In terms of quality standards, which country produces the highest grade snuff?

[Premium Parrots]

Spain, RIP Spanish Jewel. Nothing else could compete.

Oh dear Whalen............
Spanish Jewel is hiding safely in my snuff humidor.





I think I'll let a bit of 'er out tonight.

[Faylool]

Nice read. Why I'm on the forum. Hadn't considered some this to date. Thanks

It really has less to do with geographic location and more to do with the company/blender.

Swedish Match produces some of the "healthiest" nasal snuff around (in terms of contaminants and TSNAs) in some of the shittiest hellholes in Africa, where people can't even use the natural water supply because it's contaminated with human waste. Swedish Match then spends 40 million dollars creating a freshwater treatment plant specifically to handle their tobacco farms. Another unscrupulous snuff maker could set up shop in the same town and produce a snuff using the natural water supply and it could end up giving somebody Ebola or something. But because the manufacturer advertises that he uses the same resources as Swedish Match, people are conned into thinking they're buying an SM-grade snuff. Not so. It's not really like you can say "African snuff is dangerous" because if it's made by a large, reputable company, it's probably pretty safe. But if it's made by a local medicine man using ingredients like rhinoceros penis, then yes, African snuff can be pretty dangerous.

There are some Chinese snuffs out there that are made with exquisite care and premium ingredients, just like they were 300 years ago. They're every bit as legendary as Spanish Jewel among Asian snuffers. But on the other hand you have snuff made in sweatshops by 5 year old kids using a wooden pulverizer where dogs walk around pissing everywhere and there's no running water for miles around.

I was sent a Spanish snuff that had a frigging dead dung beetle in the can. On the other hand, Spanish Jewel is often regarded as the best snuff ever made by certain "connoisseurs."

America is no better or worse than the other countries. Our standards are a bit higher overall than say China or Afghanistan but we can still turn out some substandard products.

I would have to say that on a whole, the most consistent manufacturers have always been the German, Swiss, Dutch and British. (We're talking strictly nasal snuff in this post).

[horus]

I have full confidence in anything from Europe or UK. I use the occasional Indian snuff, but I don't fully trust it. I won't put anything from China in or on my body. I trust American tobacco, but don't completely trust the processing. I use Americans, but I wouldn't feel good about doing it full time. All are my opinion, and based on little fact.

Could you shed some light on the Indian snuffs? I do know they have higher levels of radioactive compounds than others, probably due to the soil there.

[lxskllr]

Could you shed some light on the Indian snuffs? I do know they have higher levels of radioactive compounds than others, probably due to the soil there.

Not really. I don't have anything factual. I'll give my impressions, which should probably be given the same weight as a small bag of feathers.

India is basically a third world country, with third world infrastructure and equipment. I wouldn't expect anything they do to have consistency. Shortcuts may be taken, and any lax regulations that are in effect could be overlooked for expediency. Ingredients are sourced from several places, and that leaves room for more issues, since there is probably greater variation in cleanliness and control. I don't believe they have the outright fraud China has. I think Indians are of better character, and won't purposely put people at risk to save a few pennies. They strive to make the best products they can, but sometimes fall short due the shortcuts, and lack of oversight.

[Bigblue1]

@LX I love the new good traders pic....

[lxskllr]

@LX I love the new good traders pic....

Thanks :^)

The old banner was hard to read, and cramped. My signature was also getting out of control, and taking up too much space. When I get a bit of time, I want to make the the trade button round. I have to learn how though.

[Frosted]

I'd say out of the lot, Fribourg & Treyer have by far the best quality snuff tobacco but unfortunately most of them smell like my grannys handbag. They do a few really good ones like Old Paris, Princes and Santo Domingo. Out of the grannys handbag scents Justice is best. As the tins are of excellent quality the snuff stays moist and fresh longer than any others.

[Zimobog]

I like anything British. Toque, F&T/WoS, Viking, Abraxas, etc. Always top notch.