I was reading over some pre-pact act threads today, and many people actually stated they hated the American scotches, fit for the lip if anything. Granted it was a minority, but you don’t see that anymore. If you can easily buy a can of something do you think it is inferior to something that requires over a week of transit and a customs check? I dunno, I got some red seal and was seeing if anyone had posted what they thought the scent was (it’s divine, still no clue what it might be though) and ran across a bunch of people saying this. Anyway, for anyone not in love with their Scotch stash I’ll happily pay shipping to remove it from your house:) The international snuffs are great, but holy crap do I love me some domestic!

You’ll not get mine I’ve always been a fan and pre-pact ordered a lifetime supply of Rooster plus several others.

I don’t like fine dry snuffs no matter where they’re made. Do I think overseas snuffs are more desirable? Not really. When I first started out, I wanted to try a broad range, and sampled Indian, Dutch, South African, Polish and German snuffs as well as those made here in the UK. I did like many of the ones I tried, but I’ve settled on predominantly English snuffs for a number of reasons. I have found a wide range I like, which I can all buy cheaply and easily. I can rehydrate them easily if necessary, and they work with the pinch without getting messy or needing contrived techniques. I do still have a couple of Indian snuffs stored in glass jars and used occasionally, but I’ve stopped chasing exotic snuffs that can only be got from one or two places. I simply don’t need to do that to keep my nose happy. If money and storage was no obstacle, then maybe I’d consider broadening the spectrum a little, but that’s not the case right now.

Rarity is one of the best flavor enhancers in something as subjective as booze and tobacco. I try to remain objective, but it is easy to be swayed. The pipe world has its Unicorn Flatus and Fairy Sweat blends. I am fortunate to know some great pipe guys online and have tasted some fantastic rare and old tobaccos. I have also tasted some very mediocre highly-sought, rare blends. I’m in the US and my hesitation in jumping into our scotches was that I’m not sure they are still meant for the nose. I have gotten over that. Now the lengths I go to obtain some of them might make them taste better than if they were all available at my corner store. I think Chimay would be as good if it was available cheaply at every bar. I do think people would pay Chimay prices for Budweiser if it had that same image of rarity and hand-craftedness, though. Some of the snuff we revile will no longer be made and will become the next generation’s Unobtanium, Edgeworth, Sobranie, Masulipatam, Violet Strasbourg, &c.