Hi everyone. I just received my first order of Viking Dark, and in the tin it smells to me somewhat like a cross between Copenhagen Long Cut and Ettan Original Swedish snus (not that I’m saying that either is a bad thing). I’m used to toasts, and they don’t typically have that aroma. Do they add sodium carbonate to coarser snuffs that they don’t add to toasts in order to raise the pH and increase the nicotine absorption? It’s definitely got that “cat pee” aroma that I had to get used to when I first started with Swedish snus - after a while it ceased to be off-putting. I’m NOT saying I don’t like Viking Dark; I certainly do. I’m just wondering about the composition of it. What causes it to be so dark in the first place anyway? Thanks.
I just ordered some, if it smells like dip that’s a huge plus. They add pH adjusters to all snuff just about, makes the magic ingredient bioavailable.
I don’t have any good info on the composition, but I remember being surprised and actually someone disappointed in some of the more natural snuffs and the way they smelled. Not as much in Viking Dark (still somewhat), but there have been others that have reminded me of Copenhagen and dip in general - which I prefer in my lip, not my nose.
After a short amount of time, the comparison disappeared as I got used to the snuff’s aroma, and I usually come around to liking those snuffs - a lot. Same with the ammonia smell. I was quick to air out a tin at first, but after sniffing dry snuff, I kind of like the ammonia scent - smells like freshness. Of all the snuff I’ve had, Swedish Match Taxi Red is the ammonia monster. So strong it almost has a medicated feel to it.
…doesn’t really answer the question, but that has been my experience with the matter.
@Sean - yeah, the first time I ever tried Swedish snus, I was like “did someone let Fluffy take a piss in this, or did they just process it with Mr. Clean”? But now the ammonia smell doesn’t bother me. Weird.
I think it’s your body associating the ammonia initially with something unpleasant and then learning that it can also be the smell of success:) so re-associating it with enjoyment as well.
In my humble opinion, Viking Dark, and others of that genre, get their signature scent through fermentation, which also explains their dark color. Ammonia is a natural byproduct of that process, and only a thorough airing will dissipate the cat piss/barnyard scent that forms the foundation.
I’ve also found similar profiles in Gekachelter Virginie and (gasp!) fresh tubs of GH Kendal Brown.
As for chemical enhancements to lower the pH and make nicotine more available…I can’t say for sure, but base/alkaline agents fall into the same category as ammonia, and may contribute to the catbox characteristics of some of these snuffs, which are wonderful once you get used to them.
cat piss, hehe. reminds me of a story about an old Tomcat, in an apartment vs. an intruder’s mislaid leather jacket…didn’t end well for the jacket.
You definitely get used to the ammonia. Not really a big deal and like everyone above has commented, it’s freshness and does dissipate.
When Chloe, The Maine Coon Guard Kitty, gets weird (when she’s awake, alone or with someone) I need to hide all my dark snuffs lest she gets the wrong idea and decides that big dish of Viking Dark on my desk might be a good place to make a deposit.
I’ve been snuffing my Viking Dark for a couple of days now, and I’m coming to appreciate it more and more. The best way I can describe it at the moment is that it’s like sipping a caramel mocha latte while sitting by a campfire in the woods. Very nice.
That sounds flipping awesome! Can’t wait to try it
My momma goat, Esmerelda, really likes Viking Dark, and Viking Brown! She also likes any old American Scotch snuff. She does not like any Indian snuffs. I accidentally got her snuffing one day when I was opening a tin of V Dark in her quarters in the barn. Well, I just had to mention that to you’all. I like that snuff a lot myself, but not as much as SG Kendal Brown( though it may be the same snuff).
I tried it today, I smell Wrigley’s spearmint? Grind and moisture remind me of my first batches using juxtaposers recipe.
@snuffsahoy - Brilliant! That’s the last thing that would have occurred to me, but then I read your comment and tried another pinch with that in mind, and sure enough - Wrigley’s spearmint! Without the proper mindset, it’s not even an undertone, but in the right frame of mind you can definitely draw it out. Now, I don’t think there’s actually any spearmint in this blend. I think what’s going on is a kind of secondary effect - the way wine connoisseurs will talk of “leather” notes, despite the fact that there’s obviously no actual leather in the wine. Going back to the discussion of the “ammonia” issue, and the sense of freshness, I think that’s what is pushing through a minty note, once you really get into this snuff. There must be other collateral flavors which are working together symbiotically to give us that “aha” moment of Wrigley’s spearmint.
I have a 250g bulk tub of it here and it has a very slight spearmint scent which has mostly faded now. I think there may be some cross contamination at production with Viking Spearmint. I bought several tins before I bought this tub and never detected spearmint in them.
That’s what I was thinking crullers.
So no one else noticed any spearmint with Viking dark? Oh well, I dried a bit out, finished grinding it and sieved it, will let the rest lay forgotten to ferment as much as it will then follow suit, I guess I just don’t appreciate the coarse moist snuffs anymore. I have a steady diet of the opposite, whites, toasts and scotches and find this harder to take, have to sniff too hard. Oh well, glad I tried it, if anyone wants to buy some, 14 cents a gram+USPS, let me know.
14 cents a gram?!?!? Isn’t a 25 gram tin like $5? That’s a pretty darn good discount
Slight loss, but then again it’s either Viking spear or Viking oops. Dunno how pronounced the scent in the spear is but this is pretty pronounced.