I quite enjoy this snuff. It is an atypical flavor done very well. It has a herbal, piney quality to it (somewhat hoppy too, but I wouldn't say predominately) that would complement sipping a fine ale or lager as is stated in the product description. Very dry and fine like other McChrystals that I've tried. I recommend it. Give it a go!
You don't see many hop-scented snuffs on the market, and for a hop lover like myself, that is a shame. Fortunately, I can always come back to this snuff to get my hop fix. Delivering a low-moderate dose of nicotine on the back of a fine, powdery grind of medium moisture, Fine Keg offers hop-like aromas of grass, lemon zest, pine, and fir before undertones of earth, toffee, biscuit, malt, and butterscotch contributed by the tobacco peek through the jumble of zesty, resinous hop impressions. I doubt this snuff will be for everyone, but if you are a fan of hoppy beers, this should be right up your alley.
Fine Keg is a micro-powdered snuff whose dust chalks the back of the throat on a strong intake. When first addressed, it is initially floral with a small bite that sears, which quickly dissipates after the first pinch. As the nasal fog clears, the flavour morphs into citrus blossoms blended with effervescent hops, producing a mild fizzing sensation that tickles the openings to the eustachian tubes. Fine Keg is a good companion to beer, such as a Belgian Wheat or an India Pale Ale. It triggers memories of warm afternoons basking in the early spring sun on the terrace of La Rose Blanche in Brussels’ Grand Place.
Definitely an acquired taste. I love IPA's and hoppy beer, I have never smelled real, fresh hops - but I imagine this comes close. Not an all day snuff, but it would go well with a beer on a summer's night.
The label is just cool looking on this one to top it off, the blackish/grayish background with yellow letters and the German Stammheimer Hopfen Schnupf title is just great. This one is not available in smaller tins unfortunately, but who cares. Anyway, to the snuff: Looking at the label and seeing that it is a hops flavored snuff, you get this Idea of what it may be like. I love hops and beer particularly IPA’s which are ultra hopped beers. I pick fresh hops at my grandmother’s house every summer as she has a huge hops vine growing in her backyard. I also love to brew beer too. Now, I imagined this snuff to smell like the spicy aroma you get when you crush a fresh (or dried) hops cone in your hand. This is what I was hoping for anyway. When I received my order this was the first tin I was waiting to crack. And there it was, low and behold that aroma I envisioned. The tobacco itself was a dark golden tan with a fine grind, although very east to take, with a slight burn. The smell itself is just hoppingly awesome, and will carry on for quite a while. I love this stuff. This snuff paired with any beer is breathtaking, and if taken with an IPA in hand is hop heaven. McChrystals really spun out a masterpiece on this effort and definitely is on my top 5 list of snuffs. If you like hoppy beers or are an herbal enthusiast, this is a must.