I’ve read the reviews of this and it sounds like my stuff. Am thinking of buying a large tub. Anybody have any feelings about this stuff?
No, but it is on my wishlist. I would get a tin first though. The reviews indicate that it is nothing like Dean Swift Dr. Johnson, for those that are wodering. I’ve been very pleased with the handful of Tranter’s snuffs I have tried though.
Xander. The description of plain brown, non metholated snuff medium moist medium grind reminds me of some similar snuff I had from SG smith many years ago. I am hoping this is it
SG Smith’s? Frederick Tranter are made by Wilsons of Sharrow, so they bear more resemblance to the Sharrow snuffs. Samuel Gawith have quite a few plain medium snuffs though.
Samuel Gawith plain brown Kendall sounds about right. Might give it a go. I have some F&T Kendall Brown and the milling seems abour right for me - disregarding the heavy scent. Have some Sam Gawith London Brown which is extraordinary. Very moist almost black, hard to keep up.
F&T Kendal Brown is absolutley nothing like Samuel Gawith Kendal Brown. SG KB is almost as course and moist as the London Brown.
Not what I’m looking for then. Think I must give the Tranter Dr Johnson a shot. Small order though. Perhaps some SP as well. Which Tranters have you tried? What is your ‘take’.
I’ve tried the SP, Cotswold, Regency, Finisterre, Otto De Rose, Citrus. My overall take is that they have near, though not identical counterparts in Wilsons regular line. Except for the Rose, all of the ones I have tried have some measure of citrus scenting, be it bergamot, lemon, citron, etc. or a combination therof. I’m hoping Mr. Snuff stocks some more varieties in the future, since Tranter’s won’t ship to the US. The SP is a pretty plain and straightforward SP. It has only minor scenting compared to Wilsons Best SP. Its quite nice though. You can’t go wrong with SPs most of the time. Have you read the reviews on snuffreviews.com? There are not too many Tranters reviews up there, but its a good place to start.
yes. The review of Dr Johnson was what made me think it might be for me. I live close enough to get to Smiths. Was thinking of going up there on Monday and then on to Davy’s in Covent Garden. But would not be able to get the Tranters on this journey I think. years ago when I took snuff I had some pretty fancy varieties but I recall it was the plain and workaday JH Wilsons that strangely kept me coming back. I think I will have to place three separate orders to get JH Wilson, Davy’s ,Tanters and Smiths - SPs and plain mostly. I have enough fragrance with F&Ts. Will keep me away from my pipe with SGs full virginia flake hopefully.
Well, Smith’s has switched back to Gawith Hoggarth as their contract miller. The Smith’s I started on back in the early 90s was GH, then in the interim up until last year or so Samuel Gawith was the miller. I’ve heard they have reduced their selection significantly, but the popular blends are still available. Mullins & Westly (Davy’s) is Wilsons of Sharrow contract, like Fred Tranter. I dearly miss Jock’s Choice that I had a bit of not long ago, its quite strongly scented though. M&W Particular might be what you are looking for. Its very plain and medium grind, darker brown. They also have an SP (the name escapes me) but I have not tried it. Not a thing wrong with J&H Wilsons SPs. However there is a world of difference between the little pocket boxes and the large vacuum sealed tins. Go with the big tin and you’ll be happier. I really wish their Top Mill was available in the big tin someplace. Well, good luck with your selections, and let us know what you turn up.
Ordered Davy’s Particular, Jock’s Choice and Mature Crumbled (SP) Tranters: Dr Johnson, Regency and SP JH Wilson SP1, Smith Golden Cardinal and F&T Maccouba Conscious that I’ve bought a lot recently. Look foward to trying the Particular and finding a plain snuff that I really want to go with. Thanks for your very informed comments.
You’re very welcome. I’m suprised no one else chimed in here. Especially those that are more familiar with the shop private labels. This thread must be the most unique in Snuffhouse history. I’d be very happy with those choices. All good snuffs. Where did you order Smith’s? Over the phone?
