Hello all,

I watched the latest video from Grade A Snuff Puff & Stuff today. It contained sad news: Bernard plans to cease all production from next May.
I couldn’t believe it at first because I haven’t heard anything about it yet, even though I live in Germany. But then I read the German Wikipedia article (Link) about Bernard. It says:

In March 2023, Bernard declared that it would cease all production from May 2024. This step is being taken because of the EU’s requirements in TPD 3, which will apply from May 2024 and which the company cannot implement.

The associated footnote explains that the source for this information is a letter to all the company’s customers. TPD-3 is the EU’s latest tobacco product directive.

If all this is true, a legend is going off the market. The Gebrüder Bernard factory, founded in Offenbach in 1733, was the first snuff manufacturer in Germany and is now the oldest manufacturer of snuff still in production in the world.

I don’t want to lose my “Gekachelter Virginie”. Bernard, please don’t stop!

I am hoping that either someone else takes up production with no changes, or Bernard’s can move production. I don’t know if either is at all feasible.

Horrible news - Black armbands for all snuff takers.

"
Update: I did try to email Bernard for comment. I received a reply today saying They could not confirm or deny as they are currently going through the process. Reading between the lines, I am praying there’s some work going on to hopefully save something for the future.

But that is just me saying that. I maybe being to optimistic.
"
An update from GradeASnuff.
I also hope that Bernard will continue it’s production.

The worst news from the world of snuff I can imagine. F**k the EU and its regulations…

These are bad news indeed.

On a side note, I didnt saw the whole video of Grade A Snuff but mate from what I have seen was this guy crying over the end of Bernard?! that was low key a bit funny lol just kidding.

Am I the only one who wouldnt give two shits when hearing news like this? Life goes on guys! There are so many other snuffs. And so many that have been discontinued already.

Also I am kinda optimistic and believe that Bernard will survive!
This is more sad for the company and the people there and not for the snuffs that we will for sure miss.

ALLex-
If that’s what you think I can only assume you aren’t a snuff taker yourself.
Bernards snuff is so unique and unlike other Snuffs. Every product is of extremely high quality. The product has remained unchanged for 290 years.
The company Bernards and their products are essential to any self respecting snuffer!

@Bu5hy Your assumption is wrong. I am a snuff taker for many years and love some Bernards.

My point was that if the end of the company will come then it wont be the end of my world, life goes on. I refuse to be that sad over any product.

I agree with ALLex on this point. Personally, I feel more pain thinking about people who may lose their jobs than about the fact that more snuff will disappear from the market. And in these nearly 20 years, I’ve seen a lot of snuff disappear from the market and a lot of companies closing down that I will miss (or those that still operate but can’t make snuff anymore). I’ve never been a big fan of Bernard’s snuff, but I appreciate a few of their creations and understand the impact they had on the tobacco world (being the first snuff factory in Germany, after all). Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever.

And by the way, writing that their recipes have remained unchanged for 270 years contradicts the obvious historical facts. Let’s start with the fact that from the beginning of the 20th century the use of lard was banned (which was replaced With paraffine). If we wanted to be precise, maybe we could say that their oldest snuff at the moment comes from the second half of the 19th century.

It’s sad news for sure but i don’t think that much can be done about it. Going to stock up on a few variations and that’s it.

Hi, has there been anymore updates on Bernard? Any chance they will stay in business? Hoping for good news

I thought Bernard had all but confirmed they’re closing production in May - although a number of other manufacturers are also said to be possibly scaling down, or stopping altogether - Rosinski, Pfalzer and Poschl for example.

My son emailed Bernard on my behalf for confirmation as (rather extraordinarily) their website news does not mention the expected closure this May.

Sadly, Bernard is indeed shutting shop after 291 years in business, making it just the last in a depressingly long line of old-established snuff manufacturers in Britain and Europe who have headed towards the sunset in the West. Both range and volume of snuff have been whittled away yet again by the closure of Bernard.

