I happened to think about how much money has been spent on dozens of snuffs in search of “the perfect snuff”.  Yet I tend to return to those that are comforting and satisfying.  Reminds me of my father’s reply to just about any beer; “there are only two types of beer, good and bad” and I should add that after that there are varying degrees of each.  Also, I find myself judging snuffs too quickly (because I may have so many) and not taking the time in appreciating those 1,2 or three that fit my taste.  So, my question is, can we become satisfied with a few really good snuffs or do we continue to spend, toil and stockpile in search of the “holy grail of snuffs” or what we like to refer to as a hobby?  

I’m satisfied. I have a small stable of snuffs that I keep in bulk and know I will always be glad to have and appreciate. I still branch out every so often and try something new, but I’m not on the search for any grails. The beer analogy is apt in my opinion, as I also like craft beer. I could spend tons of time and money searching for that best bottle, and sometimes I find something new or interesting that I pick up. However, I’m always happy to have a Black Butte or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in my fridge. Just as I’m always happy to have Toque Original or Viking Dark in my snuff box. I would venture to say that there is a certain amount of perfection in satisfaction. *edited for spelling.

As far as hobbies goes snuff is rather cheap. I would race formula 1 cars if I could. Some people skydive others scuba dive some play golf some collect guns.  It is all relative.  I am broke, That put an end to my search. You could be dead tomorrow. So enjoy the hell out of today. You have money, spend it on whatever you like. Just stock pile the ones you wouldn’t want to  live without; once they’re gone it’s forever. Don’t like a snuff give it away or trade it.  Only you can decide what you like. 

Me I like variety, American Scotch,Indian Whites, Blacks and Browns, a few UK artisan and US artisans,Dutch, English,German and African Snuffs. Do I need every snuff ever made NO do I want to try every new snuff Yes.  I have a larger than normal collection and I am happy I took the time to store it properly so I can enjoy it now and for the remaining  time I have left; I can discover new snuffs just with in my collection by carefully mixing one with another or several for the desired result. Just be grateful you don’t buy two packs of cancer sticks daily. 

Well said, fellas!

I feel like I’ve found snuffs I would be happy with in the dreaded “desert island” scenario.  Give me F&T HDT and a nice SP and I’m set for life.

That said… there is pleasure in the hunt!  I have a fridge chock-full of unopened tins I’ve yet to try.  They sing to me at night.  I’m trying very hard to pace myself.  =)

I’ve been taking Grand Cairo and O&G the past couple of days and just dipped into some Santo Domingo a few minutes ago…yes I have to agree, it is great to have the variety around!  Thank goodness for mason jars.  I love American scotches as well, but have yet to venture into the Indian snuffs.  I do look forward to that though!

@Sandwhichisles, " perfection in satisfaction", i like that.

i am trying to horde the sorts i really like; that may be denied to us here in the USA due to regulation, especially U.S. mail…hopefully that doesn’t happen anytime soon but who knows?

Artisan snuff like Old Mill : I stock up due to relatively limited supply but I’m not as scared about be prohibited because, if need be, I’d drive to Tennessee and have a barn meeting

I definitely like to try any snuff that sounds interesting to me or that I read others here really enjoying…but I am surely realizing that a handful are my real favorites and the rest rotate around, sometimes becoming an infatuation…
Snuffing is Fun!

I’ve already found what is perfection to me, a light hint of fire cured, I still try as many as I can, I doubt I’ll find anything better than my preference for the fired leaf but I can still find good and really good even if it isn’t complete perfection.

I have the type of personality that likes the idea of sticking to 1-2 snuffs and that’s it. But the way the world of snuffs presents itself I find that this personality trait goes out the window and I seem to rotate 20 different snuffs or so. Sure,  I have my favorite/current top snuffs but don’t want to be without the other ones either. Some snuffs are not re-ordered after they are depleted but I think I will probably never settle down to 1-2 snuffs. Maybe I’ll eventually settle down to 10 different snuffs- ehhh… probably not.

@jmahes  I do like your strategy of buying a jar for aging and a tin for tooting.  You are more than welcome to do a will call/pick up deal down here.  Just give me a heads up first.

I tend to treat snuff like a very nice buffet; a taste of this, that and the other.  Repeat.

Thanks for the ok @chefdaniel, you never know! Maybe when the wife and I drive the Appalachian Trail, we’ll take a little detour- if I do, you’ll know way in advance! Btw, over a year of aging, I still think Puro Dominicana is Perfection.

I’ve found my favorite snuffs - maybe about 20 in total.  The discovery process has been fun!  I tend not to use my favorites all the time though.  Variety is my holy grail at the moment, but I could see myself settling down someday.  

I currently have Viking Dark, SG Kendal Original and Elmo’s reserve in bulk at approx 1kg each (2kg-ish for viking dark). Currently working on building up similar amounts of Toque Original, SP Extra, Quit, Xmas Pudding and Spanish Gem. After that, it’ll be orders to replenish used stock wih the odd snuff that takes my fancy… might even get around to trying some artisan snuffs.

To me, satisfaction in a snuff, is being able to load a snuff box with it, and use it (maybe in conjuction with others) at times throughout the day, till the snuffbox is empty and waiting to be filled again (with the same or something different). If a snuff is not suitable for repeated pinches like this, to me it’s not satisfactory. One pinch wonders that are delightful as a one off pinch, but aren’t suitable for regular use, fail me in what I want from a snuff. These snuffs are like speciality beers whose first mouthful is wonderful, but which gets sickly before you’re halfway down the bottle… and you’ve got a crate of the stuff… Conversely, I no longer get tied up in what a snuff is called. It may be called a specific fruit, or a specific floral, or imply some other scent from the name. For me, it does not have to have any accuracy or authenticity in the scent to be satisfactory, it just needs to have a pleasant scent (even if it doesn’t smell exactly like the strawberries it says on the label), and be suitable for a number of pinches throughout the day - basically, not dry out or spoil before I’ve finished the snuffbox.