Well today may be the last day that I can post about the Spanish Folly snuff I have been working on, without having tried the real Spanish Jewel, but thanks to the silent action, and the unbelievable generosity of Poo-Diddy, I should know what it is like tomorrow. The snuff I have been making has shown great promise, and there have been plenty of learning curves too! I have three great base snuffs that have several properties in common with the reports I have read about the original. It has a great sweet tobacco taste. It will make your nose run. Not that I like this, but the original SJ did the same thing. It has a sour after drip. Again like the original. It has big nicotine hit. But I know there is more there and I have been working to make it available for uptake. Also the Rustica Alkaloids produce a unique glow. I have been using a 50/50 mix of Toque Rustica, and Mapacho Indian Rustica. The Spanish brandy and honey were used in two different batches, one light and one heavy, producing a light and dark snuff, while a large amount of base tobacco was retained as a control. The raw base tobacco has undergone a curing/mellowing due to it being ground up fine and pressed together in a air tight glass jar. Some tricks I learned are to sharpen the blade of a coffee grinder to a razors edge to get a super fine snuff, that and lots of time with the mortar and pestle, I do know that the finer I grind it, the harder to take, but the harder it kicks. The Rustica tobacco is a unique taste, that has a lot of promise, but it also causes problems such as nose running and an after blow sour note. I have used a smidgen of Bicarbonate with some, and also tried some glycerine, both substantially change the character of the snuff. I have had good luck with blending the different resulting snuffs together to reach a happy medium, The only thing I regret is that it takes time for the snuff to develop, and patience is hard to come by. So hopefully tomorrow I will have a sample to try, and then I have some reality checks to make. It is really a long shot that this snuff can ever be duplicated, but I do know that if some one where to grow Rustica in the right climate, and do a good job of leaf selection, that a wonderful snuff can be produced from it. It has been very interesting to watch a disappointing mealy base tobacco turn into a whole different animal as it ages, and it continues to surprise me in its development. So tomorrow will probably have me eating humble pie and throwing the whole mess into the back of the drawer for a while, but the journey has been quite an education.

I am very excited to hear the results of this, Whalen. I’m sure you will have a much easier time now that you have to original to compare it to. Not to say the process will be easy, but at least you won’t have to rely on the opinion and tastes of others for comparison. Good luck, and please update us when you have news!

Holy crap Whalen thats dam good news. I’m sure it will be a great snuff. Let us know how it goes.

Sorry it was meant to be a whisper.

Whalen I’m am indeed impressed. Please keep us posted. Snifs

Good luck Whalen. I’m sure I’m not the only one that sincerely hopes you can pull this off. When you’re ready to distribute some samples I’ll be first in line. Oh, and enjoy the spanish jewel. Look forward to hearing your thoughts after you’ve tried it.

“B” indeed that is my “Folly” snuff! I had wondered if I labeled it. That batch was from the darker one. Enjoy!

Sounds good!

I don’t see any reason not to, Roderick. That would be really awesome.

Roderick, we are waiting for it!!!

From Snus on: Roderick, I really do not care for the smell of the Jewel, but you of all people could duplicate the Nicotine uptake level of the Rustica, and you have to know what a large group of snuffers are chasing that kind of snuff, witness NTSU. I for one cannot wait for a strong Rustica snuff from you, and wonder why the Toque line is rather mild nic wise, I mean Quit does not come close to the levels we enjoy. The jewel certainly has it and that quality alone is so rewarding. You already know that the smell is not the draw in the Jewel, it is the buzz that pleases. And anyone quitting smoking is looking for this, the Toque Rustica snuff would be the ultimate quit blend. Spanish Quit would be on my must have always carry list. I am but a humble home snuff hobbyist, I spend way too much time grinding and experimenting, the process is a real pain due to learning the hard way, I have a real new found respect for your craft, and really enjoy your product. I just want to find the best way to make that nicotine in the leaf available, That is the true genius of Mr. LLUIS VINYETS SALABERT.

