Göteborgs Rapé XRANGE Strong - Review. 29 September 2018.

Review Updated: 26 February 2021 

The XRANGE snus line from Swedish Match launched in 2015 as a "modern premium" line. Meaning, it's the same quality you get with Swedish Match's premium products, but at a cheaper price. The products came in slim portions, had a lighter weight, and only had 21 portions per can. Now, Swedish Match has updated the XRANGE line, so it's time to revisit it! The new cans are smaller, slimmer, utilize less plastic, and are completely recyclable. It's part of a push Swedish Match is doing to do their part for the environment. In this review, we're talking about Göteborgs Rapé XRANGE Strong White! The flavor description says, "GR XRANGE Strong has a light and spicy tobacco character with clear elements of lavender and juniper, as well as some wood and citrus." This product comes in a 16.8 gram can with 21 portions for 0.8 gram portions. The nicotine content is 13.5mg/g (1.35%), which breaks down to 10.8mg/portion. 
    
The New Cans

In the top left, you'll see the diameter of the new can is a little smaller than the old design.  On the top right, you can see that the new cans are definitely slimmer than the old cans.  Another big change is that the big "XR" on the side label is gone from the new cans.  In the bottom right, you'll see that the new cans are semi-translucent, so from the bottom and the top catch lid you can see a little through the can.  On the bottom left you'll see the biggest change - the new can design now comes in the Star Formation!  So, while XR is a cheaper priced product, you get the Star Formation, which Swedish Match usually does with their premium product lines. 

Can Comparison

In the new XRANGE line, the biggest change in terms of graphics was probably with Göteborgs Rapé.  For me, I am not a fan of this new design.  GR is blue and gold.  This new design is more clear and navy.  I don't know, it just doesn't look right to me.  The new form factor is nice, but I'm not the biggest fan of the new look of the cans.  Göteborgs Rapé is no longer in white, it's embossed into the background, as well.

If you've had GR XRANGE (the regular strength version), this one tastes virtually identical.  The aroma is a very present smell of juniper, a little citrus, and some mildly sweet floral notes.  The portions are slim, white, soft to the touch, and comfortable in the lip!  The taste, again, is just like regular GR XRANGE.  Juniper is the heavy hitter and most present part of the flavor profile.  In the background there are mild notes of citrus, and behind that a light herbal/floral character.  The flavor lasts a long amount of time; I find on average I can keep these in for up to an hour, sometimes more!  The nicotine, being a strong, feels a little stronger than a regular strength, but not as strong as an extra strong.  It provides a nice little extra kick of nicotine. 

Rating and Final Thoughts

I'm all for cans being more environmentally friendly and sustainable, but I'm not a fan of the design.  Going from blue and gold to navy and translucent for GR just feels...wrong.  However, it's the same great snus in the can.  I rated it at 3.5 out of 5.  If you like GR, the XRANGE line is a good way to save money, and this is also currently the only strong version of GR around.  It's a good snus, even if I'm not a fan of the can design.

This product available at SnusExpress.com!



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