Welcome back Snustopians! You may be asking yourselves why I chose to do a review on both Skruf Stark Portion snus and Skruf Stark White portion snus this week. The reason why is pretty simple actually! Skruf Stark portion has always been on my list of snus to review and just when I was getting ready to introduce it to you, Skruf came out with Skruf Stark White! So I figured, instead of reviewing them separately, why not review them together and point out the differences!
“Snus Guy, we’ve heard that the only difference between Skruf Stark regular portion and White portion was the color of the portions!” It’s the main difference but not the only one. I have found a few more that you may be interested in! So, let’s get started reviewing them, beginning with Skruf Stark portion snus!
Skruf Stark portion snus and Skruf Stark White portion snus are the product of the folks at Skruf AB. Skruf Stark portion really has a pretty good story to tell due to the fact that it was the first strong portion snus to go over the 11 mgs of Nicotine per portion hurdle! “But Snus Guy, doesn’t General Maxi portion have 14 mgs of Nicotine per portion? Since it came out in 2004, wouldn’t that make it the first strong portion?” Great question! While General Maxi does have 14 mgs of Nicotine per portion, it is actually a Maxi portion meaning that it has almost double the amount of snus per portion than Skruf Stark portion. That’s why there is a high amount of Nicotine in General Maxi and what makes Skruf Stark portion’s story so good!
Skruf Stark portion was introduced into the snus world back in 2005 so, it’s really is the first of the high Nicotine, regular sized portion snus! Each portion has 1 gram of snus and there are 24 portions in each can. The portions in Skruf Stark portions are regular type portions which, as you all remember, go thru an additional wetting process towards the end of manufacturing but this is another hitch in the story of Skruf Stark portion!
Most regular type portions are wet. Not the kind of wet like they’re soaking in liquid but, have a moist look and feel in the lip from the start. Skruf Stark portions really don’t have that. They do have the trademark immediate flavor that other regular portions do but run less. Why, you ask? It’s because the snus inside the portion material is more moist that in other portions. This is what gives them the immediate flavor release while not being as prone to running as other regular portions! “Sounds pretty good Snus Guy but, how do they feel under your lip?”
Well, the portion material is pretty soft to the touch but has the same feel as most other regular portion snus. One would think that since the portion material isn’t as moist as a normal regular portion, Skruf Stark’s portions would be a little irritating but, that’s not the case! I’ve had a portion in for up to 3 hours with only a bit of wrinkling under the lip but, no discomfort to speak of. As I’ve said before, the Nicotine is pretty much gone after about 30 to 45 minutes but the flavor lasts much longer! Now, let’s talk about Skruf Stark White portion’s history and feel!
Skruf Stark White portion snus was released in February 2009 as a true “White” type portion snus. I feel that the reason for Skruf to release Skruf Stark in a White type was the fact that, at the time of its release, the majority of the Extra Stark/Extra Sterk/Extra Strong snus brands were produced as white types. So, in order
to bring Skruf Stark into the race for the Strongest Snus around, Skruf released a White version of its strongest snus! While most of the characteristics of Skruf Stark White are the same as Skruf Stark’s, the portion material seems to be a bit softer in White. It’s basically due to the portions not going thru the extra step. The other differences are when the flavor is released and how long it lasts.
With Skruf Stark White, the flavor takes a bit go get going unlike the regular. Let me explain a bit. Where the flavor in the regular Skruf Stark pretty much comes on within a minute or two, Skruf Stark White takes about 10 minutes to begin flowing but, that’s not a bad thing. The flavor in White lasts about 2 ½ hours where with the regular, the flavor lasts about 2 hours. A common thing in both is that when they hit their maximum time limits for flavor, the portions get bitter. It’s almost like a timer for me that says “Hey! Snus Guy! You’re not getting any more flavor out of us! It’s time to change us out!” Knowing this, I recommend a 2 hour max for both for full enjoyment!
“Ok Snus Guy, how about taste already?” Ok, let me say this about the can first and we’ll get to the flavor! The cans in all Skruf products are pretty much the same, no matter if its loose snus or portion snus, with exception of the lids. They all are made of white plastic and both Skruf Stark and Skruf Stark White have used portion compartments in the lid. The design of the labels is the same as well. The only difference is the color of the band and the marking on the top. The band for Skruf Stark is red and the band for White is black. Also, the top of White has a label where the top on Skruf Stark portion is embossed. I know you probably didn’t really need to know that but, I find it easier when I grab for them in the morning. I just look for the color of the band! Ok, enough about the can and my weird way of finding them, on to the taste!
