Epok No4 Purple Intense S4 (Norway) - Review. 7 January 2020.

Today, I'll be reviewing a product out of Norway: Epok No4 Purple Intense S4. Epok may not exist in many places, but it still exists as a snus in Norway, and as chew bags in Denmark. This is one that I reviewed years ago when it was sold online to the US as Epok Licorice Strong. It also exists in a nicotine pouch version - Lyft Licorice Strong.  The flavor description for this one says, "A traditional tobacco flavor with licorice and anise”.  This product comes in a 16.8 gram can with 24 portions for 0.7 gram portions. The nicotine content is 14mg/g (1.4%) for 9.8mg/portion.

As usual, I had to cut open portions to look at what's inside an Epok portion. Now, if you're new to Epok, you may be asking yourself what "white tobacco" is. This is how Winnington describes it: "White tobacco is produced in a patented, environmentally friendly process that gently cleanses and refines brown tobacco. In this process, unwanted substances are minimized, such as heavy metals and nitrosamines. The feeling under the lip, nicotine strength and flavor experience is the same as in a regular snus pouch - but without the snus running or coloring your teeth. White tobacco contains white tobacco, nicotine, water, stabilizer and flavoring agents. White tobacco is produced in a water-based process, ensuring the tobacco is clean of all unwanted substances. White tobacco contains no natural sugar. Instead, xylitol is used as a sweetener."

In Norway, snus cans come in this color, also known as Pantone 448 C, or 'opaque couché'. According to a survey, it is "the world's ugliest color". Also, cans in Norway have no graphics on them, they only have the name of the product. I personally like the cans and the color. I find the design simple, and minimalist. So their effort to make snus less attractive did not work on me.

When you open the can, a present black licorice smell greets you. I find the portions to be soft, slim, and comfortable when under the lip. The flavor is a clear, present taste of licorice. There also seems to be a light herbal taste to it, perhaps from the anise. This one has quite a kick to it. Though the nicotine level is strong, it feels to be right at the extra strong level. I find the flavor lasts around 45-55 minutes, on average!  If you're in Norway, and you like white tobacco, this would be a good one to check out.  I found myself really enjoying the licorice flavor on this product!

NOTE:  For my non-Norway audience, there's a comparable product sold at SnusExpress.com in the nicotine pouch format, Velo Licorice.  Here's a link to buy:  https://www.snusexpress.com/us/en/brands/velo/velo-liquorice-strong-slim-8953.