Greetings Snustopians!This week I thought we’d take a look at a snus type that is pretty unique to the Swedish snus world, the dry, purified type. The brand we’ll start with is also pretty unique to the snus world, Northerner Energy snus. “Snus Guy, there are dry portion snus brands out there, quite a few actually so, what makes this type different and unique?” Well, there are brands out there that are typed as “dry” but they still have a bit of moisture in the snus its self. With the dry type we’ll discuss today, there is no moisture in the snus whatsoever! There are also “Energy” snus on the market too but only one that combines them both! So, knowing this, grab a comfy seat, your favorite can of snus and let’s take a look at Dry, purified snus types and Northerner Energy snus!
Ever since the day I created Snustopia, I’ve wanted to review Northerner Energy snus but always hesitated to try it. Why, you ask? Well, it was mainly due to what I’ve read about it and Dry, purified snus in general. If you read comments on the other snus sites out there you can get a feeling for how the Swedish snus world feels about this type of snus. Some praise it but most of them condemn it and say that Dry, purified type snus isn’t really Swedish snus because the tobacco is a powder and real Swedish snus is supposed to be moist. The other thing you’ll read is that some snus users think that the snus its self is made by a subpar snus manufacturer because it looks like the inside of the cans are dirty. Well Snustopians, I hope to debunk these myths in this review and the first one we’ll tackle is the myth about Northerner Energy snus being “non-Swedish” snus!
A common misnomer among new snus users is the theory that true Swedish snus is made in Sweden. Well, while the majority of snus is made there, there are a few brands that are not. V2 snus brands are, for example, made in Denmark but made in the Swedish tradition to the high Swedish standards. Northerner Energy snus is made in Sweden by Snusbruket and also made to the high Swedish standards but, unlike V2’s snus, Snusbruket snus brands are dry. That leads us to the reason some snus users think that Northerner energy snus is “non-Swedish”, the fact that it’s really dry!
“But Snus Guy, there are snus brands out there that are dry, what makes Northerner Energy snus different?” It’s the fact that Snusbruket makes snus that is totally devoid of moisture. While they make Northerner Energy snus, it’s only one of a few brands they make. The best known brands they make are Oomph and Wise. What makes them unique is the fact that they are the only Swedish snus company to make a completely dry snus! If you take a look at the tobacco inside the teabag like portion material you’ll see that the tobacco is basically like a powder. This is also the reason why the inside of the can looks like there’s finely ground
dirt in it. It’s from the powdered tobacco which is brown in color and really does resemble dirt dust but, take my word for it, it’s not! So for those that think the factory is subpar or dirty remember this, no matter if Swedish snus is manufactured moist or dry, it still has to pass the Swedish food agency’s strict standards so rest assured, Northerner Energy snus as well as the other Snusbruket varieties, are quality, Swedish snus. Ok, back to the review!One would also think that a snus portion completely devoid of moisture would be really uncomfortable under the lip but, on the contrary, the portion is pretty comfortable under the lip for over 2 hours! They do, however, take a bit of getting used to. First, the portion it’s self is smaller than the typical portion and is pretty close in size to a Mini. They are also much thinner than a portion of moist snus due to the tobacco being dry and less is needed. The tobacco is also purified and has 6 mg of purified Nicotine in it and 0.3 grams of tobacco. I also found that when you first put a portion of Northerner Energy in the lip, it can stick a bit but, a quick dabbing of your gums with your tongue and the same on the portion quickly takes care of that issue. I’ve had a portion in for over 2 hours with no discomfort whatsoever. “Whoa Snus Guy, back the truck up a bit! What is this “Purified” thing?” Yea, I thought that would throw you! Let’s take a closer look.
Northerner Energy snus, as well as the rest of Snusbruket’s snus, goes thru a process that actually removes the unwanted contaminants in tobacco such as TSNA’s or Nitrosamines and leaves a tobacco product that’s pure tobacco and Nicotine. What this does for the snus is make the 6 mg of Nicotine feel more like 8 mg. The purification process does something else to the snus, it lightens the flavor of the snus but, I’m getting ahead of myself, let’s finish the mechanics first then, we’ll look at the flavor. If you look at the can, you’ll see that Northerner Energy snus also keeps your breath fresh and your teeth white! In my time using Northerner Energy snus, I have had fresher breath and my teeth stayed white while the portion was in but I know your saying “Does it taste like toothpaste Snus Guy?” No. What does these things is the addition of Baking Soda to the snus.
