Epok No7 Freeze X-Strong S5 (Norway) - Review. 19 January 2020.

Today, I'll be reviewing a product out of Norway: Epok No7 Freeze X-Strong S5. 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 Freeze X-Strong. It also exists in a nicotine pouch version - Lyft Freeze X-Strong.  The flavor description for this one says it has "a flavor of intense peppermint”.  It comes in a 16.8g can with 24 portions for 0.7g portions. The nicotine content is 16mg/g (1.6%), or 11.2mg/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 sharp, mildly sweet aroma of peppermint greets you. The portions are slim, soft, and comfortable in the lip. When you put a portion under the lip, there's a mild burn, which gives way to a gentle cooling presence. The flavor is a present, focused taste of peppermint. It has a mild sweetness to it, but it's not overly sweet. The nicotine level feels to be above the extra strong level; it has a really solid kick to it! The flavor, on average, lasts around 45-55 minutes, so it has a good amount of life to it!  If you like white tobacco and are looking for a strong product with a fresh mint flavor, you may enjoy this one!

For my non-Norway audience, you can buy a nicotine pouch version of this at SnusExpress.com.  Here's a purchase link:  https://www.snusexpress.com/us/en/brands/velo/velo-freeze-x-strong-slim-16-8g-7957.