Nord 66° X-Strong

[UsualSnuspects]

I was planning to open a "reminder" can of Jaks Strong OP, having abandoned Gotlandsnus just after they stopped making real snus. It was dark, just before bed, and I thought to myself, "Wow this tastes like Skruf!" Turns out it was a can of Nord 66° X-Strong. Once again, where the reviews and product descriptions seem to distinguish the Nord line as lacking the rose oil flavor, I find it just as present in the Nord line as in Skruf.

As for Jaks, when I finally did find that can, I was reminded of what Jaks is famous for: a good can. If it weren't for the artificially sweetened turds inside, I'd say they have a perfect product.

[chadizzy1]

I noticed a lack of rose oil when I reviewed it as well as most of the others I know who have tried it.

From what I've been told, rose oil isn't in the recipe, that rose oil is "Skruf" specific.

[UsualSnuspects]

You don't smell/taste anything Skruffy about it? I've heard "flowers" mentioned, and there must be some scent I'm mistaking for rose oil but that still reminds me of those nylon sachets of dried flowers for putting in dresser drawers -- and that's common between Skruf and Nord 66.

[squeezyjohn]

Frankly - I've got a wedge of Skruf Stark Los in at the moment - and just as with every other kind of Skruf I have ever tasted, I can't detect a single faintest waft of rose oil in the flavour.

Don't get me wrong - I love Skruf - always have done.

But I have a bottle of rose oil absolute in my collection of essential oils, it smells absolutely divine and cost about £40 for 5ml - and honestly there is either none in Skruf, or so little of it that it is only there in homeopathic quantities undetectable by the human nose/mouth.

I think the whole rose oil thing is a bunch of hype.

[wadetheblade]

I can always taste the rose in Skruf. Very distinctive "floral softness" to their suns. I have not tried any of the Nord suns yet.

[squeezyjohn]

Well I've had the Nord 66º X strong for the last couple of days.

And I have to say that it is very similar to Skruf Xtra Stark portions - I have a tin of Skruf for comparison and the Skruf has a very slightly more aromatic smell than the Nord 66º but it is very slight and I cannot really tell the difference in the mouth.

It's not a bad review - I love Skruf XS and I love this too.

My guess is that the whole new branding and the removal of rose oil from the recipe is due to the fact that EU regulations are threatening to remove all "flavourings" from tobacco products including in Sweden and this is part of the arms race to come up with new tobacco-only formulations and get brands well established before the ban is in place. I think that the lab series by Swedish Match is also a similar project.