once told me it is Rosewood scent not the flower. Also I think a lot of American snuffs sit on the shelf so long they likely do lose some moisture, so re-hydrating may yield a product closer to what the manufacturer intended.
Slightly OT, but a follow up to an earlier comment on this thread: I tried Tony’s peppermint extract trick. I found an old bottle in the spice cabinet that was nearly empty. I used it up, and then filled the bottle itself with Toque Quit. It worked out well. The residue of the extract was enough to scent all the snuff, plus its in its own snuff bottle. I tried the same with some Starr scotch in Lemon extract, but was disappointed with the result. :-??