McGahey Tobacconist - seems to stock that and Cafe Royale only - but very expensive £7-8 per 23 grams - thought I’d give it a go. I’m used to the mind bending prices of smoking tobacco here. He also had the large tin of JH Wilson SP1. Ordered the Maccouba here as well to make the order up. Has not as yet confirmed order. The others are confirmed. Does he have the stock I wonder…
Time will tell. Samuel Gawith Bouquet is an excellent alternative to Golden Cardinal if you can’t get it.
I’ll bear that in mind. Might eventually have to make a journey up town to Smiths, - would be on the look out for the perfect plain brown. Still trying to settle this habit over my life long smoking.
"I’ll bear that in mind. Might eventually have to make a journey up town to Smiths, - would be on the look out for the perfect plain brown. " You won’t find it at Smiths (unless you buy snuff from another manufacturer at London prices). Much has been written here about the extortionate price of snuff from Smiths or the Cigar & Snuff Parlour. Both shops are mildly interesting places and it’s difficult to leave without making a purchase of some sort. Regular purchases, however, are not viable due to cost. The snuffs are just not worth it. Moreover, since the very knowledgeable Vivian Rose at Smiths departed there is no one interesting to talk to anymore. Nor are there any appealing snuffboxes. (Smiths once had an array to rival that of Fribourg & Treyer in the Haymarket or Bentall’s Department Store.) The large tins of J&H Wilson S.P No.1 and Top Mill are very good, but very expensive. However, if you like these plain snuffs you may also like the much better value snuffs available from Samuel Gawith. Irish D Light is an unscented snuff that is very fine and light biscuit in colour. The D stands for Dry. London Brown and Black Rappee are dark, coarse, moist, single base snuffs fermented in brine while others (like Scotch Black) are mixtures. Apart from strongly aromatic tobacco there are no additional flavourings whatsoever. However, being either gros or fin they might require a little perseverance to fully enjoy. Finding enhanced snuff that is satisfactory is not always easy. Bergamot, lavender, attar of roses, tonquin and the many types of geranium or pelargonium are the principle flavourings for traditional scented snuffs. The oldest surviving types are Wilson’s of Sharrow S.P, Princes (a black snuff) and Kendal Brown. These are non-proprietary names and the flavourings vary between snuffs and manufacturers. For example the version of Princes by Samuel Gawith is different to that by Wilsons of Sharrow. Kendal Brown was designed to appeal to the 1792 English market - as opposed to Irish or Scotch - and should be coarse in texture. All Kendal Browns made in Kendal are good (or foul depending on taste) including that sold by Smith’s. The Gawith Hoggarth version is the plainest. Those made by Sharrow Mill in Sheffield (including Fribourg & Treyer) are not true Kendal Browns at all. There are vast numbers of snuffs available, but those listed above are traditional and, like the weathered Pillars of Hercules, have manfully stood the test of time. Never, never, never buy snuff in a plastic tap-box. This woeful container is wormwood and gall to snuff and the boxes should be regarded with a glare to rival the fabled basilisk. Vacuum sealed tins are available and, if you like your sample, then the snuff may thereafter be bought by the pound or half-pound in canisters or drums. The value of purchasing this way is excellent value - you can buy 250 grams for £17-18 or 500 grams for £27. Compare this to just 25 grams for £7-8 bought in rip-off London.
I don’t know if this site is back up and running yet but www.thebackyshop.co.uk used to sell Top Mill in large vacuum sealed containers. I think you can contact them by phone but don’t know the number or if they will ship to the US. I’ll have a look to see if the site is back. Stefan
You can order by phone here:0044 (0) 1723 500955 Stefan
Thank you PilipsS for that invaluable information. I have already learned how unsatisfactory the tap boxes are - with fine snuffs they pour just too much, and with moist snuffs they are virtually hopeless, nothing is forthcoming, or then perhaps an oversized dollop. Walrus. I must follow up your tip on Top Mill soon. You can see from the foregoing that I’ve already splurged a bit in my hunt to find a medium moist fine to medium ground brown unscented of quality for regular use. To give you all some idea of what I have in mind the F&T Kendall Brown is about the right mill, and I should hope for a similar, though with plain tobacco ‘flavouring’
@ Walrus: Yes, I don’t know if Backyshop still has them. Anyway, they won’t ship to the US anymore. I’ve corresponded with them in the past, perhaps there are ways around the credit card issues.