So, I’ve been reading through the snuff reviews site, and I’ve come across these gorgeous, flowing reviews that talk about all of these layers of scents that some snuffs have. For example, the review for http://snuffreviews.com/list.php?Function=Reviews&ItemID=426 QWS Irish Cream, the last one in particular. The reviewer talks about smelling dark chocolate, malted barley, and even sherry and wine. When I smell it, however, I get a hint of menthol at the very beginning, like Vicks Vapo Rub, and then a coffee smell, but none of this deeper, more complex smells like he’s talking about. This is just an example, also, I’ve found this to be true with other snuffs as well. Is this just their imagination and their writings getting away from them, or is my nose broken and for some reason unable to detect all of this complexity? Thanks for humoring this newbie question in advance!
This sort of hyperbole and exaggeration is prevalent in all forms of fine hobbies. Such as cigar reviews, wine reviews, scotch etc etc. it’s sort of something to be laughed at in a way, in my honest opinion. I’ve actually talked many a times with people on this same subject and the folks i’ve talked with on it have drawn the same conclusion as myself.
Thanks Jack! I figured it was something like that, but I was also kind of wondering if I was missing out on something. Even if I can’t detect well-oiled leather and rich earthy moss growing on rocks in a sunny forest clearing from my snuffs, I still enjoy them. Thanks a lot!
thank you for MrSnuffy for asking this and Saucy_jack for replying… I have wondered the same thing and this is why I won’t write reviews all this … Fraser Crane routine has me scared off from ever trying it and feeling bad about my unsophisticated nose that just smells what it smells too! (EDITED to add – Do you think maybe we can add that elusive ‘essential scent of of naked emperor’ to what some of us are able to smell?)
Practice practice. Hopefully any review helps the reader find what he is looking for. Even if you can’t identify some nuance you can smell it. Most importantly snuff is for enjoying. Personaly I’ve had to train my nose a bit for cooking and the funny thing is just trying to detect smaller and more subtle nuances really does make you better at it. If that helps you enjoy something more rock with it, if not who gives a poop. Please write reviews the best a review can ever do is help someone find a snuff they will enjoy sooner then later. With all the diffrent noses that are out there snuffing the more disparate reveiws made all the better, because it ultimately gives a better well of info to draw from. Plus your noses impression is just as valid as anyone elses. And as I’ve said earlier it’s actualy a lot of fun to just wing it and write your opnion on a snuff and like anything else the more you do it the more your skills will grow. I’d bet that if you wrote a few reviews you’d really suprised yourself at the things you notice and pick up that you were not even aware of. Well anyways thank you for providing a good spot to go off on a rant.
p.s. just wanted to add when I first started snuffing I picked up on a lot less about the scents then I do now. It amazes me how similar medicated snuffs used to smell to me. Where as now there are even a few I think I could easily pick out of a blind scent test. And even if I couldn’t can’t complain about having an excuse to snuff a little bit more.
I agree with bob. I would love to see more reviews on there. I know a lot of you have 200 or more snuffs under your belt, but only a handful of reviews. Don’t be shy. All opinions are welcome! Bob is absolutley right that sophistication in both detection and writing comes with practice. Even a review that says: “this one was too sweet for me” or “I like this brand X version of Rose better than that brand Y version of Rose” is good enough and helpful to the next snufftaker. There are stars to rate from 0-5 if that’s all you want to do. I’ve noticed people are less likely to review the ones they like than the ones they don’t like. Again, don’t be shy! If you think its bad, we want to know! The more reviews there are the better balanced it becomes.
@kjoerup, it is so true!!! While I was still drinking, I used to fool people by pouring cheap wine in expensive wine bottles. Our cheapest red wine, Tassenberg, is terrible. I used to put this in KWV Roodeberg bottles. At that stage, only shareholders of KWV could buy Roodeberg and it was as precious as gold. When I invited friends to a barbeque, I always gave each person a full bottle of “Roodeberg” which, of course was Tassenberg. Then I would listen how they praised this fantastic wine and dicuss the different flavours they could detect in there. In the mean time the only one who was drinking Roodeberg was me! Ten year old KWV brandy was the same, only available to shareholders. I normally received a couple of bottles for Christmasfrom our clients. I then refilled the bottles with ordinary brandy. When “friends” visited me, I would let them pour their own shots of “KWV”. Sometimes the guys would fill a glass to the top and drink the stuff neat, telling each other how soft this beauty was. Needless to say, I was very popular and the “friends” loved to visit me. Bullshit baffles brains? All in the mind? I don’t know but I’ve seen this happen numerous times.
