Epok No1 Ice Blue Intense S4 (Norway) - Review. 22 February 2020.

Today, I'll be reviewing a product out of Norway: Epok No1 Ice Blue 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 Ice Blue.  It also exists in a nicotine pouch version - Lyft Ice Blue (Nicotine Pouches).  And, there's a chew bag version, Epok Ice Blue (Chew Bags).  The flavor description for this one says, "A rich taste of peppermint and a cool mint effect”.  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, the aroma is a smooth, mild, lightly sweet smell of peppermint. The portions are slim, soft, and comfortable in the lip. When you put one under the lip there is a mild burn, and then a light cooling sensation. The flavor is a gentle, lightly sweet taste of peppermint. It’s not too bold, and seems pretty refreshing. The nicotine level feels to be around the extra strong level and has a solid kick to it! The flavor, on average, lasts about 45-55 minutes.  If you're in Norway and like white tobacco products, and want a mint one with a lot of nicotine, this one has a fresh flavor and a solid kick to it!

For my non-Norway audience, you can get nicotine pouch versions of this one at SnusExpress.com.  Here's a purchase link for some other varieties:  https://www.snusexpress.com/us/en/brands/lyft.