Baking soda has been the teeth cleaner of choice for centuries. Even now, there are toothpastes that have baking soda added to help keep teeth white. Snusbruket adds a minute amount of baking soda to all their snus for this reason. If you’ve been
a long time Snustopian, you’ll know that using Swedish snus can cause your teeth to stain a bit and with some people, make your breath smell. With Northerner Energy, this is not an issue and it’s due to both the baking soda and the fact that the portions really don’t juice up. Another unique thing about Northerner Energy snus is the can. The can is basically an oval shape and much flatter than the standard snus can. There are 2 compartments in the white plastic can, one on the bottom which holds the 24, 3 gram portions and a smaller compartment on the top that holds used portions. Both lids are hinged at the middle of the can and topped with a paper label. “Snus Guy, can we talk about the flavor now?” I know I’ve rambled a bit but, Northerner Energy snus is a pretty unique snus and a lot needed to be said about the snus its self so, now that you know the snus, let’s get to the flavor!Northerner describes its snus as having flavors of peppermint and honey with a cool boost. They also say it’s an energy boosting snus due to it having Caffeine, Taurine and Guarana. For those that are not fans of Energy drinks, like yours truly, these three ingredients, along with the
Nicotine, give a pretty good boost of energy and, minus the Nicotine, are the three main ingredients in most energy drinks like Monster and Red Bull. What I taste in Northerner is honey with a touch of sourness, which I think comes from the Taurine and Guarana, along with the slightest hint of tobacco flavor. There is however a baking soda taste in the first couple of minutes but quickly dissipates as the portion gets moist. There is also a light pepper flavor as the portion sits in. What I also got was an energy boost and a bit lightheaded after about 10 minutes. This is from the energy ingredients but the Nicotine can also be added to that mix because since the snus is purified, it allows the Nicotine to be absorbed quicker than the standard portion. There is a dark side to Northerner Energy snus and it shows up after about an hour and a half.I’ve had the flavor of Northerner Energy snus last for about 1 ½ hours when the portion went from lightly flavored to really bitter! It truly sneaks up on you because the overall flavor is relatively light. I think of it as a reminder that it’s time to change it out. My overall recommendation for keeping a portion in is about 1 ½ hours max for both the flavor and comfort! Ok, we’ve learned about what exactly a dry, purified portion is, busted a few of the myths associated with it, learned what “purified snus” is and what Northerner Energy snus tastes like so, let’s take a look at what drinks go well with it!
If you’re an Energy drink fan, like me, give Northerner Energy snus a try with a Monster or a Red Bull! It’s the perfect snus to give them an added kick in the energy department but, since Northerner Energy’s flavor is pretty light, it’s only good for the energy kick and really does nothing for the flavor. I’ve tried coffee with Northerner Energy and it had the same effect as the energy drinks, adds a kick but didn’t compliment the flavor. I had a hard time finding something that would enhance the flavor of the snus it’s self and found that the new white iced teas that are out seemed to bring the subtle honey and tobacco flavors out. Not like it does with a standard snus portion but just enough to sense them on the back of the tongue. If you’re looking for a snus that has a flavor that won’t impede the flavor of anything you care to drink and give you an added energy boost, Northerner Energy snus is the one!
My overall recommendations for Northerner Energy snus, Snustopians, are this; new Snustopians will really like Northerner Energy for a few reasons. One, the flavor is extremely light. The Nicotine level is also perfect for those beginning their snus journey along with the fact there is no juicing of the portion. Experienced Snustopians will like Northerner Energy for the same reasons as well as the fact that it really does keep your teeth white and breath fresh. The smaller portions also make the snus much more discreet while delivering the same Nicotine kick
as the standard portion does but, I’ll let you make the final decision!Northerner Energy snus can be found exclusively at Snustopia’s favorite snus shop, Northerner.com, and is priced at $3.94 USD a can. If this is your first time ordering with them, just click on the banner to the left and get 10% off your first order at checkout! With a deal like that, what a perfect time to give Northerner Energy snus a try! Just tell them That Snus Guy sent you!
