A newbie's first snus orders -- first impressions

[PipenSnus]

Well, my orders from Northerner and PremiumSnus/SnusCentral arrived today, so now I have several new varieties to sample. Big fun! (If you want to see a list of what I ordered, click this link: http://www.snusforum.org/forum/showthread.php?15035-Another-newbie-joins-the-ranks)

I'm pleased to see that the praise for Northerner's fast shipping was no exaggeration. The Northerner order was shipped 2 days later than the other one, but they arrived together. Nevertheless, the PremiumSnus order only took a week, and that's still pretty good for shipping from Europe to the middle of the US.

What I'd like to do with this thread is to share some of my experiences and observations as a brand new snuser, including first impressions of the brands I'll be sampling. I'm not going to call them reviews, as I think "review" implies that it's from someone who has an educated palate. If there's enough interest in my ramblings, I may expand this thread into a blog, so please give your feedback.

For starting thoughts -- I'm already discovering that snusing is quickly becoming my preferred method of nicotine delivery. It can't be beat for convenience and location-friendliness. I don't have to interrupt anything I'm doing or go to a designated spot. I just pop in a portion, and I'm good to go. I'm still smoking a few ciggys -- I think I've had about 5 or 6 today -- but that's more out of habit than anything else. And I plan to continue pipe smoking once the ciggys are gone, but there are a number of other reasons to enjoy a good pipe besides nicotine.

I've already sampled a couple of new brands today, but I'm still putting my thoughts together about them. I'll post an update to this thread soon with my impressions on those, and more updates as I try more brands. Meanwhile, let me know what you think so far.

[timholian]

I smell a blog!

[Mr. Snuffleupagus]

Sounds great, keep it coming!

[sagedil]

For starting thoughts -- I'm already discovering that snusing is quickly becoming my preferred method of nicotine delivery. .

If you have seen my probably 50 posts about quitting cigarettes with snus, it has been something I have said always happens. Snus is just so much better, it always wins in the end if given a fair shot.

Enjoy the order, I look forward to reading some of your thoughts.

[PipenSnus]

If you have seen my probably 50 posts about quitting cigarettes with snus, it has been something I have said always happens...

I did indeed see some of those posts, and took you at your word. What comes as a surprise is that it's happening so quickly.

On to some observations on brands...

Oomph Citrus/Menthol 6 mg

I was very curious about purified snus, as harm reduction is a big part of why I'm exploring this option. I was half afraid the Citrus/Menthol would end up tasting like a lemon Hall's cough drop, though. Instead I got a very pleasant lemon taste, not too sweet. Like lemonade with just the right amount of sugar. The menthol hovers in the background, adding a touch of coolness. Once in a while, the menthol flavor combines with the pepperiness of the tobacco, creating a background flavor that makes me think of a blend of exotic spices.

I didn't get the big initial nic hit with this that some have experienced, but it seems a little more strong than other portions of the same size. Not by much, though. Overall, a very pleasant snus with no real negatives other than the nic hit is a bit on the mild side. Not one I'm likely to buy a roll of, but I'll probably want to keep a can or two around.

I also like the can design very much. I'm afraid that most Americans, when they see the traditional round cans, will automatically think "dip", with all the negative connotations most people have about dip. Nice to see some manufacturers trying to break the mold with the design. I wish more would. I may very well continue to use the can after the snus is gone, just restock it with another brand.

More to come...

[PipenSnus]

Not everything about snus is great

The one thing I am definitely not digging about snus is that ammonia smell many brands have. It's not terribly strong, but it doesn't have to be -- a little ammonia goes a long way. It's not really a problem at home, but I don't want to leave the house carrying a strong-smelling snus and have people wonder if I've been rolling around in my cat's litter box or something. Maybe I'll just have to be picky about what brands I carry.

OTOH, I've only smoked 3 cigarettes today, and no desire for more. That's pretty freakin' amazing.

Another first impression...

Göteborg’s Rapé White

Being someone who can't tolerate the smell of gin, let alone the taste, I was prepared to hate this one because of the juniper. But I was pleasantly surprised, and I'm glad I didn't let my preconceptions stop me from trying it. The primary flavor is lemon, with faint juniper notes adding only a tasty herbal backdrop. Of course there's the tea-lemon/bergamot-smoke-salt-pepper flavor combo that I gather is the General "signature taste", but here it's much milder than in General Original White, and that's much more to my liking. Nice nic hit, too. I'll probably try to keep at least a couple of cans around, and now I'm eager to try GR #2, as well.

