Göteborgs Rapé White portion snus, an American taste review on one of Sweden’s most popular brands!

Welcome back Snustopians!

Today I thought we’d take a closer look at what could possibly be one of Sweden’s most popular snus brands, Göteborgs Rapé White portion snus. I came to this decision last week when I was sitting in my office at the Ministry of Information, looking at the pictures I took of my trip to Gothenburg and remembering everything I learned and saw there. One of the things I remembered was that almost 75% of the time I was there, I was using Göteborgs Rapé White and, so were some of the people I met at the factory! The other reason was the fact that Swedish Match recently changed the design of the labels in the entire Göteborgs Rapé line and I’ve read at quite a few sites describing the labels but, not too many actually reviewed the snus its self so, I decided that I would do a proper review of this popular snus. Now, if you’re ready, let’s give Göteborgs Rapé White portion snus the review it deserves and yes, we’ll take a look at the can too!


One of the most intriguing things about Swedish snus, from an American’s point of view, is the fact that there are so many different brands and flavors. Think about it, there are over 160 different flavors, if you include the different variations in the total number, and we as new snus users, are committed to trying every one! 90% of these 160 are made in Sweden but, when you actually go to Sweden, you’ll only see about half of the entire line in the shops. As we learned in the 01 & 02 reviews, the Swedish snus user is pretty particular in which snus they use and what they want it to be. Göteborgs Rapé White is one of the snus brands you’ll find in almost every shop in Sweden and a brand that a lot of snus users love. “Snus Guy, what makes Göteborgs Rapé White so special?” Well, let’s take a look at what’s in it and find out!

First off, Göteborgs Rapé White portion is a snus brand made by the folks a Swedish Match and was first released 1992. In the past 17 years, it has grown to be the fourth largest selling snus brand in Sweden and the only thing that’s changed in its 17 year history was the recent change to the can’s label. Göteborgs Rapé White portion is classified as a White type snus which means that the portions do not go thru the final step in the process that adds moisture to them. Omitting the additional moisture leaves the material its original white color and, you would think, a bit rough on the gums. With Göteborgs Rapé, this is not the case! Swedish Match uses the same soft, teabag like material that they use in all of their snus brands and is actually pretty comfortable in the lip. I’ve had a portion in for over 2 hours with no discomfort whatsoever. The only thing that did happen was my lip did get a bit wrinkly but I attribute that to keeping it in too long. Each can of Göteborgs Rape White portion has 24, one gram portions with each having a respectable 8 mg of Nicotine. My recommendation for keeping a portion in is about 2 hours max for full enjoyment! Now, let’s take a look at the change to the label and take a closer look at the can!

“Hey Snus Guy, please don’t let your can obsession get the better of you this time! Some of us have to work in the morning you know!” I know, I know, I can get a bit windy when it comes to the cans and I’ll try to keep it brief! First off, the cans that Göteborgs Rapé White portion come in are made of gold plastic with a used portion compartment concealed in the lid but the unique thing is the label! Both the old label and the new label are made of blue plasticized paper with a foil look to it. The differences between the old label and the new are the bigger blue background and the omission of the gold bands on the new label. The other change is that Swedish Match gave Göteborgs Rapé a logo of sorts. On the sides and the lid, you’ll see the letters “G” and “R” in gold and that they are connected. This makes sense since most people refer to the snus as GR when typing. Ok, I hope you’re all still awake because I’m done with the can and we can now move on to the flavor!

Swedish Match describes Göteborgs Rapé White’s flavor as being a distinctly aromatic snus with some sweetness and hints of fresh herbs. “Snus Guy, ALL Swedish snus has a distinctly aromatic smell!” Now, now! Take it easy! I said that was what Swedish Match describes the snus as. We’ll break it down like we always do but I want to take a side trip and explain something I think needs to be explained, especially to you new Snustopians! There’s been a lot of talk at other snus sites and forums about whether or not to smell the snus. Most say that smelling the snus is the worst thing you can do and will ruin the experience for you. I disagree. Yes, there is a distinct ammonia smell to some of the brands but, this is a regular occurrence and a natural byproduct of the snus making process. As you get more accustom to using snus, you’ll soon forget the ammonia smell and begin to get the hints of earthy tobacco and the other flavorings. So, let’s leave this topic with this thought; if you don’t care for the ammonia scent, don’t smell the snus in the beginning. As you gain more experience, slowly begin to lightly smell the can and you’ll begin to get the other subtle nuances. Remember, if the vintners in California let the vinegar smell, in the early stages of some varietals, get to them, we wouldn’t have so many great wines here in the states! Ok, back to the flavors.

