The Viking Snuff. Still the same?

Carolin4060

Hey folks,

I need to get my next order ready cause I'm running out of snuff. Now, I usually add 10 tins of Viking Brown to my order as it is one of my favourites but I've noticed people complaining in the shops comments that it's not the same snuff anymore. Can anybody confirm that? Did the brand switch to a new manufacturer? If it has changed I would try 1 tin first before ordering my usual amount.

ar47

Hi Carolin,

I'm not 100% clear on the details

The last couple tins of Viking Thor's Hammer I received was in a WoS "large" slip tin rather than the SG/GH vac tin. It also had a WoS date code on the WoS under-tin paper label. So it Appears to me that WoS is at the least doing the packaging.

I recall reading that WoS acquired G&H if not SG as well. SG made Viking and owned G&H. I Believe there was mention that WoS might try and save the old G&H tooling.

I assess my new-packaged Viking Thor's to be the same tobaccos but with a finer, more consistent grind and less moisture. The former could be from grinding on different equipment? Or perhaps all of it comes from the use of the WoS packaging line (drier since tin isn't sealed, more consistent maybe there is a sifting station)?

Hoffwell

The grind is the main reason for buying SG snuffs. Is the old equipment no longer being used? Who knows for sure?

If it IS no longer being used, that is a fundamental change to manufacture.

We need to know what is going on.

Humppa

Well... I just have the Viking Blonde in the nose right now, filled in the WoS tin.

The last time I had a tin of this was in spring this year. Made in the vac tins of SG.

IIRC the one I had in spring was very very similar to this one - if not the very same. The grind could be a bit finer. But SG was not very consistant.

I doubt they would not use the SG machinery, even when WoS would be the maker nowadays. This ancient mill is famous. As is the WoS mill. The fluffyness of SG is what it is - unique.

I dont know which maker does the Vikings today. But I still like them.

volunge

No, they are not. Please tell us you thoughts, if you give this new Viking Brown a try, @Carolin4060.

Reportedly, the old Viking Brown used to be the same or very similar to Samuel Gawith Kendal Brown Plain.

Earlier this year (or in the end of the last) WoS launched their own version of Kendal Brown snuff (scented, not plain https://sharrowmills.com/product/kendal-brown-2) and black rappee type snuff - Brunswick Black Rappee (plain snuff, not scented: https://sharrowmills.com/product/brunswick-black-rapee). These two were preceded by another dark and moist snuff, Africa. Were they just expanding their own range, or was it a sort of a "warming-up", a "rehearsal" before the production of these "new" Vikings, I wonder... Probably both.

@Humppa, they are made by WoS now. Please take a look at this: https://ibb.co/x6h1zY1

volunge

Also, Wilsons & Co (Sharrow) Ltd is listed as the manufacturer of Viking brand snuffs in the official list (28-09-20) of notified tobacco and related products (available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notification-of-tobacco-or-herbal-products-for-smoking , file "List of tobacco and related products notified under SI 2016/507").

In the same document Gawith Hoggarth & Co Ltd is listed as the manufacturer of SG SNUFF VIKING DARK.

Humppa

@volunge - yes I saw this picture yesterday at the german spoken snuff site schnupftabakfreunde. A member posted the very same image. :)

Thanks for letting us know.

Johano

Some thoughts on the new tin, the vacuum sealed version was way better in terms of freshness. The act of opening new tin was a pleasure of its own. The ammonia blast, some other subtle floral/citrus scents jumping out immediately, rich moisture..
With those thin little tins, the magic is gone. Look how they massacred my boy!

volunge

@Johano, it's WoS transparent shrink band "seal" to blame.

They should switch to vac. I wouldn't mind paying some extra to get WoS snuffs vacuum sealed.

Hloridison

@Johano if you liked the old Viking Dark, then try Silky Dark from SG.

Uwe

It is not the same anymore. But for me personally the Viking Brown is still good: plain earthy dark and coarse tobacco, Nice.

vmank1q

I haven't had it for a long time until recently and I didn't notice a difference, but after reading this thread it must be due to not having it in a few years. It's still a good snuff though.