I’ve ground 100g of Rustica this afternoon. I’ve decided not to mix it with any other snuff but rather work on it by adding brandy, honey etc. In my opinion we won’t be able to replicate SJ because the tobacco we use comes from another region. If we can get hold of Rustica which was grown in the same area as where the SJ tobacco comes from, it might just be possible. Cuban cigars are what they are because the soil and climate is perfect for the purpose of growing tobacco for making cigars. Just as Ceylon produces excellent tea, France good wine, Citrusdale lovely oranges, Rhodesia and Rustenburg perfect pipe tobacco, Taiwan fake watches, so does Spain produces the perfect Rustica for snuff!! It’s the tobacco which makes the difference.

Yes, but, very good things are created out of the origin of the original. I don’t think the type of ground has as much to do with this as maybe the breed of plant/curing process.

Well, I´m not a professor of agriculture, I´m only working in tobacco wholesale and have to believe what the “experts” tell me constantly when it comes to cigars (and no, they don´t even sell it, so don´t have a reason to talk bs): the difference between the cuban cigars and all the other central american ones is the soil. The climate is pretty much the same, and the processing standards, except in the showcase factories for tourists (90% is manufactured in homework) are much lower. So the cuban cigars should, by all reasons, be inferior in taste. Truth is, they taste much better. The cubans don´t use any secret tricks that wouldn´t have been tried to duplicate, but the soil there is unique.

its definately the soil.

I do not want to mix the Rustica with other tobacco because I might initially get close to SJ but eventually the taste will change. What I mean by that is, as the snuff matures, the added tobacco might take on a quite different character which will turn the taste away from SJ. I would rather only work with Rustica and as it matures, it might become “more SJ”. I’m quite happy with what I’ve got so far. It might not taste like SJ but I do have a nice, strong snuff with a good nic hit. I’ve have a couple of batches now with different amounts and types of brandy in it. I’ve also added some bicarbonate of soda to one batch and I will see how that one turns out. I will most probably be the last one to receive my SJ and by that time my mixtures should be tastable to compare.

Roderick that would be Awesome of you to do so! That would be the best new years gift! Dont get me wrong I really like Spanish Gem! But it would be that much better with more of the locker room/sock smell. I would definitly buy bulk in that!

Roderick, please if you want to tweak SG, please call it something else and sell it as something else. I think SG is an outstanding snuff and want it to stick around. Maybe a Rustica SG and just call it Rusty Spaniard or something sily.

I’m with Xander on this one. Leave Spanish Gem the way it is and create another name for the tweaked version.

Oh yeah i agree with Xander, dont change Spanish Gem, leave it the way it is please . I am sure a Rustica version will be awesome but SG is perfect.

I firmly agree. leave SG alone, its great just the way it is. but please work on a SJ too.

Hehe, might as well call it “SJ”, so the folks in 300 years from now have the same dilemma about guessing its meaning as we do with “SP” these days.

@ Roderick, does that mean that you are actually going to create a new version of SG? I’m pretty sure you can manufacture a snuff similar to SJ and maybe call it BJ = Berwick Jewel or British Jewel or RR = Roderick’s Rustica, the Rolls Royce of snuffs. And as Whalen has said, there is a demand for foul smelling snuffs with a big nic hit like Ntsu, Taxi and Cheese & Bacon toast. So please go ahead and do it!

Yeah Roderick, I double darn dare you!!!

Wow… A snuff called “BJ”. I can already hear my girlfriend - “Honey, what snuff did you get in the mail now?” “I ordered a tin of Whisky & Honey and a BJ.” “What!?” LOL

Roderick, I am sure that if you made an exact copy of the Jewel, you would never have it in stock.

I’m with Xander on this too, Please copy SJ to the best of your ability, leaving SG alone because as mention is Great as is. You Roderick produce wonderful snuff, I know you won’t have a problem with this! Just put the old thinking cap on! If you havent already. Can’t wait to try the new SJ, hurry up already! lol

I think the other secret of the jewel maybe the grinding method. Yes I think the old man grinds it with his unwashed feet.

hmmm, this may have worked for the old master in Spain, but Roderick has a wife and kids. I doubt he will put that to risk by walking aroun with unwashed feet, just to make us happy. Or do you?

ummm…thats where the cheeze comes from in the cheeze and bacon snuff?!?

