Islay Whisky Portion

[squeezyjohn]

No - it isn't pasteurised ... it is fermented - that's what that text says and also the blurb on islaywhiskysnus.com - the swedish word is Svett which means literally to sweat the snus - it is the old way of making snus and because it happens at lower temperatures it allows some microbial action on the tobacco ... which leads both to a delicious flavour ... and unfortunately to the production of TSNAs too.

I don't know whether fire-cured is definitely used ... but it sure tastes like it is ... and there is no liquid smoke included in the ingredients which is the case for many brands of snus.

I can definitely taste the fermented nature in this snus which is why I find it so delicious - but I was asking specifically if the snus had been tested for TSNAs and if it was much higher than average for a modern snus.

[piks101]

In addition to the review I have a couple of questions - Maybe GN could answer:

Because Islay Whisky Snus is fermented rather than pasteurised - does this snus contain much higher TSNA levels?

Every time I've made snus with fire-cured tobacco it has tasted bad - is this because I am doing it at temperatures that are high and changing the taste?

Well the process still seems to be a pasteurization method of sweating not a standard fire-cured tobacco. See below:

The tobacco has been barrel aged (in the actual whiskey casks from Scotland) to develop it's maximum flavor! The tobacco is 100% Lamina, meaning no filler, only pure tobacco. The snus is also produced differently, "We use the ancient traditions, we sweat the tobacco in the fire room instead to pasteurize it. Pasteurization is an effective and quick process and has advantages in mass production. The time consuming perspiration was the way that all Swedish snuff was produced until 1981. When one sweats tobacco and does not stress it you get a cleaner and clearer tobacco flavor in the finished snus." The cans are all numbered, which stresses further how limited this snus is and the effort that went into the details of producing a small batch, to ensure the utmost quality. http://chadizzy1.blogspot.com/2014/0...uary-2014.html

[squeezyjohn]

In addition to the review I have a couple of questions - Maybe GN could answer:

Because Islay Whisky Snus is fermented rather than pasteurised - does this snus contain much higher TSNA levels?

Every time I've made snus with fire-cured tobacco it has tasted bad - is this because I am doing it at temperatures that are high and changing the taste?

[squeezyjohn]

My review for Islay Whisky Snus

Let me get straight to the point here - I've seen other reviews saying it doesn't taste strong enough of whisky, or saying that it's not a massively strong flavour ... and that misses the point of this snus completely. Islay Whisky Snus is made with an attention to detail, tradition and craftsmanship like no other snus that has been made since 1981 - it tastes completely different to all snus I have ever tasted and I think that is fantastic.

When I speak to older Swedish people who use snus they always lament how all snus has changed beyond recognition since Gothiatek was introduced to Swedish Match (who back then had a monopoly on all snus making). The reason was health - which is a great thing - using steam pasteurisation rather than fermentation, and air cured tobacco instead of fire-cured has brought the TSNA levels of all snus down massively - but at the cost of the traditional taste. With the expertise of Connie Andersson and the ambition of GN tobacco we now can taste this traditional taste once again.

So the snus itself - well, when you open the can the smell is completely different to anything else I've ever had from commercial snus - if anything it's more like a fairly natural american dip. It smells sour, smoky, chocolatey and you can just detect the whisky - it's kind of like Cope mixed with Ettan.

And the taste of the portions - well ... it's not an instant hit - at first it's very salty - then the subtle whisky kicks in and finally the rich tobacco comes flooding through in the taste. It's a very natural tasting snus - absolutely delicious, rich and slightly smokey without being overpowering. But do yourself a favour if you have a tin of this and cut open 2 portions, shake out the snus inside and make yourself a nice fat prilla of los (it won't stick together brilliantly - but you can do it) ... the difference in the way the flavour gets going is totally different and a 100% improvement. I've noticed this with my own recipes - with a natural tobacco snus you loose 80% of the taste when you put the snus in portion bags and it's exactly the same here - portions only really work when there is a whole lot of flavouring going on with essences and oils involved.

As stated before - the tin is really classy and the perfect package for what is undoubtedly a truly premium product.

Conclusion:
9/10 - A truly crafted gem of a snus - a premium product with a fully justified premium price tag. It would have been 10/10 but it's soooo obvious that it was screaming out to be a los snus product to be perfect - but still absolutely worth getting in portion form.

[piks101]

wife is stickler on budget has no real idea cost of dip/snus relative to usage. why wake up a sleeping dog.

[Thunder_Snus]

That is what I figured. I told him to order online hold for pick-up at UPS and pay online with prepaid visa. I will probably add to my next order and send him a few tins.

One might ask why your friend married this individual?

[piks101]

Online only.

That is what I figured. I told him to order online hold for pick-up at UPS and pay online with prepaid visa. I will probably add to my next order and send him a few tins.

[chadizzy1]

Ok, I have two Cope buddies interested. One asked, if you can get retail in U.S. or does it have to be ordered online? My guess is that he wants to keep the purchase retail/cash to keep wife out of the know.

Online only.

[piks101]

Ok, I have two Cope buddies interested. One asked, if you can get retail in U.S. or does it have to be ordered online? My guess is that he wants to keep the purchase retail/cash to keep wife out of the know.

[jagmanss]

Man! I have got to order some of this....

[Snusdog]

But.....BUT.......BUUUUTTTTT.....It was supposed to be los

[whalen]

Yes GN... I just stand out by the mailbox and wait....and wait....patiently. I wave at the kids and pet the dogs that pass by. It gets cold and rather lonely at night....but I know you would never let us down..

Skelly and I are having a contest on who has to wait the longest, so far czechzar has us both beat by almost a year.

[halocog]

GN, I sent you a message on Facebook. I got my Islay in today. This stuff is great and I'll certainly be ordering more.

[GN Tobacco Sweden AB]

[GN Tobacco Sweden AB]

Really?????? When was it added to the site???? *girlish scream* wooooooooooooooooop!!

You send e your address and i fix... To whale and frosty as well