Yet another noob thread

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  • Karanya
    Member
    • Oct 2009
    • 402

    #1

    Yet another noob thread

    Hey folks,

    I'm sure you're all tired of the noobs like me by now, but I don't think I'll be peppering you all with *too* many questions. I've been lurking for a couple of weeks now and have read hundreds of threads, but just now went ahead and ordered some Genuine Swedish Snus.

    I've been an unrepentant two-pack-a-day smoker for 10 years.. switched mostly to the e-cig to save $$ and avoid spilled ashtrays but ehhh.. even the stoutest 48mg liquid is just not cutting it, unless I inadvertently get a mouthful, then I feel better for a while.

    My first experience with snus took place about a month ago, when I received a General sampler pack. I hemmed and hawed and eventually popped in a General Mini Mint, which seemed the least likely in the package to kill me dead. I did not die but all I tasted was BURNING and SALT and HOLY SHIT MINT.

    I felt nauseous almost instantly, and it wasn't the nicotine. It was the memories of teenage boys I saw when I was a kid, dipping wads of Skoal the size of my fist and spitting voluminous streams of brown spit. That's pretty much the only association I had with any kind of oral tobacco use, but I've finally gotten over THAT now.

    I gave the rest of the sampler to my brother who I'm still trying to convert, but anyway... I'm thinking about reclaiming it if he doesn't try it within the next week, but it's a 50 mile drive, so perhaps not.

    After that, I got some Discreet samples and thought, hey, this isn't too bad. No burning, too sweet for all day long, but definitely working better. Still not strong enough I think, at least not for after meals, early morning, before bed, etc.

    It tastes good, and my husband seems to like it, but it's just too desserty for me.

    So I've ordered a broad selection of single cans, mostly based upon what I've read here and my own tastes. Please critique if you want to. My tastes are pretty eccentric, heh.

    For reference, I like fresh fruit but don't care for sweets or desserts much. I enjoy a glass of good, dry red wine and a few shots of Captain Morgan here and there... oh and Wild Turkey. I love spices of almost all kinds. I don't care much for mint, at least not when combined with tobacco, and even mint Discreet burns like the fires of hell.

    I'm not interested in los, at least for now. Perhaps at some point.. I'm open-minded.

    What I would love is if someone would take the brands/varieties I've chosen and rank them in what order I should try them and let me know an approximate saltiness for each.

    From GetSnus.com:
    General Onyx - I've heard the pouches are comfortable and the spiral looks pretty neat. And it's black! I like black.
    Goatrape #2 - The combination of juniper and berries sounds fascinating.
    Gotlandssnus Flader - From what I've heard, it's herbaly, flowery and appley. Gotta try it.
    Oden's Extra Stark Cinnamon - Anything cinnamon must be tried, and I wanted some strong stuff in the mix.
    Roda Lacket - I needed another can to get my freebie from GetSnus.com and this sounded interesting.
    Mystery Can! Woo!

    From Northerner:
    Oomph Licorice-Lemon 6mg - I picked up some Oomph because I've heard it hits like a truck and there are times when that would be a very good thing.
    Oomph Citrus-Menthol 6mg - Mostly with my husband in mind, but I will also try this.
    02 - I love the ideas behind this... no drip? Slimmer portion? Sign me up!
    Probe Whiskey - I had to try it. In general, I enjoy rum and whiskey-flavored things and this sounded interesting.
    Claq Qui - The can makes me happy.

    Thanks!

    --K
  • Qor
    Member
    • May 2009
    • 197

    #2
    Welcome to Snuson!

    Your choices sound pretty good to start. Keep us updated with what you like/dislike. And always remember that your tastes with snus will change dramatically over the months/years.

    All of that looks good. You will really enjoy the Roda and Oden's. They are very good snuses. I would rank them, but I am currently at work and just popped on to welcome you here before Sagedil. Trust me, you will understand a few months from now. He pops out of the woodwork when you least expect it!

    Thanks,

    -Qor

    Comment

    • Karanya
      Member
      • Oct 2009
      • 402

      #3
      Thanks for the welcome, Qor!

      I may start with the Roda Lacket as a relatively "safe" choice and see how it goes from there. I'm still feeling out just how much nicotine I need but I suspect it's a fair bit (situationally, anyway), thus the inclusion of some of the more potent stuff. I don't think the regular 8mg portions will cut it when I would normally chain-smoke like crazy.

      I get the feeling that snus is a lot like wine. When I first started drinking it, I liked sweet white wine, but now I like the dry-as-a-bone reds. Anything I don't care for now will be going into a freezer bag and into the fridge or freezer. Too bad I couldn't do that with the wine!