I find comparative reviews most useful, so snuff is put in context with other snuffs and maybe tobacco in general and universe of flavours. Hyperbole in language of some reviews is amusing, though, funny to read like absurd colums on bridge, if you don’t know rules of game.
I must admit that I cannot pick out the more subtle aromas in snuff. I’ve read many reviews and I envy the people who can actually find more in a snuff than I can. I can distinguish the different types like toasts, scotches, SP’s etc. but thats about it. And of course the added flavours in snuffs like chocolate, rose, lavender etc. But that’s good enough for me, nothing I can do about it. Except for Taxi Menthol, I like all snuffs. Some I love, some I just like, but I’m happy to be a snuffer.
Good question. There is a lot of nonsense in reviews, be they theatre, food, wine, snuff whatever. It’s also a fact that people will be entirely swayed by what others with more ‘prestige’ think or write, what they feel they should be experiencing and by the effect of packaging. It’s actually very difficult to write anything other than a one or two line review without starting to wax lyrical. I’ve got well over 200 reviews online, and I often see things I’ve written used as advertising copy on various sites. A lot of it is badly written rubbish to be honest, but I had fun writing it and really that’s all that counts in my view. I’ve genuinely never tried to sound clever or sophisticated but no doubt have come across as such. What I have tried to do is use my meagre writing skills to describe the products as ‘deeply’ as I can. I don’t consider myself any kind of expert on snuff - and that discouraged me from reviewing for a while - so I can understand why people are often reticent to give it a go, but once you get into it it can be quite rewarding - especially if you’ve never written before. I would like to see everyone having a go, new snuffers or veterans, because everone’s opinion counts and at the end of the day we love to talk about snuff.
okay, since I feel like I own just about half the snuffs ever made (well, a lot anyway, you guys should see my desk now, seriously), I am getting from the replies here that yes, I suppose there is almost some sort of obligation to give back (I have relied heavily on snuffreviews and the other guy’s site and btw lets not forget the other guy’s site!) and been known frequently to even sit there and read/re-read other people’s reviews while I’m sitting there sniffing that very same snuff they’re reviewing… part of the reason I don’t is I haven’t figure out how to make an account without giving full name and email etc (I’m just funny that way) but if/when I do, its not gonna be any ‘Frasier Crane’ routine I can guarantee that, and there’s at least a few snuffs that I get something completely different than I’ve seen anyone else say, case in point (on both my bizarre response and lack of “Frasier Crane-ness” would be my take on FUBAR GRUNT" – where unlike anybody else so far I get “pleasing smell of clothes dryer vent when the dryer is running and you’re sitting outside the house right where the vent tube lets out, enjoying that dryer vent smell” (which might not be very grand or have a lot of finesse or eloquence or even match anybody elses nose at all, but there you have it, that’s what I get and that’s what I’d say) Maybe its partly due to the experiences one has to draw from, you know, the fact that I’ve personally never been to exotic places or smelled or eaten or drank a lot of exotic things… but at least as a kid I’ve sat outside at that drier air vent… maybe mine would be more the 'reviews for the rest of us" (*shrug*) EDITED for those who might not watch American television to get the reference (and because in the process I discovered I’ve misspelled his name) this is “Frasier Crane” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasier\_Crane#Personality (an entire episode, a good one, split into parts on YouTube) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9BgHwbsR\_Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjqBC8kwPCY&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpGR2IENBjI&feature=related
Well I think the air vent thing is as elequent as anything else. Ultimately, people who use descriptions like yours and those that bang on about woody bass notes (like me) compliment each other. Plenty of room for both and all the more enjoyable for it. Just about to insufflate an impertinent young snuff with an over-arching frisson of wallnuts and monkey farts by the way.
