I know this topic has been discussed before but I have some serious questions about “straight” snuffs. I always loved some sweet snuff, even while I was still smoking. I also loved sweet tasting pipe tobacco like cherry, rum, brandy etc. Three Nuns was on of my favourites. Things have changed now and I love the “natural” snuffs more and more. What I mean by a straight snuff is something which is pure tobacco, no flavour added. At present I have Taxi Blue and Toque Original and Natural. My question is: what other “pure” snuff would you, the connoisseurs, recommend? I love a coarse, somewhat moist snuff, like Taxi Blue (maybe a bit to wet though). I do not like the dusty stuff that floats right through my nose and down my throat, making me cough. I’m not in love with menthol although I do like snuff like Gawith Apricot. I want ground tobacco. Period. Is that what SP snuff is? And if so, what should I buy? I thank you, gentlemen!! Kind regards!!

Almost all snuff is flavoured in some way, I know Natural isn’t and there might be a couple more. I would describe SP as a style of snuff (think Toque Original) that mostly tastes plain but is still flavoured quite a bit, usually with some sort of citrus. For you sir I suggest Sam Gawith Scotch, the one that is just scotch, not SP scotch (although that is also good), the Scotch is really coarse and strong tasting. It is definitely flavoured with something, but I have no idea what. You might like Gawith Hoggarth SP ( I hate it!) as it is pretty coarse and plain tasting. Have you tried any of the Wilson’s SPs? They are pretty much all good, especially Tom Buck.

I’m quite new to all this but isn’t this what the High Toasted snuffs are supposed to be all about- just tobaccoey goodness? If so, what about F&T High Dry Toast (I have some but haven’t tried it yet) and the high toasts and Irish toasts from the other snuff houses? The only thing is they don’t meet your moisture requirements as they’re all supposed to be pretty finely ground and dry. Maybe F&T Princes would be to your liking? And have you checked snuffreviews.com?

SPs generally have a light citrus or bergamot flavour, which is very much to my taste too. As well as the Toque Natural and Original you mention, there are quite a few other SPs available: Wilson’s of Sharrow: Best SP, Tom Buck, SP100, Queen’s Extra Strong and Gold Label are all light coloured. Best Dark, Brunswick and Burgundy are dark SPs (and very tasty). Samuel Gawith: No.1 High Mill, SP Scotch and Yellow Crest. I love all three. J&H Wilson: SP No 1 McChrystals: S’nuff

J&H Wilson Top Mill is what you’re looking for. I went on this exact same search about a month or 2 ago, and one of the guys here suggested this to me and he was dead on the money. It’s really interesting for me to watch as your tastes change. It’s like I’m watching myself months back when I got back into snuff…I started like you with menthol snuffs, then “progressed” to SP’s and plain snuffs. I pretty much barely use menthol at all, now. I wouldn’t be surprised if next you start to prefer drier snuffs (because you don’t have to blow the nose as much!) and then start liking Scotch snuff more and more…finally I’m now a really big fan of Schmalzler. I seriously can’t stop taking pinch after pinch of this stuff and just keep that maple flavour in my nose constantly!

yeah snuff taste do change. For me it’s every few months. Definatly need to try this Top Mill snuff.

SP’s are definitely to my liking. So far I would have to say that Wilson’s Tom Buck and Queen’s Extra Strong are my current favorite but I am waiting for my delivery of Toque Original. The things I like best about them are mostly natural flavor with a hint of complexity but not over powering. There is also no clogging or residue so you can definitely hit them hard.

I think it so strange that most SP’s (Tom Buck, Toque Original, Top Mill and Best SP at least) actually will UNCLOG my nose! I can be totally clogged and it will clear me right up…in fact I often take it for that purpose. I think a big reason why I love SP so much.

Don’t forget McChrystals SP. Its a very nice snuff and Frederick Tranters Regency. And yes the American Scotch snuffs are a very good snuff to try if your looking for a plain tobacco snuff.

