General Classic Chew Bags (Original & White) - Reviews. 3 February 2020.

Review updated:  7 August 2021

I know, it feels like I've reviewed General Chew Bags a million times.  Actually, this will be the fourth iteration of General Chew Bags I've reviewed. In 2016, I reviewed Swedish Match's General Chew Bags. In 2017, I reviewed Swedish Match's General Cut Chew Bags. Swedish Match eventually bought V2 Tobacco, and began producing General Chew Bags, and I reviewed their version of General Cut Chew Bags in 2018. Now, it looks like Swedish Match/V2 Tobacco has launched a new version, and the cans look very much like regular snus cans!  I think they've done a great job with these new designs, that's for sure.  I did a review of this version back in 2020, but I didn't do a rating of it, so I'm giving it a fresh review.  I found SnusExpress is selling them on their EU shop if you're looking for them.

If you're new to Nordic Chew/chew bags, I'll do a quick explanation of what they are. These are products that are very similar to traditional Swedish Snus, but are different in two ways: the tobacco is cut instead of ground, and the portion material is a little thicker so they can technically be "chewed", which makes them legal to be sold in the EU. I know, it doesn't make any sense, but that's the EU for you!  This photo to the left shows a picture of what is inside the pouch itself, and it looks very similar to snus except it's cut and not ground.

General Chew Bags (Classic)

Flavor Description:  "A full bodied and spicy tobacco taste with notes of bergamot and hints of tea, hay, and leather."
Can Contents:  Each can weighs 18g and has 18 portions, for 1g portions.
Nicotine:  20mg/g (2.0%) / 20mg/portion.

Review:  When you open the can, the aroma is a present smell of citrus and a robust, spicy tobacco smell. The portions are plump, moist, and have a quick flavor release up under the lip! The flavor is a present taste of citrus, a robust tobacco flavor, and a slight hint of pepper. It’s a pretty well rounded taste. The nicotine feels to be at the extra strong level, and has a pretty solid kick to it. The flavor, on average, lasts about an hour.  It may not be a General clone, but it has a great traditional flavor!

General Chew Bags (Classic White)

Flavor Description:  "A full bodied and spicy tobacco taste with notes of bergamot and hints of tea, hay, and leather."
Can Contents:  Each can weighs 18g and has 18 portions, for 1g portions.
Nicotine:  20mg/g (2.0%) / 20mg/portion.

Review:  When you open the can, there’s a dark, spicy tobacco aroma along with a tart hint of citrus. The portions have a good amount of tobacco but do need a little fluffing. They’re pretty comfortable under the lip, as well. The flavor is a spicy tobacco taste, with a gentle but tart citrus taste. The nicotine level feels to be extra strong, and it has a solid kick.. The flavor, on average, lasts about 1-1.5 hours.  Again, not a clone of regular General snus, but it has a great traditional taste!

Rating and Final Thoughts

If you're in the EU and can't get ahold of snus, these are a great alternative.  They're way too strong, and I'm not really sure why chew bag products always have high nicotine strengths.  But, they're a good alternative if you can't get ahold of snus.  I just wish they weren't too strong.  Honestly, at regular strength, these would be a perfect snus alternative, in my opinion.  In terms of rating, I liked the original portion version more, at 3.5/5.  The white portion version rated lower, at 3.42/5.  These are pretty impressive, given that they aren't made by Swedish Match.  Well, they're made by V2 which is owned by Swedish Match, so in a way they are.  But, you know what I mean.  If you're in the EU and can't get ahold of snus, these are certainly a good option!