What I get in Göteborg’s Rapé White is an earthy, leathery flavor, which comes from the tobacco, with a bit of salt and some peppery notes. The background flavor is sweet but this comes from the other flavoring, Juniper. For those Snustopians that don’t know what Juniper is or tastes like, it’s a berry that comes from certain Evergreen trees that grow in Sweden and the Northwestern American states. Its taste is bit sweet and bitter at the same time. It’s the primary flavoring in Gin but, the snus does not taste like Gin. When it’s mixed in with tobacco, it gets an almost tea like flavor and adds a touch of forest smell in the can. Kind of reminds me of walking thru an Evergreen forest in the fall with the mossy hints and Evergreen scents! All the flavors combine to give Göteborgs Rapé White portion a flavor that lasts quite a long time as well. I’ve had the flavor of Göteborgs Rapé White last for well over two hours before the flavor began to go a bit off so, I recommend about two hours max for the flavor. These elements combine to create, what I think, is a snus that is uniquely Swedish and explains why Göteborgs Rapé White portion is so popular in Sweden. So, what drinks would go well with it? Let’s take a look!

My Staple Diet Coke actually went well with Göteborgs Rapé White surprisingly enough! The Diet Coke did do well to bring out the peppery flavor in the snus and cut a bit of the saltiness but, it really didn’t do anything to enhance the flavor of the tobacco or the Juniper flavor. Monster Energy Drink basically overpowered the flavor completely but iced black tea was the overall winner in the Non Alcoholic drink category! The Black tea’s flavor did well to bring out the tobacco flavor as well as giving the Juniper a helping hand. Göteborgs Rapé White’s flavor actually gave the iced tea another dimension in flavor as well. From an Alcoholic drinks point of view, the obvious choice would be a Gin and Tonic but, since I don’t drink anymore, I’ll leave this part of the review to those Snustopians that do! Now, let’s go to the overall recommendation!

My overall recommendations for Göteborgs Rapé White portion snus, Snustopians, are this; it’s easy to see why Göteborgs Rapé White is one of Sweden’s most popular snus brands. From its comfortable portion material to its unique tobacco and Juniper flavor, it is definitely one of a kind. New Snustopians will like Göteborgs Rapé White’s lighter and long lasting flavor and seasoned Snustopians will like it as an all day snus with its 8 mg of Nicotine and comfortable portion material but, I’ll let you make the final decision!

Each can of Göteborgs Rapé White portion averages around $3.80 USD at Snustopia’s only place to buy Swedish snus, The Northerner.com! If this is your first time purchasing from them, just click on the banner to the left and get 10% off your first order at check out! There are no codes to enter just click and save! Just remember to tell em’ That Snus Guy sent you!

Well Snustopians, I hope you enjoyed our tour of Göteborgs Rapé White portion snus by Swedish Match and found it fun and informative. I look forward to reading and answering any questions or comments you may have and will answer them as soon as I can!

So Snustopians, as always,

Happy Snusing!

That Snus Guy

Northerner Energy snus, our first dry, purified Nicotine snus review!

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

01 Original & 02 Strong portion snus, reviewing the flavors of a new snus brand!

Welcome back Snustopians!

Like I promised in the pre-review of 0102 portion snus, I can now bring you a full taste review of this completely new brand to Swedish Match, 01 Original portion and 02 Strong portion snus. I know what you are all saying, “Snus Guy, how can you give us a taste review when the snus isn’t due to be released until October?” Well, remember how I first received the information on 01 and 02 portion snus? I was out taking another constitutional last week and was met by the same person, the one in the white lab coat and dark glasses, only instead of just dropping an envelope in my path, he actually handed me a small package and asked me to give my usual, unbiased opinion and to spread the word throughout all Snustopia! So, I rushed back to my office and immediately opened both cans and, well, let’s begin the review of 01 Original and 02 Strong portion snus and we’ll discover this new brand of snus from Swedish Match together!


