Well, Cafe Noir (SnuffStore’s version of Cafe Royale) and SG’s Black Coffee seem to taste different to me, but then I’m working on the dwindling remnants of the first, and a tap box of the second…
It is difficult to compare, given slight batch variations, degrees of freshness, suitability of storage and how ones sense of smell changes with atmospheric conditions and levels of physical health. I liked the Snuffstore over the SG but I am quite suggestible and bought into Cafe Royale being the ‘authentic’ recreation.
@HR_pufnsnff Café Noir in the screw-top tins SnuffStore used to supply keeps better than Black Coffee keeps in SG’s tap boxes. It’s better still if you buy a 250g tub [I recommend _My Smoking Shop_] - and works out a lot less expensive (about half the price of tap boxes). @khalid As with any art form, there will be a very slight batch variation - not least because every batch of tobacco will vary slightly. The blenders at Gawith’s (and at Wilsons’) are meticulously careful, but there will always be very slight batch variations. In addition, as you rightly say, the degree of freshness makes a huge difference. I keep supplies of my regular snuffs in the refrigerator, decanting small amounts to pocket/desk boxes regularly. Even if I re-fill weekly, there is a noticeable difference before and after refilling a box - even with boxes that appear to seal well.
8-}
End of the line for Smith’s
Looks like there’s now no chance of Smith’s ever being recreated at 74 CXR. Indeed, the whole thing looks rather grey. I am guessing 150 years of history have been unceremoniously ripped out, or painted over. A sad reminder of the transitory nature of almost everything on this Earth.
This is what the new proprietors describe as their new-shop-in-74-charing-cross-road.
:((