      --K

      Comment

      • JPono
        Member
        • Sep 2009
        • 415

        #4
        Hi Karanya,

        I'm a relative newbie here too. The amount of research and time you've put into your choices is impressive! Like you, I have a palate for dry red wine and spicy. I'm still in the process of sampling things, as you are, but I have a feeling you're bound to find something on your list that will satisfy your taste buds and nic cravings.

        Welcome!

        Comment

        • Qor
          Member
          • May 2009
          • 197

          #5
          Originally posted by Karanya
          Thanks for the welcome, Qor!

          I may start with the Roda Lacket as a relatively "safe" choice and see how it goes from there. I'm still feeling out just how much nicotine I need but I suspect it's a fair bit (situationally, anyway), thus the inclusion of some of the more potent stuff. I don't think the regular 8mg portions will cut it when I would normally chain-smoke like crazy.

          I get the feeling that snus is a lot like wine. When I first started drinking it, I liked sweet white wine, but now I like the dry-as-a-bone reds. Anything I don't care for now will be going into a freezer bag and into the fridge or freezer. Too bad I couldn't do that with the wine!

          --K
          When I first started I used regulars. But I felt that after a while I needed more of a nicotine hit to get rid of my cravings. Then I began using sterks, mainly Skruf Stark. Those completely hit the spot. However, then I found Lucky Strikes (No longer sold in the U.S.) and I just started using those nonstop.

          Long story short, at first while you are getting over that initial hump, sterks work really well. But in time you will notice that you do not need a "fix" or "hit" to curb the cravings. You will begin to notice that your nicotine levels are not dropping to the floor and you needing a sterk to pick it back up. Instead they will stay at a steady level where you no longer have cravings and this can be done with regular portions (8mg nic) as opposed to sterks.

          I no longer require any hit or fix. Now I snus for the enjoyment of it and that it maintains my nicotine levels. Trust me, you will go through some ups and downs, but stick it out and it will be the best thing you can do for yourself both health-wise and enjoyment-wise.

          Hope that helps!

          -Qor

          Comment

          • Karanya
            Member
            • Oct 2009
            • 402

            #6
            Steady state!

            Yes, that's definitely what I want to achieve. I'm a little odd in that I don't really care what my nicotine consumption is. My blood pressure is actually *too* low so I don't think nicotine consumption is likely to cause much harm.

            I love the idea of longer-acting nicotine rather than the endless up-down-up-down of cigarettes. I can always tell when I'm at just the right level because a cigarette seems neutral -- I could take it or leave it. Not enough and it sounds delicious and enticing. Too much and it's more like "blech".

            --K

            P.S. Thanks for the welcome, JPono! Sounds like our tastes are pretty similar. I had to point out my palate because I didn't want anyone to assume I should go for extra-fruity minis just because I've got an innie instead of an outie What snus do you like so far?

            Comment

            • justintempler
              Member
              • Nov 2008
              • 3090

              #7
              Welcome Karanya,

              Newbies usually like flavored snus which masks the salt. Once you get used to the salt then you won't need the flavors. It's just a matter of sticking it out until you don't find the salt objectionable.

              I didn't need ekstra sterks to kick my smoking habit but I did chain snus. When one portion came out another went in. It looks like you've got a good variety just keep switching it up until you find what you like. 8)

              Comment

              • sagedil
                Member
                • Nov 2007
                • 7077

                #8
                Welcome to Snuson Karanya

                And NO, we never get tired of new questions. At least I never will. I love how it makes me remember my own journey, make sure I never take this adventure for granted.

                Standard advice now, it will take you afew weeks to get used to the salt of the Swedish. Just takes that long for your body to acclimate. SO be patient at first, what you are tasting now WON'T be what it tastes like in a month.

                Also, don't be too quick to judge any snus. If you don't like at first, give it a rest, try again in a few weeks.

                And ask any questions you want.

                Comment

                • Karanya
                  Member
                  • Oct 2009
                  • 402

                  #9
                  Such a friendly welcome -- you guys (and gal(s)) rock!

                  Could anyone tell me which of the snus I've ordered are the least and most salty? I like salty foods but I'm still getting used to the idea of a salty snus. Also, my gums haven't quite recovered from the first few days of "full-time" snusing and salt can definitely irritate already-sore flesh so I'd love some idea of what to expect.

                  From what I've gathered, the Oomph should be low (or non-existant) on salt but packs a serious punch and is probably best for when I need a major kick in the rear. Other than that, I'm kind of at a loss.

                  --K

                  Comment

                  • Veganpunk
                    Member
                    • Jun 2009
                    • 5382

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Karanya
                    Such a friendly welcome -- you guys (and gal(s)) rock!