Like we discussed in the pre-release review of 01 & 02, this snus brand is completely new to Swedish Match and was created with quite a lot of input from snus users. “Snus Guy, if Swedish Match wanted to make a new brand, why are the cans so plain looking?” Great question! The answer is pretty simple. This is what the snus using world wanted. The panelists basically told them that they were tired of seeing brand names on everything from snus cans to clothing and wanted a snus that was just, well, snus! No intricately designed logos or catchy names. They wanted simple in the snus and the name so, Swedish Match delivered with a gray plastic can that looks metallic, a clear plastic label with icons to explain what the snus is and gave each a simple, yet memorable, name, 01 & 02. The name came from the test cans which they marked simply, test 01 and test 02. But the cans and the labels aren’t the only thing that makes 01 & 02 unique to the snus world; the portion changes themselves are a first for Swedish match as well!

If you’ve read most of the reviews here in Snustopia, you’ll probably already know that there are basically 3 sizes of portions; Mini, regular and maxi and all three have been pretty much the same shape which is kind of a short rectangle. The feedback that Swedish Match was getting included the shape of the portions. Snus users said that the shape of the portions caused them to move around and become visible when you would smile. What Swedish Match did was to create a longer, thinner portion that would stay in place better and become virtually invisible when it was in the lip. As you can see in this picture, the 01 & 02 portion is a bit longer and thinner than the portion of General Ekstra Sterk. 01 & 02’s portion is of the original type which means that each one does go thru the final step in the manufacturing process that adds a bit more moisture to them. As you all know, this helps the flavors marry together better and release flavor faster when it’s in your lip. Each portion still contains 1 gram of snus and there are 24 portions in each can. The Nicotine content for 01 portion is 8 mg each and for 02 portion its 13 mg each. “That’s great and all Snus Guy but, how do they feel?” Let’s take a closer look at the portions and find out!

The material that 01 & 02 portions are made of the same soft material that Swedish Match uses in all their portion snus and, with the longer shape, is pretty comfortable in the lip. I’ve had a portion of each in for over 2 hours with no discomfort whatsoever. The new longer portion did stay put better and also was easier to keep up and added to the comfort in the lip. The other thing that helped with comfort was another innovation in 01 & 02 portion snus, the “No Drip” formula. “Hey Snus Guy, what does “No Drip” mean?” Well, we know it as how much a portion runs or the amount of juice it gives off. This was another thing that the panel of snus users was looking for, a portion that runs less. While I had each portion in, there was basically much less juice that came out of each one. Mind you, I keep a portion in for up to 2 ½ when I’m reviewing a snus but, remember; Swedish snus, as you may or may not know, is designed with Swedish snus users in mind. I bring this up because most Swedish snusers keep a portion in for between 15 and 45 minutes before discarding it. In my time reviewing 01 & 02, each portion remained drip free for about 1 ½ hours. After that time, they did begin to drip but, much less than any other portion I’ve reviewed. My recommendation for length of time is about 1 ½ hours max. While 01 & 02 portion snus is pretty much “No Drip”, this brings up an interesting question; what does 01 & 02 portion snus taste like?

One would think that a portion that doesn’t run or “drip” would be either dry or pretty tasteless. Well, we do know that the portions are not dry. In actuality, 01 & 02’s portions feel just as moist as most regular or original type portions that Swedish Match makes so, that just leaves the tasteless theory. “So Snus Guy, you’re saying they are tasteless?” Not at all. Like I said in the beginning, 01 & 02 are probably the most unique portion snus to date. Let me explain a bit; Both 01 & 02 have the same flavor first off. Swedish Match explains the flavor as having a “New fresh and natural tobacco taste” which is true but what does “Fresh and Natural” tobacco taste like? What I taste is the typical earthy, peaty flavor of the hand selected tobaccos from all over the world along with a touch of salt. What was missing was the citrus! Don’t get me wrong Snustopians, this is not a bad thing and also answers another request from the snus panel which was a snus that was just pure tobacco flavor with nothing else.

“But Snus Guy, there are snus brands out there that have only tobacco flavors. What makes 01 & 02 so special or different?” It’s in the intensity of the flavor that makes 01 & 02 different from the others. 01 & 02’s pure tobacco flavor is a fresh change to what was previously out there due to its tobacco flavor being pretty subtle. Brands like Ettan, for example, are pure tobacco flavor but it comes on strong due to the amount of juice that can come from it. 01 & 02’s tobacco flavor is pretty light but, it can be tasted after about 10 minutes in the lip but really doesn’t juice, unless you want it to. In order for me to really taste it, I had to make it run but, I think it’s due to me being used to running portions. There was only one difference between 01 & 02’s flavor and its 02 that has it. Due to 02’s higher Nicotine content, there is a slight burn in the lip and, if you want it to, in the back of the throat. There is a dark side to 01 & 02’s flavor though and this comes to play after the portion is in for longer than 1 ½ hours. The flavor tends to get a bit weird. What I got after about 1 ½ hours was an oatmeal type flavor. Not the Apple and Cinnamon type but the same taste as the brand that comes in the cardboard can with the picture of the old Quaker gentleman on the front but, again, 01 & 02 was designed to be used for a maximum use time of 45 minutes! I still recommend a maximum time of 1 ½ hours for complete enjoyment. So, what drinks go well with 01 & 02 portion snus? Let’s take a look!

