I have found two distinct versions of WOS Gold Label. The labels are the same, and one has a good nose burn and a fairly strong citrus (Lemon?) scent. The tobacco in this one is on the course side of medium and has some blondish (Virginia?) specks in it. This version makes my nose run like a faucet and I love that version. The other is a mild SP with a finer grind and looks like the standard WOS Zimbavwe tobacco base. No nose burn and the second version leaves me cold. Are they really different blends or is this the result of the second being stale or something? This is important to me because the first version is my favorite snuff. The first seems related to Lemon Grove, only stronger and better. The second is like a weaker version of Tom Buck. Surely there cant be that much difference in batches. Opinions?

If it is mis-labeled, the question is “Which is the real Gold Label and what is the other one?”

I don’t know, but the one sold at Mars Cigars is called Gold Label Vintage. I bought one from there but the tin is the same. So I didn’t open it and I kept it as a back up. Where did you get your two?

@Nachman, the WoS Gold Label which I’ve got, is also very dark brown with the “blond” specks. Strong citrus flavour with quite a nice nose burn. This snuff has been sitting in a Taxi tin for months now and the taste is still the same. I will re-order because I like it a lot.

My open one sounds like Pieter’s. I just took a look at it. The scent is predominatley bergamot.

I got three tins— two tins that were the mild SP, which I didn’t care for, from Mars and the one I liked was in a 5g tin from a gift pack. Pieter, where did you get yours? Xander, Where did you get yours?

@Nachman, I got mine from Tom NicotineRush in the 12 g tin.

My open one was from Nicotine Rush and the closed one from Mars.

I think I got the second non-descript version Nachman–at least I know now there may be two varieties

OK, I just opened up my Gold Label “Vintage” that was in my reserves. This is the one that came from Mars Cigars. There is definately a disticnt difference between the two. The “Vintage” is paler in color: more of a reddish blonde. The flavor is also different. It is more Lemon than Bergamot. It has that aged character to it, that those of you who have had vintage snuffs will know what I mean. The flavor is more near my old jar of Smith’s Lemon than to any SPs as the standard Gold Label is. It has some similar character to the other herbal Wilson’s, like Thyme & Lemon or Rosemary, more so than it does to their Lemon Grove. The grind of the Vintage may be slightly finer. The labels are almost identical, except that the Mars one does not say Made in the U.K. and simply has the “EST 1737” centered under the name. The warning portion of the label also takes up slightly less of the label. I had hoped that this was a fluke, but it seems this mystery grows even deeper. Perhaps Mike at Mars can shed some light on this? Anybody else?

Thanks for the info Xander. I’'m glad I’m not crazy. I like the standard Gold Label and don’t care for the “vintage” at all. They should explain it in the product description on the site. I thought about not buying Gold Label again. Now I will try another supplier and hope I get the one I like. The one I like clears my sinuses. The other just sits there like a nose full of flour. PS: You are right, the vintage I have doesn’t say “Made in the UK.” The regular does. I have asked Dave at Sharrow Mills to weigh in on this. Hope he does.

Just had a thought on this subject. Tranter’s sell a vintage Gold Label which, although made for them by Wilson’s, is significantly different to the Wilson’s version. I like them both but I only have the Tranter’s on hand at the moment so I can’t make a direct comparison I’m afraid.

Just compared the Wilson´s and the Fred Tranter directly. The Wilson´s slightly darker, but this must bis due to the moisture, I´d say. Seems to be basically the same tobacco. Grind is identical, as are the blond specks you´ve mentioned. But the flavour differs. The Tranter has a slight nose burn and a strong citrus scent, where there´s hardly one noticeable with the Wilson´s. The tobacco flavour´s a bit stronger and also a certain floralness with the Wilson´s. So I´d say the Tranter comes pretty close to your preferred version.

I just got an e-mail from Mike at Mars and he said it used to be called Gold Label Vintage but now is called Gold Label. As to flavor variations he said snuffs can vary a little from batch to batch, but should not vary much. Now I am really flummoxed. I, and others can tell a big difference, but I don’t know why the ones that say "Made in the UK’ should taste so different from those that don’t.

I think one label is just a little older. I think some other older ones I have don’t have “Made in the UK” on them. As for the snuff, that does leave me perplexed as well. Perhaps your inquiry with Wilsons will sort this out.

I received a tin of Gold Label today direct from Sharrow Mills and it is delicious. It has the label which has “Made in the UK” on it. After some research I have come to the conclusion that the other label that has only Est 1737" centered under the words Gold Label must be very old stock,and the difference in scent and strength is a result of age.

Just checked a dozen empty WoS Gold Label tins (small size). Some go back a few months and all have “Made in the UK” on the lids. All bought in the uk from online uk distributors. All are very consistent in taste and grind. Interested to hear what WoS have to say.

