Trying Swedish Snus Right Now

[Luke49783]

I first tried snush a few years ago when the Camel stuff came out. It was alright, though it didn't really seem to have much nicotine. Tonight while I was at the gas station I saw that they had General Snus and it was on promo for 99 cents for a 12 pack. I bought some Nordic Mint to give it a shot. My first impression was that the mint flavor was very nice. I can definitely feel the nicotine. There's a less pleasant taste in the back of my throat now, however. I'm not sure how to describe it.

I had to pause in the middle of typing this and go take out the pouch as it was starting to make me feel ill. I don't think the nicotine is the issue as I smoke cigarettes on a regular basis.

Has anyone else experienced this? Does all Swedish Snus have this element?

 

[wavescrashing]

Most General Snus has an herbal/Anis flavor profile. After a while in your mouth, it will start to taste peculiar.
Some Snus can knock you back a bit. Odens in particular offers a 17 mg of nicotine/pouch blend. I's a punch in the mouth, and your first few cans WILL make you woozy. High amounts of sugar (i.e. cup of OJ or a soda) will cure nicotine sickness pretty quick usually. I smoke a few cigars a week and used to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day until a few years ago and Snus still gets me every once in a while. I'm sure it has to do with direct consumption/contact with the nicotine in your mouth.
Hope this helps.

 

[Boro62]

Even when I was smoking about a half a pack to a pack a day of cigarettes, Thunder Snus would still make my stomach feel ill...some of that stuff has a serious nicotine punch...I found that the general mint snus didn't mess me up as bad and had a pretty good taste to it as well.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I like the General Classic, just tobacco, no other flavors added. I found the mints and such to be a bit too strong and burning.

Even if you are a pretty heavy cig smoker, yes, a lot of the snus will nicotine overload you. It's a much faster delivery system than smoking.

 

[Cartier]

Also, not sure if you are aware, but put the snus pouch under your top lip instead of the bottom. This is how snus is traditionally used. It lessens the saliva flow yet still circulates enough for proper nicotine absorption. Allows for a more mild and pleasant taste.

If you are interested in more varieties I would recommend you check out:

getsnus.com

They have some very nice sampler packs at great prices. Best of luck.

 

[Luke49783]

It's probably the anise flavor that I was tasting. I'll have to pick up some regular next time I stop at the gas station along with a Mountain Dew. I did have it under my upper lip, so I don't think it was a matter of excess saliva.

Does General White have the same anise flavor? Their site says it has a citrus taste, which might work out better.

 

[zatopus]

Does General White have the same anise flavor? Their site says it has a citrus taste, which might work out better.

It has a bit of it. But because the outside of the pouch isn't wetted with the "juice" it is longer before the flavor comes through. Roda Lacket white has more of a citrus flavor to me. Not like sucking a lime or anything, but a little hint of it.

After a while with just about any snus there is a unpleasant taste in the back of my throat. More often with the higher nicotine blends for me anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if it was anise however. I drown it with a slug of coffee when it happens and carry on. General white and Roda lacket white are my go too snus flavors. But General is much easier to find locally.

 

[shamelin]

It's probably the anise flavor that I was tasting. I'll have to pick up some regular next time I stop at the gas station along with a Mountain Dew. I did have it under my upper lip, so I don't think it was a matter of excess saliva.

Does General White have the same anise flavor? Their site says it has a citrus taste, which might work out better.

I'm using General White right now. There is a little anise flavor. I agree that General has a bit of a nicotine kick.

My favorite snus maker is Catch. The nicotine level is just right, and I prefer the Eucalyptus. It's a little minty, but less than a mint based snus- a little citrusy, but less than a citrus snus.

 

[sychodelix]

If you haven't used snus before, it can hit you like a ton of bricks. As for me, I used Oden Extreme and Thunder for a good while before going back to General Original. It all depends on how much nicotine you are used to.

I personally stay away from minty or other overly flavored snus.

