Expert Review★★★★★ Click to read Tap to read
This snuff comes alive right out of the tap box. The first sniff delivers a full, rounded strawberry note, not the candy kind, not the syrupy kind, but something deeper. It's sweet, yes, but layered with an earthy, almost fire-roasted backdrop. Think of a dark strawberry jam set over embers and glazed until the sugars caramelise. It's a standout aroma that feels intentional. My sample ran on the drier side, enough that I immediately ordered two more boxes to check for batch consistency; my tap box was not a great example of this snuff, with large clumps that were dry to the touch, so lightly sifting the snuff was a prudent move.
The colour is very dark, nearly black in spots, with a coarse presence that likes to clump: coarse clumps mixed in with a medium overall grind, an aspect I'm unsure about. When tapped onto the hand, it breaks into larger pieces, which is a bit of a disappointment. Rolled between the fingers, it does refine into a more usable grind, but expect a bit of residue left behind for your trouble. The dry nature and uneven grind require me to sift or grind in my fingers before snuffing, which necessitates an even hand. Nicotine wise, it's somewhere in the middle of the road with respect to its Vitamin N.
The strawberry itself doesn't come across as ice cream sweetness. Instead, it's a deeper, roasted fruit profile that carries the same warmth hinted at in the aroma. Strong without being overly done. It lingers beautifully in the nose and can provoke a drip if you're not mindful with your pinch. There is a tobacco note sitting underneath somewhere in the rich, hearty, and slightly muddled aroma. It never becomes unpleasant; instead, it rounds things out, adding a rustic backbone to the berry.
A sweet treat without being juvenile, a fruity, almost smoky snuff with some character, and definitely worthy of rotation. I can see exactly why many reach for it when they want something flavourful but not overdone.