Yes, it’s true that there are poseurs in the world who would have us believe that they detect rare and exotic fragrances and flavors in things like wines and snuffs that no one else seems to. But allowances have to be made for the fact that we have varying degrees of sensitivity as regards smell and taste. And an educated and “experienced” nose or palate is going to detect things that others, less exposed, won’t. Many of these perceptions are based on a subjective perception, yes, but they’re no less valid for that. Some of what people say they scent or taste is a subjective *impression*. When I say that I taste tobacco, leather and violets in a given Pinot Noir I’m not saying that I’m having an experience akin to having a nose full of Rooster, while sniffing a nosegay of violets and chewing on a piece of cowhide. I’m saying that the flavor/aroma complex that I’m experiencing has elements that *remind* me of certain memories that I have of tobacco, leather and violets. My partner used to look at me blankly when I’d ask him if he tasted certain things in a wine. Over the years his nose has become more experienced and he pays attention, so that now when I mention something like that he says, “Oh yeah. . .yeah! I see what you mean!” I’m able to ask him what he tastes (without giving my own impressions) and he’s reluctant but most times spot on with his assessments. As I said, these impressions are by nature subjective but valid. A good case in point is a men’s fragrance called Terre d’Hermes. . .I read a review that stated that it reminded the reviewer of moldy oranges sitting on asphalt. lol! Fair enough. To me it smells like citrus and wet stone, drying in the hot sun. Again, my partner didn’t have words for what he was experiencing when I let him smell it. But his face lit up with amazement when I told him to think of oranges and warm, damp slate. But back to snuff. . .I have a very good nose and palate and an excellent scent and flavor memory as well as wide exposure to a great many aromas and flavors. But Toque’s Spanish Gem? Tastes like honeyed vanilla pudding. . .period. I have seen reviews that rave about its complexity and layers of flavor. . .so far I’m not getting it. I just got it so maybe that will change. Toque Original, by the way, reminds me of buttered toast and roasting coffee beans (which smell more like toast than coffee). . .and that “pine” scent in WoS Grand Cairo that I’ve seen a lot of folks say they detect? I know what they mean, but it screams incense resin to me. And if I was going to review it (which I’m not, newb that I am) I would say that I detected frankincense. In fact, that newly-discovered (for me) snuff is one that I’m finding suits its name quite well. It very much reminds me of the melange of scents one might encounter in a Middle Eastern shop that sold perfumed oils and incenses.
I’m perfectly aware that my nose isn’t as highly trained or sensitive as some peoples. I also have trouble identifying scents. I can usually find the major scents, but seldom notice the tobacco scents behind them,and I couldn’t tell the difference between base tobaccos by scent anyway. I use reviews to give me a clue whether I might like a snuff,and let my nose be the final judge. I’ve had a few that others love that I hate and don’t get the scents they do. Dhalokia White is a prime example. People describe various flavors and all I get is nasty litter box. Granted that litter box has a nice nicotine hit, but I just can’t stand the scent enough to use it. I also am not sophisticated enough to fake it so I’ll let others write the reviews.
I think reviews are very helpful in getting a collection started and making that initial purchase decision regarding a particular snuff but proof is in the empty tin, I like what I like…
“The reviewer talks about smelling dark chocolate, malted barley, and even sherry and wine. When I smell it, however, I get a hint of menthol at the very beginning, like Vicks Vapo Rub, and then a coffee smell, but none of this deeper, more complex smells like he’s talking about.” Yes, indeed, such a lot of nonsense. Some genuinely hideous snuffs are elevated by the reviewer such that the divine powder in question might be safely offered by Vulcan to Jove on the lofty heights of Olympus without inextinguishable laughter. Mere mortals can only wonder at the enlightenment of those blessed with numinous noses. Humbug? - perhaps, but there is no denying that at least two reviewers have (in my opinion) a wonderful command of English that make their appraisals a pleasure to read (if stifling laughter in the process). If snuff inspires the artistic temperament then sniff away ye sons of art and grace thy pages with immortal verse. :<)
well like it or not my clumsy non-wordmeister butt has registered (you can make your email etc private and change your details once you register in case anyone else was being kept away in part by this) and I have posted a few reviews (recounting today’s Kamal disaster, noting the Mystery Maccoboy and currently going through some Toques) – and 'mm making a point to not read/re-read anybody elses reviews when I do (so I won’t be accidentally persuaded in any way that way, though I do copy some of the grind/moisture/nicotine levels others have picked when I’m just not real clear for myself what I should put there so… mileage my vary but maybe through simple old ‘strength in numbers’ – if enough people give reviews on a snuff by the sheer volume a little BS sorting may be better accomplished (if ther;s 50 reviews instead of 2 when one of them is giving the “Vulcan Mind Meld” review, people might have a better idea what that snuff is about).
@whistlrr: I look forward to reading your reviews and comments.