One would think the flavors in Skruf Stark portion and Skruf Stark White portions would be pretty much identical but this is not the case. Skruf describes them to taste of Rose Oil and Bergamot. For those Snustopians that don’t know what a Bergamot tastes like, it tastes like a cross between an orange, a lemon and a grapefruit. Most Snustopians describe it as a citrus flavor but have a hard time pinpointing which one of the three. I liken it to a bitter orange taste but, in both Skruf Starks, it’s more of a red grapefruit taste. A little sour, a little sweet and just the right amount of the bitter grapefruit taste in the background. What I didn’t really taste in the regular type was the Rose Oil!
“Snus Guy! What does Rose Oil taste like?” Glad you asked. It’s really not a taste you can sense with your taste buds. It’s more of a flavor you pickup in the back of your mouth, almost like a scent. If you read the Skruf Stark Lös review, I can sense the Rose Oil in the loose version. In the regular portions, it’s pretty much nonexistent. It’s not a total loss though. The trade off is the slight peppery taste that enhances the Bergamot flavor. In the White version, the Rose Oil scent is pretty much the same as in the loose. It’s not a “Wow, I smell Roses when I have a White portion in” type of flavor, it’s more of a flowery taste much like tea has. In all honesty, imagine a cup of black tea with lemon and you’d be pretty close to Skruf Stark White’s flavor. Sadly though, as I said above, the flavor only lasts about 2 to 2 ½ hours and the portions get bitter so, for maximum enjoyment, I still stick to the 2 hour max! Now, let’s talk drinks!
My staples, Diet Coke and Monster Energy drinks, played well with both types but overall did really well with the regular portions. Black teas like Earl Grey did better with the regular portions too because of the predominant Bergamot flavor. Here’s where it gets a bit weird though. I tried Iced Earl Grey with the White version and it was a bit too strong for it. It seemed to overtake the Rose Oil flavor but, did enhance the tobacco flavor! The best thing I’ve found to go well with both was lemonade!
Yes, you heard me right, lemonade. I know, there’s only been one other snus I’ve said went well with it but, now there’s three. In the regular portion type, the lemonade enhanced the Bergamot flavor while bringing the tobacco taste to the front more. In the White portion type, the lemonade did something completely surprising! While it did the same thing as in the regular type, with the White type, it actually enhanced the Iced Tea flavor and created a flavor similar to an “Arnold Palmer”! For those Snustopians that don’t play golf, an Arnold Palmer is a drink made with half Iced Tea and half lemonade. It was really surprising!My overall recommendations for Skruf Stark regular portion and White portion Snustopians, is this; Skruf Stark portion snus is the original strong portion snus. For those Snustopians who want to experience what it was like before the current Extra Strong/Extra Sterk/Extra Stark race at a time when 14 mgs of Nicotine was the king, then Skruf Stark portion is a definite “must try”! New Snustopians who want to start the race slowly will enjoy it as well. Current fans of Skruf Stark portions will find that Skruf Stark White portion has the same basic flavor as their favorite does, with a twist. Overall, I really do recommend that you give both a try!
Both Skruf Stark portion and Skruf Stark White portion can be found at Snustopia’s favorite snus shop, The Northerner, for around $3.72 USD each. If this is your first time placing an order with them, just click on the banner at the top of the page and get 10% off!
Well Snustopians, I hope you enjoyed our trip thru Skruf Stark portion and Skruf Stark White portion by Skruf AB. Please feel free to leave your questions, comments and suggestions! I look forward to hearing and answering them.
Until our next review, as always,
Happy Snussing!
That Snus Guy
3 comments:
Great stuff, Skruf Stark portion really delivers on the nicotine content without being too runny.
I have to agree with the flavor of rose oil coming through much more in the white portion.
Even though the regular stark portions aren't runny, I find the white to be less so.
Los is still my favorite, but I'm in many social situation where the portion is easier to deal with and more discreet.
I've been snusing for years, but I only discovered this a few days ago! I've been a fan of most white portions, but also use regular strong portions. My only experience with Skruf has been the strong and xtra strong portions. This one blew me away! Unlike most whites, this is soft as a pillow and feels as comfortable as a Lucky Strike white. And unlike most whites it doesn't feel lumpy on the inside. Nor is it packed in spirals of wedges unlike most whites. It tastes great, hardly runs and delivers a decent punch. Recommended!
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