SP snuffs are my favourites, today I’m on SG No.1 High Mill. They are all plain tobacco with varying degrees of citrus/bergamot flavouring. They are also great because you don’t need to blow your nose very often , at least in my experience. Stefan

I thought I was the only one who used plain snuff to clear my nose. The menthol seems to make my nose close up sometimes. I like High Dry Toast, Irish High Toast #22 and buttercup. I have HDT in my nose right now. It has taken me some practice to learn how to take them without it hitting the back of my throat but it’s worth it.

Its a bit of a paradox but menthol snuffs are generally the ones that cause the most congestion and for head clearing nothing beats a plain snuff, IMHO. The best for me is HDT, pretty much any of the brands and also Stokers plain. Top Mill no 1 is a great snuff - mostly plain but with a touch of something extra. SP’s are generally flavoured with a dab of citrus or bergamot by the way. In effect, most English snuffs are flavoured SP’s in terms of strength, grind and colour. Pieter, a great course snuff and plain as you like is Gawith Hoggarth ‘Kendal Brown’.

menthols actualy seem to work great for getting things out of your nose like if you have a cold. Where plainer drier snuffs seem to be best for getting things up your nose like air.

Tom Buck does it for me every time. If my nose is blocked I am fine as long as I can force a few specks of Tom Buck up it and I will be breathing freely in about a minute.

Snuffster- I was trying to remember the other day who recommended the JW top mill No1 to me…Now I remember it was you! Great snuff- wish the containers were bigger, because for me 1 small container is used up easily in a day. The thing about SP snuffs, too is that they are really great to mix with other flavours- and they will still unclog the nose. Much as I’m bored these days with Wilson Snuffs- I find that none of them are clogging at all. At least none of the 5 or 6 flavours I’ve tried. Whereas ALL of the Poschl snuffs (or any German style snuff so far, actually) clog me up every time. I can do without Poschl snuff, but I love the maple flavour of the Bernard Schmalzler too much to give those up. Maybe Roderick should make a Maple flavoured Snuff? What’s really fun about Toque Snuffs is how pure all of the flavours are. Makes them perfect for inventing cocktails. I think a great marketing tool for Toque, in fact is the fact that by owning all of the flavours, the user is able to create many of his own recipes. Whereas snuffs that are already complexly flavoured are mixes already and not good for personal creations.

I agree completely about the German snuffs - also Brazil doppel is way too sugary for me. I keep returning to Sharrow snuffs, and find that none other even vaguely compares to Tom Buck and Best SP. Recently I purchased a half pound of WS Princes - WOW! That’s snuff for you there! This is so far the only moist snuff apart from Cafe Royale, that I really like. At work I take Princes or SP, while at home I switch to Royal George or Irish No 22. This Sunday my Swedish 1850s wooden table top box is full of SP and my Francis Higgins holds Cafe Royale, which is one of the best snuffs I think.

Well got my order from Toque thanks Roderick. I would have to say that the Original definitely fills the bill as a wonderful SP. The only quandry now is to decide when it’s time to place the large order if it’s 400 grms. of Original @ 29.99 GPS or Tom Buck from Mars @ 40.50 for 1 lb. which is about 453 grms. oh and add shipping to Mars plus no online ordring. I would say that just about makes it a draw…

Hi gentlemen, thanks once more for your advice! And, I do agree now, SP snuffs are great once one has have mastered the art of taking fine, dry snuff. I still sometimes take to big a pinch or inhale to strongly but it’s getting better all the time. And the taste is superb. I love the Latakia Ao 1860 because of it’s totally different taste but I think my favourite right now is Wilsons Top Mill No 1. I also like the SG Scotch but maybe it’s a bit mellow? I tend to take bigger pinches of it because it’s softer than the other SP’s I’ve got. I’m sure that I will progress in my use of SP’s, no doubt about that. But I still like some “sweets” in between!!! Regards

The Top Mill No 1 seems to be being a bit more noticed on the forum these days. It was one of my first snuffs nearly 30 years ago and still a favourite. The only drawback is that its only available in those ridiculous small tins. I always shudder when I see a new snuffer starting on Poschl candygarbage, but then again I’m from the North where men are men and sheep are nervous.

