Well, I can finally review it. And what a snuff it is. I have not had the pleasure with “high end” snuffs yet but I had to give this one a try. It is a Virginia blend with some Rustica and the very special ingredient: Perique. I can safely say, without the announcement of this snuff it would have been a while longer before I bought any Walter Scott’s. But as it is, I don’t regret it. The price is high, compared to other snuffs but such is life and you absolutely get what you pay for. But back to the actual product. When I open the tin, I find a nice, dry, medium brown snuff. And I mean dry. But that should not be an issue. It is mostly fine but there are some slightly coarse bits which are light brown. When I smell it out of the tin, I get very excited. Perique needs to be used sparingly, much like a spice rather than a main ingredient. Trying to snuff or smoke pure Perique will not be a great experience, it is a mix tobacco.This snuff gets the mixture exactly right. I remember this scent from various pipe tobaccos that I used to smoke years ago. I have seen people describe it as fruity or earthy. That may be right, but I’m going one step further and call it sweet and sour like a smelly pair of socks. Does that sound repulsive? It isn’t, not in the slightest. The dryness gives it a good burn in the nose and I have to admit that it even clogs mine up, but that doesn’t stop me. I have also noticed that I need to sit up when I enjoy it, not lie down, because it can cause a minute but unpleasant throat drip. The flavour in the nose is very “perique”, which I’m especially happy about. Too many snuffs smell great in the tin and don’t leave much flavour in the nose. This one is great in that regard. As a matter of fact natural blends seem to stay in my nose longer than others. Perhaps that is why I love schmalzlers so much. With this snuff I have two choices. Either I keep adding another pinch every twenty or so minutes or I squeeze and wiggle my nose to wake up the scent once again. I find myself doing both, I can’t get enough of it. Again, it might just be my flawed technique but I am not entirely happy with the throat drip/scratch. Having a bottle of water ready to flush it away is something I do recommend, at least for some of us. It was advertised as a high nicotine snuff and to my surprise - because it never happened to me with any other snuff - I got this nicotine “lump in the throat”, which I have only ever experienced when smoking a pipe. This is a very exciting snuff on many levels. In any case, this snuff is absolutely worth the price and it is definitely in my top 5 favourites so far.
Excellent review. Thank you for hitting all the right spots. As for socks, if they were worn by, say…Angelina Jolie or Nicole Kidman, that would be pretty much okay in my book. Some dude? Not so much. It was in my cart before this, now it’s doubled. Cheers
Thank you. I’ll be happy to hear your opinion once you get it, since you’re also a fan of Marlin Flake and similar tobaccos. I’m pretty sure you’ll love it.
SWS snuffs do have a distinct rustica drip. I’ve got to be quite fond of it.
Ya’ll are killing me.
Well, after my experience with the 15g tin I went and ordered the 50g today, together with some Kralingse Brasil with Kashubian Sauce and Kralingse Latakia. Should be interesting.
PS: a note to the throat drippage, which is rather annoying. My conclusion is that the snuff is too good! I breathe in more, just to pick up more of the scent and flavour, and that way loose, dry tobacco from the back of my nose has a better chance to go too high up. If I take a pinch and then breathe through the mouth for a few minutes, the snuff has more time to become sufficiently moist and it doesn’t happen so much. Either that or nasal spray before the pinch…
@Kiwi78 thanks for your even great review, I should have posted mine here but it is elsewhere already. And thanks for the last tip you gave in case the snuff hits the throat. Will try that too for the snuff to settle in the nose a few mins. I too ordered some more so I can add this snuff to my daily routine. You won’t regret the Kralingse snuffs you ordered believe me. I live close to the Mills in Rotterdam where you always have a barrel full of Latakia smelling great. Would especially be nice if you used both snuffs St. James and Latakia after each other all day, they both have the property of leaving a natural scent in the nose even after blowing and that complement each other very nice is my experience. I must say I am sticking to these natural snuffs and I do not like the overscented ones any longer that smell like a bar of soap. The quality of De Kralingse and SwS really is outstanding. If you ever want to visit Europe and The Netherlands I can take you to the mills if you want since it is some distance from public transport.
Thank you @Salmiak. I live in New Zealand as you might have noticed, but I’m born and raised German, I lived in Berlin for the first 28 years of my life. Nowadays the price for the trip is quite high and I have to take care of other things for now, especially a certain divorce. But I will keep it in mind. Thanks.