What the heck, I might as well add...

Röda Lacket

Another tasty SM product, and another keeper. Take everything I said about GR #1 above, and substitute "berry" every time you see "juniper". (Except I've always liked berries.) I wouldn't mind at all if this had a little more berry flavor, but it's alright as it is. Plus I really love the look of the can label -- very elegant. The bold red, black and gold design reminds me of something you might find in a Chinese emperor's court centuries ago.

More to come...

[danielan]

I don't want to leave the house carrying a strong-smelling snus and have people wonder if I've been rolling around in my cat's litter box or something.

My sense of smell is shot after 20+ years of smoking, but I can't smell a closed can. I can't smell anything in my fridge either.

Which brands are you having a problem with?

[PipenSnus]

Which brands are you having a problem with?

Most of the brands I've tried so far, other than General Mint and Oomph Citrus/Menthol. But you're right, I only smell it when the can is open. It probably won't be a problem, it's just that my paranoid streak is showing. *blushing*

[Zombish]

I agree with you about the ammonia smell. From when I used snus last summer, it was a concern for me as well. I noticed that my first order had some really strong ammonia smels. I dunno if it was from the heat or what. I ordered from snuscentral, and it was shipped regular mail in the middle of july, so we're talking like 110 in the shade, and my mailbox was in full sun, so I had pretty toasty snus Seemed to me that the general onyx held up the best, ie no ammonia smell, but from what i have gathered, some brands have more ammonia than others. From what I've read, that smell will go away, after a bit. Again, with so many different varieties out here, I'm sure you'll find one that works for ya, and no cat pee smell. lol On a different note, I was amazed that on my first order from northerner, after getting the box out from the packing envelope, I could smell a very slight citrus-y smell... was very nice, and not at all what I was expecting. I think I'll definately have to go with the UPS 3 day delivery from now on. At least then my snus isn't roasting in the heat as much.

[PipenSnus]

My order from PremiumSnus had a can of Catch Eucalyptus in it, and when I opened the package, that was the first thing I smelled. I have yet to sample that brand, but I'll probably do so soon.

[tom502]

I never notice an ammonia smell, even with nasal snuffs. I guess it's just me.

[PipenSnus]

An unexpected benefit

One of the more surprising things I'm noticing since I started snusing is that my stress levels are dropping. It didn't take much thought, however, to understand why. As a smoker, spending much of my day in places where I couldn't light up, somewhere in the back of my mind there was always a nagging worry -- what William Burroughs called "the algebra of need". It wasn't really a conscious thought most of the time, but some subterranean part of my brain was always thinking about how soon I'd go into nicotine withdrawal, and when I could manage to get my next fix. It sets one up to be in a constant state of low-grade stress, and stress builds up over time. Now, I can calm my urge for nicotine anytime. No algebra of need, no stress.

Time for another first impression...

02

My first sterk portion. I really, really wish O2 came in a white portion. Why? Because the only thing I don't like about this snus is that some portions are so juicy that when I pop one in, I get a big blast of pepper that heads directly for the back of my throat. I've learned to keep a beverage handy to prevent a brief but intense coughing fit.

Otherwise, however, this is a great snus, my favorite of the "unflavored" snuses I've tried so far (which, admittedly, haven't been many yet). After that initial blast, 02 mellows out very quickly. The portion material is very soft, and the long shape fits well. This is one of the most comfortable portions I've used. The flavor is complex and sophisticated -- woodsy, smoky, and herbal notes doing an intricate dance, while underneath is just a whisper of caramel-like sweetness that ties all the other flavors up into a big happy package. The nicotine dose is substantial, but it doesn't hit you in the face. Instead, it sneaks up behind you and wraps you in a big bear hug from which you can't escape (not that you'd want to, anyway). Definitely a snus that I'll stay stocked up on.

And another brief one...

Catch Eucalyptus

Great concept, lousy implementation. There's just way too much eucalyptus in this one. Mint with just a whisper of eucalyptus would be nice, but this tastes like the reverse. If I want a cough drop, I'll buy Hall's. This is going to the back of the freezer. Yuck.

More to come...

[lxskllr]

I really like the Catch. It was an early favorite of mine, and I still enjoy it on occasion, but not so often. I just don't use portions much anymore.

[tom502]

I would not mind a straight up Menthol snus. I know General has a Menthol labeled snus, in South Africa.

[Owens187]

I smell a blog!

Hell, I smell a new Chad.....