I agree that Roderick should recreate Spanish Jewel and call it something else. If anyone can do it Roderick can. In the meantime, anyone have a quantity of the real Spanish Jewel the want to sell off? I am willing to make a nice offer. I do this now that I like and enjoy the sample from Poo.

I’ll pay more than Bigbuyer…lol and the bidding begins

@premium Parrots I am with you. Just no cement in the box please…LOL

Apparently Spanish Brandy is matured in oak casks which were formely used to hold sherry. I’ve tried to get hold of Spanish Brandy but to na avail. What I’m going to try now is to add some sherry to SA brandy and mix it in with Rustica. What I do not know is whether I should use dry, medium or full cream sherry. And, of course, how much sherry should I use. Anyone here who can shed some light on the topic? Btw, South African brandies are world class. You can check Oude Meester, KWV and Van Rijns Brandies.

I have been lucky and have a friend that brings me Carlos III Spanish Solera Reserva brandy, it is perfect for the folly! The flavor is very rich, imparts so many wonderful scents once the alcohol is driven off.

I’ve mixed a small amount of brandy with an even smaller amount of pale dry sherry. This was added directly to the Rustica. I’ve smelled it this morning after it’s been sitting for 12 hours and it “sounds” good. The snuff is wet and I will leave it until tomorrow before I place it on paper to dry it out a bit.

I’m getting closer and closer to the SJ taste. But the nicotine hit is still not strong enough, don’t know how to rectify this problem.

@Pieter, I am working hard on this as we speak, you need to increase the PH of the snuff to improve the uptake. Right now I am at 2% by volume Bicarbonate. It makes the Nicotine uptake go from none to rapid. I am trying to figure out what the jewel uses, I am thinking lime. The jewel has a very high PH level, and the Nic hit is unbelievable. My Folly really started to come together once I discovered the PH effect. It free bases the nicotine and allows rapid uptake. I mean you can have all the nicotine you want. Without the PH adjustment My Folly snuff sucked, now it can make your head spin. Higher the PH the more the burn though, notice the big burn in the Jewel? Big time PH. Just experiment with a small sample, go easy on the Bicarb, and grind it fine as possible. The folly is close now. Just need to explore other PH options, I am scared to use anything with too high a PH, caustic is bad! The snuff will lose most of its brandy flavor when dried out for proper grinding, it needs to be dry.

Will it be safe to add lime to the snuff?

@Pieter, lime is dangerous, do not use it! @Roderick, how do you account for the high PH level?

Man this is like reading a great suspense novel. Good stuff. The whole community is rooting for you guys.

@Whalen, when I transplant my seedlings, I’m going to put some lime in the soil and hope it will be absorbed by the plants. @bigblue1, once we have figured out how it works, it will be possible to make more of the replicated SJ and from my side I won’t hesitate to share it.

What a battle!! I just can’t get the nicotine hit higher. I have the nice nose burn and the cheese in there now but the head buzz is still absent.

The suspense is killing me! I can’t wait to try some of the Folly!

I might be there!! I’ve got some real Spanish Jewel now and will do the test tomorrow on a fresh nose.

Well before anyone else tries this, i do not recommend the Baking soda (bicarbonate), the addition has sucked out the subtle flavoring I so carefully put in, it did increase the Nicotine hit substantially, The use of higher PH additives does not work, and is dangerous. Now off to try something a lot milder. Thank goodness I only messed up about 25 grams.

I agree. Please share the results. After just a little SJ, I am hooked!

I’ve got the taste and smell now but not the high nicotine hit yet. Honey and spanish brandy is essential. And I cheated to get the “old socks” smell in there but, it’s there! I’ve also added some bicarbonate of soda, it brings out the burn which is so characteristic of the SJ. Except for the nicotine one of my batches is spot on otherwise. I’ve got 2 more batches sitting to mature. The ingredients are a bit different from what I’ve made so far. I’ve still got a bit of pure rustica left, enough to make a final batch. I will order some more leafs in January and by then I will know exactly what to do.

“And I cheated to get the “old socks” smell in there but, it’s there!” Very curious, Pieter…!!

Pieter is aging his SJ in his laundy basket.

I wonder if fermentation in old socks is a possibility…?

Think cheese…

no BB…toe.

Toque Tubesock

OK. Anyone getting close now? Are you making enough to sell or share?? I really like this stuff. Somebody sell me some? Please?

Im with bigbuyer, I would love to buy 25g, 50g 10g 100g or whatever! Im sure yall are close enough for my taste. Share the wealth Guys! We are a Family here you know. Walen I tasted yours and it was damn close and good, please let me know when you have a little to sell thanks!

I frequent I cycling forum and tell the guys about my riding and read about theirs. Now I’ve been called vain by one of the members who calls in once or twice a year. This made me think that some of our members here might also see me as being vain and if so, I would like to explain that I’m not bragging about making snuff! I cannot and don’t want to compete with people like Roderick and the Master who makes Spanish Jewel or with any other snuff makers. For me, it’s only a game. I tell you about my success but never about my failures which are numerous. I share with other amateur snuff makers here only because of the joy it brings to me. It’s my hobby. As for passing on some of the snuff I’ve made, it’s only to share my joy with you and not to brag. I will never sell any snuff because that will take away the joy and it will become a job. Once I’m sure the replicated SJ will keep it’s smell and taste, I will pass some on to those who want to try it. I’m happy with what I’ve got at the moment but I would like it to mature some more. Many a time my snuff changes after it’s been sitting for a while and I want to make sure that I will send out stuff which can and will be enjoyed. I’ve made a snuff called Maryna and sent some of it to Roderick. He told me it is the weirdest smelling snuff he’s ever tasted! I had a bit left and it’s been sitting here for some time. This morning I took a pinch and it’s totally differnt now, quite nice I can say. I also took a pinch of the pure Roderick Rustica and that has also changed quite a bit to the better. I’m not a snuff maker and never will be. I am someone who likes to share and I pray that I will remain like that. Amen

I enjoy hearing all the stories of experimentation. That’s part of this discussion thread…not bragging, just reporting on results and new observations. Pieter:" I will never sell any snuff because that will take away the joy and it will become a job." I totally agree with that. I’ve seen it firsthand in my life and with others who tried to take a hobby to a higher level. I would say it isn’t impossible to enjoy a hobby AND make money at it- I’m guessing it takes a very focused individual who can realize a profit is a necessity,(if you’re trying to live off it) but finds no particular joy in that aspect of it. Is that even possible? Possibly, lol! I remember a old fellow told me you have to’ work like you don’t need the money’. I’m guessing that’s what he was talking about-for the motion of it, the love of it, the skill. Realizing that some things that are worthy of a man’s labor are not always profitable in the world’s eyes. I wish everyone success in that aspect of their life.

Pieter we all love you here at snuffhouse so rest easy my friend. The comment that was made on this cycling fourm smells of jealousy to me, it is likely this person is simply the opposite of you and is just a bit dull and boring. I pity this poor demented creature whose ignorance is beyond all comprehension.

When I was playing Chess, I told one detractor who called me arrogant, that not only do I have talent, I practice. Work at it. As required as a board and pieces, Chess players must have faith in themselves. (Perhaps my greatest talent was my willingness, obsession, to work at it.) This is true in all games, including life. It’s also very helpful to surround yourself with people who believe in your ability too. You have that here, and I for one, wish you, and believe in, your success. In that belief, I share it. In all walks of life, there are people who want to bring you down, to remove your faith in your ability. Their mission is to waste your time and energy questioning the verity of their charges. An element of success is being able to edit BS ‘haters’ out. The best to you. Sincerely,

@ herzel chess is very much a game of dedication and observation. Some games are about cleverness once you get the basic how clever you are is how well you’ll do. Chess isn’t like that it’s about how much work you put into it. I guess I’am saying you should be proud of your chess abilities since you obviously earned them. bs haters are awesome too. They tell you how well you are doing,though I wish they could learn to shut the f up.

How is it going guys?

Sorry for the delay in updates! Had a setback in the experiment, started over again, fermenting some batches now. It really hurts to put so much effort in to the snuff, then have troubles. Since I heard that Pieter nailed the flavor and taste, I seem to have lost interest. I really believe that proper leaf selection is crucial, I have some new leaf from South America that is promising. There is a fundamental element to the Jewels kick, I have beat myself on it, just taking a step away to contemplate. The sudden call for producing amounts for sell or trade were intimidating, this is a hobby, now an obsession, but some what of an unhealthy one. My frustration has turned a bit towards depression. I have tried a lot of tricks, There is really a lot to learn, and it’s not like you can ring up the snuff masters and ask them to give up the trade secrets. I will bounce back, I think the sudden realization that I just spent another $60 dollars on Rustica when I have not had a job in over a year might be a bit of a wake up call! Especially when I have no intention of selling it, thought it would be great for trading. I all ready have a lifetime supply of snuff. Just venting a little! No way I am putting cheese in there though!

Send me your address and I will send you 100 grams of rustica I bought from Roderik. Please don’t get discouraged. There are ppl wanting your snuff but we will all be patient. Just continue working on it at your leisure and when you think you have it down pat let us know. I have great faith in both you and Pieter. It seems that Whalen has the nic kick figured out and Pieter has the flavor nailed, maybe you both should put your methods together and see how close it really comes to the original. Just a suggestion. RODERIK!!! Please send Whalen and Pieter some rustica leaves to experiment with. Come on… please do it as a “professional courtesy”. We will ALL appreciate it and it will help to bring Pieters and Whalens spirits up.

Hey I appreciate the thoughts! I have Rustica coming out of my ears right now. I got a Kilo of Mapacho just 2 days ago. I almost have the Nic kick figured out, I mean the Folly has a great nic hit, but to be the Jewel you need it to overwhelm. The Jewel has a flush of nic available, it just gets in your system so fast. @Premium Parrots, that is a great gesture! What I need is to quit thinking about this damn snuff night and day. What I really need is about an acre of ripe Rustica, so as to cherry pick the damn leaf. I just took a large pinch of the jewel, what a burn! What a hit! What a stink! Oh, what have I done??? Is this the snuff of a mere mortal? Actually, I have been hoarding the last gram of the Jewel, it was a big pleasure to actually take a big hit! Really does burn and the drip is off the charts. I feel a heck of a lot better now. I guess I am just feeling the curse of jewel. Whoa, the burn just does not stop!

I have that curse of the Jewel. I have a taste and now it is what I am craving. Whalen, I am really impressed with your snuff making prowess. Getting Kilos of leaf…wow. I agree with Premium Parrots…anything I can donate…Snuff, leaf, money…let’s talk.

Ladies and Gentlemen, brothers and sisters of this congregation, I want to apologise to Kevin for interfering with his thread by posting my SJ results here. I’ve really been vain by doing so. Please forgive me, all of you!

no need pieter. it’s cool. I’am sure he’d say so to.

@Pieter- There is absolutely no reason for an apology, how could there be, all you have done is encourage me! I am quite happy that you have accomplished solving the taste/smell riddle, I just have not had the same luck yet with the kick. I have a mountain of snuff here that will not be going out for Christmas! I do believe that is what is bothering me, this stuff could bring a lot of joy! I will be really sad if you do not continue this thread/ journey with me. I have no desire to quit this project, I just am having trouble coping with all this grinding and experimenting. I really hope to solve this riddle and make this snuff available, and after grinding my fingers to the bone, hope to pass my knowledge on to some one who can fulfill the demand. I had no doubt that with you working on the taste and smell, and myself on the kick, that together we would get pretty darn close. I still do. There is a small matter of trying to justify what truly has become a Folly. I kind of feel like I sit down with a new light bulb filament every day and watch as it fails to work, only in this case, I have no desire to sell light bulbs.

@snuffgrinder - Thanks for the input. I still have some still moist leaf and of course finished snuff. I will give it some thought and try the heat tonight. Would like to figure this out, one of the few things I have not tried. I do appreciate you taking pity on me, the history of the Jewel is special, and the snuff making process is fascinating, thanks.