As you all know, my staple drinks are Diet Coke and Monster Energy Drinks but, as one brave Snustopian kindly told me, sometimes drinking a Diet Coke with a snus can be a good way to ruin a good tasting snus so, I decided to forgo them both and tried a few other types of drinks. Unfortunately, I can’t drink alcoholic drinks anymore so, I’ll leave these pairings up to you but the first non alcoholic drink I tried was iced tea. I tried both sweetened and unsweetened and the unsweetened iced tea was a really good match. Since 01 & 02’s flavors are pretty light, the unsweetened iced tea helped to bring the tobacco flavor out while adding a bit more earthiness to the overall flavor. The sweetened tea seemed to add too much sweet to the mix and basically drowned out the tobacco taste all together. I tried iced coffee with 01 & 02 as well but the coffee proved to be too strong a flavor for the snus and completely overpowered it. But the drink that really went well with 01 & 02 was suggested to me by a fellow snusers friend of mine, Italian Soda!

Italian Soda, for those of you that have never tried it, is basically sparkling water with flavored syrup added. The lemon flavored soda was the best because it actually enhanced the snus’ flavor but didn’t completely overpower it. If you haven’t tried Italian Sodas before, you can usually find them in Espresso cafes or Gelato shops and I really recommend trying it with 01 & 02 portion snus.

My overall recommendations for 01 & 02 portion snus by Swedish Match, Snustopians, is this; Swedish Match set out to create a brand new snus brand that would be made with a tremendous amount of input from its customers. They pretty much asked the snus world what they didn’t care for and created a snus brand around removing them. New Snustopians will really like 01 & 02 simply due to its light taste and comfortable mouth feel. Seasoned Snustopians will find that the “No Drip” formula takes a bit of getting used to since we’re accustomed to an original type portion being runny but, after a few portions, will enjoy it’s light flavors but, I’ll leave the final decision up to you.

Swedish Match plans to release 01 & 02 portion snus in the beginning of October 2009 and what better place to get it than at Snustopia’s best place for Swedish snus, The Northerner. If this is your first time ordering with them, simply click on the banner to the left and get 10% off at checkout! Just tell em’ That Snus Guy sent you!

Well Snustopians, I hope you enjoyed our trip thru 01 & 02 portion snus by Swedish Match and found it fun and informative. As always, I encourage you to leave any questions, comments or suggestions you may have below and I’ll answer them as soon as I can!

So, until our next review Snustopians, as always,

Happy Snusing!

That Snus Guy

0102 portion snus, a pre-review of a new snus family from Swedish Match!

Greetings fellow Snustopians!

It’s been a pretty exciting day here at the Ministry of Information and everyone here is filled with anticipation on the release of Swedish Match Lab’s newest brand creation, 0102 portion snus! Before I go on about this totally new brand of snus, actually, it’s a brand new way of looking at Swedish snus as a whole; let me tell you how I came to find out about it.

During my morning constitutional in the gardens at Skruf Square, I was approached by a man in a white lab coat and dark glasses. As he passed by me, he dropped a gray catalog envelope with the words “Top Secret, for your eyes only. 0102 Labs” and “2 TSG” typed above it. Well, “TSG” is my code name in Swedish snus circles so; I casually picked it up and raced back to my office to see what exactly it was. It was exactly what I hoped it was, pictures and a synopsis of a new family of portion snus by Swedish Match called 0102 with a note saying “Let everyone in Snustopia know about this innovative, new snus before its too late!” Since it didn’t have any samples of the snus its self, I felt it was imperative to at least let you Snustopians know what it is, when it will be available and, most importantly, why it came to be! So, without further delay, I give you a preview of 0102 Original and Strong portion snus!



