Small Batch #19: Sakura - Review. 12 April 2021.

The Small Batch series is a line from Swedish Match that has been in production since 2018. It's a way Swedish Match can be creative and try new things, but also test flavors out that they may want to release on a full time basis.  Small Batch No4: Raspberry Licorice, for example, was released in July of 2018 and came back in September of 2019 as Catch XR Raspberry Licorice.  I was pretty excited to try this one.  Snus.biz in Ukraine made a Sakura Lös Snus back in 2019 that is one of my favorites of their products.  I was pretty stoked to see Swedish Match's take on this flavor!  This was also one of very few products that I bought a roll of without trying it first.  That's how ready I was for this flavor.  The flavor description for this one says, "Small Batch Sakura is inspired by the flowering of cherry trees during the Japanese spring.  It has the taste of cherry blossoms and hints of both the citrus fruit Yuzu and the Japanese plum liqueur Umeshu.  Sakura is the Japanese name for cherry trees".  Each can weighs 24g and has 24 portions for 1g portions.  The nicotine content isn't listed, but I'm guessing it's either regular strength or strong.  

So, how's the snus?  Well, spoiler alert....  it's awesome.  I'm not kidding, I really enjoy this one.  Upon opening the can, I picked up a sweet floral aroma.  There’s a sweet floral smell to it, a light citrus, and a sweet/sour presence.  Perhaps that is due to the Umeshu, which is sweet and sour.  The portions are soft and plump, but I do suggest fluffing them first.  In terms of the flavor…..  well, it’s utterly delicious.  I pick up a tart, citrusy flavor at first.  It’s followed by gentle floral notes.  It’s sweet but sour in nature.  All in all, it’s very well balanced.  The nicotine strength feels to be around regular strength, and the flavor lasts about an hour on average!  All in all, quite a snus!

Rating and Final Thoughts

I rated this one at 3.96/5, which means it's one of my highest rated products in the Small Batch series so far.  Of 21 products I've tried so far in this series, it ranks firmly at #3.  Yes, it is that good.  If this was released eventually full time, it would have a full time place in my rotation.  It's well balanced, the flavor is enjoyable, and it's unique compared to a lot of what else is on the market.  Don't sleep on this one, definitely check it out.  As always, it's only available in Sweden, and on the SwedishMatch.se website.  

Small Batch Series Rankings
1 - SB 2 – Blood Orange
2 - SB 4 – Raspberry Licorice
3 - SB 19 – Sakura
4 - SB 14 – Citron/Lakrits
5 - SB 18 –Ginger Beer
6 - SB 12 – Pink Grapefruit
7 - SB 7 – Orange/Chocolate
8 - SB 9 – Banana
9 - SB 5 – Coffee
10 - SB 17 – Hot Shot
11 - Chef's #2 – Höstskörd
12 - SB 15 – Tropic Colada
13 - SB 10 – Rosé
14 - SB 1 – Champagne
15 - Chef's #1 – Punsch
16 - SB 16 – Old Fashioned
17 - SB 11 – Popcorn
18 - SB 8 – Gin & Pepper
19 - SB 3 – Apple Mint
20 - SB 13 – Salty & What?
21 - SB 6 – Svensk Skog



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