Snuffgrinder, don’t know who you are but I offer you a whole hearted thank you and sincerely appreciate your input for Pieter and Whalen. These two seem to have taken it upon themselves to do their best to replacate the original SJ. It takes lots of time for trial and error and I’m sure you have helped them save alot alot in this regard. It also takes some knowledge for one to even begin the process. I don’t have any knowledge of snuff production whatsoever. So I’m not even going to try when there are fellows like Whalen and Pieter working on it. However, I’m am here for whatever support I can offer these guys if and when they need it. I wouldn’t be suprized if they come up with a snuff that might be even better than the original. But those are big shoes to fill. Anyway, Snuffgrinder, thank you for all the help. And Whalen and Pieter please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. A notice to the people that still have some original SJ in their stash…Please don’t use it all up. I assume that when Whalen and Pieter get what they think is a perfect match that they will need people to sample and compare their product to the original. When the time comes, the more people that still have the original to compare it with the better. IMO. PP

@Premium Parrots- That is one of the reasons I haven’t delved into my SJ yet. We have some very patient people on this board that are trying to recreate this snuff, and it would be a terrible loss if, by the time they have it down pat, no one was able to compare the original and theirs. Good luck to both of you. I check this thread every hour or so to see how it progresses. I am very excited at this concept and, as others have done, I offer you any help I can give. Be it leaf or whatever you need.

exactly, Snuffy. [call me PP, if you want]

I do believe I will call you that from now on, PP. Just know…if we were children I would make fun of that name. Heh.

so…ummm…you are NOT a child?!? Ok then “SNUFFY”.

Very nice. I see how it is. Ha.

Well I have had a bit of good luck with the Folly! I have of course tried all kinds of things with small batches of the snuff, none of which resulted in exactly what i was looking for. I keep the mother load of raw snuff in a quart jar next to the wood stove while the honey and brandy develop. Then last week I found the snuff was getting a little dry, so I added some distilled water to it. I was wondering if the Jewel was actually fermented, so In a fit of irrationality I added a pinch of Jewel to the jar as a starter. I had lost track of it, and when I opened it tonight it just reeked of ammonia. I had been wondering how ammonia got into commercial snuff, and I am aware that ammonia has a very high pH level, and this was a curious development. So I took some out and dried it a little on the wood stove and sniffed some, then I had to sit down and try to get my head to stop spinning. Whoa, what was that? I think I may be on to something good here!

Sounds good. Keep us in the loop…

Sounds good Whalen, keep us informed how its going. Stefan

I’ve been intensely curious about how the ammonia comes about. What are these alkaline salts that are added? And why, when, how, and anything else you can tell, s’il vous plait?

Merci beaucoup, I’ve always wanted to know.

Hi everyone!!! Any progress on the SJ yet?

Pieter and Whalen this is great stuff and my hat is off to both of you for all your effort. From the sideline…rooting

Well, what I ended up with is about a pound of a toasty honey sweet snuff with a nice brandy finish, It is quite strong in the nicotine department. What I did not end up with is a snuff that smells like feet and gives you a huge near fatal rush, so I guess I failed! I just got tired of the relentless grinding and experimenting, that and two feet of snow followed up with the holidays and a near record cold snap. It does have a most pleasant aroma and kick though! Very much a Rustica toast. Has a pronounced biscuit aroma I always find enticing, I have found that the snuffs made with Rustica tend to be drippy, not one of my favorite traits in a snuff, although the Folly has its charms. I plan to distribute some soon for comments, a pound is a hell of a lot! Sorry for the delay in the updates!

…Napoleon used to snuff a pound’s worth in a month. Makes you think, doesn’t it. Well at the end of the day whatever it is like, as long as it is nice you’ve done well. Looking forward to hearing what it is like.

I POUND A MONTH?!? No wonder he always had his hand in his coat. He was holding back his heart from exploding.

A rustica toast with honey and brandy notes? Sounds like an absolute winner to me. Even if it isn’t the fabled Jewel I hear so much about, I would say it sounds like you came up with a quite desireable sounding snuff none the less. Good show! You should be proud!

@Parrots… Either that or the cost of it as that would be 45 10g tins. Bloody expensive even by todays standard. Although he did have a large nose didn’t he? Pushing it up there by the fistful.