Like I said, the mysterious Lab worker didn’t include any cans of 01 or 02 so, the taste review will come in due time but, he did include a bunch of pictures which, I have posted in the picture review in the upper left corner of the page. As you can see, this snus family will be pretty unique in a couple of different ways, first being that there are two different types in the family. While they are both regular type portions, there is a difference in the Nicotine levels in them. 01 will be an Original strength portion with 8 mg of Nicotine per portion and 02 will be a Strong portion with 13 mg of Nicotine per portion. The portions themselves are also unique because they will be longer in size. This will allow the portion to sit better in the lip and move less and each can will have 24, one gram portions.

The other unique thing will be that the portions are said to be “No-Drip” portions. “Snus Guy, No-Drip? Does that mean that they are dry? Well, according to the documents I’ve read, the lab guys at Swedish Match Labs have created a new formula that keeps the snus moist but, makes it drip less. Once I can get my hands on a can or two, we’ll look at this part more but for now, we’ll take them at their word! If you take a look at this picture, you can see that even the cans get a makeover with just plainly “01” or “02” on the top and a new set of icons on the side that explain exactly what you can expect the snus to be. There are used portion compartments on the lid in a configuration much like the General Ekstra Sterk cans.

I know what you all are thinking, “Snus Guy, why would they call them 01 and 02? Why not give it a more creative name?” Good question! The answer is pretty simple. 0102 was developed with a lot of input from Swedish Match customers and the snus using world in general. Researchers typically ask panels what they would like to see in new brands but Swedish Match Labs asked them something that’s rarely asked, what they didn’t like in the current brands and what needed to be changed in order to create the “Ultimate” snus brand. The results were pretty startling. The panelists basically said that they were tired of seeing logos and brands wherever they go and on everything they see from buildings to ……well…… people! They wanted something simple, effective and new. And they wanted it NOW! With this information in hand, they passed it on to their team of highly intelligent, super creative scientists, no, not these guys to the left, real scientists and asked them to create the ultimate snus based on this criteria.

They came up with the formula and the flavor but, what to call it? It needed to be really simple according to the panelists and something that would be really easy to remember. They looked at these two test cans and voile, 01 & 02 portion snus were born! Yea, I know it sounds too simple to be true but, that’s really how they came up with the name!

Swedish Match plans to release 0102 portion snus the first week of October 2009 and, when it’s released; you’ll be able to get it at Snustopia’s best shop for snus, The Northerner. If it’s your first time buying snus from them, just click on the banner to the left and get 10% off on your first order!

Well Snustopians, I hope you enjoyed our pre-review of 0102 portion snus by Swedish Match and found it fun and informative. Like I said in the beginning, once the Ministry of Information gets me some cans of it, I’ll do a full taste review of it! If you have any questions about 0102 or any other snus or, any suggestions on a snus you’d like to see reviewed, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer them as soon as I can!

So, until our next review Snustopians, as always,

Happy Snusing!

That Snus Guy

Nick & Johnny Black portion snus, reviewing a new member in the Nick & Johnny snus line!

Greetings Snustopians!

Today I thought I would bring you the first taste review of a snus destined to be released this month but, for now at least, will be released first in Norway. As you all know though, Swedish Match does tend to change their minds when they feel there is a call for a new snus flavor in other places so, we’ll have to see what the future brings. As you all remember from the Nick & Johnny East and West review, there was a time that we Snustopians thought that when Swedish Match discontinued them, it would not be long before the entire line was gone so, it’s great to see that a new member of the Nick & Johnny family was born. This is also a first for Snustopia. Usually, I get new snus flavors after they have been released but, the great folks at Swedish Match have allowed us this sneak peek of Nick & Johnny Black and felt the need to share it with all Snustopians so, without any further blabbering from me, let’s take a look at the newest creation from Swedish Match, Nick & Johnny Black portion snus!

When the package first arrived at my door here at the Ministry of Information I thought I forgot about another snus order I made because there was no return address on the plain, white bubble envelope just “To: That Snus Guy” and the address here in Snustopia. The only way I knew it was snus was the Swedish postage mark in the corner. When I opened the pack, there was simply a can of Nick & Johnny Black and a note that said simply, “Please review, will be available in Norway by the middle of September!” At first glance, the can pretty much looks like a can of Nick & Johnny Stark and the label looks like the negative from the Nick & Johnny Stark label but once you really take a look at it, there’s an elegant feel to it. “Hey Snus Guy, how does a can of snus look elegant?” Well, take a look at the picture to the right and you’ll see what I mean.

