Several snuff descriptions include “Tonquin Essence”. The “Tonquin Bean” and it’s use is mentioned very often here as well as in snuff literature. If you google the two terms, the essence term will consistently refer to Tonquin Musk which will in turn take you to sites suggesting it is an oil derived from glands in a deers butt and a wonderful attractant for trapping. The bean of course talks of the Tonka/Tonquin bean. So of course I have a question. When a snuff description uses the phrasing “Tonquin Essence”, are they referring to the bean or the butt? As many of these descriptions also include the word musk, well, I had to ask.

It’s Tonka Bean. Never heard of the other “essence”. Edit: I think you are supposed to mix Tonquin Musk with Deer urine or other fluids as a bait.

Hmm, looking again and the term essence is from other reviews, not necessarily the manufacturer. Another new snuff user is convinced that if it sez essence it means a musk oil rather then the bean, hence the question. I’d always assumed the bean myself, but now I’m wondering (-;

From Here"Most of the musk of European commerce is obtained from Tibet or from the Chinese province of Szechuen (Tonquin musk); it is conveyed down the Yangtse-Kiang river to Shanghai, whence it is exported. Smaller quantities are obtained from the southern Chinese province of Yunan (Yunan musk), and some finds its way via Nepaul or Assam to Calcutta (Nepaul musk, Assam musk)." So, when “musk” is listed in the description of a snuff, is it as a comparison to the smell of musk or is musk actually used for scent. I find where the Tonka Bean is cited as a substitute for Vanilla.

That is something totally different. Any snuff that has a Tonquin flavor has been flavored with Tonka bean, not the musk sac of some little Deer. It looks like the term Tonquin is used to describe the area in which that musk comes from, as it Yunan, the musk is called “Yunan Musk”. Deer sac no. Tonka bean, yes.

Tonka/Tonquin Bean/Seed

hehe I wanted to think as much cstokes. Reaffirmation goes a long ways! (-;

If there really is a god, please PLEASE PLEASE do not allow Toque Deer Ass Oil Snuff to ever exist. Cheese and Bacon is already impossible to hack.

@kjoerup LOL!! I literally scared some of the employees that work at my office with laughter after reading your post. I agree “Toque Deer Ass Oil Snuff” would be an abonimation. However, it could be popular with hunters as it would cover the scent of their human breath with deer musk scent which would attract deer. Roderick should poll some hunter-snuffers and find out if there would be demand… lol

Oh hell, I trust “Toque Deer Ass Oil Snuff” won’t give any one ideas… I really did have to ask though…

I’m a hunter and a snuffer. I can happily live without a snuff that smells anything like deer. In fact a good powerful snuff to cover up the deer scent would be a good thing sometimes. Now a “autumn woods, after a rain” snuff would be fantastic.

@ Bigmick I’m with you on that one…autumn woods, after a rain, that would make for a lovely snuff indeed!

I think Roderick would have to go with rectangular tins to get that name on! Anybody feeling photoshop-y?

If this doesn’t garner the 2010 North East Exporters Award, nothing will! Vegans, please do not purchase. Animal lovers, economy bags are available. Thank you.

Now that’s funny

You never know!

OMG

Roderick, my apologies The initial question was asked in all sincerity, really just looking for information. And then to have the thread turned into such a travesty, a, a… a horror! O-: hehe That photoshop is pretty freaking funny (-;

PMSL this thread has really cheered me up, thanks for a good laugh. Stefan

‘and is arse oil’ aaaaaaghhh, that got me!!! Brilliant mate.

All ass oil aside…what is the proportion of bean to snuff for flavoring? I know you can just let the bean sit in the snuff, but how many beans for say…50g of snuff?

I’ve never flavored 50 grams at one time. Leaving half a bean with the skin off in a snuffbox overnight seems to easily do the trick for 10-20grams. I use the beans on mostly Toque Quit, Stokers Plain, and tried it recently on Sternecker Straubinger. I don’t believe in trying to improve on something that is already perfect, but the Sternecker turned out smelling exactly like a pipe tobacco Stokers used to offer called Plantation…very nice!

Really? I read some story from old England about a guy who put a whole bean in his snuffbox and was getting headaches. His more experienced friend told him how much snuff 1 bean would flavor but I can’t remember what he said. But I remember it being a lot. Why do you peel it? Don’t you want those crystals for the flavor? I’m all questions, lol.

Well, some beans have crystals and some have red hairs…either way you’re gonna fail the drug test at work if you don’t peel them beans. But, I’ve never heard of overdosing on tonka beans…it’s just adding a scent. I don’t grind up the bean and use it in any way. It really does wonders on a plain snuff, IMo. And just kidding on the skins, btw

I peel becuase otherwise the skin starts to flake off and get mixed into the snuff.

Tonka BeanA newer article you may be interested in, Rdunnion. (And you are a sick individual, Xander)

Never use em but the old ‘Smiths’ contract brand had some great Tonquin based snuff. Wonderful; I think its only Mcgayhee’s that carry em now

Golden Cardinal? I think it has a heavy floral character as well as Tonquin. SG Bouquet, or also now Snuff Store Golden Pinch are pretty much the same thing. It is wonderful though, I agree. Smith’s George IV might be a tonquin blend too, but more like tonquin and almond or marzipan. I need to re-visit that one soon. On my wish list is SG White Label, which I’ve only seen listed at snuff.me.uk. I think it was Leman who said it was tonquin/light menthol. You are right, McGahey’s does have some hard to find things. I suppose an order from them should go on my wishlist as well.

There was a fine dusting of tonquin in a lot of the Vivien Rose era snuffs. The cardinal range was several snuffs long and there were great names like ‘town clerk’ - for their more perfumed range I think there was a slight taste in all of them. And of course there was ‘Tonquin’ snuff.

Sam Gawith pipe tobacco call 1792 flake and Cob Plug are well flavored with tonquin and I can attest the plug, once milled, makes a terrific, strong, dark snuff. I suspect the flake is the same stuff, but I don’t know for certain.

Cob plug is just unsliced 1792, so they are the same stuff just one is sliced into flakes

Xander Flake or 1792? Lemmee check the reviews again