55 grams a day is definately do-able but sustaining it would seem excessive, 25 grams a day providing you have the time seems a more sensible amount

I get blocked up after a 3g mini bullet! (Albeit, more to do with technique than anything else) but 25g a day would kill me!

I’ve done 10g in a day but to finish off a 25g tin in a day is beyond my means.

Im not sure it is do-able. It might be possible in theory but snuff is an irritant, however nice. I think his sinusus would just close up. He was a head of state in an era where snuffing was very common - I would bet most of that famous amount was simply given away and the story has grown up around what are fairly vague references.

I think you have nailed it there snuffster the nose would indeed have to be working well, when my nose is playing nice if i’m chilling out watching tv a 25g tin has been known to almost empty itself. What never ceases to amaze me is that a mate of mine manages to go through an XL O&G tin in about eight hours now that i could not do as although i love it about a dozen pinches would close me right up.

Who is still on the trail of the holy grail of Spanish Jewel? Roderick are you going all out now? It’s the new year! Walen, you are doing great! As for the rest of you…who still has lots of jewel from their “Group Buy” with Pedro?

I only have a tiny bit left to use for comparison. I am perfectly satisfied using the Toque Rustica as a substitute.

I only have my little bottle from Poo-Diddy which I’m keeping to compare with Roderick’s product.

I bought a large amount of Whalen’s Spanish Folly after getting a sample from him a few weeks ago. The Spanish Folly has become my favorite snuff! It has that addictive locker room tang and a sweetness followed by a big hit of Nicotine. I want to take snuff after snuff of it…hope I don’t use it up too fast. Gotta preserve some, this is even more rare then the real Spanish Jewel. Can’t wait to try and buy his new batches of snuff! Way to go!

YES!!! Whalen did a fine job with the folly. Thanks so much bud.

I have been hydrating the Folly with VG. The snuff is even better now!

Time to reopen this thread! Any updates on the Spanish Folly or did Pedro come back?

Personally Roderick, I like the Spanish Gem the way it is . I think it is an excellent snuff, please don’t change it! . But on the news of Whalen, I am excited to try some, if it were ever possible! EDIT : JUST realized how old this topic was .

Bruce, Pedro popped in to say hello a few months ago, and then didn’t say much since. Perhaps he is lurking. However, I’m quite sure the source of Spanish Jewel has dried up.

I received a PM from Pedro a while back. He told me that he lost contact with the old man who made SJ. Its even possible that the old chap has passed away already because he is/was very old. I still have about enough SJ left to satify one nostril. But, I will keep it out of respect for this unknown maker of the finest snuff ever

Spanish Folly update? I could not duplicate the Jewel! Simple as that, but I really was very conflicted in the end. I just took two big pinches of the actual “Jewel”, and although it is pretty old, I have kept it happy. Just to get my thoughts in order here. I realized two things early on, My samples of Spanish Jewel smells like toe cheese/smelly feet! (two different batches). I could never figure out how to replicate that smell, and after a while I did not want too! I am not crazy about it. But, what the Jewel really has is a strong buzzy nicotine hit, and a pronounced afterglow. That I did pursue, and that is where things got strange. I used some of the finest leaf available, Rodericks leaf, and two different Mapacho batches from South America. I spent forever separating just the leaf from the stems, and grinding it up. I made a 500 gram batch. After giving up on making smelly feet, I made a lot of progress with a lovely scent from a Fine Spanish Brandy and Local dark honey. I fermented it for 10 weeks total, and it was lovely. But- Rustica has the requisite amount of Nicotine, yet it also has a drip. It goes hand in hand. No getting around it. Getting the ph right was the crux of the problem. I concentrated on getting the Jewels Kick. This was a real trip down the rabbit hole of discovery, and I ruined quite a bit by overdoing it. I was able to enhance the hit, but the burn was not far behind, and the very act of raising the ph has a counter effect of drying the snuff out. I never could bring myself to add a humectant to stabilize it. So, I made a tasty Rustica snuff with a pronounced burn, drip, and kick. I can see it would make a great blender. I learned a hell of a lot, and made plenty of mistakes. But the story does not end here, I still have say 125 g of the Folly. I will hydrate and make some available to try. It is my next step that has me reinvigorated. I have acquired a Kilo of the leaf that Odens Extreme is made from. It is a wonderful leaf, no burn, sweet like a Virginia, no drip, and Kicks like a mule! I believe it to be a rare Rustica Viginia hybrid, a Frankensnuff leaf. They won’t tell me which actually answers most of my questions! If you have had Odens Extreme Snus, then you know the wonderful taste, and kick, if not, you should!!! It has a nicotine delivery which, while strong, is longer term, not so spiky, and the taste just wont quit. The raw tobacco smells great, but raw and undeveloped. So I am giving this one a go. I spent months developing a plan for it, actually several, and I have the fermentation batch of 250g started, this one to be aged and scented. The second batch is underway and I plan to make a toast, I think it has the taste to be a good one. I will take a break and fill you guys in from here, later.