 

[NCStateFan12]

Although the Misses has convinced me now to stop, I enjoyed snus for a while. At first, I remember the nicotine being very strong but you quickly get accustomed to it. I don't remember exact figures but I do believe most Swedish Snus have a higher nicotine content than most cigarettes and American snus. My favorite by far was either Goteborg Rape Regular or Lingon or General Original.

 

[COHunter]

I've only tried the General line up to this point and I've narrowed my likes to the Original and the White portion. I've tried the loose, like the flavor but I don't like the consistency. It's almost a paste and once it starts to wander it's a mess.
I have tried the mint and wintergreen but I just can't handle the artificial sweetener they use. I just don't like the cloying aftertaste.

Matter of fact I need to stop this evening and pick up some more while they're on sale for $.99/tin...

 

[Luke49783]

I've only tried the General line up to this point and I've narrowed my likes to the Original and the White portion. I've tried the loose, like the flavor but I don't like the consistency. It's almost a paste and once it starts to wander it's a mess.
I have tried the mint and wintergreen but I just can't handle the artificial sweetener they use. I just don't like the cloying aftertaste.

Matter of fact I need to stop this evening and pick up some more while they're on sale for $.99/tin...

Have you seen White Portion in gas stations? The one I stopped at only had Nordic Mint and Original.

 

[COHunter]

Have you seen White Portion in gas stations? The one I stopped at only had Nordic Mint and Original.

I get mine at a local Smoker Friendly. Haven't seen too much General at gas stations around my place. They have Camel but that's about it.

 

[Luke49783]

I decided to take a break from work and stop by a local tobacco shop that was listed as carrying General. I grabbed a can of Mini-Mint figuring that might be a good spot to start so as not to over-dose myself on nicotine again. It was about $5 for the can. On the way back to my office I stopped at a gas station (same company, different location) to get a Mountain Dew just in case I needed the sugar to fight off a head rush. Turned out they had General there as well, for $0.99 a can, so I ended up grabbing a can of White as well. So far the Mini-Mint is better than the Nordic, but there might still be a bit of that anise flavor, though it's not as bad now that I know what it is.

 

[Luke49783]

Tried the White Portion tonight. The Bergamot flavor at first was good, but then it started to taste like I had a clump of grass in my mouth. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I like tobacco smoked and not in my mouth. Time to look for a pipe!

 

[zatopus]

Tried the White Portion tonight. The Bergamot flavor at first was good, but then it started to taste like I had a clump of grass in my mouth. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I like tobacco smoked and not in my mouth. Time to look for a pipe!

how long before the taste turned?

 

[Luke49783]

how long before the taste turned?

Probably 10, maybe 15, minutes.

 

[zatopus]

Probably 10, maybe 15, minutes.

Odd. With the regular sized portions it is usually about 2 hours before it loses flavor. Be careful if you are drinking anything with it in so you don't wash out the flavor maybe?

If you want to get into snus to quit smoking cigs, I'd keep with it for a week and see if it grows on you. I remember the first week or so I wasn't really a big fan of snus (the rubbing on my gums really bothered me). I was able to quit cigs *YMMV* with snus and the pipe till baseball season ended and I started smoking cigs again out of boredom.

 

[Luke49783]

Odd. With the regular sized portions it is usually about 2 hours before it loses flavor. Be careful if you are drinking anything with it in so you don't wash out the flavor maybe?

If you want to get into snus to quit smoking cigs, I'd keep with it for a week and see if it grows on you. I remember the first week or so I wasn't really a big fan of snus (the rubbing on my gums really bothered me). I was able to quit cigs *YMMV* with snus and the pipe till baseball season ended and I started smoking cigs again out of boredom.

I'll probably give the two cans I have a few more chances. I'm not looking to the snus to quit smoking cigarettes, if my fiancee doesn't buy them (which she's working on) I won't smoke them, I just wanted to try it more than anything.

I'll be careful of what I'm drinking as well.