Well Snustopians, I hope you enjoyed our tour thru Northerner Energy snus by Snusbruket and found it fun and informative. I look forward to your questions and comments and will do my best to answer them as soon as I can.
So, until our next review Snustopians, as always,
Happy Snusing!
That Snus Guy
Stark as an anniversary present? We all know your favorite is Skruf!” Well, I think it’s because either they really like Nick & Johnny Stark or, I’ve been working them too hard lately and they were trying to make a point! Either way, I’ve been meaning to do a review on it for some time now. Nick & Johnny Stark was introduced to the snus world by 
with very little added to it. The flavor of pure tobacco may not be something that all Snustopians have tasted, let alone understand when used in descriptions on Swedish snus flavors so, let’s explain it now so everyone understands! Tobacco has a very similar scent of Fall leaves. “Hey Snus Guy, why Fall leaves?” well, they are leaves and dried like leaves get in the Fall and, have the same scent as a pile of them when they are not processed. They do have their subtle differences in taste though. Tobaccos from Honduras and Cuba for example, have peppery notes in them while tobacco from America has a bit of a leathery flavor. There are even some tobaccos grown in Sweden that have a flowery, herbal taste and smell. In Nick & Johnny Stark, the tobacco flavor is of fall leaves and leather with a slight pepperyness. I hope this cleared up the pure tobacco flavor description a bit but remember, different people taste things that other people don’t so, what I taste in a snus may not be what you taste. Ok, let’s get back to the flavor review!
citrus. I know what you’re saying “Snus Guy, what does classic and memorable taste like?” I agree that using “Classic” and “Memorable” as taste descriptions really don’t make sense to Snustopians that have never tried snus or, seasoned Snustopians that haven’t tried Jakobsson’s before so, let’s try to describe it in a language that everyone can understand! The main taste in 
Diet Coke with Lemon. The acidity in the Diet Coke also helped to bring out the tobacco flavor as well. The Monster didn’t do that well since its flavor was a bit too strong for the snus but the one thing that did go well with Jakobsson’s Classic was an Arnold Palmer! “Hey Snus Guy, how could a golf pro go well with a snus?” No, no, not that Arnold Palmer, the drink! For those of you that don’t know what an Arnold Palmer is, it’s made with half sweet iced tea and half lemonade. It’s named after its creator, Arnold Palmer, and really goes well with Jakobsson’s Classic. The iced tea flavor helped to enhance the tobaccos and the lemonade brought out the citrus. It’s really the best combination!
I would automatically think great cigars. Actually, this is pretty much the norm in the states since Montecristo snus is relatively new in the tobacco world. While the Montecristo brand has been on fine Cuban cigars since the 1930’s and on Dominican cigars since the 50’s, Montecristo snus was launched in 2008. Just like the cigars that share its name, the taste is unmistakably unique! Taboca describes Montecristo as having a rich tobacco taste and flavors of lemon and bergamot. The rich tobacco taste comes from the Cuban tobacco. If you have ever experienced smoking a Montecristo Cuban cigar, you’ll be able to tell the distinct flavor of Cuban tobacco. For those Snustopians that have never smoked a Cuban cigar or, are living in America, Cuban tobacco has a unique flavor that distinguishes it from its cousin Dominican tobacco. Cuban tobaccos tend to have a peppery flavor with earthy, leathery undertones and a touch of flowers that almost give it a black tea flavor while Dominican tobaccos have just the opposite.