Thank you Roderick! You do realize you have actually forgotten more about making snuff than I have ever learned! I could water board you for hours! I mean that in the most complimentary way! Nobody that makes snuff coughs up anything easy! I have spent hundreds of hours searching for snuff making knowledge. I can find several methods online for making Meth, but snuff? No sir…!

And Roderick, all we were hoping for was for you to replicate the Nicotine kick! And we are still patiently waiting BTW! Although Parrots wondered off somewhere! Your Whiskey and Honey is one of, if not the best, snuffs in the world! Do me a favor, eat right and exercise! I am wishing you a long and happy life! Cheers!

the odens extreme is very good. Trying it right now. Waiting in a box for when I got home.

@Whalen I am a big fan of yours! If you have anything you have made you would sell some of, I am always a ready buyer!! Now, who has some real Jewel for me to try??

@bigbuyer - Give me some time I have quite a bit more Folly! I am working on the Extreme snuff, it is very spicy and powerful stuff. I am trying to PH balance it as little as possible because it kicks like a mule. Flavoring is up in the air, I was just thinking a toast at this time. I am still trying to evaluate it. I will send out samples for you all to try, I am making a 250 gram batch. It has been toasted once and is developing a flavor. It has a burn from the high nicotine, but it is a fantastic blender! And if someone wants to do a final grind by hand I would be up for sending some small samples now for feedback, I would want to keep to the USA right now to limit postage. PM me and be patient please, I just started my first job in three years after my heart surgery, and I am working 12 hour days, and I am kinda pooped, but if I just had to stick a stamp and postage on an envelope, no problem. The snuff is a course grind right now and I have not finalized the grind yet, but a few minutes of your time with a pestle and its yours to try.

Sounds great! I just received today a bag of Thuoc Lau from Roderick. I wonder what that will make…

Thuoc Lao is great with just a grinding!

I will have to grind it, this weekend.

Bruce LOL! If you’re anything like me- GGTS in one hand, and Snuff box in the other! Nic much? As long as I’m not smoking, I’m happy and so is my body.

@transitor! LOL! Yes, my GGTS Stainless in one hand and Toque Coke in the other!!

Snuff, Snuff, Snuff!!

Just mailed you a sample of the “Extreme” snuff! It kicks like a mule! Just reminds me of the “Jewel” kick! I did not think I would find one with that level of punch! Funny thing is that the Spicy kick of this one needs absolutely no Enhancing with PH buffers! The base tobacco just drips of nicotine. Let me know what you think! It is a “gift” base tobacco!

Sounds Great! Can’t wait to try another Whalen Snuff!

Whalen, how much would I have to be paying you for a few samples of your snuffs? I’d love to try your Spanish Folly, and perhaps some other kinds if you have some more! . Just let me know. Thank you

PM me and then pay it forward. I just need a few days, I have the worst couple of work days ahead, I am working in the salt mines!

OMG so good!

I keep seeing @bigbuyer’s avatar in threads and thinking that it’s Jaap…

This one is Jaap!

Lots of good comments from strong snuff lovers, I am setting aside a batch for traditional aging. The Rose did not work out, but gives a good taste of the base tobacco. The whisky and honey seems to work. Shikitohno - I need your address.