What is snuff?
Nasal snuff is a fine ground, flavoured tobacco with three traditional ingredients: high grade tobacco, natural fragrances & water.

According to wikipedia, Snuff is a generic term for fine-ground smokeless tobacco products. Originally the term referred only to dry snuff, a fine tan dust popular mainly in the eighteenth century. This is often called "Scotch Snuff", a folk-etymology derivation of the scorching process used to dry the cured tobacco by the factory.

European (dry) snuff is intended to be sniffed up the nose. Snuff is not "snorted" because snuff shouldn't get past the nose, i.e.; into sinuses, throat or lungs. It is usually (but not always) scented or 'flavoured'. The flavours range from floral, mentholated (also called 'medicated'), fruit and spice among others, either singly or in blends.

Apart from flavours, dry snuff also comes in a range of textures and moistness, from very fine to coarse, and from toast (very dry) to very moist. Often dryness correlates to fineness.

How is nasal snuff made?
Wilsons are still in the happy position of being able to make snuff in the traditional way.

What varieties of snuff are there?

Sharrow snuffs fall into four main categories:

Category 1: The SP Varieties.
Best SP has been Wilsons' best selling snuff for more than 250 years. Its basic aroma is of the finest tobacco leaves with just a hint of the addition of various essential oils of Mediterranean citrus fruits. SP 100 is very similar with a slight variation in the texture of grinding, while Queens and Tom Buck are both stronger versions of Best SP, Gold Label is a milder flavoured SP using 100% American tobaccos.

Sharrow Snuffs in this category:
Best SP, Best Dark, Brunswick, Burgundy, Kendal Brown, Gold Label, Morlaix, Princes, Queen's Extra Stong, SP100, Tom Buck (Extra Strong SP),

Category 2: Mentholated Snuffs.
SM (Sharrow Medicated) is flavoured with a pleasant balance of Menthol Crystals and Eucalyptus oil. SM 500, SM Brown, SM Blue and SM Gold are all variations on SM, the last two with the addition of Camphor. Extra Strong Menthol has an even higher amount of menthol in the recipe. Menthol is simply that, with no Eucalyptus. Super Menthol combines strong Menthol flavours onto a citrus base, which is particularly popular. Aniseed and Eucalyptus is simply that, while Aniseed Extra also uses the more complex citrus base. Crumbs of Comfort uses spearmint as one of its many ingredients, while Country Mint has spearmint on its own. Prime Minister is a glorious mixture of nearly all the various mentholated ingredients with spearmint as the top note.

Sharrow Snuffs in this category:
Aniseed Extra, Cherry Menthol, Crumbs of Comfort, Extra Strong Menthol, Honey Menthol, Menthol, Menthol Plus, Prime Minister, Raspberry, SM (Sharrow Medicated), SM Brown, SM Blue, SM Gold, SM 500, Spearmint Plus, Super Menthol, Ice Liquorice, Vanilla Ice.

Category 3: Scented Snuffs.
Royal George has many different flavours with Violet, Rose and Vanilla contributing to its very sweet aroma. Jockey Club is another popular sweet scented snuff. Strasbourg has the tang of Citrus Spice. Sharrow Irish D High Toast is a medium brown toasted SP. Irish Toast is a medium brown brew of fairly moist fire-cured tobaccos, while Irish High Toast is a light brown version but very dry. French Carotte is quite coarsely ground and sweetly flavoured. Irish Coffee with its flavour of Irish whiskey is an excellent after dinner snuff.

Sharrow Snuffs in this category:
French Carotte, Irish Coffee, Irish High Toast (22), Jockey Club, Royal George, Sharrow Irish D High Toast, Strasbourg, Coffee Cream

Category 4: Fruit, Spice and Flower Flavours.
The above category is self-explanatory and the snuffs carry the flavour as indicated by their various names.

Sharrow Snuffs in this category:
Aniseed & Eucalyptus, Apricot, Carnation, Lavender, Lemon Grove, Rose of Sharrow, Rum & Blackberry, Strawberry, Tangerine, Vanilla, Wallflower, Chocolate Orange, Peach Melba

How do I take nasal snuff?

Thumb & Forefinger Method
Take a pinch of snuff between your thumb and forefinger. Holding the pinch to the left nostril, release part of it with a short, sharp sniff and then repeat the exercise into the right nostril. The observant visitor to this site may have noticed that our "Dandy Man" in our logo uses this method to take his snuff.

You will probably sneeze at first, but this is entirely natural. Persevere by taking another two pinches within the next half hour and you should find that the desire to sneeze has disappeared. You should now begin to experience that indefinable "lift" which a good snuff gives.

The Anatomical Snuffbox
This is the technical name (and the common name, in so far as there is one), for the little "dip" on the side of your wrist that occurs when you put your thumb out. To find it, extend your thumb as if you are hitchhiking; this will raise the tendon down the back of your thumb. There will be a shallow dip on either side of this tendon; the dip on the outside (towards the edge, not the back) of your hand, down where your hand is just meeting your wrist, is your anatomical snuffbox.

Q          How do I store snuff?

A          Treat the snuff as if it were a vegetable is the general rule. Keep it airtight until opened and then store in the refrigerator, in the dark. The vegetable box at the bottom is ideal – if you are allowed!

Q          What is the shelf life of snuff?

A          This would depend on how it is stored and if the seal has been broken. The snuff should last 6 months if bought from us online and longer, up to 2 years if the seal is left intact.

Q          Which are the strongest snuffs in regard to nicotine?

A          The SP varieties are the strongest and give a more powerful ‘hit’ than some of the other varieties.

Q          Is this a good substitute for smoking?

A          It is a good substitute for smoking as you will have the nicotine but none of the toxins associated with the burning of tobacco. Snuff does not reach the lungs so is much better than a cigarette.

Q          Is taking snuff healthier than smoking?

A          Smoking burns the tobacco and allows toxins to reach the lungs, which snuffing does not. It is a fine powder which is ground so small it does not reach the lungs. See our Health Information Page.  **

Q          Do you ship abroad?

A          Yes, we deliver to most countries. * *

Q          Do you stock non-tobacco snuff?

A          Yes, at the moment we have 3 varieties of non-tobacco snuff. The White is mostly just ground Menthol crystals, the Sunset and Ice Lemon contain Guarana, which is an   ingredient which delivers energy.   **

Q          How fresh is my snuff?

A          If bought directly from our online shop you can rest assured that the snuff is fresh milled constantly.

Q          What is the minimum order I can purchase online?

A          The minimum order is **

Q          What are TSNs and are your snuffs low in toxins?

A          We have had our snuff tested by a specialist laboratory in Canada and the samples tested were lowest in all TSNs and toxins. **

Q          I’ve been ordering the same snuff for months but now the snuff is paler/darker than usual. Why is this?

A          The colour of the snuff it wholly dependent on the tobacco leaves and how the weather has been over the growing season. Therefore, some snuff, even though they are made to the same recipe may be darker or lighter from time to time.

Q          Are any wheat products used in Wilsons Sharrow snuff?

A          No

Q         What it your most popular snuff?

 

A         Without doubt this is the Best SP. This snuff has a hint of natural fruit flavours and has been enjoyed as a favourite for generations.