Sting Free Nicotine Pouches: Caribbean Mango & Ocean Mint - Review. 1 January 2024.

A few months ago, in November 2022, I reviewed Sting Free Nicotine Pouches first product, Blue Mint. I noted it to be a "prototype", but that one did eventually release.  In fact, if you're in the US and want to try out Sting Free, Snus24.com carries that one.  Now, there are two new flavors:  Caribbean Mango and Ocean Mint.  I looked on Prilla.nu and saw they have other flavors out now such as Swedish Cola, Maltese Lemon and California Peach.  So it looks like the Sting Free brand is growing, which is cool.  Back in the day, I wrote one of the first articles about Sting Free, and did the first interview with Bengt Wiberg, founder of Sting Free Snus.  Watching the company grow has been really neat for me.  So, what exactly is Sting Free?  Let's talk about it!

The company originally launched as "Sting Free Snus", however they currently don't make any snus, the only make nicotine pouches.  Here, you'll see pictured the Sting Free tech.  Their website has a lot more on the pouch, but basically it is a pouch with a protective barrier for the gum.  The blue side goes against the gum, and releases flavor the same way as any regular pouch.  They say the "blue biofilm is made from plant based renewable material".  Also, they say this blue barrier "counteracts burning and irritation on the gums. The barrier also contributes to a longer taste and nicotine experience than for ordinary pouches".  But, it's used the same way as any regular pouch, just put the blue side against the gum.  Now, with all that being said, let's do a review!

Each can of Sting Free weighs 11 grams, and has 20 pouches, weighing in at 0.55g each.  The nicotine content on the Sting Free website says 10mg/g, so with the 0.55g pouches that's 5.5mg/pouch.  

Sting Free Caribbean Mango

As far as a flavor description for this one goes, Prilla.nu says it has a "fruity mango flavor".  Nothing we couldn't tell from the design.  Opening up the can, the aroma of this one is a lightly sweet, fruity, tropical aroma.  It's mango, but sweeter.  The Sting Free pouches are small, light, and comfortable against the gum.  I'll talk more about them after the reviews.  In the flavor profile, it's a pretty nice tropical taste.  It's mild, gentle, and lightly sweet.  Again, it's mango, but a little on the sweeter side.  The nicotine kick is quite light, feeling below the regular level.  The flavor has some decent life to it, hanging out a solid 30-40 minutes.

Sting Free Ocean Mint

Much like with the other one, I don't have much of a flavor description for it.  Prilla.nu says it has a "mint flavor", so not much background on it.  When I open the can, the aroma that comes through is a powerful menthol smell.  It's more menthol than mint.  The pouch yields a little cooling presence in the lip, due to the menthol flavor.  Much like the other one, it's light in weight, and smaller than average.  In the flavor profile, it's a light, gentle, semi-sweet taste of menthol.  I don't notice a lot of mint, I notice mostly menthol.  The nicotine kick is pretty light, feeling below the regular level.  The flavor longevity is about the same, 30-40 minutes.

The Sting Free Pouch, Wrap-Up, Rating, and Final Thoughts

My rating for these sits as follows:  Caribbean Mango at 3.17/5, and Ocean Mint 3/5.  They may sound low but keep in mind I mostly use snus.  Generally any nicotine pouch that rates over a 3 is solid in my book, as I've never rated anything over a 4.  I liked the way the mango one tastes, as I like tropical tastes.  I wasn't the biggest fan of Ocean Mint, but that's mainly because I don't really do menthol.  It's just not a flavor I dig.

Okay, so the Sting Free Pouch.  I think it's a neat innovation.  I'm someone who likes the sting, but as Bengt has well surveyed there are some people out there who don't.  This is a product for those people.  My main comments I would add would be that I wish the pouches were a little bigger, and I wish they were a little stronger.  However, this size of pouch is quite popular, and this nicotine strength is fairly common, so I imagine this product will go over well with those who are into this sort of thing.

And lastly, a massive congrats to Bengt for getting this line out there.  He has worked so hard on this over the years, and is a huge advocate for snus and tobacco harm reduction.  It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!  If you want to try these new flavors, Prilla.nu has them and others.  If you're in the US, you can try the standard Blue Mint at Snus24.com.  

Check out our video review: