Review: Skruf #4 Xtra Stark
Back in 2010, Skruf released Skruf Xtra Stark. It was, at the time, the strongest snus on the market, sitting right at 19mg/g. There was also a loose version of it, which is sorely missed. I’ve always been a big fan of this one, for a many a reason, which I’ll talk about when we get into the review. This is a traditional flavored snus, but a little bit different. Skruf has always been kind of the “rebel” company. They respect the tradition of snus, but make flavors that are pretty unique, including their twist on the traditional bergamot taste of snus. So, without further delay, let’s check it out!
This one has the standard catch lid on top, where you can deposit your used portions if you aren’t near a trash receptacle. The flavor description on this one says, “A powerful Skruf Snus with original portions, extra strong kicks and a classic tobacco, bergamot and rose oil flavor”. Each can weighs 21.6 grams and has 24 portions, for 0.9g each. The nicotine content sits at 19mg/g, and with the 0.9g portions you get 17.1mg per portion.
Opening the can, you’ll notice the traditional bergamot aroma, but with Skruf they add in a little rose oil to accentuate the snus character. The tobacco base on this one is bold, and rich, and I notice it to have more character to it than the regular Skruf. The portions are nice and plump, with a good moisture amount and a quick flavor release. The taste is fantastic. I love the tobacco base on this one, it’s quite rich. The bergamot compliments it well, but the rose oil is the main reason I love Skruf. It goes so well with their base tobacco, and it’s a good companion to bergamot. The nicotine strength on this one is strong, and it has quite a kick to it. It feels to be between strong and extra strong, and has a smooth release to it. The flavor hangs out a good 40-45 minutes.
The Bottom Line
This is a great snus. In my opinion, it is the one that best showcases the Skruf traditional flavor profile. The tobacco base has more fullness to it than other Skruf products, and the citrus and rose oil work great together. If you’ve never had Skruf, you definitely should. They make a solid product, and have a high quality with every snus they make. I’ve loved Skruf #4 Xtra Stark Original Portion for many years now, and have always considered it to be a top snus!
