So today I had an order arrive containing a big tin of WoS Best SP. This is one I have had before and I remember that I found it hard to take then, eventually gifting it to a new snuffer. But I’m always reminded of what a classic snuff it is, thus my new tin, and you know what? I still can’t take this stuff. No matter what I do I get a huge throat hit, even though I can manage Scotches and Indian whites with no problem. I guess this is just a snuff that doesn’t have my name on it. Other WoS snuffs don’t seem to cause problems, but this one has always been difficult for me. Is this just me or do other folks have troublesome snuffs that they simply can’t master, despite managing other more ‘difficult’ snuffs without a hitch? Did you have a troublesome snuff that you managed to tame, and if so, what was the secret?
Rotation is important ,not only does it dwindle down your stash but it centers your snuff technique and conditions your nose for variety. I had trouble with certain menthol’s giving rebound congestion for awhile now no problems.
Hi, i have not been about for a while on the site and have been not sure of what to post about. One thing i would like to share with everyone (maybe this can be moved into the “how too” section) is the following regarding difficult snuff. I had always been a course, moist course snuff man and by chance i met a old chap in a club i go too who was taking High dry toast and SP snuffs. I commented that they always woosh to the back of my throat how ever careful i was. The chap i am talking about became a good acquaintance for about four years but he sadly died last year, late 90s i found out at the funeral. Anyhow, he asked me if i wanted a pinch of some super fine HDT or something of that style and in the next min, i was almost chocking with a lung full of snuff. Well i clearly remember him saying at this point “don’t they teach you anything in university these days”, I still remember how that made me smile, a different age he was from! Anyhow, please don’t start lambasting me if this is already in here some place. Taking Fine Snuff as taught by Mr.Permberton. Died about 90ish last year. In his memory. 1.Take a pinch with index finger and thumb 2.Bring said pinch up to nose so that the pinch is parallel with the floor, tips of fingers and thumb pointing to your left hand side hand side, the nail of your index finger (the middle of the nail on the index finger lets say) just touches the outer rim of your external naris, or what is known as the nose hole. 3. Your fingers are now stabilized by the nail touching the nose hole rim. keeping your index finger nail anchored to the nose hole you slide your thumb slowly from under the index finger to the left, sniffing gently. Note you do not push the fingers into the nose, you want there to be the width of the index finger to the thumb in the open air (so to speak) this means that there is a vastly reduced suction because it is not a closed system. You are basically sniffing the snuff of a small platform, and using your thumb pad to let the snuff release slowly and under greatly reduced vacuum power (not sure if that is technical or not. LOL) NOTE: The genius in this is that your nose is lifting the snuff up always exactly the same distance, that being the distance of your index finger to your thumb pad. Now, because this distance will never change (unless your fingers swell) you can learn how much power you need to sniff, and how much snuff too release the slooowlyyy. It does not matter if you need multiple sniffs to get some snuff the the S-spot… You can obviously divide one pinch up for each nostril, or do a separate pinch for each, or if you are really in the mood, snuff until the palms of your hands sweat! Hope this helps, if not i shall make a clip! Also feel free to post this into the suggested methods page, although i imagine it is in there someplace!
@Hoopei very well written and this has been my method for the past while now. I might like to add, that when your right hand is positioned at your right nostril, I often use my ring finger on my right hand to close my left nostril to further adjust suction on the right nostril. When I use my right hand on the left nostril I end up using my second thumb knuckle of my right hand, to block my right nostril. Amazing control of suction this way.
@TheBoggart I also find Best SP difficult to take, despite being OK with toasts and the few scotches I have tried. Odd. For what it’s worth, I don’t seem to have the same issues with Tom Buck, SP100 or Gold Label, and these have become my regular SP choices. @Hoopei I am relieved to find that my method accords with that of your old friend! I first came across snuff via a family friend who would be about 100 now if he was still alive, and take it in the way he used to - which is exactly as you describe.
I find with the finer/dryer snuffs it helps to pinch it hard together, roll my finger off of my thumb, putting my thumb straight to my nostril while sniffing softly. Idk if this is proper form or what have you, it just works for me so I thought I’d put it out there.
@Hoopei very well written and this has been my method for the past while now. I might like to add, that when your right hand is positioned at your right nostril, I often use my ring finger on my right hand to close my left nostril to further adjust suction on the right nostril. When I use my right hand on the left nostril I end up using my second thumb knuckle of my right hand, to block my right nostril. Amazing control of suction this way.
Ahh that’s rather interesting, I am going to integrate that into my next day on the SP’s. Well i have learned something new again, its funny that i never thought of doing that!
@Hoopei I am relieved to find that my method accords with that of your old friend! I first came across snuff via a family friend who would be about 100 now if he was still alive, and take it in the way he used to - which is exactly as you describe. That is interesting too, i imagine that these things got passed on by word of mouth, or in the bar etc. With the general increase in people seeming to be interested in snuff again (so the tobacconist tells me) its nice that this forum can bring ideas together that might well have had to be rediscovered.
I agree that Best SP is a difficult snuff to take, for me, even more so than scotches or whites. I think it’s because I approach the scotches and whites with more caution, but I think of Best SP as gentler snuff, so I go at it with more gusto. Vary your pinch size, and vary your insufflation force, and it’ll come along over time. If one’s giving you a hard time, jar it up and re-visit it in a couple months. Just make sure it’s truly an air-tight container. If it dries out, it’ll only get harder to take.