In all seriousness I agree, it does have a place and as Trout said in another thread - ‘it’s the newbies friend’. In actual fact I do take the odd pinch of Lowenprise or Apricot in the same way I have the occasional cream cake. Its just when people are taking it for years not knowing any better; then I think we need to educate.

I think there is room for all types of snuff and snuff takers. I wont let anyone try to educate me on what to take. I take say from Wilsons Tom Buck, Best S.P. McCrystals O & G to Pöschl Löwen-Prise, Gawith Cola when I wont and as I wont, just as the mood takes me.

my taste on snuff says there really are very few bad snuffs just mostly ones I like a lot more then others. If the only thing I could get was Dean Swift (my least favorite brand) I’d live.

I have also experienced some taste changes recently. For last few weeks I was really onto Ozona Cherry and Gawith Apricot, although I normally don’t like them so much. But yesterday I purchased a new tin of McChrystal’s O&G and is totally awesome, so I am again on this one. And I am planning to carry a WS Raspeberry tomorrow as we have a school ceremony for newcomers (I’ve just started at the university) as I think this one will suit the situation best of all snuffs I have. And I agree, that without Poeschl, there would be less snuff takers. Nearly every young people starting with snuff here in central Europ starts with one from this brand. I did, my friends did and many people at this board as well. Also considering how easy it is to take (I mean techincally), it is a great option in various rush situations, when you don’t have time to take out your beautiful F&T container and spoon and enjoy a pinch.

most F&Ts are definatly spoon snuff. I think toque is as well. Wilson is definatly a pinch as are most dholakias.

I also got “hooked” on snuff via a Poschle product - Gawith Apricot. I still love that snuff although I don’t use it as often as in the past. I’m also in love with Ozona Raspberry, Lowen Prise, Gletscher Prise, President and Packard Club. I did move on though and my favourite at present is TOQUE Natural. I received some Wilson’s Top Mill No1 2 days ago and, well, maybe!! I don’t know yet but this is NICE, might become my new favourite. But I’m a sugar junky, so I take other sweet snuffs as well. I like to mix and match. I’m a very happy snuffer, indeed, especially since I discovered this forum. Seems to me I’m the only serious snuff user in South Africa and I’m thus a loner, here on the most southern point of Africa. Take care, gentlemen, I enjoy your company.

I already have 6 SP’s in stock: Toque Original & Natural, J&H Wilson’s Top Mil l& SP No1, SG SP Scotch and Latakia Ao 1860. I’ve now ordered Wilson’s Burgundy, Crumbs of Comfort, Irish High Toast N0 22, Tom Buck, GH Kendal Brown and SG Jockey Club. So eventually I will have 12 SP’s to chose from and I’m sure I will find a favourite amongst them. Or maybe more than one, or maybe all of them might become foavourites, who knows!!!

Pieter, SG No.1 High Mill is another I would recommend trying.

SG No 1 is very good - sweet and moreish. Its not high enough in nicotine for me so I temd to use it as a blender - I like a small amount added to Toque original. Pieter - the only one missing, to give you the entire spectrum, is Best SP from W of S.

I tried SG SP No 1 High Mill for the first time last night. It is a very good snuff, clean and sharp. It’s very finely ground though, be a bit careful! Snuffster I’ve a tin of Wilson’s Best SP but haven’t tried it yet. I don’t go though enough to keep all these open tins around!

I’m sure you’ll like it when you get round to it, the closest to it is probably Toque original, so if you like that…

snuffster/Troutstroker, I’ve made a note to get some SG No1 High Mill and Best SP from W of S with my next order, which will be soon. I will just have to wait for my present order to arrive 'cause my dear wife is becomming worried about my huge stock of snuff. Seems as if she’s thinking I might kill myself!!