Are there any takers for guessing the next business to fold? Looking at records held by Companies House I have a shrewd idea from viewing their plunging assets that it will be a UK manufacturer (not Wilsons).

leider wird die Situation für eine kleine Tabakmanufaktur, wie wir es sind, seit Jahren immer
schwieriger. Wir haben in den letzten Jahren gegen viele „Windmühlen“ gekämpft und
vielen Widrigkeiten getrotzt und bisher haben wir es zum Glück auch immer geschafft die
Tradition der historischen Produktion unserer Schnupftabake aufrecht zu erhalten und
gleichzeitig alle gesetzlichen Anforderungen zu erfüllen. Leider müssen wir uns jetzt den
Auflagen und Gesetzen der EU geschlagen geben.
Wie Sie sicher wissen, wird ab Mai 2024 das bereits bestehende Track & Trace System auch
auf Schnupftabak ausgeweitet und es dürfen dann nur noch Produkte mit dem
entsprechenden QR-Code verkauft werden. Wir sehen keine Möglichkeit dieses System in
unserem Betrieb für unsere Produkte umzusetzen und müssen daher schweren Herzens
nach 290-jähriger Schnupftabaktraditon den Verkauf unserer Produkte in Deutschland und
der gesamten EU ab Mai 2024 einstellen. Bis dahin wird die Produktion und der Verkauf aber
unverändert weitergehen.
Wir bedauern dies sehr und haben uns die Entscheidung nicht leicht gemacht, aber es gibt
leider keine Alternative.
Wir bedanken uns bei allen, die uns über die langen Jahre die Treue gehalten haben.

The EU’s latest wheeze in the war against tobacco ‘Track and Trace’ accounted for the demise of Bernard and a description of this regulation can be found in ‘The Death of Snuff’ topic. Had the United Kingdom not voted to leave the EU then it’s possible that all snuff manufacture in Britain would have ended. Certainly smaller companies such as the micro-business McChrystals and SME Gawith Hoggarth would have folded, and the cost of snuff by what remained, if any, would have increased dramatically.

Translation of the German text:

Unfortunately, the situation for a small tobacco manufacturer like us has been getting worse for years. We have fought against many “windmills” in recent years. We’ve defied a lot of adversity and luckily we’ve always managed to maintain the historical tradition of snuff production at the same time as meeting all legal requirements. Unfortunately we now have to deal with insurmountable requirements imposed by the EU and are finally defeated.

As you probably know, from May 2024 the existing Track & Trace system will be extended to snuff and then only allowed products with the corresponding QR code can be sold. We see no possibility of maintaining this system. Our company can’t implement this system for our products and we must, therefore, with a heavy heart after 290 years of snuff tradition, end the sale of our products in Germany and the entire EU from May 2024.

Until then, production and sales will continue unchanged.

We regret this very much and did not make the decision easy for ourselves, but there is unfortunately no alternative.

Congratulations, faceless EU bureaucrats. That’s a pointless little victory for you.

Thank you for having the inquiry made with Bernard, and for reporting back on it here. I had not considered the possibility of how this might affect the few remaining UK snuff manufacturers when they lose access to the EU export market due to the track and trace rules. Is there enough domestic demand to keep McChrystal’s in business? Wilsons? Even Gawith Hoggarth, even though their primary business is pipe tobacco (but, again, those products will be subject to the same rules for distribution in EU-markets; I doubt the US market can make up for that loss)?

The only thing that will remain are Bernard’s Chinese bootlegs, which have been appearing at various online auctions for years.

I wouldn’t worry too much – there is a new poster here who can teach us all how to make Bernard’s snuff from home.

This is truly heartbreaking for snuff takers who usually are also snuff history buffs. I tend to find pipe and Cigar smokers, Snuffers and loose snusers have a genuine interest in tobacco and the more artisan tobacco industry. I find the thought that our generation have managed to allow the fall of a 290 year old historic snuff mill & company is a sad and indictment on us!

Disgusting government and disgusting EU. Keep your snouts out, pigs.

No offense to you wonderful people on here.

Never used Bernard (in Italy is not sold), but however it’s a sad news for me too.

I have some rumors that I can’t speak out loud about, but the word is that this isn’t the end for Bernard.

As others have surmised - PÖSCHL TABAK has the muscle and diversity of products to weather the new EU regulations.

I’m not a user of their produce, but for those who are, these are the (minor) changes.

'From 20.05.2024, it will also be necessary to affix track & trace codes to packaging in the snuff sector. This is not so easy when you consider that the tins for some of our 5g snuff are not particularly large. A few varieties will therefore undergo weight changes (they will have more content), which will result in a corresponding price adjustment. The amount of this adjustment will be announced in the shops at least six weeks before the changeover.

The prices of the other varieties will remain unchanged. Likewise, no changes, i.e. new launches or product discontinuations, are planned for Pöschl’s German snuff range at this time.’

That’s good (but not unexpected) news for users of Pöschl’s German snuff.

Thank you for forwarding this on. I am not a huge Pöschl fan myself (primarily because I do not use medicated snuffs very often at all), but I do enjoy their schmalzlers from time to time (especially Perlesreuter), but those come in 100g foil bags.