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that artificial flavors were used and that the final product was developed by some scientists in white lab coats and poured into the flavoring drums. But now that I’ve personally experienced the process, I know that this way is not entirely true. While there are white lab coats and a scientist or two, 
many different places in all their snus. In my snus, we used 
smell. The taste is really close to Juicy Fruit gum but when it’s added to tobacco, takes on a completely different flavor! The Ettan has a leafy, peaty almost leathery taste by its self. When you add the vanilla and Tutti-Frutti flavors, the vanilla gets mellowed while bringing out a bit more of the licorice flavor in the Tutti-Frutti! “So, you basically made a Vanilla and Black Licorice flavored snus, Snus Guy?” Not really. The licorice flavor is still barely noticeable like it is in Röda Lacket but with the vanilla and berry flavor mixed in; the entire combination is pretty complex! Imagine sitting in a just raked pile of fall leaves while eating a bowl of mixed berry sorbet with a portion of 
Spain and America are used just to name a few. Once these tobaccos are air-dried, blended and packed, they are shipped to the factory where they are taken to the grinder and ground to the specifications of the snus they happen to be making. The picture to the right shows the bales of tobacco being prepped prior to entering the grinder! “Hey, is that you Snus Guy smelling the tobacco? How does it really smell?” Yes, the one in the middle is me. The guy on the right is Larry Waters from SnusCENTRAL.org and the one on the left is Andreas Riksén, Master tobacco grinder and our guide thru the grinding process. Andreas is very passionate about what he does, as are all the great folks at Swedish Match, and allowed us to feel and smell the raw tobacco, something that outsiders rarely get to do! I know, you asked about the smell. That’s something that may surprise you!
are unboxed, they travel up a conveyor to the grinding mills. The grinding mills look just like a flour mill and pretty much work the same way. Since this step was proprietary, I couldn’t take any pictures with exception to the one on the left. The guy in the picture is Joakim, one of the team from the Stockholm office, and he takes this very seriously as you can see by the “Area 51” reference he’s pointing to, so a small flour mill is the best way to describe it! Once the tobacco is ground, it’s moved to a sifting box that shakes rapidly and separates the ground tobacco into sizes. If it’s not the right size, it goes back into the grinding mill until it is. Like I said, the tobacco grinding process is very similar to the flour milling process. From here, the tobacco goes to the steam pasteurizing area.
holds the flavoring machines, it’s pretty quiet and plain. All there is in this part of the factory are large, insulated drums that mix the flavorings in to the snus. There are a few interesting things here though. The first thing is that the machines are actually made by the same company that manufactures Tanks for the Swedish military! This means, to me anyway, that these machines are built to a quality standard and will last a long time! But that’s not the most interesting thing. You see, the flavoring machines are actually on the 3rd floor of the factory! “Snus Guy, why would flavoring machines being on the 3rd floor of the factory be so interesting?” Remember when I said that after the grinder, the snus is never touched by human hands? Well, how do you think the snus gets from the flavoring machines to the packaging line? Probably the same way I thought it got there, by dumping it into a hopper. Well, I was wrong!
factories are that at Kungälv, they package the portion snus with the “Star” pattern in the can like 
which they make a portion is mind boggling! It’s even more mind boggling when you consider that portions are made by the machine at a rate of about 2 per second and the error rate is around 2%! But understand that the errors also include under or over filled cans, misaligned labels and things that will not allow it to pass GothiaTek standards! “Snus Guy, if a can is not filled or a label is crooked, they consider it an error? Why not just add the missing portions or put a new label the can?” While it would be the easy way to reduce an already really low error rate, the GothiaTek standard is still in force here, any snus that doesn’t make the cut, gets destroyed, end of story. I know it sounds cruel but, if sacrificing a few cans is what it takes to be the best, I can live with that! “Snus guy, that’s pretty cool and all, but not that surprising. What are you leaving out?” Let’s discuss that now!
packed in 10 can logs, it’s put in cases and moved into the cool room to rest for at least two days. The room is large but not as big as you may think. This picture is of Larry and I in the cool room at the Gothenburg factory. If I had to venture a guess, they wouldn’t give us the exact dimensions of the room, I’d say it’s about 20,000 Sq. Ft., and holds approximately 4 million cans of snus! “Whoa, Snus Guy, 4 million cans of snus in only 20,000 Sq. Ft. of space? Can’t be!” I thought the same thing until I began to do the math. If you figure there are 10 cans of snus in each roll, and 20 rolls in each box, that’s 200 cans per box! Depending on how many are on a pallet, perhaps 40, that’s 8,000 per pallet so, as you can see in this picture, there are 22 pallets just in this line. There are 176,000 cans just in this line alone so, you really don’t need a lot of space! “Snus Guy, you’re rambling again! What does this have to do with the portions and the wetting process?” You’re right. It was just really intriguing to see that much snus is such a small space! Let’s go on to the end process.