SKëLD - Bundle Cashtal

• Name: SKëLD - Cashtal
• Category: Demi Gros Medicated Schmalzler - A smooth, dark, silky high-nicotine blend
• Grind: Medium to Medium-Coarse - Designed to remain forward in the nose with excellent retention
• Moisture: Moderate - Oily, waxy texture; forms pebbles in the tin and pills easily in fingertips
• Nicotine: Medium to Medium-High - Slow, steady release; moderate intensity
• Intensity: A smooth, creamy dessert snuff with distinctive cocoa character

SKëLD - Cashtal is a distinctive dessert snuff characterised by its rich cocoa casing and smooth, oily texture. The blend of Kentucky Dark Fired, Straight Virginia, and Brazilian Burley, combined with an extract of cocoa beans and paraffin oil, creates an exceptionally easy-to-take snuff with a creamy, luxurious profile that appeals to both novices and experienced enthusiasts.

Initial Impression

Chocolate Liqueur and Cocoa

The opening note is unmistakably crème de cacao—a creamy, chocolate liqueur aroma with a faint wave of alcohol that opens the nose to the aromas that follow. The tin aroma is rich and inviting, reminiscent of a bottle of premium chocolate liqueur. This initial burst is smooth and welcoming, presenting a strong, yet entirely approachable, dessert-forward profile.

Mid-Stage Transition

Creamy Chocolate Mousse

As the alcohol notes gently fade, a rich, creamy chocolate character comes forward—not milk chocolate candy, but rather the combination of natural cocoa accompanied by lightly sweetened cream, akin to chocolate mousse. Beneath this lies a subtle biscuit-dough aroma, likely from the leaf itself, providing a grounding tobacco base. Hints of vanilla and light nuttiness emerge in the background, adding complexity without overwhelming the cocoa profile.

Base Notes

Buttery Cocoa and Tobacco

The experience settles into a long-lasting, consistent profile with buttery creaminess and the natural sweetness of the tobacco blend. The Kentucky Dark Fired and Virginia leaf provide a clean, smooth tobacco-forward foundation that never allows the cocoa to become cloying. The oily, waxy texture helps spread the pinch evenly along the nostrils, creating an incredibly unctuous feeling. Nicotine delivery is moderate and steady, providing a satisfying experience without overwhelming.

Finish

Lingering Cocoa Sweetness

Cashtal delivers a sustained, velvety finish with chocolate, cream, and subtle vanilla lingering pleasantly in the nose. The cocoa character fades gradually rather than abruptly, leaving behind a refined sweetness that never becomes cloying. This makes Cashtal an ideal occasional indulgence—luxurious enough for special moments, yet restrained enough to avoid fatigue. The finish exemplifies the careful balance between the cocoa extract's richness and the tobacco's natural restraint.

Cashtal - The Cocoa-Cased Masterpiece

Cashtal represents Sir Johnny's exploration into a new direction: the marriage of premium tobacco with cocoa extract. This Demi Gros Medicated Schmalzler is crafted from Kentucky Dark Fired, Straight Virginia, and Brazilian Burley leaf—a blend chosen for its natural sweetness and ability to support rather than compete with the cocoa casing. Unlike spirit-infused or medicated blends that announce themselves boldly, Cashtal is designed as a refined indulgence: approachable, luxurious, and deeply satisfying without demanding attention.

The innovation in Cashtal lies in the application of cocoa bean extract and paraffin oil, which creates a texture and aroma reminiscent of premium chocolate liqueur. Rather than masking the tobacco, the cocoa extract amplifies its natural sweetness while the paraffin oil ensures a smooth, unctuous delivery. The result is a snuff that feels as luxurious as it tastes—a genuine departure from Sir Johnny's usual philosophy of allowing tobacco to dominate, yet executed with the same uncompromising attention to ingredient quality and balance that defines the entire SKëLD collection.

Cashtal - The Ancient Fortress of the Isle of Man

A name born from the Isle of Man's most ancient and powerful landmark, Cashtal embodies the island's deepest roots. Named for Cashtal yn Ard—meaning "The Castle of the Height"—this magnificent Neolithic Chambered Tomb dates back over 5,000 years, predating even the Pyramids and the Viking Age. Though it is a tomb, its colossal size and monumental presence on the landscape led the Manx people to name it Cashtal, acknowledging it as an ancient fortress built by the earliest inhabitants of the island. This snuff is a tribute to the enduring legacy of those who first shaped the Isle of Man.

For Sir Johnny Scott, Cashtal marks a deliberate departure from his core philosophy. While his other blends prioritize tobacco as the dominant voice, Cashtal invites cocoa extract to share equal prominence. This represents not a compromise in standards, but an expansion of them—a recognition that luxury and indulgence have their place in the artisan snuff world. The cocoa extract and paraffin oil are applied with the same precision and restraint he brings to every SKëLD blend, ensuring they enhance rather than overwhelm the carefully selected leaf.

Philosophically, Cashtal honours Cashtal yn Ard's role as a bridge between epochs—a Neolithic monument that has witnessed millennia of human history. Similarly, this snuff bridges Sir Johnny's traditional tobacco-forward approach with a contemporary interpretation of luxury. The result is a product that feels both timeless and modern, rooted in heritage yet unafraid to explore new territory. Like the ancient tomb itself, Cashtal endures—not through dominance, but through the quiet confidence of something genuinely exceptional.