                    Could anyone tell me which of the snus I've ordered are the least and most salty? I like salty foods but I'm still getting used to the idea of a salty snus. Also, my gums haven't quite recovered from the first few days of "full-time" snusing and salt can definitely irritate already-sore flesh so I'd love some idea of what to expect.

                    From what I've gathered, the Oomph should be low (or non-existant) on salt but packs a serious punch and is probably best for when I need a major kick in the rear. Other than that, I'm kind of at a loss.

                    --K

                    From your Getsnus order, Roda Lacket. I haven't tried all of your order, so I won't answer that. Roda is a good choice, that was the first snus I really really liked. Welcome to Snus-On. We never get tired of questions, hell we still ask some too! :wink:

                    Comment

                    • VBSnus
                      Member
                      • Jul 2009
                      • 532

                      #11
                      You know, I've never found any snus to be too salty. Maybe I eat too much salt to notice!

                      When I first started snus I went straight to Thunder Wintergreen, thinking that there's no way some little packet will pack the punch of a smoke so I better get the strongest thing I can find. That was an awesome starter snus...fresh taste, good nic hit, etc.

                      I got a little disheartened when my gums started hurting, but I found out that was normal and that it would feel better after a couple more days. About that time my orders of Skruf Stark White, Nick and Johnny Strong portion, and Claq Qui came in. I have to say I didn't like the skruf stark white (I'm not a fan of whites), and I absolutely loved Claq Qui. I think you will too, it is the most 'fruity' snus I've tried thus far.

                      At this point (a couple months later) my favorite snuses are Thunder Wintergreen (still) or Thunder minimint, Oden's ES, Claq Qui, N&J Stark, Skruf Cranberry, and and and...you know what, I kind of like them all. Except whites!

                      Welcome to SnusOn! Try the Claq Qui when it comes in, I think you'll like it.

                      Comment

                      • eyephantom
                        Member
                        • Jul 2009
                        • 333

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Karanya

                        From what I've gathered, the Oomph should be low (or non-existant) on salt but packs a serious punch and is probably best for when I need a major kick in the rear. Other than that, I'm kind of at a loss.

                        --K
                        welcome...from what I can recall, the cardboard taste of oomph overwhelms any traces of salt... It's extremely rare that I ever pick up salt and when I do, it's never intrusive, so I certainly can't help in ranking your selection, which looks pretty diverse. I agree that the roda is an excellent first choice, not only because of the fruit flavorings, but you'll experience less drip since it's a white portion. The claq qui was also a good choice as it packs an amazing nic hit relatively quick. I recommend opening everything immediately upon arrival and alternating between them until you find something you dig.

                        Comment

                        • Snusdog
                          Member
                          • Jun 2008
                          • 6752

                          #13
                          Welcome to the forum Karanya. My gig is primarily los so I don't think I will be able to help you much with the specifics but what I would recommend is to start with 4 or 5 types. Spend a week with them alternate the brand with each use. Find your favorite, keep it out to keep using it, and freeze the rest for later. Start with the next 4 or 5 and so on. That way you will be able to spend time with each and not overwhelm your taste buds.

                          Anyway welcome and hope this helps. Keep us posted on your progress.
                          When it's my time to go, I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my uncle did....... Not screaming in terror like his passengers

                          Comment

                          • MojoQuestor
                            Member
                            • Sep 2009
                            • 2344

                            #14
                            Hi Karanya. From the sound of things you probably picked the snus you would end up liking least from the sampler. Speaking for myself, I like the mini mint least (and find it the least "snus-like") out of all the General I have tried. (Next least would be the wintergreen, and I even like that.)

                            At this point there's not much I can add to what's already been said. Just trust your intuition and what you know about yourself. Snus can surprise you--it has me--but it has been a lot of fun, the few weeks I've been into it.

                            Most of all, give it a chance, and know that whatever you think now, things will change as you get used to what it's all about.

                            Anyway, I think it's going to be interesting, hearing/reading your thoughts on things. Have fun.

                            Comment

                            • Redbeard
                              Member
                              • Sep 2009
                              • 390

                              #15
                              Welcome, Karanya.

                              From your GetSnus order, I think I detected the most salt in Onyx and GR2. From your Northerner order, I recall both Probe and Claq Qui tasting fairly salty, though I've never tried Oomph or 02.

                              For my tastes, the salt was only overwhelming the first week or two. I've been snusing for two months now, and I'm getting to where I rarely notice it anymore. As has been stated, your tastes will evolve.

                              Good luck and, again, welcome!

                              Comment

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