American Snus

[jaylp11]

"American" snus

I've tried camel. Thank goodness I had read up on Swedish snus before making a final decision on snus. Camel is crap. I could never get that chemical sweetness out of my mouth. As for the nicotine, it was practically non-existant. BTW, Camel is made by a Swedish company and imported to the US via BAT. As for Marlboro, it's made from cured tobacco, same as Skoal or Coppenhagen. It's no different than dip, except for the "flavor strips", so I never even gave it a try. As far as I'm concerned, the US tobacco industry is not serious about selling snus in this country, and their choice of flavorings plays right into the hands of anti-tobacco zealots who want to claim that snus is being marketed to kids.
Don't get me wrong. I like flavor. I'm lovin' the heck outta some General White portion wintergreen right now. However, it's a (for lack of a better term) more "mature" flavor, and not something that would appeal to children, IMHO. Luckily for me, I have a tobacco shop in my city that sells a VERY limited variety (4 kinds to be exact) of Swedish snus, so I can pop in 7 days a week and pick up a can for $4.87. That said, I prefer ordering on-line. Better deal, better selection. There's my 2 cents worth, for what it's worth.
Jay

[jmcphail]

I haven't had a chance to try the Marlboro, my town seems to be Camel country. The Camel is, well, to its credit it's not horribly disgusting. I guess I'm damning it with faint praise. It's so incredibly weak, though, it's not even worth using - it doesn't seem like there is any nicotine at all, and they don't taste very tobacco-like.

I've become a big fan of Lucky Strike portions, actually, but I don't think they fall into the category of "American" snus. They just have a good, long-lasting natural flavor to me, and they seem to have plenty of nicotine.

[sagedil]

One last thing to add to this thread. I agree that Camel always takes a bit fake to me, and is NOT my preference on most days. BUT..... At least now I can go to the corner gas station and buy Snus when I run out, and my next shipment from Buy Snus hasn't arrived.

I got caught up in Buy Snus terrible switch to Swiss Post, What normally took 4 days to get to me took 12 instead. Camel was a life saver when I went dry. right now, I am SO broke until Monday, that I have to wait to order my next shipment, but I have a few bucks and can buy a tin of camel every three days.

So I look at it this way. Until I can find an American smoke shop here in Raleigh that sells Swedish Snus, I will ALWAYS be grateful that Camel has entered into the market, and will throw them a bit of money each month just to try and make sure they stay. I may not smoke anymore, but I will always need my nicotine. And I like having a backup when that craving hits

[Lakemonster]

I personally think that Camel is much better than Marlboro.

I do agree that the American interest in snus will always lean towards the "dessert menu".

I think the marketing gurus recognize that if they were going to break into the American market with snus, that it had to be completely different in taste from standard snuffs on the market. Domestic snuffs like Copenhagen and the like have a somewhat similar taste to Swedish snus (kinda), so I think that American companies needed to break in with not only a new way of using tobacco (spitless) but also a whole different taste as well.

As much as I hate to admit it... I do think they are targeting a younger crowd with snus here. As much as I'd like see things as an appeal to the ladies with this product.... I dont think theres much of a shot. Theres a stigma in the US with smokeless tobacco, and in many cases, it is impolite to use smokeless tobacco in the presence of ladies. Weird, huh?

The one thing going for American Snus is that there is a portion of the tobacco using public that will be very drawn towards a product that is discreet, not messy and does not have the undeniable smell of fermented tobacco.

[OzCatter]

Add another KC native to the tried the Camel list.

It was ok, nothing compared to the real stuff. The frost though is absolutely disgusting in my opinion, it might have been the grossest tobacco related product I've ever tried

[databat]

IMO, the spice tasted like Big Red chewing gum. Strong cinnamon, but after about 30 minutes looses most of that flavor. Then you have to mash it with your tounge but you can pick up a slight peppery/spice hint of something.

For me the frost tasted like Doublemint gum. It was a nice change from the spice, but wasn't all that great. It's better than American dip of you run out of Swedish snus.

But really, Camel snus vs. Swedish snus = hamburger vs. big juicy steak

[countzero]

Hi everyone. Another new snuser here. I've been reading along for about a week now, and finally decided to jump in.

I'm in NC, US, and we have easy access to the Camel stuff here. I have only tried the Spice flavor, but the Original will be up next. I agree with others that the chemical sweetness is pretty disgusting, but some actual saltiness comes out if you leave it in long enough. I would agree with the Big Red gum comparison.