That said, glad to hear that no changes to the catalog are planned at present. Even if it is snuff I do not personally use often (or at all), it is comforting to know that other fellow snufftakers who enjoy them will not need to go without.

(post deleted by author)

I have some Charivari on order as a farewell.

That said, German reviewer 5 minutes tobacco on YT said the marketing of Bernard in Germany is non-existent and Bernard products are not to be found in German retail shops, it can only be bought online.

This leads me to think that the customer base for Bernard may actually be outside the EU and the Bernard line remains commercially viable if they change the production location or business concept.

I am hoping Continental people can find some way to resist things like this going forward and preserve Western patrimony. It’s been upside down for some 79 years.

Oh I so hope you are right! It will be a tragedy.

I really shouldn’t, but… Basically, the rumor is about Bernard’s last option and if we start reading between the lines of the email that Phillip received, we can notice one key sentence:

[quote=“PhilipS2, post:15, topic:29831”]
Our company can’t implement this system for our products and we must, therefore, with a heavy heart after 290 years of snuff tradition, end the sale of our products in Germany and the entire EU from May 2024.[/quote]

However, I do not know what the legal possibilities are to produce within the EU (without the need to generate serialization codes) and sell your products outside Europe. Let’s remember that this is just a rumor.

What’s the source of this rumour beyond the implied corollary regarding ‘Germany and the EU’ (id est., Sales outside the EU)?

It wouldn’t be possible for Bernard to break these new rules if exporting outside the EU from within the EU since Trade Policy to nations outside the EU must maintain the same mandatory health and safety standards as internal trade between member states. That, at least, is my understanding though I stand to be corrected in its application to Bernard Schnupftabak GmbH products or any other tobacco product.

As I see it, the only two guaranteed ways that Bernard snuffs can survive after May 2024 is either that Bernard sells the rights and recipes to Pöschl Tabak or they relocate outside the EU. The latter option is unlikely but the former is very possible, in the same way that a number of Fribourg & Treyer snuffs have survived, firstly by J&H Wilsons (Imperial) and lastly by Wilsons of Sharrow. And more importantly, made by Pöschl they would still be German snuffs and likely fair replicas of the originals. Again, this is all speculation.

I don’t know if it’s worth mailing the following person in case she wishes to reveal more about the fate of their snuffs at this stage:

Elizabeth Haas at e.haas@bernard-schnupftabak.de

A word of warning though: unlike Claudia Schratzenstaller of Pöschl Tabak Elizabeth Haas doesn’t read English so, like my son who is fluent, you need to write your text in German. Claudia, meanwhile, might care to reveal if Pöschl will take over Bernard’s snuffs.

Claudia Schratzenstaller at Claudia.schratzenstaller@poeschl-tabacco-de

Beyond that it’s a question of wait and see what happens.

Let’s say it’s an industry rumor that came out of German circles.

I work for a company that uses the Track and Trace system. Basically, this only works within the European Union. I had to confirm with our quality department whether, as a company within the EU, we can bypass this system by exporting goods outside the EU and… it is possible. If we were to produce goods intended for a market that does not have such requirements, there is no need to generate appropriate codes for each package. All we need to do is follow the rules applicable in the given market to which we want to sell our products.

I wonder what the user base for snuff inside and outside of the EU is?

I had largely assumed snuff was more popular within the EU, especially Schmalzlers.
It also seems odd that a company within the EU would be able to export goods outside of the EU while also not having to abide by EU regulations, but I do not have any experience of the details of this forthcoming system to argue any point.

For now, we are talking about a certain “possibility” that could come into play, although I was asking myself the same question regarding the number of consumers inside and outside the EU. However, it is certain that EU regulations regarding the production of tobacco products would still apply, which already require a lot of financial resources. “If” such an option were to come into play and were to operate for years, Bernard would have to find a really interesting market for his products so that all this could be returned to him. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if they set their sights on China, where bootlegs of their products have been sold for years. But this is just a theory, and a snuff theory.

We all know its inevitable sadly, are there schmalzler that are similar/comparable because that seems to be my favorite style

Give Pöschl’s Schmalzler A, D, SF, and Perlesreuter a try. They come in 100g foil bags, are a good value, and hit the mark as far as the style goes. Toque’s Otto Schmalzler is not half bad either.