Is this fine as in Lundy foot / Havana toast ?
Thank you, @lunecat Another to add to the Mr Snuff basket along with FoJ
I just got some SJP and I am not sure exactly why but I am not caring for is much. I enjoy Rustica straight and Haddo’s Delight is one of my all time favorite pipe tobaccos so I thought I would enjoy this. It does not seem very flavorful to me or the two tobaccos are doing something weird to which they are muting each other. I really don’t know what is up with this cause I like most anything, I even like the Dholakia toasts so I don’t think the grind is to blame. My favorite SWS snuffs are Lundy Foot and Mull of Oa, they are examples of perfection IMO. Think I will put this away for a bit and see how it goes at a later date.
Don’t worry I won’t be posting SJP in the snuffs I binned thread. Think this weekend I will give it another go with a fresh nose.
@lunecat you’re quite right and I think if I wasn’t so attached to the memory of Virginia/Perique pipe tobacco blends, my review might have been quite different. As of today however, this is my favourite snuff of all I have ever tried. It might not be everybody’s cup of tea of course. @chefdaniel have you had a chance to try it yet?
Not yet. I hope to as soon as the funds are available.
Chief, thank you for the complete and detailed review. I just bought 15 grams of this, and the tin waits as yet unopened. I just opened my SG Irish D-Light…now I fear I’ll have to clear my nose and wade deeper into my snuff cabinet to give this one a try.
This is a great snuff. The perique is clear and present without being overwhelming. Very easy to take, with a strong nic yield. Bit like a good brandy, so smooth you don’t really notice how strong it is. Very tasty, probably my favourite SWS.
Just a little over three months on I have to bump this thread. I struggle with the snuff because it has developed quite a bit of ammonia. Letting it get some fresh air before a pinch helps but it’s still not a great thing. On the positive side, albeit being an “artisan” snuff, it doesn’t seem to have the slightest mold issue and that’s great. My biggest problem is that it’s one of the few snuffs that I just can’t seem to take right. Small pinches, snuffed very carefully or bigger ones, it doesn’t matter. Every time half the lot is flying right through my nose into my throat and makes me cough. That and the back drip are the main reasons I haven’t finished the tin yet. I’m not giving up on it because the flavour and quality are so good. But if a regular snuff by another company causes those problems for me, I don’t put up with it and throw it in the bin. What a challenge.
Just tried this for the first time from my new tin and had to clear my nose out after a minute as I think I overdid it but the second pinch was just perfect and got a good bit of eyewater so definitely discovered the nicotine. I like it. Good natural tobacco flavours. A bit like Havana Toast maybe but definitely with more kick and that pungent perique which is new to me so I’m still getting used to it and whether I will fall under it’s spell is still to be decided but it’s sure ok for now. Defintely not as difficult to handle as the whites.
Of all the SWS snuffs, St James Parish is my least favorite. I haven’t given up on it, but…
Fruit, pepper, spice, tobacco, fine, dry, good nicotine hit… what’s not to like? St. James Parish Blend is my second favorite SWS blend, right behind Havana Toast; and just in front of Lundy Foot and Thrice Brewed. I imagine that perique has to be one the most difficult leafs to balance in a snuff, and not only is it balanced in this blend; it’s upfront without being obnoxious. It’s like a handshake for your nose; firm and engaging, while being warm for some and cold for others.
St. James Parish Blend is a fine mix of 3 types of Virginia leaf, Punjabi Rustica and the Louisiana specialty Perique. The tin note is wonderfully sweet from the Virginias and there is a slight whiff of vinegar from the Perique. There is a smell of a nice semi-dark chocolate too - not fully dark but maybe a 70% dark, sweetened chocolate. The Virginias are tangy and fruity and actually being an avid Red Man Original chewer this smells and tastes quite similar - I would attribute it to the Virginias. The Rustica seems to add some strength and body, but doesn’t interfere with the main stars of the show. Color is medium brown and the grind is also medium. The quality of tobaccos used in all the SWS are fantastic and it’s amazing what Sir Johnny Scott pulls out of these naturally with no added casings. It is somewhat similar to the Fifty-Fifty but less in your face with the vinegar punch and fruity notes, and seems a bit more toned down and balanced. Be warned - these are very moreish and won’t last long. A fine blend.