Hi, i have not been about for a while on the site and have been not sure of what to post about. One thing i would like to share with everyone (maybe this can be moved into the “how too” section) is the following regarding difficult snuff. I had always been a course, moist course snuff man and by chance i met a old chap in a club i go too who was taking High dry toast and SP snuffs. I commented that they always woosh to the back of my throat how ever careful i was. The chap i am talking about became a good acquaintance for about four years but he sadly died last year, late 90s i found out at the funeral. Anyhow, he asked me if i wanted a pinch of some super fine HDT or something of that style and in the next min, i was almost chocking with a lung full of snuff. Well i clearly remember him saying at this point “don’t they teach you anything in university these days”, I still remember how that made me smile, a different age he was from! Anyhow, please don’t start lambasting me if this is already in here some place. Taking Fine Snuff as taught by Mr.Permberton. Died about 90ish last year. In his memory. 1.Take a pinch with index finger and thumb 2.Bring said pinch up to nose so that the pinch is parallel with the floor, tips of fingers and thumb pointing to your left hand side hand side, the nail of your index finger (the middle of the nail on the index finger lets say) just touches the outer rim of your external naris, or what is known as the nose hole. 3. Your fingers are now stabilized by the nail touching the nose hole rim. keeping your index finger nail anchored to the nose hole you slide your thumb slowly from under the index finger to the left, sniffing gently. Note you do not push the fingers into the nose, you want there to be the width of the index finger to the thumb in the open air (so to speak) this means that there is a vastly reduced suction because it is not a closed system. You are basically sniffing the snuff of a small platform, and using your thumb pad to let the snuff release slowly and under greatly reduced vacuum power (not sure if that is technical or not. LOL) NOTE: The genius in this is that your nose is lifting the snuff up always exactly the same distance, that being the distance of your index finger to your thumb pad. Now, because this distance will never change (unless your fingers swell) you can learn how much power you need to sniff, and how much snuff too release the slooowlyyy. It does not matter if you need multiple sniffs to get some snuff the the S-spot… You can obviously divide one pinch up for each nostril, or do a separate pinch for each, or if you are really in the mood, snuff until the palms of your hands sweat! Hope this helps, if not i shall make a clip! Also feel free to post this into the suggested methods page, although i imagine it is in there someplace!
This works great! I usually have trouble with the dry whites, but WE goes up really well with this technique. Now onto DW and WP!
Having just retuned to snuff I took a wide swing at several snuffs from Toque: Original, Natural, Absinthe, Espresso, SP, Silver Dollar (natural and original) and a few others that escape me at the moment. Each presents its own unique flavor, texture and more importantly- method. Having started off with some thicker and mentholated snuffs I became accustomed to big doses via boxcar- something that for me doesn’t work with my newest acquisitions. I had to adjust to pinches from a tin and still take pause when I realize I am taking in the finer powders with too much vigor. In the end I say this- take your time and learn each snuff. They are unique unto themselves and each requires a different approach to a certain degree. For me I have learned that what works for one does not always work for the next. This comes from a guy who gagged and coughed like crazy not but a few hours ago when he took a huge does of a quite dry and fine milled natural snuff as he always did with Gawith Apricot.
I struggled with SPs in the beginning and there for didn’t like them. Ignore any advice about snuffing technique except this. Take big pinches using thumb and MIDDLE finger until your nose acclimitises to the snuff. Your nose just has to get used to it, it really is as simple as that. Taking a pure menthol snuff before a ‘difficult’ snuff can densensitize your nose enough to make it easier to cope with harder snuffs. The more snuff you take, the easier it gets. Stick with it, it’s worth the effort and initial discomfort. When your nose has fully acclimatised you will be able to take big pinches of ANY snuff without any problems at all, no sneezing, coughing, etc, and that’s when you can really fully appreciate all snuffs.
Hmm–my nose had no problems with the whites, it is getting them stop in the nose and not go down the throat that is my problem.
The back of your throat will acclimitise too and with big pinches and just the right level of inhalation, I never get snuff in my lungs. Sometimes I feel it drip down my throat for which having a drink near by is handy. Only talking about myself here, but when I first started snuffing, I was still smoking cigarettes. When I stopped smoking cigarettes, after a couple of weeks, I noticed a big increase in my tolerance for tougher snuffs. I suspect tobacco smoke harms the protective layer of your throat making you more prone to tough snuffs, so if you smoke you know what to do…
@Hoopei Thanks for sharing! Works like a charm.
Just gave that ago … Works a charm … Thank you… Though I find I need to pinch with both hands (one for each nostril!)
my secret technique is tossing a bit of well-aged poschl in. It wont alter the scent and makes it easier to take.
For some reason I struggle with spearmint. WOS Crumbs of Comfort makes me cough. I bought Toque USA spearmint and the same problem. I’ve learning to handle toasts but for some reason not spearmint.
Best SP is my favourite snuff thus far. I’ve just tried the technique described above and whilst it worked to an extent I didn’t get the same flavour that I normally do with my technique. What I usually do is dab a bit of SP on the front part of my index finger and insert it, facing the front / flare of my nose and then sniff. I find that way I can sniff pretty hard but not get a throat hit. Only trouble is it does look a bit strange and is only really suitable for indoor private use.
I have a bulk 400g supply of Toque SP extra… only problem is it burns like a mofo…I’ve went through many tins of this with no problem…I keep it in a mason jar in a cool dark place I don’t think freshness is an issue …can anyone help me deal with this burn
When you decant some into your snuffbox, try airing it a little before use.