While the can its self is the same white, pearlescent plastic can that Nick & Johnny Stark has it’s the label that has the elegant feel. It’s the opposite of the Nick & Johnny Stark label with a black background and the lettering in gold. The word “Black” is in a white cartouche that has the look of a single paintbrush swipe and the word “Strong” in white along the side. They have even changed the label on top of the used portion compartment cap to match the label on the side. “Snus Guy, your can OCD is coming out again! Let’s hear about the snus already!” Sorry, it is a pretty cool can though.

Let’s start with the portions themselves. Nick & Johnny Black is classified as a White type, black portion which, as you all may remember, do not go thru the final step in the manufacturing process that adds a bit more moisture to them like Regular type ones. While this can leave the material a bit dry, Swedish Match uses the same soft material they use in all their black portions and stayed pretty comfortable in the lip for over 2 hours. The portions are also arranged in the unique “Star” pattern that Swedish Match uses for only the most special portion snus. Not only does this look pretty cool in the can, it gives the portions a wedge shape and adds to the comfort in the lip. “Sounds pretty good so far Snus Guy but, what about the Nicotine?” Well, let take a look at that!

Swedish Match describes Nick & Johnny Black as being pretty similar to Nick & Johnny Strong in every way with the exception of the portion color and Star pattern. The Nicotine level in Nick & Johnny Black is the same 11 mg per portion that Nick & Johnny Stark has but this is where the similarities end. The taste is where we need to look next!

Like I said, Swedish Match describes Nick & Johnny Black as being similar to its Stark sibling in taste but I taste a few differences and think the flavor is closer to another snus in the Swedish Match line, General Onyx! “Snus Guy, Onyx? It can’t be!” Well, there are quite a few similarities in the taste of the two. They both have a mild tobacco flavor and hints of citrus with a salty background but where Onyx has a Lemon flavor, Nick & Johnny has a bergamot taste. I know what you’re saying, “Snus Guy, what’s a bergamot?” Bergamot is a citrus fruit that’s grown in Italy and Spain and has the flavor that’s a cross between a lemon and a grapefruit. Its ability to blend well with the earthy, peaty flavor that tobacco has is truly unique and is the major taste difference between Nick & Johnny Black and Onyx. It’s also the common thread between both Nick & Johnny flavors and then there’s the saltiness. Nick & Johnny Stark has a light saltiness and the flavor of the tobacco takes center stage but in Nick & Johnny Black, the bergamot and salt are more predominant and mixes well with the hand selected tobaccos giving Nick & Johnny Black a taste that is pretty different from Nick & Johnny Stark! So, what drinks would go well with Nick & Johnny Black? Let’s take a look!

I thought I’d forgo my staple drinks of Diet Coke and Monster Energy Drinks and first start with the drink that went really well with Onyx, Lemonade. I figured since I tasted similar flavors in Nick & Johnny Black, it should go really well but, I was half right. The lemonade did go well with Nick & Johnny Black but it added a slight bitterness to it. I tried an iced green tea which also went well but my favorite was iced Earl Grey! Why Earl Grey, you ask? It’s because of the bergamot. You see, the thing that gives Earl Grey its distinct flavor is the addition of dried bergamot peel in the tea. That bergamot flavor along with the light bergamot flavor in Nick & Johnny Black helped to bring the tobacco flavor to the front as well as dimming down some of the saltiness. Overall, I really liked the flavor combination! Just as a side note, my staple drinks didn’t do too badly either with the Diet Coke being a neutral and the Monster adding a bit of sweetness.

My overall recommendations for Nick & Johnny Black portion snus Snustopians, is this; fans of the Nick & Johnny line will not be disappointed with this new addition. Fans of strong snus brands will find that Nick & Johnny Black’s 11 mg of Nicotine is perfect for an all day snus while beginners who want to try a stronger snus will find it’s a great higher Nicotine starter snus but alas, like I said in the beginning, Nick & Johnny Black will only be available in Norway for the time being. If Swedish Match does decide to release it to all Snustopians, you can be sure that Snustopia’s first shop for all things Swedish snus, The Northerner, will carry it! Until then, give them a try with your next order and, if it’s your first time ordering thru them, just click on the banner and get 10% off at checkout!

Well Snustopians, I hope you enjoyed this trip thru Nick & Johnny Black portion snus and found it fun and informative. Know that if Nick & Johnny Black does become available to the entire snus world, I will make sure I let each and every Snustopian know as soon as I do. I invite you all to leave any questions or suggestions you may have in the comments section below and I’ll try to answer them as soon as I can!

So Snustopians, until our next review, as always,

Happy Snusing!

That Snus Guy