General Gastronomy Series (Summer 2018) - Review. 15 June 2018.

In the Spring of 2017, Swedish Match released General Kardus: Hernö Gin. They followed it up, for the first time ever, with a portion version - General (Blended by Hernö Gin). It looks like the tradition is continuing, as Swedish Match has released this product, an original portion version of General Kardus Spring 2018. The side of the can says, "General Gastronomy Series is a snus line developed in collaboration with the chef Karl Ljung. The snus in this box has a dark and spicy tobacco character and the taste is inspired by Swedish herbs."  This product comes in a 20 gram can with 20 portions, for 1 gram each.  This product comes with a nicotine strength of 16mg/g (1.6%) which, with one gram portions, is 16mg/portion.

I won't go too much into the background of the General Kardus Spring 2018 release in this review, but if you missed it, you can check out my preview of that product, which goes into the background. Also, here's my review of it, for comparison purposes. Basically, that snus was a collaboration with Karl Ljung, who is a passionate bar-keeper and also snuser. This is how he described this snus and flavor: "As a bar-keeper, I have a philosophy in terms of quality; That's when you feel you've got more than you expected. Not in quantity, but in experiences, both safe and unexpected. That's when the elegant and well-produced grows together. When we go to the pub do not bother it too much and when we are honest. So, without worrying too much and being honest: Snus is basically no more than tobacco, salt, water and a few condiments. If you are to develop a qualitative snus, you must start by producing qualitative raw materials. In this way, snus reminds you of cooking - how much you refined and refined you will not have to start with the ingredients."

If you had General Kardus Spring 2018, this one is virtually identical. I was hoping it would be! The aroma is a heavy presence of herbs; rosemary in the front, thyme behind it. There is a dark tobacco character in the aroma, and a light hint of spruce. The portions are plump, and very moist; you'll encounter a quick release of flavor, and nicotine as well.  The taste is utterly delicious! There is a dark, robust tobacco character which you'll notice almost immediately. But, the star of this snus is the herbal flavor. There are flavors of rosemary and thyme which blend quite well with the dark tobacco character. There's also a mild taste of spruce in the background, as well. The flavors all mix together really well. The nicotine level feels between a strong and an extra strong and has a nice little kick to it. The flavor lasts, on average, about 45 minutes.

This snus isn't something I could use full time.  But, it is a delicious snus.  I've found the best times for me to use this snus are before or after a meal, which I think is what they may have been going for as this is part of the Gastronomy Series.  It's definitely something I'd buy a roll of and keep in the freezer to use from time to time.  Hats of to Swedish Match, this stuff is delicious!