General Snus Review—Checking Out the World’s Most Popular Snus Brand

General is the first brand that comes to mind when hearing about Swedish snus. Made by Swedish Match, General is one of the oldest snus manufacturers on the market. It’s famous for its unique tobacco blend, various flavors, and multiple formats that suit different users.

Read our General Snus review to learn all about its strengths, pouch sizes, and most popular products.

General Snus History—A Brief Overview

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General Snus has a rich history dating back to 1866, when it was founded by Johan Adolf Boman, who wanted to create the finest snus on the market. Boman spent five years traveling the world and searching for the best tobacco, developing a recipe that became the gold standard for snus. By the late 19th century, JA Boman & Co. had become the third-largest snus manufacturer in Gothenburg.

Today, General Snus is a bestselling brand owned by Swedish Match, a global leader in the smokeless tobacco market. Swedish Match also owns several other successful snus brands, including Göteborgs Rapé, Ettan, and Kaliber, as well as the famous ZYN nicotine pouches.

What Does General Snus Taste Like?

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General Snus is known for its strong and rich tobacco taste. The brand still uses the original recipe created by J.A. Boman, combining at least 22 tobacco varieties to create its signature taste, characterized by hints of lavender, hay, and leather.

All General Snus products also contain bergamot oil, which is made from a citrus fruit commonly grown in Italy and northern parts of Africa. Bergamot oil gives General Snus its distinct acidic aroma.

General Snus—Most Popular Flavors

General Snus comes in many flavors, but we’ve selected the five most popular ones that are consistently praised by snus fans worldwide:

1. General Original Portion—This classic snus features Boman’s original recipe, offering a rich, smokey, and zesty tobacco aroma that has been around for over 150 years, featuring 8.5 mg/g of nicotine
2. General Classic White Portion—This white pouch provides a prolonged release of nicotine and flavor with minimal drip, combining spicy tobacco aromas with hints of herbs, leather, and hay. Each pouch contains 7.8 mg/g of nicotine, making it ideal for a variety of regular users
3. General Mint White Portion—Another long-lasting white portion that blends the dark, smokey tobacco flavor with refreshing peppermint, featuring a nicotine strength of 8 mg/g
4. General Wintergreen White Portion—Iconic wintergreen flavor perfectly blended with spicy General Snus tobacco, delivering 8 mg/g of nicotine
5. General Mackmyra Original—Created in collaboration between General Snus and the Swedish whiskey manufacturer Mackmyra, these pouches have a slightly higher nicotine strength of 9.5 mg/g. General Mackmyra Original delivers authentic whiskey flavor with notes of dried fruit, cedar, tar, and malt

Available Nicotine Strengths

General Snus comes in a diverse range of nicotine strengths, making it suitable for users with varying nicotine tolerance levels.

If you’re not sure which strength is right for you, refer to the table below to find the strength category that aligns with your previous nicotine habits:

Different Formats and Portion Sizes

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General Snus comes in two forms: loose and portioned. Loose snus is the traditional form that has been in use for the past 200 years, requiring consumers to pinch a small amount and form a ball (prilla) before placing it under the lip. Portioned snus contains the same tobacco blend pre-packaged into convenient cellulose bags that release nicotine and flavor while preventing tobacco from spilling into your mouth.

General Snus offers four formats of portioned snus, differing in size and the amount of nicotine they provide:

1. Original portion—This traditional format dates back to the 1970s. These pouches typically contain one gram of snus and deliver a long-lasting stream of nicotine and flavor. Being the largest format, these pouches are less discreet and can create a visible bulge under your lip
2. Slim portion—These pouches are elongated and narrower than the Original portion, making them more comfortable and discreet. A slim pouch typically holds between 0.7 and 0.9 grams of snus
3. Mini portion—The smallest and most compact pouch format, designed for discreet use. Mini pouches hold the smallest amount of snus, ranging from 0.3 to 0.5 grams
4. White portion—Launched by Swedish Match in 1998, white portions are designed to minimize mess and snus drip. Their dry surface produces less salivation, offering a more consistent release of nicotine and flavor

General Snus vs. American Snus

General Snus and American snus have several key differences beyond their country of origin, such as:

• Nicotine strengths—American snus has lower strengths of up to 2.5 mg/g, whereas General Snus offers a broader range of nicotine strengths, from 4 to 20 mg/g
• Flavors—American snus has a mild tobacco flavor and is sweeter than General Snus, which delivers a rich, robust tobacco flavor with minimal sweetness
• TSNA concentrations—A recent study comparing 64 American and Swedish snus products found that American options contained twice as many tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), which are known carcinogens. Swedish Match, the manufacturer of General Snus, uses the GothiaTek^® standard, ensuring strict quality control and minimizing TSNA concentrations
• pH levels—The same study shows that American snus has lower pH levels and moisture, resulting in lower nicotine absorption rates

How To Use General Snus?

Snus is easy to use, whether in loose or portioned form. Here’s what to do:

1. Pinch a small amount of loose snus or take a single pouch and place it between your gums and upper lip
2. Leave the snus in your mouth for up to 40 minutes, depending on your preference and nicotine tolerance. Don’t chew, suck, or swallow snus
3. Once you’re done, remove the snus and throw it away

If you’re new to General Snus, you might feel a slight tingle or burning sensation when using it. This is normal and indicates that the snus is releasing nicotine.

Nicotine Pouches—A Better General Snus Alternative

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Nicotine pouches are a modern snus alternative that doesn’t contain any trace of tobacco leaves, stems, or dust. These 100% tobacco-free pouches use only pharmaceutical nicotine and food-grade ingredients, allowing you to enjoy nicotine without most of the health risks associated with tobacco, including the carcinogenic TSNAs.

Here are some key benefits of switching to nicotine pouches from traditional tobacco products like chewing tobacco, cigarettes, vapes, or snus:

• A wider variety of strengths—Unlike snus, where the tobacco blend determines the strength, nicotine pouches allow manufacturers to control nicotine levels. Their strength ranges from 3 mg/g for the mildest nicopods to over 50 mg/g for the strongest pouches
• Endless flavor options—Nicotine pouches don’t have the strong tobacco taste, offering a multitude of flavors, such as various fruits, herbs, and even Belgian chocolate
• High nicotine absorption rates—Nicotine pouches typically have absorption rates of up to 50%, making them more efficient for nicotine delivery than snus, which has an absorption rate of around 35%
• No teeth stains—Being 100% tobacco-free, nicotine pouches don’t cause deep, persistent dental stains and discoloration associated with traditional tobacco products. Mild stains may occur with excessive use but are easy to remove with regular dental care

Get the Best European Nicotine Pouches From SnusBoss

SnusBoss is a reputable online store led by a team of seasoned industry experts, offering a wide selection of premium European pouches. These nicopods are designed to provide an exceptional nicotine experience with richer flavors, more moisture, and a stronger kick than most U.S. products.

In the States, the FDA’s classification of nicotine pouches as tobacco products has significantly slowed down their development, forcing manufacturers to undergo complicated pre-marketing procedures when releasing new products. Meanwhile, European nicopod regulations are less restrictive, allowing EU manufacturers to refine their formulas and production processes, resulting in superior products.

To see SnusBoss’s complete range of premium nicotine brands, check the table below:

Follow these steps to order your favorite nicotine pouches from SnusBoss:

1. Visit the online store
2. Pick your preferred brand, strength, and flavor
3. Provide your shipping and payment details

Choose express delivery at checkout to receive your shipment in 2–3 business days and enjoy free shipping on all orders over $249.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is General Snus FDA Approved?

Yes, General Snus is FDA-approved. On October 22, 2019, General Snus received a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) order from the FDA, allowing it to advertise and sell its products on the U.S. market. 

What Are the Side Effects of Snus Pouches?

The side effects of using snus pouches can include gum irritation, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and a higher risk of nicotine addiction. Long-term use may also contribute to gum recession and tooth staining, though snus is generally considered less harmful than cigarettes.

Why Are Some General Snus Flavors Unavailable in the U.S.?

The flavors with the highest consumer demand are available in the U.S., while less popular options can be ordered online or imported. FDA regulations also restrict the introduction of new smokeless tobacco products or flavors unless they have been reviewed and approved in advance.

Featured image source: swedishmatch.se