This is one of the two most awaited days of the 2010 year. The announcement of what's going into the 2010 Kardus. For those who haven't tried it before, Kardus is a premium blend los that Swedish Match produces once a year for a higher price tag. It's different from other snuses in that it's very limited, only about 500 boxes are produced per year. It's hand cut, only comes in los, and is delivered in a special box. This year's Kardus is going to come at a price tag of 86$ USD, although some stores may sale that for less or more. We'll just call that the MSRP. This year's Kardus I will henceforth refer to as Pirate Kardus, because that's what it reminds me of.
Okay, so for the most important part - what's Kardus made of this year? If you read my review this time last year for
Kardus 2009, I'm a big fan. It was a great snus - even if you're not a fan of los - and is approachable to anyone. This year's flavor is going to be just as exciting. Though not remniscient of alcohol as the last two years have been, this year is going to have a pretty tasty flavor profile. Ranjangan Pakpie Karang Jati, which is a tobacco grown on the east side of Java, is the tobacco used this year. Tobacco has been an important crop in Java, harvested since the early 17th century. This crop was very important for the East India Trading Company. It is harvested leaf by leaf while growing, and only the middle leaves are used. They are then cut into fine strands, the "Ranjangan" way, and cured on bamboo mats in the hot sun.
This year's taste is going to be pretty killer. Kardus 2010 will have exotic fruit and spice flavors with a refreshing mix of sweet and sour tastes wrapped up in a complex tobacco flavor. There will be a balance between bitter and salty. The taste will be remniscient of tamarind, with hints of dark chocolate. The flavor will even evoke unami, detecting the savory notes of this snus. Usually, each year, all that is added to Kardus is salt - however, this year Arrack is added to accent the rich, sweet aroma and round out the flavor. Arrack, by the way, is made from sugar cane and rice. The tobacco is "sweated", which pasteurizes the snus and also adds mildness to the flavor.
This year's Kardus will come in an oak box with an added bonus. In the lid, a shard of porcelain is included from the exclusive cargo of the last voyage of the East Indiaman Götheborg’s last voyage in 1745, which was salvaged from the wreck in 1905. Usually, Kardus in the past has come in a box of some sort, but this year will have that added bonus. Like I said, Pirate Kardus! So, this year's Kardus is shaping up to sound pretty awesome. I'm pretty excited.
The ultimate question. Should I pay 86 bucks for snus? I'm going to go out on a limb and say yes. I came into snus in early 2009, so the 2009 Kardus was my first experience with it and it was worth every penny. Shortly after Kardus sold out and people started to hear about how good it was, read reviews, and start to realize just how worth it it truly was - the people who said they didn't wanna shell out major bank for it were saying, "Aw man! I wish I would have bought some when it was around!" So I'll say it simply. If you're a snus lover, you owe it to yourself to pick up a box of Kardus. Even if you're not a fan of los, this snus is worth it. It's a great Christmas gift you can give yourself!
This is one of the two most awaited days of the 2010 year. The announcement of what's going into the 2010 Kardus. For those who haven't tried it before, Kardus is a premium blend los that Swedish Match produces once a year for a higher price tag. It's different from other snuses in that it's very limited, only about 500 boxes are produced per year. It's hand cut, only comes in los, and is delivered in a special box. This year's Kardus is going to come at a price tag of 86$ USD, although some stores may sale that for less or more. We'll just call that the MSRP. This year's Kardus I will henceforth refer to as Pirate Kardus, because that's what it reminds me of.
Okay, so for the most important part - what's Kardus made of this year? If you read my review this time last year for Kardus 2009, I'm a big fan. It was a great snus - even if you're not a fan of los - and is approachable to anyone. This year's flavor is going to be just as exciting. Though not remniscient of alcohol as the last two years have been, this year is going to have a pretty tasty flavor profile. Ranjangan Pakpie Karang Jati, which is a tobacco grown on the east side of Java, is the tobacco used this year. Tobacco has been an important crop in Java, harvested since the early 17th century. This crop was very important for the East India Trading Company. It is harvested leaf by leaf while growing, and only the middle leaves are used. They are then cut into fine strands, the "Ranjangan" way, and cured on bamboo mats in the hot sun.
This year's taste is going to be pretty killer. Kardus 2010 will have exotic fruit and spice flavors with a refreshing mix of sweet and sour tastes wrapped up in a complex tobacco flavor. There will be a balance between bitter and salty. The taste will be remniscient of tamarind, with hints of dark chocolate. The flavor will even evoke unami, detecting the savory notes of this snus. Usually, each year, all that is added to Kardus is salt - however, this year Arrack is added to accent the rich, sweet aroma and round out the flavor. Arrack, by the way, is made from sugar cane and rice. The tobacco is "sweated", which pasteurizes the snus and also adds mildness to the flavor. 
This year's Kardus will come in an oak box with an added bonus. In the lid, a shard of porcelain is included from the exclusive cargo of the last voyage of the East Indiaman Götheborg’s last voyage in 1745, which was salvaged from the wreck in 1905. Usually, Kardus in the past has come in a box of some sort, but this year will have that added bonus. Like I said, Pirate Kardus! So, this year's Kardus is shaping up to sound pretty awesome. I'm pretty excited.
The ultimate question. Should I pay 86 bucks for snus? I'm going to go out on a limb and say yes. I came into snus in early 2009, so the 2009 Kardus was my first experience with it and it was worth every penny. Shortly after Kardus sold out and people started to hear about how good it was, read reviews, and start to realize just how worth it it truly was - the people who said they didn't wanna shell out major bank for it were saying, "Aw man! I wish I would have bought some when it was around!" So I'll say it simply. If you're a snus lover, you owe it to yourself to pick up a box of Kardus. Even if you're not a fan of los, this snus is worth it. It's a great Christmas gift you can give yourself!
Excellent article, Chad!
ReplyDeleteI got my box yesterday and i simply LOVE it!
ReplyDelete