I was privileged to receive a small sample of Stitch’s newest snuff, an unfermented, slightly coarse stuff. A few impressions based on first snout-fulls: There’s a kinda toasty quality to it I can’t quite put my finger on. Almost reminds me of the smell of grapenuts, of all things, but much subtler. It’s very clean, if that makes any sense, in its odor. A bit gritty in the throat, but not surprising, given the grind. I’m not sure if it dried out en route, but it was roughly the consistency and moisture of espresso grounds from the freezer. I wasn’t able to snuff it from my thumbnail, but it pinched nicely (if a bit clumpy) and was very easy to take back-of -the hand. The scent is very nice, and it lingers out of all proportion to the pinch size. As it sits there in the nostrils, the odor changes a bit from grapenuts to a sort of fresh-mown hay scent - not grassy, you understand, but very pleasantly vegetal. It’s a very clearing snuff, if that makes any sense, and it’s not drippy at all in its as-presented form. It blows out in goodish sized bits, without discoloration of mucous, a definite advantage that should be exploited. (I love my scotch snuffs and maccoboy, but hate the dark-brown, nearly black mucous I get from them.) I’d definitely be interested to see where this new snuff goes in terms of future development - I think he’s got an excellent base snuff already.
My impressions: This reminded me most of Kendal Brown. Kind of gritty, yes, like the Gawith Hoggarth version, but not quite as much. There is some smokiness to it like the Wilsons one, but sans the citrus like in Smiths. Also I taste the same flavor as I did in Stitch’s 2008 Thai Tobacco. I was informed that that one was flavored with a bit of Mexican Brandy. This new one has that same distinctive flavor, but its more subdued. That flavor I can only describe as an herbal and rope like flavor. I got a slight bit of harsh drip, but only briefly. This tended to run downward (out the nose) more than back up the nose. My hanky was at the ready, so no problems there. The nicotine was noticeable but not heavy. There are also some similarites between this and Fribourg and Treyer’s Santo Domingo, but this is not quite as “soft” as that one. I don’t know if I can make any suggestions for improvement. If this is the grind that is intended, then it should stay that way. My personal preference is a slightly smaller grind, but I tend to like snuffs of all sizes. Thank you for the sample, Stitch. I am enjoying it.
I also found some nice attributes to this tobacco base. Kind of cigar-ish. I detect something else there though. I’m assuming this is straight tobacco but I get notes of tea in there as well. It tastes/smells pale green. Some people don’t understand synesthesia though so take the last sentence with a grain of salt. The true tobacco leaf scent doesn’t come out right away but I like the scent better after about five minutes or so when it mellows out a little. IMHO I think the tobacco base should be bolder. Maybe it’s cured differently than I’ve grown to like. The scent is good and strong, but it’s a light scent (if that makes any sense). It doesn’t taste like it’s been fire-cured, and perhaps not fermented. Forgive me, I’m not knowledgeable enough to discern for sure but that’s the impression I’m getting. The scent stays with you though, and that I like a lot. I found that the nicotine was high, but that’s probably due to the amount consumed in a given sitting. I struggle with that sometimes. I too, prefer a finer grind. I’m going to try to rehydrate it a bit as suggested by Stitch and I’m going to try to get some of it finer first just to see. All in all, I’m enthusiastic about the progression.
I enjoyed this! I know it is not intended as a stand-alone, unflavored snuff, but I think its great. It has a rich tobacco flavor, very cigar-ish for lack of better words, and I get the same “fresh cut hay” scent. I like unscented tobaccos, however, so keep that in mind when reading this. As for the grind, it is quite coarse. I compared it to my WoS Princess, and found Stitch’s to be a bit more coarse, and nearly the same color. Stitch’s isn’t as moist as my Princess, and that is okay, though It may have dried slightly. This grind and moisture are excellent, to me, and is an excellent change from my usual medium grind daily snuffs. Nicotine seemed medium-high to me, though I’m a terrible judge at that. All around, I found this to be a great experience! Stitch’s is definitely something new, and I’m glad I could partake in this test-run. I would buy this snuff as-is, though I look forward to seeing what Stitch has planned. Well done.
Just got my sample from stitch and I must say it’s quite nice. Right off the bat, it reminds me a little bit of Pöschl’s Perlesreuter Schmalzler. It’s not an exact match, I’m just looking for something that approximates this stuff for those that haven’t had it. It’s an overly pure tobacco, and like others have said, I taste a hint of smooth cigar. I personally like schmalzlers, so I rather like the course grind. Anyway, it’s late and I haven’t spent much time with this snuff yet, but I expect great things from this new endeavor. I am looking forward to trying this once stitch has decided on a flavor, because this is a really good tobacco base.
