What do YOU want in American snus?

[weeg3]

Hi guys, it's weeg3 - i haven't been on the forums for a while due to life just being hectic and crazy.

I currently work for a growing US cigarette manufacturing company that is looking to expand its product line to include snus, and I've been asked by the owners to ask around and find out what it is that snussers are really looking for in an American made product.

I've done Camel and Marlboro, as well as some American snus that should never have been called "snus" in the first place.... (Tourney - bleh.). I'm also familiar with the Discreet and discontinued Triumph product as well. We wish to stay true to the Swedish style, but to also create a snus product that people will buy.

So before this whole thing goes into the works shortly here, I'd like to give you the opportunity to pick my brain and tell me your likes, dislikes, thoughts, ideas, etc.

What do YOU want in American snus?

[tom502]

Tourney was not "good", but it was Swedish snus.

What I want, and I think most of us, is something that is not "flavored", but rather seasoned tobacco, and not sweet, or if it is, just very slight to enhence the flavor, not overtake it, no overbearing artifical flavor and no overbearing artifical sweetner. Something akin to the top Swedish brands. And, if you do make this, try to not need it to be refrigerated, and available at gas stations and groceries.

This is my suggestion. And 1g portions, not less than 20 in a can. Or maybe not even use a can, but something like the Discreet sealable bags.

[bipolarbear1968]

Actually Camel and Marlboro snus should be called "snuhs" instead.

Bergamot ala General is pretty popular.

[Treath]

I'd like a nice fully pasteurized American snus that tastes like leather/juniper berries/spices.
A snus that isn't in pouches. I like loose snus.

[danielan]

Hi,

Here's my list - more or less in order.

1. Swedish process used
2. Low-TSNAs - and the info published
3. Ingredients listed on the can
4. 8mg nicotine/portion
5. Not sickly sweet
6. Available in good/interesting flavors (coffee, mints, citrus, berry, etc.)
7. 20-24 portions for $4.50 - $5.00
8. Expiration date on the can
9. Catch lids

1-4 you need to be snus, IMO.
5-6 you need to be palatable.
7 I need to be able to afford it
8 I like to know how old it is
9 Let's keep this a clean habit

Thanks!

[PipenSnus]

Basically, American snus should be a true competitor to Swedish snus. We don't want a "dumbed-down" version. The Swedes have been making snus for over 200 years -- American companies should be imitating them, not trying to re-invent the wheel. There's probably room for some new flavors tailored to the US market, but they should be the equal of Swedish products in nicotine strength, quality, quantity and price. Not to mention that both "unflavored" and flavored versions should be available, and a variety of portion sizes, as well as loose American snus.

[AtreyuKun]

Bergamot ala General is pretty popular.

Beat me to it. For me, bergamot is a must. You can make something that tastes like Camel or LD White, you've got a customer ofr life.

[lxskllr]

No overbearing flavor. Odens did cinnamon perfectly. I'm not a big fan of that as a snus flavor, but the flavor level was perfect. If you do something, and there isn't a Swedish make that's similar, you're probably doing it wrong.

[LaZeR]

I would like to see a sorta mix between sKruf & Oden's Kanel (cinnamon)... A little rose oil & cinnamon with at least a 12mg nic & as mentioned at least 20 per tin/seal-able bag, ect... No artificial sweetner or sugars. Oh and make it in a lös also. Pasteurized only. No Fiberglass!

[Darwin]

I'm sure that any new product will be of limited range but hitting the ground with one flavor in original portion, white portion, one sterk and one loose would be about right. It could be a straight tobacco flavor, hints of citrus, or other fruit like blueberries or oranges. No heavy overbearing flavors--tobacco predominates. Bring out one flavor in the four versions then follow up with other flavors every few months to a year or so. Three or four distinct but subtle flavors in four each versions would be a very nice lineup. And for heaven's sake put some decent nic in them and pitch them as quit smoking products not mere temporary alternatives like Camel and Marlboro. Lastly use Chad, Lxskllr, Larry W, Snusdog, Sagedil, Premium Parrots, and perhaps Xobelot as testers. Do not hold development and tasting clinics with non-snus users.

