Hey guys, New snuffer here and don’t understand the various types all that well. Are these snuffs flavored with Scotch whiskey like English snuffs that say Scotch, or are they from the Scotts people or something else? Thanks, Snuffbox
I don’t detect any “Scotch” in them. I sure like WE Garrett Scotch Snuff, though. One of the best in my opinion, but definitely not for beginners, as it’s very strong, dry, and fine.
‘Scotch’ is just a generic name for a certain kind of snuff, the US ones are generally of the scotch type - fine, dry and penetrating, but not to be confused with snuff that has a whisky flavouring. The name goes a long way back into snuff history, when the scots were famous for taking their dry snuff from ‘snuff mulls’ which are snuff boxes made from the tip of a ram’s horn. There was also Welsh snuff and of course we still have the Irish variety - all of them light and finely milled.
Thanks guys. That’s what I was guessing.
I wonder if the term scotch has something to do with its toasty flavor. I think scotch is aged in charred wood barrels and there is certainly a charcoal element in the American scotch snuffs, which is referred to as “bbq” around here.
I think it means scortched. As in lightly burnt. Might be wrong though.
There is an old explanation given by Levi Garrett that is being lost to history as to where the term “Scotch Snuff” was made. It goes as follows. The Scotch are sometimes referred to as penny pinchers. And of course you can imagine one dressed in plaid as squeezing a coin between his fingers to get the last value from it. This was to explain how this tobacco was to be used, a pinch between fingers. Now Scotch Snuff was made in a certain way. It is made with the darker leaves and stems which are deeper in flavor. They cure this tobacco with fire and is called “dark fire cured”. This gives the tobacco its smokey flavor.
1 Like
yep, it has absolutely nothing to do with whisky or being scorched. Its a term that goes back to the 1700’s relating to the type of snuff used by people in Scotland - dry and finely milled, like our modern IHT. The term has lingered on ever since.
Its a great snuff & glad it has held on through history.
Yeah, and besides being delicious they really are a good value.
Thanks again, guys!
hydra, I take offense to that!..though I’m guilty of calling snuff’s crap that other guys like…it’s like insulting my baby, man!
I am enjoying Buttercup Scotch these days. And enjoying it a LOT! I’m wondering about the flavouring? It is floral - Buttercup obviously, but much more subtle, than some of the more “chemical” floral snuffs I’ve tried. The smokey tobacco base is clearly detectable through the flavouring. Just wondering how they flavour this so subtly, and yet very sweet?
I was sort of assuming that it was first made in the U.S. by Scottish immigrants, or favoured by.
I like Scotch snuff but it’s a liking that comes with much caution and respect, kinda like Granddad’s old 10-gauge or a pressurized gasoline blowtorch. Old school, nothing like it in the world, but you gotta watch out or it’ll backfire on you.
@ Filek: LOL!
Its true, there are a lot of spooky monsters and prirates out there. I’ve worked with quite a few.
The more I use it, the more I like it. It has to be the best value in the US. Similar to an HDT but with a smokey rather than toasty flavor. Scotches are quickly becoming my all day snuffs.
Does anyone here know which US Scotch has the least amount of “burnt down campfire” thing going on? I kind of find the “BBQ” overpowering.
Navy and Railroad Mills are both kind of mellow. Fred Stoker’s is close to them too. I don’t know which is the least smokey of all though. As a company, US Smokeless’ seem to be the smokiest.