I got my sample today. Nice Bart Simpson stamp. No return addy, brown powder in a plain envelope. I feel like such a druggie… LOL The snuff itself is great. The grind is a tad coarse for me, but very close to perfect. The scent in the bag is like a pipe tobacco, I can’t place the scent, but I know I smelled it in a pipe store. In the nose it does not have that smell. I know this is supposed to be a base tobacco, but I would buy it as is. Quite nice. Need a couple more days. Stitch, feel free to send any leftovers my way.
I got it today and its one good snuff. Nice grind for shoveling huge pinches in the nose. The taste is great, I get dates, and sweetness and its just perfect. Thanks again for the sample, Ill be happy to try more of your snuffs and then hopefully buying them.
got mine today too. anyone else get a feet cheese smell? Also it’s got a cigar smell too it for sure. Reminds me of a Punch cigar alot, not a burning one but how it smells if you smell the wrapper.
Kind of like smelling a cigar while holding it between your toes??? haw haw! Well a little foot cheese might make a snuff better, you never know.
definatly has some foot cheese going on. Very nice though trying to not go through the whole baggie. I definatly think it’s very suited toward alchool flavouring I think a cream sherry would have a suprisingly weird but awesome touch. If you want to go extra oddball the right sake might make for something unique. Though my sample seems to have a very lite floral touch to it as well as a honey touch. I unfortunatly forget what flower I smell a hint of on it, but I’ll try to find out because I’am curious if anyone else agrees about the scent.
Just in case anyone is concerned, there are no animal substances nor dairy products nor even honey added. There are no flowers or essences either for that matter. Unexpected flavors can and do arise from the melding of tobaccos with the sweeteners, salts and spirits employed in the process. So vegans and vegetarians can snuff this with a clear conscience. Thank you all for the encouraging reviews. I’ll even take the foot cheese comment as high praise. As I recall some have used the term “old socks” to to describe an aspect of the legendary Spanish Jewel. I once heard it said that most of the top perfumes have at their core a scent that if perceived alone would be rather disgusting. Strange but true.
Well, the highly prized ambergris is after all whale poop. Its sought after in perfumery.
I just received my sample. Nice mild yet lingering lavor, nice kick of Vitamin N. I find this snuff most pleasurable and would buy a quantity of it. That is the best review of all I think, put my money where my mouth is. You got more stitch?
That is most encouraging, BB, Unfortunately none for sale at this time. I’m down to less than 5g grams for my reference library. And i’m having a hard time not pinching it myself. A number of others have offered to buy, btw.Next test i will make much more. Happy snuffing; I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Got mine this weekend also. Would have to agree with most others a hint of cigar flavor but I get a small hint of something I can only describe as a french vanilla flavored coffee. The grind is probably on the coarse side of a medium grind but not as coarse as the taxi which to me is to coarse (snuff should not fall out of your nose)! I enjoyed it but I think Stitch will probably make some refinements which would only make an already enjoyable snuff better. I look forward to the metamorphosis. Thanks Stitch
I’ve received the following samples from Stitch: Thai with Brandy: Mid brown colour, medium grind, dry. Very nice tobacco taste with a hint of chocolate, for me at least. I will buy this one. Cob plug SG: Almost black, medium grind, dry. Very nice fruity taste but also with a hint of chocolate. Reminds me of a schmalzler. Will buy this one for sure. Burly/Virginia blend: Almost black, coarse grind, dry. Sweet, strong taste, pure tobacco. Very more ish. I want some more of this! Madras: Khaki colour, fine grind, dry. Taste is strong, spicy with a distint nose burn which I like. Reminds me of Indian tobaccos. Not an everyday snuff Brazil N Rustica: Light brown, fine grind, dry. Pure tobacco with a hint of sweetness which I cannot place.I also detect a whiff of something sour in there. Almost a wine flavour. Nice burn, I like it and will buy this one as well. Scented Thai: Light brown colour, medium grind, dry. Sweet floral taste. There is some artificial flavour in here which I do not like. Nicotine hit in all the snuffs are medium to low. Except for the Scented Thai, all of the samples are very good and ready for the market as far as I’m concerned The Burly/Virginia and Cob Plug snuffs are excellent stuff. I’m looking forward to ordering some of it.
Hi Pieter, Glad you were feeling a bit better and could try these out… I didn’t have a hand in making the Madras, just passing along some of a treat I received. It really is from India! There was nothing artificial added to scent the Thai tobacco. I did infuse it with leaves from the Creosote bush. The indigenous peoples in these parts have used it as a tea for head colds. The Brazilian, Thai and Cob snuffs were very small scale experiments. In time I hope to sell these, if ingredients can be obtained in commercial quantities. In the mean time I will concentrate on tweaking the current mixture. In the next round I am going to try to amp it up just a tad and add perhaps some spice. Take care of yourself Pieter; we are all wishing you a quick recovery.