I was runmaging around my local market (not a supermarket lots of small stalls) amd was looking in a small head shop selling fake grass and motorhead t-shirts, the usual stuff, when unbelievably I saw a tray of Top Mill No 1. I’ve not seen this on sale anywhere apart from the North of England brfore, apart from online.I bought a couple of the small square tins but was fairly sure it would be stale. Well, it was not in perfect condition but still pretty good. I’ve not had this for years so opening the little tin and getting that unique aroma was like going back in time. Top Mill - in its own subtle way - is unique. Its just has its own smoky, dry flavour with very faint hints of an SP type base. This snuff was beloved of miners in Burnley in Lancashire (where I’m from) and many other Lancashire and yorkshire towns. Its basic, almost rough, but delicious none the less. It’s light brown, medium mill and nicotine and has a similar burn, maybe a little less, to a medium Scotch. It was unknown even on the net until a year or so ago but is now stocked by some of the suppliers; well worth a try.
Yes it is still available here snuffster, in-fact I can get those little blue tins of Top Mill Nº. 1, S.P. Nº. 1 & Medicated at my local post office less then 10 min. walk. They seem to have a good turnover so they are quiet fresh.
I’ll get that on monday via mail. English friend recommended it, that was the only snuff he knew by name and he used it during the Falklands war with Royal Marines, when smoking was a no-go. For him, snuff is for war and smoking for peace.
I hope he found it a comfort, that was hard fighting that our troops did.