Yes Pieter, I have the same problem. Whenever I go near my beloved tins she starts looking around in a panic, especially after my WIlson’s Apricot review. I hope the fear will go away in time. It’s really quite a safe and clean form of enjoyment.

Bless them. Just a touch of gentle education needed is all. My wife positively loves snuff for the fact that it has got me off 30 cigarettes a day.

“More snuff?”

Well I wasn’t a ciggy smoker so…

How long have you snuffed for snuffbox?

About a month! Also smoke pipes and cigars now and again.

I didn’t realise you were a newbie, I think I get you confused with Snuff Head

We look alot different, actually. Snuff Head’s head is blue and it explodes a bit whilst I rather look like the top of a tin of High Dry Toast. It’s an easy mistake to make

He he!

Wilsons SP Silver if you want a finer grind than the Best SP.

Troutstroker, I just ordered a tin of the Wilson’s SP Silver. Whats it like, I think I heard you mention it is mentholated. I’m hoping for something like a Tom Buck with a touch of menthol…

A few months ago I received my first snuffboxes from onefortheroad. I have reserved one (padauk) for SP types or citrus flavors and the other (zebrawood) for plain tobaccos. This is the bare minimum I carry around with me at all times. If I carry a third box, it’s usually a menthol, a floral or something completely different like McC’s hopfenschnupe or QWS Swiss chocolate.

I pretty much always carry 3 boxes. Nearly always the same 3. German box filled with F&T HDT. One for the road #1 filled with SP of one sort or another or #2 filled with something plain like Natural or JHWilson Top mill No:1. 3rd is usually an old Bernard DF Brasil box (They’re easy to split apart and refill) filled with Bernard Fresco. At home, I have about 30 or more varieties that I pinch from during the day and night. But when I’m on the road, I pretty much always carry the same 3 snuffs, because in all situations they satisfy.

I went up-country last week for a couple of days and took a variety of snuffs with me. I had in my pocket a tin of Toque Original when I left home, with the rest of my snuff in the boot of my car. I left Cape Town on Friday and when I returned on Monday, I still had the Original in my pocket!! Did not see any reason to switch to something else. And to be quite honest, when I tried some flavoured snuff on Monday night, it did not taste as good as it used to. Does that mean that I’m now totally converted to a SP snuffer? I’m on Toque Natural today, it’s so good !

Yes, it does. At least for the time being. Lots of snuffers have SP phases, usually directly after finding flavoured snuff less satisfying.

I like the J&H Wilsons SP snuffs but hate the stupid little tins they’re supplied in. I have quite thick fingers and taking a pinch without pushing some snuff “over the edge” is difficult. I can only buy No.99 in the LARGE tin locally, so why can’t they supply the Top Mill and SP in the same big containers? Does anyone know the answer to that?

I believe the SP is available in a bigger container if you look around- but the Top Mill I can’t find in a bigger container anywhere. Only solution is to put them into another container that I can think of. By the way, Peter- if I have to go and only take one snuff- I can be totally happy with SP or Original. But it’s still nice to break it up with something else. You said you like Schmalzler. Well, have you tried Bernard Fresco, DF Brasil, or Feinst? My favorite being Fresco. It’s sweetish, but also has a smoky piney forest scent. It’s very moist and coarse and is best with very large shovelful’s. I think you’d like it, but order a lot, because you’ll go through it very fast since it’s so mild in nicotine and easy to take the biggest piles I’ve ever been able to take.

Royal George-Royal George-and Royal George :o)

Pieter - have you tried the Sharrow SP types? They are very similar and you can get pound drums direct from the company.

mysmokeshop.com carries the top mill in 10 oz. tins, I just recieved 2 that I ordered.

That link looks like a parked page?

my bad, its mysmokingshop.co.uk.

Did you mean 10 oz or 10g? I don’t see 10 oz on their site.

grams, they have high mill in a round tin and sp high mill in the square dispenser, both 10 grams.

That really doesn’t help much.