I've been living with these for a while, having picked some up at the Norwegian duty-free while I was working over there recently.
If you read my review on the Lundgrens Förbakad pre-formed lös, you will know that this new Lundgrens line of products is walking the dangerous (but exciting) line between the very traditional and the very cutting-edge. It might not please the über-traditionalists, but it is taking snus in a very interesting direction by playing with the delivery methods, at the same time maintaining the use of non-artificial flavourings and priding itself on a high level of tobacco quality.
So - what is it? Well - a quick deciphering of the Norwegian involved shows that it's:
Perforert = Perforated
Ekstra Sterk = Extra strong
Hvit = White
Porsjon = Portion
It's therefore a white portion snus, high in strength ... and it has the unusual quality that the portion material is perforated all over by little 2mm holes which you'd think would fail to retain the snus within, but for the main part it does - with only the occasional grain escaping in the can revealed as a fleck of darkest brown on the otherwise unblemished whiteness of the portions. Interesting ... why have they done that you might ask ... well - you have to put one in to find out!
So if you put your nose in the can - the scent is not immediately delicious. It is, however, intriguing ... a very bright and floral, spicy, almost medicinal scent comes from the can, but that cannot prepare you for what it actually tastes like. At first you get the salt and then very quickly a herbal blend which is dominated by the taste of green cardamom which has it's own unique blend of sweet and savoury. After about 5 minutes you realise that taste has been pushed to the back of the flavour and a dominant, robust tobacco is coming through along with a natural sweetness. After 15 minutes, the tobacco is in full control of the taste yet the cardamom and herbs are still managing to keep going. At this point (gross as it is) - if you were to take the portion out and look at it - you would see the reasons for the little holes, the portion has magically transformed in to something which is indistinguishable from an original portion, darkest brown throughout and bursting with flavour.
I'm not one for keeping portions in all that long - so I can't tell how it gets after an hour of use or more - but within the 30-40 minutes I tend to keep mine in for - this portion delivers from start to finish! The nicotine is very satisfying (I'm guessing about 15 or 16 mg/g) - the taste is interesting, unique and balanced. The portion material is also unique and better than most without the slightest hint of sliminess developing and a great grip under the top lip. All in all - it's a classy and great snus!
Now - I don't want to be writing a review about the unobtainable ... but as far as I can tell, this product is not available online and is probably specifically marketed to Norway in it's Extra strong format. However - most good online retailers (you all know who they are!) are advertising Lundgrens Vit Portion, the Swedish version:
...and I'm willing to bet that this is an 8mg/g version of the snus which I have been describing. In which case I heartily recommend it to anyone. For me the Norwegian Extra Strong version is an absolute triumph ... the new technology of the perforated portions works like a dream in releasing a great deal more flavour than a classic white - and the new Lundgrens herbal flavour really works in this format.
Yum!
If you read my review on the Lundgrens Förbakad pre-formed lös, you will know that this new Lundgrens line of products is walking the dangerous (but exciting) line between the very traditional and the very cutting-edge. It might not please the über-traditionalists, but it is taking snus in a very interesting direction by playing with the delivery methods, at the same time maintaining the use of non-artificial flavourings and priding itself on a high level of tobacco quality.
So - what is it? Well - a quick deciphering of the Norwegian involved shows that it's:
Perforert = Perforated
Ekstra Sterk = Extra strong
Hvit = White
Porsjon = Portion
It's therefore a white portion snus, high in strength ... and it has the unusual quality that the portion material is perforated all over by little 2mm holes which you'd think would fail to retain the snus within, but for the main part it does - with only the occasional grain escaping in the can revealed as a fleck of darkest brown on the otherwise unblemished whiteness of the portions. Interesting ... why have they done that you might ask ... well - you have to put one in to find out!
So if you put your nose in the can - the scent is not immediately delicious. It is, however, intriguing ... a very bright and floral, spicy, almost medicinal scent comes from the can, but that cannot prepare you for what it actually tastes like. At first you get the salt and then very quickly a herbal blend which is dominated by the taste of green cardamom which has it's own unique blend of sweet and savoury. After about 5 minutes you realise that taste has been pushed to the back of the flavour and a dominant, robust tobacco is coming through along with a natural sweetness. After 15 minutes, the tobacco is in full control of the taste yet the cardamom and herbs are still managing to keep going. At this point (gross as it is) - if you were to take the portion out and look at it - you would see the reasons for the little holes, the portion has magically transformed in to something which is indistinguishable from an original portion, darkest brown throughout and bursting with flavour.
I'm not one for keeping portions in all that long - so I can't tell how it gets after an hour of use or more - but within the 30-40 minutes I tend to keep mine in for - this portion delivers from start to finish! The nicotine is very satisfying (I'm guessing about 15 or 16 mg/g) - the taste is interesting, unique and balanced. The portion material is also unique and better than most without the slightest hint of sliminess developing and a great grip under the top lip. All in all - it's a classy and great snus!
Now - I don't want to be writing a review about the unobtainable ... but as far as I can tell, this product is not available online and is probably specifically marketed to Norway in it's Extra strong format. However - most good online retailers (you all know who they are!) are advertising Lundgrens Vit Portion, the Swedish version:
...and I'm willing to bet that this is an 8mg/g version of the snus which I have been describing. In which case I heartily recommend it to anyone. For me the Norwegian Extra Strong version is an absolute triumph ... the new technology of the perforated portions works like a dream in releasing a great deal more flavour than a classic white - and the new Lundgrens herbal flavour really works in this format.
Yum!