SKëLD - Braaid

• Name: SKëLD - Braaid
• Category: Spirit-Infused Aromatic Snuff - A moderately complex, dessert-like blend
• Grind: Medium/Irregular - Fine-milled with slight irregularity, designed for a long, controlled release
• Moisture: Moderate - Pleasant texture like moist earth; intended for balance and ease of use
• Nicotine: Medium-High - Quick onset followed by enduring release
• Intensity: A strong, smooth snuff

SKëLD - Braaid is characterised by its unique combination of dark leaf tobacco and Northern European grain spirits, creating a smooth, complex, and dessert-like aroma. Its balanced grind and moisture ensure it is exceptionally easy to take, making it a study in elevated snuff experience.

Initial Impression

The opening note is a prominent scent of alcohol (Akvavit/Kummel), accompanied by a distinct, complex herbal bill. The most discernible top notes are caraway seeds, dill, and cardamom, with a hint of anise and fennel. This initial burst is surprisingly smooth and awakens the nose, presenting a strong, yet appealing, spirit-infused profile.

Mid-Stage Transition

As the alcohol notes gently fade, a rich, underlying sweetness comes forward. This is akin to honeyed bread, biscuit, and rich creamy chocolate liqueur, suggesting the natural sweetness of the Straight Virginia and Agonya Turkish leaf. A dark fruit note, like date or raisin, emerges, balancing the herbaceous spice.

Base Notes

The complex herb bill softens, leaving the caraway, dill, and cardamom to merge seamlessly with the tobacco base. The three-leaf blend (Turkish, Burley, Virginia) offers a clean, smooth, tobacco-forward experience, with subtle hints of vanilla and slight nuttiness. The nicotine releases quickly and sustains slowly over time.

Finish

Braaid's finish is notably gentle, leaving behind a lingering sweetness of honey, dark fruit, and bread that gradually fades. The spirit notes dissipate entirely, allowing the tobacco's natural character to dominate the final impression. This makes Braaid exceptionally approachable—complex enough to reward attention, yet restrained enough to feel welcoming to newcomers and connoisseurs alike.

Braaid - The Spirit-Infused Revival

Sir Johnny Scott’s philosophy for SKëLD - Braaid centres on achieving a unique flavour profile where spirit and leaf co-exist harmoniously. This blend, categorised within the Northern European collection, is crafted from a fine-milled composition of Agonya Turkish, Malawi Burley, and Straight Virginia leaf. Sir Johnny’s mission is to use only the finest ingredients to forge blends of exquisite quality, standing as a defence against mass-produced snuff. Braaid is a tribute to this commitment, achieving a strong, smooth delivery.

The crucial element of Braaid is the casing: a blend of Mentzendorf Kummel and Akvavit, the national spirit of Scandinavia. The spirit is carefully applied to elevate the natural sweetness and complexity of the leaf blend, rather than merely flavouring it. The caraway, cardamom, and fennel top notes are designed to awaken the nose while allowing the dark fruit, bready character of the tobacco to shine through. The dedication to quality and time results in a balanced, enjoyable study in the use of spirits to elevate the artisan snuff experience.

Braaid - Forged in the Isle of Man

A name born from the Isle of Man's most sacred ground, Braaid embodies the island’s dual soul. Named for the ancient Manx place meaning "Breast of a Hill," this site is a physical testament to the Viking Age, a unique archaeological site where Norse longhouses stand alongside the roundhouses of the native Celtic population. Like the location, this blend is forged in the spirit of this unique co-existence—a tribute to the strength and seamless merging of two great peoples into one Manx nation.

Sir Johnny Scott, 5th Baronet, has dedicated his life to natural history and uncompromising craft. His motivation for creating snuffs is rooted in the belief that true excellence must be forged with the finest ingredients and time, upholding the forgotten standards of traditional European artisans. His journey began out of a frustration with the decline of heritage quality, leading him to experiment until he achieved the strong, rich, exquisite results he desired.

Philosophically, Braaid embodies the island’s dual soul and the theme of seamless merging. The blend itself—combining Agonya Turkish, Malawi Burley, and Straight Virginia leaf, cased with the Scandinavian spirit Akvavit—is a tribute to this unique co-existence. It is forged in the spirit of two great peoples blending into one Manx nation, resulting in a complex, layered product that is both naturally dessert-like and tobacco-forward, a potent symbol of enduring heritage.