Old Saigon sounds perfect. Now all I need is a sample (:
I’m glad the name is so popular. I guess I have to try it now!
Roderick - I need to play around with the amount of bicarb I use (I am erring on the side of caution at the min) have you got any specific advise regarding this? I do have scales in 0.1g increments to weigh out the bicarb. Not looking for any trade secrets just a bit of friendly advice 
After just having had a pinch the snuff is settling and seems to have more “feel” in the nose (in a good way not off putting). If anyone wants to replicate this snuff, the only aroma that may complement it would be a good highland whiskey, however I couldn’t risk use it due to to it reacting with some pills I’m on, even trace amounts. Even so this snuff is very good “nude” and could turn into my regular go to snuff. First 2 Uk posters to whisper me get a 1-2g sample to get your opinions, can’t run to the postage in the US sorry but its been a good introduction to making snuff for me with very satisfying results and should be easy to replicate. regards Steve
@stevematthews79 - I have found that just a small amount of Bicarb is needed. Less than for other snuffs. Just grind in a very small pinch with a mortar, too much ruins it with a pronounced burn. I am thinking up to 1%. Try small batches and that is a good way to learn about the process. Using just a little yields a great result, using more is fruitless. On a ratio bases 1/2 gram of bicarb to 100 grams leaf. A smidgen if you will.
Thanks Whalen, just to point out I used approximately 0.05g with 15g or so of snuff, not far off the 0.5% that you suggested to begin with. It has taken a few days to develop the extra “feel” as opposed to “burn”, so I see how you could be over zealous and add more than you need. As a fairly new snuffer I enjoy a snuff that is easy to snuff so too much bicarb could ruin the experince for me. I’ve also read that you don’t actually have to add whisky directly to flavour snuff, and you can use the box in a box technique, so I presume I can add the whiskey aroma without adding any alcohol. I may try this with a miniature from the off licence. I’ve got three airtight 200ml glass jars coming so I may have a little play when they arrive.
The indirect method is great for very aromatic scents. The nice thing about whiskey is that it only takes a little, and it is fairly easy to dry it back out. Wetting the mixture allows for PH adjustment as well. When I use whiskey I let the whole mixture sit compacted for about a month. Juxtaposer has several methods he uses involving compression. I only wish I could scale down an old oak snuff barrel. Messing around making your own snuff variants is a fun endeavor on its own. I was blessed with receiving some very hard earned information about PH adjustment from the masters, but I am not at liberty to discuss in detail, suffice to say that a little bit goes a long way. Just enough to freebase a sufficient amount of nicotine, it is a non linear response. A Pinch. The more you learn, the more you have to admire the blending Masters! Watch some of the You Tube videos and notice the amount of additives being used on huge batches, a relative pinch. All this being said I still never got the nicotine punch of the Jewel from my Rustica, always got too much of the burn first. But notice that almost all of the high level nicotine snuffs have a initial burn. Grunt has a sharp but satisfying burn, or hit. I prefer wood ash to bicarb, but I make my own in the wood stove, some concerns about Carcinogens though. Also the high impact snuffs tend to dry the nose, The moist snuffs are different, but ammonia is a great ph adjuster. natural occurring ammonia is part of the equation, I am sure of that. Good luck, and I suggest small batches for trials. My Rustica is ready now and I will soon be off on another tangent. I still have some wonderful Rustica toast.
Quote: I only wish I could scale down an old oak snuff barrel Would it not be possible to add some oak chips to the jar as it is left to age, or would this be a pointless task. Just a thought. Or the cork from a good bottle of red wine or whiskey? Think I could get into this, as alice would say it get curiouser and curiouser
I wish I could figure out how to scale down a old whiskey barrel. They are already charred, seasoned with wiskey, and Old and I like anything old, wow that be great.
I wish I could figure out how to scale down a old whiskey barrel. They are already charred, seasoned with wiskey, and Old and I like anything old, wow that be great. Figure it out Whalen and let us know.
I know you can buy whiskey barrel chips for the BBQ, I just don’t know how you could “capture the aroma”,
Steve I am not sure if they ship to the UK or not but you should really check out http://cornellanddiehl.com/blending\_tobaccos.htm
After reading what all of you had to say about TL I’ve ordered some now, could not resist it any longer.
thanks roderick. I’m going invest in some 1mg increment scales. I’m also thinking of playing with my heated propagator to add moisture to snuff it is clean and controlable, i’m going to order another couple of bags and keep more accurate notes about weights, temp that i dried at, ratio of bicarb, i don’t know much about making your own snuff but this is easy to turn into something that is enjoyable even as you get to grips with making something for the first time, each step worked out better than hoped and reading many posts here has got me interested and given me the confidenc to give it a go,