I am a snuff user from China，When we first heard the news that Bernard was going to stop production, everyone was shocked.There are many people here who like Bernard’s snuffs, as well as others like Rosinski, Pfalzer and Poschl.We all hope that Bernard will continue it’s production in order to enjoy these fascinating snuffs in the future.

@Jonny

Sorry to pester about this but can you confirm or deny if what Roderick has said on his forum applies to MrSnuff as well? Basically, like you said last week, he’d written that they were expecting one last big shipment. But then yesterday he wrote:

“Bernard’s have closed earlier than I expected. We have had to put all we have into stock and stop the backorders.”

Is it the same situation with you, meaning that what’s in stock now is unexpectedly the last of the Bernards after all?

Many thanks.

Hi @Chico

I have had a chance to check up on our Bernard’s order. They explained that they have commitments to their German customers that they want to fulfill and they are not sure what stock will remain when that is complete. We have asked them to send us whatever they have left over and they agreed. So we expect to receive something, hopefully a significant amount but possibly nothing. Time will tell.

I will update you here when I have more news.

Great, thanks - I appreciate it!

FREEDOM!..but what is it? It’s a person right to be accountable for ones own decisions. EU regulation on public/civic matters can be commendable but the infringement on business built on personal choice is absurd. If I want tobacco up my nose, that’s my business. And the Germans are responsible for most of the snuff I take.

This is even about limiting tobacco use, though. It’s about ensuring tax revenue.

Some news: We were told today that our final order with Bernard will, mostly, be met. Its obviously end-of-times for them as they were apologising for not having boxes to package the product. Its a shame, it breaks my heart to see them go under like this.

The Machiavellian ‘good news’ for Mr Snuff is that this last order will see us well stocked. We have also agreed to buy whatever is left over when they finally shut down, so some extra may be available beyond that.

Yes, it truly sucks that they’re definitely closing. It’s hard to imagine that after almost 300 years, they’re done in by a bit of taxation bureaucracy. Sad that Poschl didn’t end up taking over.

That’s great news that you’ll be able to stock up, though. They must like you better than your competitor.

This is a sin tax. Which is designed to infringe upon a person’s choice.

My Bernard’s Snuff Grades.

Here are the snuffs I tried before this storied company met its collapse – and the grades I have given them:

Bernard Aecht Alt Schmalzler: B
Bernard Amostrinh: B+
Bernard Charvari: D
Bernard Jubilaums: A-
Bernard Klostermischung: B
Bernard Kownoer: A
Bernard Regensburger Pris: Piss
Bernard Original Schmalzlerfranzl: C+
Bernard Schmalzler Zwiefacher: A-
Bernard Steife Prise: B-
Bernard Schmalzlerfranzl Fresco: C
Bernard Schmalzlerfranzl Gold: C
Bernard Fichtennadel: C+
Bernard Gekachelter Virginie: B+
Bernard Postilion: A
Bernard Magic Moments (Black): A-
Bernard Magic Moments (White): Delicious

The one’s I have not tried yet, or never will:

Tiger C
Tiger G
Winter Prise
Polar Prise
Weisn Snuff
Eiskristall
WeiB Blau
Alt Offenbacher Kostlich

Feel free to add or disagree! I enjoyed most of these while they were around!

Edit: Forgot a few mentions!

Weiss-blau and Wiesn you have tried and enjoyed - it’s Jubilaums with different labels.

This is very useful information, thanks for posting.

We have taken our first steps with Project Lazarus, Mr Snuff’s attempt to resurrect the best of Bernard’s. Its all a bit hush-hush for now but what we really need is the top five Bernard’s snuffs.

We can use sales figures but I would really appreciate real opinions from you, the snuff experts.

Gekachelter Virginie
Kownoer
Aecht Altbaeyerischer Schmalzler
Jubilaums
Amostrinha

Also Fresco and Feinst, I find them to be their most traditional schmalzlers. But first and foremost is Gekachelter Virginie if you can save only one let it be that one.

Top five? That’s easy (well, kind of):

• Alt Offenbacher Kostlich (previously discontinued)
• Fichtennadel (became just “F” due to EU regs.)
• Gekachelter Virginie
• Kownoer
• Aecht Altbayerischer and/or Original Schmalzlerfranzl (hard to choose)

I thought that Weiß Blau was Steife Prise without the peppermint?

@Jonny – any update on the final order you’re supposed to be getting in? I notice quite a few have sold out at MrSnuff now…

Also, my top 5:

Fichtennadel
Original Schmalzlerfranzl
Brazil Fresco
Gekachelter Virginie
Klostermishcung

Are there any molasses/fig type snuffs available close to Bernard Aecht Alt Schmalzler or
Bernard Klostermischung? Any recommendations?
Thanks!

