Göteborgs Rapé Chew Bags - Review. 28 December 2017.

Review Updated:  7 August 2021

It's been a few years since these launched, and the last time I reviewed them.  At the time when these launched, they were a good alternative for folks in the EU.  By making a few changes to snus (thicker portion material and cut tobacco, along with the name "chew bags"), these products became legal in the EU.  However, over the past few years, nicotine pouches have rose in popularity and the chew bag scene seems to be getting less popular.  Nicotine pouches are cheaper to produce, and easier to sell.  Obviously, I think chew bags are much better, but it seems companies are moving away from them and moving towards nicotine pouches.  These, along with a handful of other brands, are still produced, so I figured I'd give them an updated review and a rating, since I wasn't doing ratings the last time I reviewed these.  I found these still sold on the SnusExpress EU shop, so I thought I'd revisit them!

Göteborgs Rapé Chew Bags: White Large

Flavor:  "A mild but flavorful tobacco aromatized with lavender and juniper berries and just a hint of citrus."

Can Contents:  14 grams, 20 portions, 0.7g each

Nicotine Strength:  12mg/g (1.2%) / 8.4mg/portion

Review:  When you open the can, the aroma that comes through is a present smell of juniper and citrus. The portion material is dry to the touch, and the tobacco inside is compact and requires fluffing. It feels a little dryer in the lip, but the longer you have it in the more moist it will get. The flavor is a present taste of juniper and citrus, with a very mild tobacco character in the background. The taste itself is relatively gentle. The flavor lasts quite a long time; I’ve found with this one I can keep it in for up to an hour and a half. The nicotine kick feels to be right at the strong level. 

 

Göteborgs Rapé Chew Bags: Slim White Dry (Extra Strong)

Flavor:  "A mild but flavorful tobacco aromatized with lavender and juniper berries and just a hint of citrus."

Can Contents:  13.2 grams, 24 portions, 0.55g each

Nicotine Strength:  16mg/g (1.6%) / 8.8mg/portion

Review:  When you open the can, the aroma is a present smell of juniper and citrus. I notice a little more tobacco in the aroma of this one than I do with the other one. The portion material is rather dry to the touch. The portion is slim, and comfortable in the lip, but a little dry at first. The taste is a present flavor of juniper and citrus, with a mild tobacco character in the background. The citrus seems to be a little more tart in this one than the full size one. Since it’s a white dry, the flavor is milder, but does last a long time! I’ve found I can keep this one in for over an hour, sometimes 1.5 hours. The nicotine kick is also very strong. I feel it kick in early, and it feels right at the extra strong level.

Rating and Final Thoughts

I know nicotine pouches have kind of taken over the EU, but I'm glad chew bags are still for sale.  They are, in my opinion, infinitely better than nicotine pouches.  I rated the white large version of this one at 3.67/5, and the slim white dry version at 3.75/5.  Both are good in their own way.  I like the white large version because it's less strong.  But, the slim white dry version has a better and more pronounced flavor.  Both are good in their own right so it ultimately depends on what you're looking for.  But, you can't go wrong with either one.  I think it ultimately will come down to which strength you prefer, however, as far as which one you'll enjoy more!