[bsd777]

Hi,

Here's my list - more or less in order.

1. Swedish process used
2. Low-TSNAs - and the info published
3. Ingredients listed on the can
4. 8mg nicotine/portion
5. Not sickly sweet
6. Available in good/interesting flavors (coffee, mints, citrus, berry, etc.)
7. 20-24 portions for $4.50 - $5.00
8. Expiration date on the can
9. Catch lids

1-4 you need to be snus, IMO.
5-6 you need to be palatable.
7 I need to be able to afford it
8 I like to know how old it is
9 Let's keep this a clean habit

Thanks!

+ 1
I'd enphasise that we would want to KNOW the product is manufactured in the Swedish process, have ingredients listed and published TSNA numbers.

And one major difference for me. I don't care for teabag/profilactics covering my snus. Make mine los please!
I'd concentrate on a "regular" flavor for starters. Something like Roda Lacket, Grov, Knox or LD. I'd do flavors occasionally. The only loose flavor I've enjoyed is anis from Gotland. It is phenomenal and I use it often. Buy and try these. Then go do good things! Good luck

[bsd777]

I would like to see a sorta mix between sKruf & Oden's Kanel (cinnamon)... A little rose oil & cinnamon with at least a 12mg nic & as mentioned at least 20 per tin/seal-able bag, ect... No artificial sweetner or sugars. Oh and make it in a lös also. Pasteurized only. No Fiberglass!

I'd probably also enjoy a cinnamon loose, if it were done as well as Gotland does anis. I've never tried Oden's. I'm afraid to. The can looks like V2 and I've yet to find a product they make that I like.

[tom502]

I like V2 snus the best, and I mean the portions, but everyone else seems to really like their los.

[weeg3]

I'll try to hit everyone up with a response as I can.

We know a few things so far:

1. We want a product that is done in the Swedish style - which means pasteurization, pasteurization, pasteurization with an underline! I have been a dipper in the past, and I won't put myself behind a product that isn't true to the snus I know and love. We want to stay away from comparisons to smokeless products like Camel, Skoal, Cope, Marlboro, etc. We want a product that holds its own to Swedish products.
2. Keeping low TSNA's is very important to me personally as a user myself. I know it is for the owners as well.
3. We have talked about a "straight" flavor and one additional flavor to start, though we have not decided what (however, staying away from dip flavors, like cherry, is a must).
4. Although it hasn't been ruled out completely, I don't think we will be starting out with los. I am pretty sure the starter line will be portion only.
5. Expiration date, I definitely feel this will be going on our product.
6. Once the product is developed, I would definitely be going back to some of our snus lords for their opinion, as it's extremely important to me.


Things that I will discuss:
1. One of the things that I like about Swedish snus is that the ingredients are listed. I tell people, "Look at the ingredient list. And after you translate it, do you see anything strange in there?" I think that this is important to the owners as well. Although we may not be legally allowed to say that snus is better than cigarettes (as a manufacturer), that type of honesty speaks for itself.
2. I personally like cans with catch lids. I think that the packaging of a snus product adds to the snus experience that you don't get with pouches, even if they are easier to carry/hide.
3. I think that the Frosted Long + is a good size, personally. But I also like 01 Lab Series for a regular. There are portions out there that I just feel uncomfortable having in my lip (General's Onyx, for example), and I'm not entirely sure which way we'd like to go size-wise at this time. I have, however, tried to make the point that minis, while discreet, just aren't worth the trouble.
4. We haven't decided on a nicotine level, whether regular or sterk. I'm not sure if we'd like to do just regular, just sterk, or a mix.

As far as price, or number of portions, I really can't say at this point in the talks, but I'm sure those details will get ironed out as we move along.

One thing that I keep in mind is that snus is a niche market. Can we please veteran snussers and still entice newbies to share the experience? It remains to be seen - we hope to accomplish this.

[weeg3]

Other questions I have for your guys.... what was your first snus? What drew you to keep snussing?

And for your favorite snus, why do you like it so much? Is it the flavor, the cut, the nicotine delivery, the aroma, the design - what "does it" for you?