Skruf Xtra Stark cant believe my eyes

[LaZeR]

:x I want some! Both los & portion!!!

Jonathon, can u here me now?

[chadizzy1]

Thought I'd share my recent review too. This is some strong stuff!


If you read my preview article for Skruf Xtra Stark, I noted the following. "Also, apparently, they are "not allowed" to communicate the exact nicotine level, but the Xtra Stark is around 20%-30% stronger than Stark, and the nicotine level can "differ between cans", which by my math would put the nicotine content between 16.8mg to 18.2mg. So, on the upper end of nicotine "potential", that would make it the strongest snus on the market, on the lower end, it's still hovering in Oden's area at around 17mg. Definitely going to pack a kick!" That being said, it's still not known what the exact nicotine content is per can, but rest assured, it's alot. 17.5 would be the average mg nicotine level if you average the low and high amounts for what it COULD potentially be. Now, about this snus. I'm not the biggest fan of extra strong snus. Early in my snus journey, I was a huge advocate of Thunder Frosted, as most are when they first come onto snus. But, as time went by, I began to chain snus sterks (strong portions), and found myself unable to enjoy regular portions. I gradually backed down to being a regular portion user, with the occasional sterk (General Sterk, of course, and Nick & Johnny), and would rarely feel the need to exceed the nicotine content of these. But, occasionally the need comes along to feel that extra kick, so at times I'll reach for a Thunder, or an Oden's ES, or even a General Ekstra Sterk, to feel that extra push.


I've always been a big fan of Skruf, they have a very unique flavor, a cool can design, and a strong snus. Skruf Stark packs quite a kick, and I enjoy it because it comes in a white portion - which is of course my preference when it comes to snus. Somewhere along the way, the snus machine at Skruf decided it was time to kick it up a tad, and push out an ES, which they call "Skruf Xtra stark". As noted above, the nicotine content is....well, insane. How strong? Well, we don't know exactly, but guessing 17.5mg is a good start. And it lives up to it's name. To date, Skruf Xtra Stark is the heaviest hitting snus I've tried. The nic hit is stronger than Oden's ES, and Thunder, which is saying alot - because those are my "bad day" snuses, when I need that little extra.


The portions are dark and moist, packed full with a rich flavored tobacco, and very comfortable in the lip. The aroma of Skruf Xtra Stark is a very deep and rich tobacco aroma, with a little citrus, and a slightly sweet overtone tying it all together. It is a very pleasant scent. Rose Oil is very aromatic, and is very present in the aroma profile of Skruf Xtra Stark. The nicotine hit is like a train - quick, hard, and long lasting. About 10 minutes in I felt a kick, and it did not let up until the very end.

The flavor of Skruf Xtra Stark is a very balanced flavor of rich, dark tobacco with subtle hints of sweet Rose Oil blended in (a characteristic of the Skruf brand), a gentle salt balance, and a mellow undertone of citrus. For those who don't know, rose oil comes from steam distilling crushed rose petals, and is used in various things - including perfume, and rose water. It is used in various cuisines, including Iranian, and is also a flavoring ingredient in Turkish Delight. The French use rose syrup from this oil to make rose flavored scones. This added ingredient blends quite well with the rich tobacco flavor and subtle bergamot/citrus flavor in Skruf Xtra Stark.


But, we can't let the portions have all the glory. After working through several portions over the past few days, I decided it was time to venture over to the can of los. When it comes to los, I don't use many strong snuses, other than the occasional General ES, and sometimes an Oden's to start the day off, depending on my particular snus mood for the day. When I opened the can I was greeted by a very dark, rich, moist snus radiating with the a pure, but sweet, tobacco aroma. The obvious presence of rose oil was mingling quite well with the rich tobacco aroma that I noticed with the can of portions.


Armed with my trust gold 0.5 Icetool (I had to go all out, a heavy hitting snus deserves the heavy artillery!), I went in. A well formed pris of Skruf Xtra Stark Los went into my lip, and the flavor came on almost immediately. The very rich (I'll be using this word alot, it's one I don't use for many snuses, but this one is well deserving) tobacco flavor, a mild citrus flavor mixed in, the subtle hint of rose oil marrying the citrus and tobacco with it's sweet flavor, and a mellow salt balance (a little saltier than the portions) bringing out the finer elements of this snus and mixing in with the other flavors to provide the great mixture that I had enjoyed with the portions. After moving the pris around a little bit with my tongue I was able to taste a little more of these flavors, and wow, they are good. This tightly packed pris, and all those after it in my extensive tests, held together quite well with minimal mudslide. The nicotine hit wasn't as immediate as with the portions, but it did come on within the first 15-30 minutes with each pris of Skruf Xtra Stark Los. The flavor stayed strong until the very end, and though parting is sweet sorrow, I went on about my day at turbo speed. This truly is a strong snus.

All in all, a great snus with a very rich flavor and a strong nicotine hit. Both portion and los deliver a great flavor and a helluva kick! A strong (and I mean it in all senses of the word) addition to the Skruf family.

[BadAxe]

Man, I love reading you reviews Chad (and everyone else's as well). I only wish I could taste snus as detailed as you. I wish there were that many flavors and textures going on in my mouth when I snus.

When I snus portions, if I want a taste of snus, I have to blow air into my upper gums. Otherwise, I do not taste the snus. While it is just sitting there I get no taste, from any of them. From the Frosted and minted ones, I get a mint feel of course, so I guess I can taste the mint, but thats about it. Even the stronger flavored ones like Grov Black and Onyx, Unless I blow air up there to intentionally taste it, I just don't taste the snus. I wish I did taste it more. I love snus as it is, and if the tastes were more prevelant, I would love it even more. And when I DO taste it by blowing air into my gums, In no way do I ever taste things like "A citrus bergamont mix, with the rose oil marrying the 2 together and a slight salt balance", LOL. I am in no way making fun of your descriptions there. I am just jealous if you really do get all those tastes and flavors from a snus. Thats really awesome.

Thanx for the review. Mine should arrive anyday now.

[chadizzy1]

It takes time as your tastes develop. I'm sure guys like sage, or lx or any of the vets can pick up more from a snus than I can, but it comes with tim. If you read my earlier reviews, they weren't as good, haha.