Its the “mickey mouse” labels I cant stand. Why, when we have a proud tradition of snuff production going back to the seventeen hundreds and beautiful labels like WoS and F&T, does Toque produce something that looks like it belongs in a cheap comic. No one would consider putting a label like this on a bottle of wine so why do it to snuff. Incidentally, I have just thought of a way to get rid of all those faulty 25g tins. It involves the label designer but would not be allowed under the UN charter as it would be considered “cruel and unusual” punishment
Sometimes tradtions can me an impediment to introducing new product, or opening up to a new generation. Toque’s labels are deliberately contemporary. I’ve seen less classy wine labels. Plenty of them.
I was speaking from an Englishmans point of view. Obviously, different cultures are impressed by different things.
Let’s not fall-out over this. I too like to go in my old unspoilt English Pub with a tin of snuff with ‘Est. 1737 Made in the UK’ printed on the label.
From an Americans point of view, I like the tins and the label. What’s wrong with snuff, is that no new marketing has been tried since the seventeen hundreds. Kudos to Toque. But maybe… I’m partial to Mickey Mouse!
In this day and age it is nice to see some old established companies still carrying on. So to is it to see new, smaller ones opening and then growing.
Whoops, sorry if I have offended anyone. Just read my last posting again and see it could be misinterpreted as being sarcastic. It was just meant to be an observation.
Hey London, non taken. I have to agree, I think the F&T tins are the coolest on the planet, but they also come at a premium. My observation is this, if the government mandated ‘THIS TOBACCO PRODUCT CAN DAMAGE…’ warnings gets any larger there won’t be any need for label differences.
@ London Jack: Oh, please excuse me. I had completely forgotten that taste and class were exclusive to English culture.
@Xander: Hehe ! Good to see a nice bit of dry sarcasm isn’t exclusive to the Brits :o) On the Toque label front, I must side with London Jack though. Somebody recently described them as being similar to a power tool logo; I’d have to agree.
I like Toque tins, for the reason that Roderick specified: new snuff=new label. But just because I’m young and American doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the old designs as well…in fact I love them! I told my wife I was going to get the Wilsons of Sharrow pinch guy on the tin tattooed on me, jokingly of course, but she took me serious and nearly freaked out…lol!
Mat, that’s a great idea! I’ve been looking for a new tat that would be something meaningful. I refuse to get a tat that has no meaning and I may have to give this idea some thought. ( i wonder what reward Roderick would offer to get the Toque label done on my calf? Without the warning label.) lol
I actually like the Toque logo and design. Faux vintage has always looked cheesy to me. A Georgian era label for a company founded in the 21st century would be the snuff equivalent of the Excalibur in Vegas. Roderick, have you ever thought of sponsoring a cycling team? That logo looks custom made for it! Nice to meet you all.
Yep, suppliers of fine snuffs since four years ago would not impress.
Yep, suppliers of fine snuffs since four years ago would definetly impress. I’m Impressed that he has made it through hard work and customer satisfaction for 4 years. Besides being a very nice Guy to boot. Ed
Dont get confused between the man and the product. Torque is a producer, but without a marketing budget. So they go for the “personality cult” to try and improve market share and it is working to an extent. Say anything anti toque on this forum and either toque dives in, or the fan club does. This reinforces the “toque is good” “toque is caring” toque is perfect" concept. Its just a Public Relations ploy. I use to be an exec with a major Public Relations cconsultancy so I know it when I see it. Nice little story for the papers. Man working from home mixes it with the big boys. Britis start up goes international ,ad infinitum. Great if you like the snuff and great if you like the man, but understand why.
I don’t know, London Jack. This seems such a niche market that I find it hard to believe than an elaborate marketing plot is necessary to entice a few hundreds. I just appreciate the fact that Toque is making snuff a contemporary thing and a living tradition, rather than something serving historical reenactment purposes.
Boys and girls, we stand united as snuff lovers, be it old and antique or new and modern. Let’s not bite each other. The Toque tins are more practical than the Wilsons/McChrystals/Tranters. I don’t care about the labels because all it says is what’s in the tin. A nice label can’t make bad snuff better. Good snuff can’t be harmed by an unsightly label. F&T tins are VERY nice and VERY unpractical. The snuff inside is what it’s all about. Let’s talk about the snuff and leave the tins alone.
My two cents about the toque tins/logo - They remind me of what personal web sites looked like in 1998. Doesn’t mean I won’t love the snuff though!
@bruteforce&ignorance. On the face of it you are absolutely right, but look a little deeper and things change. The strategy is text book stuff so takes very little time to set up. Its not just a matter of enticing a few hundred, but establishing an international presence. This site is an amazingly powerfull marketing tool with snuff lovers from literally all over the world. One tells the next and so on.Its a form of “viral” .Many more people probably read articles on the site than are members and the “click on” ads down the left hand side are 100% targeted to their market. Gives a whole new dimension to this site, doesnt it.