I am in the process of dropping cigarettes, but love the nicotine and tobacco taste. I have never liked traditional American smokeless tobacco forms and the "redneck" stigma that goes with it. I love the complexity and flavor option that I am reading about here in regards to snus. I'm a pretty big coffee and whiskey snob, so I could not resist placing a big order to test out as much snus as possible. I am awaiting the Northerner's Portion Snus Mix shipment. I would have gone for the loose, but the wife and co-workers probably wouldn't go for the snus bits between my teeth. I may venture out a bit later.

Thanks for all of the good info here!!

[chainsnuser]

Welcome to the forum, countzero!

Northerner's Portion Snus Mix is a good choice for a beginner.

But you really should order some loose snus, too, if only for times, when you're alone. Loose has some obvious disadvantages, but it is easier on the gums, much more tasty and releases more nicotine. Also, it doesn't make you salivate, like some portions do.

Swedish Snus needs some getting used to. It burns on the gums for the first days and it is very salty, but the nicotine-kick and the overall taste is just great from the beginning.

Good luck with your first (Swedish) snus-experiences!

[Anti]

Welcome to the forum, countzero!

Northerner's Portion Snus Mix is a good choice for a beginner.

But you really should order some loose snus, too, if only for times, when you're alone. Loose has some obvious disadvantages, but it is easier on the gums, much more tasty and releases more nicotine. Also, it doesn't make you salivate, like some portions do.

Swedish Snus needs some getting used to. It burns on the gums for the first days and it is very salty, but the nicotine-kick and the overall taste is just great from the beginning.

Good luck with your first (Swedish) snus-experiences!

I thought that portions were easier on the gums?

[Juxtaposer]

Portions tend to be abrasive to the gums. However you are correct!
To all - Read - Research reports / Oral lesions @ www.gothiatek.com!

[chainsnuser]

Anti and Juxtaposer,

it's just my personal feeling, that loose snus is easier on the gums. I'd go crazy, if I had to stress my gums with portions, all day.

Gothiatek is very trustworthy, though it is, after all, a promotional site, maintained by Swedish Match and though it gives only abstracts of the relevant scientific studies.

I just think that there is still much scientific work to do, when it comes to smokeless tobacco and from the abstract about oral lesions, I can't see, if they compared some hillbillies with bad oral hygiene, using crazy amounts of loose snus, with some health-conscious upper-class-people, using one or two miniportions per day. Portions give a higher profit-margin for the manufacturers and less nicotine. So, whoever sponsored the scientific studies, cited on www.gothiatek.com , may have played a role, too.

But again, it's just my personal opinion, that loose is better. I personally use portions as well as loose snus, but if I had to choose between using only portions or only loose snus, I undoubtably would choose loose snus.

It really seems strange to me, that so many people, who try snus for the first time only start with portions in their first order. My first order was very small, only 5 cans (because I absolutely didn't know at that time, if snus really is the right thing for me), but 2 of these cans were loose snus, regardless of Gothiatek's studies, which I already knew.

I know, that many people have no other choice, than too use portions, at work and in private and for what reason ever, but I only can recommend, if possible, to take the chance to try loose snus as well.

Cheers!

[Juxtaposer]

I agree completely!
All things considered loose snus is the way to go.
I will definitely be getting an Icetool for that Landstoms that I will eventually get. :wink:
I love baking by hand but I won't be messing around with the good stuff.

[Blackwidowman]

Loose

I'll second that, loose formes to my gums not portions a lot more comfy

[countzero]

Tried Camel Original

I ran out of Camel Spice while waiting for my shipment from Northerner, so I gave the Camel Original a whirl. While it still has that really artificial sweetness, it has less then the Spice. I enjoyed the clove/cinnamon taste of the Spice, but it had waaaaay too much of that sweetener. Its almost like sticking a clove/cinnamon covered nutrasweet packet under your gums.

The Original is a little more tame, with almost a tea-like taste to me, but still too sweet.

I'm looking forward to my shipment of the real thing which should arrive today.

Thanks for the suggestion on the loose. I'll probably order some after I wind my way though this first shipment. or portion.

[OzCatter]

I've been slowly using the Camel Spice for the last few week also as I wait for some cans I got from BuySnus, some General and others, got an assorted mix.

Generally, the tobacco in the Camel Snus tastes very fake and artificially like others have said, I dont really understand why either.

But once I get some money, I'm thinking of getting a nice Icetool and some loose to try