Hey all, I just thought I’d write a few thoughts on snuff which have menthol in them.
I might have not tried all of the menthol snuffs (or snuff’s with menthol / camphor in them), but from a few I have - the following are my thoughts. (I will perhaps name them later in this post with what I found). Anyone think the same?.
Some are balanced and there to stay. They are the real refreshers. They give you a nice menthol hug and then the menthol departs. What is left is the essences and herbs, and a mild to no tobacco flavor. I love these and in my opinion, they are the most suitable for me since they don’t cause me a menthol rebound.
Some are medicated - Now these kind of irritate me a bit. Some solve their purpose, while others blast you with menthol. So much of it that people like me get a bad menthol rebound and the nose is so clogged that nothing less than a dry fine tobacco toast can manage to unclog the nose a bit. These tease with a great boost and leave you irritated - much like a girl teasing to kiss you and leaving after doing nothing.
Some are the experts - These are the sly tobacco ones which hide menthol in them, and the menthol just comes, waves and goes away. It is a pleasant meet with the menthol but then you welcome the tobacco flavor just standing beside. My nose gets confused in these sometimes that which is the scent I like better. What are they trying to do?
However, I do think menthol is getting overrated in the snuff market. I am too much of a novice, and I think the snuff makers are doing a great job, but I think menthol is like salt - you need to check its quantity with the other ingredients you’re using, and it shouldn’t be unwelcome. I’ve noticed that menthol sometimes overpowers many beautiful scents which do not otherwise see too much of exposure to the olfactory.
I think you got the idea what I am talking about. So, what do you guys think? Do you agree with my segregation above? Which of the ones you think fit in these criteria’s. Would love to know if you have the time to tell.
Personally, I prefer snuff to have no menthol at all. I can tolerate what is there in Kailash and Anarkali because they are only occasional use snuffs for me. I do feel that menthol has too dominant a role in the market. Just look at Poschl products. Wilson’s line up since the big cull has a fairly high percentage of mentholated snuffs too. Thankfully, they did keep a fair assortment of non-mentholated too. I think the only other mentholated snuffs I’ll consider for an occasional pinch as McC Raspberry and WoS Honey Menthol, but only for the very occasional small pinch, and only if I am suffering with a cold or severe congestion. If I take a larger pinch, or multiple pinches, I suffer a lot of burning discomfort and redness around the nose, kind of like a dermatitis type reaction.
Well, I think the only English snuff with menthol that I like is Abraxas Firedrac - and that’s because it’s such a light touch, just a hint of seasoning. But the Indians seem to do it quite well, there’s often only a tiny hint mixed with many other interesting things. For unmitigated menthol, the only thing I have some affection for is Toque Peppermint - and even then, a 25 gram tin has lasted for years.
If I feel like a medicated then I want a medicated. Unashamed full face freeze menthol followed with camphor and/or eucalyptus. Hedges, Wilson’s Mentholated or SM500, Toque Menthol. Those are the kinds that satisfy my menthol fix.
@50ft_trad - I can understand what you say. But with me its more like I don’t like the excess menthol because it clogs me up and discourages me from further use. I however don’t have any issues using the ones I am for half a day or so (which keep me refreshed and considerably clog free).
@JakartaBoy - Its interesting you mention that the snuffs foreign to my country are more mentholated. I can only imagine how people have it without a very clogged nose after use. I agree that many of the Indian snuffs are balanced, but sometimes the menthol, even when not a lot (like in 5 photo himalaya), do clog me up pretty good. Maybe its just my nose.
@SandwhichIsles - Now, sir, I am really curious. I too sometimes want that menthol, eucalyptus and camphor. I love the feeling! But how do I manage to ensure I don’t get so clogged up? Do you experience the menthol rebound despite being such a fan of them (despite occasionally)? My nose always pushes me to not use mentholated but my heart wants to. Its like a quarrel. How do you fix that? Thanks!
@newbiesnuffer, there may well be some Indian snuffs that are heavily mentholated olated, but there are also a lot where it’s just a seasoning. With British snuffs, I find if it’s there, it’s strong. But I’m mainly an unscented, unflavored snuff guy, so other people may be able to contradict me. I’ve never tried the Toque mentholated fruits and floral, for example, I just don’t like the idea. Maybe one day get the smallest tin available of one of the extreme menthols @sandwhichisles mentions, just as an experiment.
@newbiesnuffer try and get some snuff with no menthol. I was into them in the past and everthing seemed to have to have some… Treat your nose to snuff that has none and it will very much so broaden your enjoyment of snuff.
When I first started snuffing menthol rebound congestion didnt hit me untill a month into using McChrystals O&G it did not happen immediately for me. I believe the initial menthol in snuff helped me cement in my mind I prefer snuff over smoking tobacco. Snuffs like Hedges L260 are far far too strong, I do enjoy a bit of snuff in my menthol though I would love to try the Hedges base tobacco without the menthol! I used to love menthol snuffs now I like my snuffs with a pain or natural tobacco with sometimes light flavorings, theres always exceptions though.
I’m one of those lucky few who doesn’t experience rebound. I can go on rips where I only use strong medicated snuffs all day for days or weeks on end (not often but it has happened) and I’ve never had any rebound congestion. I don’t think there is any way to change how your body reacts to menthol.
though I would love to try the Hedges base tobacco without the menthol! I used to love menthol snuffs now I like my snuffs with a pain or natural tobacco with sometimes light flavorings, theres always exceptions though.