In praise of General

[squeezyjohn]

You know, General was one of the first varieties of Swedish snus that I ever tried and I really didn't get the appeal at the time - my first impressions were that it was a dark and complex flavour - and as a beginner I found it a bit overwhelming.

I've been living with General and it's spin-offs for about 7 years now on and off - and as I have grown to love it I am always amazed at the way it never bores my palate at all - some days it can even taste completely different to the day before ... the flavour is so complex and balanced that it can be affected by what I've been eating, my mood ... even the weather.

Some days I delight in the lemony citrus notes giving a light and airy feel, the next I will get the distinct taste of pencil shavings (cedar wood - dark and evoking forest floor) ... then again I could experience the sweet and musty liquorice at the front of the taste which is reassuring and comforting - or I could get a peppery burn that makes me feel alive. On some days the deep tobacco comes to the fore making me realise that I am still in touch with the old traditions and the leaf that satisfies my cravings and then again I can taste the bergamot which evokes Earl Grey tea and the classic snus taste - but it never dominates! The balancing act that this snus is able to straddle is absolutely amazing!

So I give you the most popular snus in Sweden ... General ... an absolute classic ... nay, a work of genius!

[Skell18]

I too, love general, I could quite happily use it exclusively.

[chadizzy1]

I too, love general, I could quite happily use it exclusively.

Since late 2009 when I first tried General White, General has been my all day every day snus. I mix up the type - white, original, long, tailored - but the bulk of what I use is General.

[Skell18]

Since late 2009 when I first tried General White, General has been my all day every day snus. I mix up the type - white, original, long, tailored - but the bulk of what I use is General.

There is always a portion or general something or other in my daily use. White portion or Ekstra sterk usually, but rustic blend and smoky oak have worked their way in there.

[chadizzy1]

There is always a portion or general something or other in my daily use. White portion or Ekstra sterk usually, but rustic blend and smoky oak have worked their way in there.

I burned out on Smoky Oak after a few cans. But Rustic Blend I throw in a portion every now and then.

[Burnsey]

Yes to General. I always have the original portion in rotation, frequently the ES, and I am working my way through my first can of los which very good as well....

[trebli]

To me there is a huge difference between General Original Portion and General White Portion. To start, the aroma of one is nothing like the other. The initial taste is different too.

[Tristik]

~~
I don't usually use General, but I'll give them praise for how hard they've been pushing to get their product into stores here in the US. Knowing I can buy some wintergreen and original portions when I have issues between orders (like right now) is awesome.
~~

[Skell18]

To me there is a huge difference between General Original Portion and General White Portion. To start, the aroma of one is nothing like the other. The initial taste is different too.

Use both of them at the same time to really see it, white is saltier than the OP and the white smells more lemony out of the can to me.

[Skell18]

I burned out on Smoky Oak after a few cans. But Rustic Blend I throw in a portion every now and then.

Rustic blend is a firm favourite, smoky oak is odd, but a good odd, I really like it. Saying that I have only had 4 cans of it, but on my next trip to Sweden I will be buying a roll, and many rolls of rustic blend.

[squeezyjohn]

I find that the different versions of General actually emphasise different sides of the same flavour.

Rustic Blend is heavy on the lemon notes and fresher whereas smoky oak has much more of the tobacco and cedar wood notes.

General Extra Strong is much darker and sweeter and more liquorice and tobaccoey.

Onyx is very heavy on the bergamot.

Original portions and los are a perfect balance of all the tastes.

White portions (and general strong white) have a more peppery taste.