@JRMcDuff
Poschl has a few Schmalzlers

@Volunge I would support these in a reimagining by Mr. Snuff.

I still like my Magic Moments though

I’d vote for:

• Gekachelter Virginie
• Magic Moments Black
• Schmalzlerfranzl Gold
• Amostrinha
• Charivari

My vote:

• Original F
• Magic Moments black
• Klostermischung
• Postillion
• Zwiefacher

Offenbacher (and Civette) might be a bit challenging - while the composition is very simple, the tobacco bill is unknown.

I’m fairly sure that even Indian manufacturer could re-create Gekachelter Virginie from local tobacco, provided a generous sample, following original or similar (excluding the preservative, maybe) formula, which doesn’t call for any flavourant: BMEL - Navigationspunkt Tabakzusatzstoffe-Datenbank

My own attempt at replicating Kownoer wasn’t too off, although for the base I used cigar flour (coarser than the original), and skipped the flavouring and ammonium carbonate:

IMG_20240424_1619591920×1920 307 KB

Original schmalzlerfranzl
Aecht altbayerischer
Klostermischung

Thanks for all your opinions, please keep them coming. We will use these along with our sales data to create a list-of-the-saved.

The plan is to go with two manufacturers, and then perform some blind trials with willing volunteers.

This is assuming Bernard’s follows through with their delivery mind you (no news of that yet) because we will need sufficient stock of the real stuff to test with.

I will keep you posted.

My top 5 :

• Original F
• Jubilaums
• Original Schmalzlerfranzl
• Gekachelter Virginie
• Charivari

Yeah, that makes complete sense. Unfortunate, but a boy can still dream…

Glad to hear you were able to get an close approximation of the Kownoer. It’s a special snuff, I dare say, and the art and color of the tap box really stands out to boot!

Gekachelter Virginie
Klostermischung
Kownoer
Charivari
Brasil doppelt fermentiert

Hi @Jonny

I’m willing to volunteer for the blind trials!

Duly noted

Pretty sure we would all be on board for trials

@Jonny

Still no update on the final Bernard’s order? This long after their announced official closing in May I’m starting to wonder if it’s ever going to happen…

@Chico

We have not heard anything from Bernard’s but we are still hopeful. They close down at the end of June and we have been promised first refusal on their remaining stock, but I am a little nervous because we only have a few samples of some of the products we held back for project Lazarus and we need more to do the job properly. All we can do is wait and see

Personally (in no particular order)

Amostrinha
Zwiefacher
Klostermischung
Charivari
Steiffe Prise

I also have a lot of love for Winterpris, Postillion and Virginie

Not sure how helpful it might be but I could be willing to donate some stash towards the greater good!

@Clem

Wow, that would be great. Here are the products we need:

• Jubilaums
• Gekachelter Virginie
• Magic Moments Black
• Postilliom
• Wies N Snuff

If you have any of them then please get in touch with @Kay at support@mrsnuff.com to make the arrangements, and we will find a way to make you whole. Thanks

I have some Virginie, MM Black and Postillion - it might only be an unopened pack each of the former and an open but hardly (maybe less than 10g) used pack of the former

I’ve just fired off a message to Kay, cheers!

Gekachelter Virginie is a top notch snuff. A+++ in my book. Include Gekachelter in the “Project Lazarus” . Its the best out of all Bernard.

Also the Bernard Fichtennadel and the Original Schmalzlerfranzl are awesome Bernards.

@Jonny – just in case you didn’t see this post, it might help with your attempts at formulating Bernard clones. Lots of interesting info, anyway. Detailed overview of Bernard Products - #2 by SunnyDay

Thanks @Chico. I have copied the link into our Lazarus Slack channel. The info will definitely be useful

Toque did this: Forest

Have you tried it yet, or seen any reviews?

Well since Bernards is coming back I thought I’d post on my own post – either for those that didn’t get to try them the first time around or are new to the range.

@Chico I’ve seen a few mentions in this forum - positive from what I’ve seen. But you won’t have to worry now that Bernard F Original will be back 8)

McChrystal’s are sure taking their time about it! I guess that’s probably a good thing, if they’re working to get them right.

Glad I read the end of this thread. I was about to go on a mad spree to stock up on Magic moments black. Hell, I might anyway.

Glad they’re back.

I saw everything in the lineup besides Kownoer coming back. But I’m glad Bernards is back! Any differences anyone noticed so far?