WOS told me the difference in the labels is indicative of nothing, neither age nor in formula, but I, and others detect a difference in flavour. They say from time to time there are label changes. The Made in UK label is by far my favourite. I think the one with no “Made in UK” on it must be much older.

Yesterdays delivery of gold label did not have the usual “Made in UK” on the label (changed my supplier). Its rubbish. Far lighter and a slightly finer grind. Sits in my nose and does nothing. This is bought in the uk from a uk supplier. So whatever is happening, is happening here. 25g going where my dusty toque quit went; the dustbin!

London jack did you piss off any gypsies or other people sterotyped as being adept at laying curses on people? You know did they say may your snuff be dusty. I think there maybe something going on there like your mailman or something strange to do with magnets or something. Well good luck with getting none dusty snuff (I do feel your pain though).

@Bob.Strangely enough, only happens when I change my supplier to save a few bob.

See the old supplier cursed you that is the only thing that makes any sense.

Its all coming back to me now. I was taking a shortcut through the remains of St Rodents, the Whitechapel plague hospital, when my way was blocked by an old hag dressed in rags. She said “Looking for a good time dearie. You can rattle my bones anyway up for just one golden guinea”. I declined saying I was feared of the pox and preferred to spend my money on ale and snuff. As I walked away she shouted “Shoppe ye at any other than snuff.me.uk and thy pleasures will turn to dust”.

I knew it.

Surely it’s a bit of a lottery purchasing from any online retailer ? I’m sure even snuff.me.uk has a few old snuff tins hanging around on the shelves.

unless you foolishly did what London Jack did. He should have made the sign of protection from the evil eye.

@BradMajors. You are absoultely right. Unfortunately it seems that there are no “bricks and mortar” specialist snuff shops left in London. Who evere I use on line in the uk, sooner or later sends me stale snuff. The whole of my last order (including the WoS)had to be binned because it was stale. Order directly from WoS on line and you have a horrendous minimum postal charge of £3.00 ($4.50) uk inland royal mail. Periodically I jump on the tube and visit a small shop which sells South African goods in the uk, called downsouthgroup. The only snuff they stock is delightfully fresh NTSU at 99p ($1.50) for a 14 g container which comes direct from SA. Why is it that they can supply really fresh snuff that has travelled thousands of miles when the uk retailers sell stale snuff that has only travelled a couple of hundred. I have decided to stop buying uk snuff until they sort themselves out. I will stick with my NTSU. Lets hope the yanks shake things up now they are in the uk!!

@London Jack: Order a tenner’s worth of Wilsons on the phone and postage is free, although the prices are slightly higher.

@BradMajors. Thanks for the info, very interesting. They keep pretty quiet about it.Their telephone number on the uk site is not that obvious. Bet this is in response to Toque’s online offer of free postage anywhere in the world if you buy over £7.00 ($10.50). Toque should make more of this, because the one thing that really pisses people off is being robbed for postage. It easy to find out how much should be charged. Go to www.royalmail.com, enter the weight (under small packets) and the destination. Add say 25p (38cents) for a jiffy bag and label and that is all we should be charged.

@London Jack: Wilsons have been offering free postage since before Toque even came on the market. It’s U.K. only of course. I just did a quick comparison and it definitely saves to order by post or by telephone, which is a bit bizarre as you’d have thought an online store would have lower admin costs. Four tins purchased online (2nd class post) : £13.18. By post/telephone: £10.80. 1/2lb tub online: £18.51. By post/telephone: £16. 1lb tub online: £31.93. By post/telephone: £30.

@BradMajors. That is a really worthwhile saving, especially if you buy tins. Works out to a fair few quid over the year.

Too london jacks earlier question. The south african store for one only has how many snuffs to stock. Which makes it much easier to know about how many to have in stock at a given time. Since it’s users are probably pretty consistent in their purchasing and usage. Where as the english snuffs the seller probably buys a variety of snuffs which leave the shelfs at a more random manor. Then there is the question of distribution. I rememeber the cigar shop of choice for myself actualy moved a bit of snuff and had new stock every month. Yet the stuff they got was in retrospect pretty old meaning they themselves got it from the distributor pretty old. Now it’s time for some coffee.

I echo BradMajors, in this one, I’ve just come off the telephone with Carol at Willsons after ordering ½lb tub of Grand Cairo @ £16.00 post free. She knows me well, with other orders, and said it should be posted today, but they are very busy. I suppose because of the new website. (I’m in the UK).

Is it sent first or second class post?

Well last time I ordered it was here the next day. Must be first class. I’ll let you know when I receive this latest order.

@Snuff Head and BradMajors. Took your advice and rang Wilsons for some "post free"snuff. It was posted yesterday and arrived this morning. Checked the postmark and it was definately sent first class. Factory fresh. Beautiful WoS Gold Label (my favourite) like I have never tasted before and F&T Princes that is just out of this world. Thanks.

Sorry L Jack, I forgot to come back on that one. Yes mine was first class, you get a nice reception from the staff over the telephone.