Plenty of the characteristics that made NICO pouches popular are remaining the same (such as the icy taste profiles). However, the new collection boasts improved quality and more choice regarding formats and strengths.

Quick Summary:

• NICO has undergone a rebrand, complete with fresh products and designs.
• Its new MINT Series consists of four icy products.
• The new range features nicotine strengths between 4mg and 16.6mg, plus large and slim formats.
• As part of the rebrand, NICO’s manufacturer has also improved quality standards.

So, What’s Changed?

At a glance, everything about the post-rebrand NICO range looks different.

The new Mint Series features four products, in contrast to the two items that were previously available. Plus, their cans have different designs.

So let’s start with a quick introduction to the flavours and nicotine strengths of the products:

• NICO Breeze Slim: 4mg of nicotine per pouch, a mint and menthol flavour.
• NICO Ice Strong Slim: 10mg of nicotine per pouch, a peppermint and menthol flavour.
• NICO Freeze Extra Strong Slim: 11.5mg of nicotine per pouch, a peppermint and menthol flavour.
• NICO Extreme Ultra Strong Large: 16.6mg of nicotine per pouch, a peppermint and menthol flavour.

It’s fair to say this new Mint Series is fresh — both in terms of its newness and the icy flavour profiles it offers.

New vs Old Products

For those who have tried NICO products previously, the main question is no doubt how the new collection compares with those previously available.

Fortunately, we’ve summarised everything in the table below.

What’s Different?

The main differences between the pre- and post-rebrand NICO products are as follows:

• The new products are moist. This results in a faster and more intense release of nicotine and flavour.
• There is now a large format available. This takes up more space below the upper lip, creating a “full-bodied” experience that many users can’t get enough of.
• There’s now a greater range of strengths. Both lower and higher strengths are now available, meaning there’s a NICO pouch for users of all preferences and experience levels.
• Quality has been improved. NICO’s manufacturer has been tweaking its processes and ingredients to ensure the new collection is better than ever.

Meanwhile, the taste profiles remain similar, with a focus on refreshing minty flavours and plenty of menthol to create a “tingling” effect in the mouth.

Why Give NICO a Go?

So far, we’ve hurled a load of information about the new NICO range. But what about those who are new to NICO and have had their curiosity piqued by the rebrand?

For one, the pouches are made by Swedish manufacturer The Snus Factory (the same company that made the old NICO pouches).

The Snus Factory stays true to the cultural heritage and quality standards of Scandinavian nicotine products, ensuring every pouch contains an explosion of flavour.

NICO pouches are likely to be particularly popular among fans of brands like Siberia and VELO. Siberia pouches are known for their high-strength, minty nature — something NICO emulates with its use of menthol to create an icy effect.

Meanwhile, VELO pouches are some of the best-selling mint pouches on Snusdirect, thanks to their moist contents and the range of strength levels on offer. Two things the NICO collection also offers!

Try Swapping Nordic Spirit Flavours For Something Similar

There are many different Nordic Spirit flavours available, and there is much variety, meaning there isn’t one nicotine pouch that can replace the entire line. For that reason, we have provided like-for-like swaps with the most popular Nordic Spirit tasting experiences below.

Frosty Mint - Try VELO Mighty Peppermint

Frosty Berries - Try VOLT Dark Frost or FIX Blueberry Ice

Raspberry - Try 77 Raspberry or On! Berry 3

Spearmint - Try ZYN Spearmint

It’s important to note that these aren’t the only flavour profiles similar to Nordic Spirit’s; these are just a selection of ones that we feel fit best. As you may know, there are plenty of options when it comes to nicotine pouch flavour profiles. There are more unique flavour profiles for those wanting something different!

Nordic Spirit Strengths: Many Brands Have The Same

Nordic Spirit strengths are divided into three categories: regular, strong, and extra-strong, which translate to 6mg, 9mg, and 11mg, respectively. These strengths are common within the nicotine pouch market, and finding brands with a similar nicotine strength range should be relatively easy—for us, anyway! The brands highlighted below are brands we believe sit in a similar range as Nordic Spirit strengths and should be easy to swap for.

• ZYN nicotine pouches range from 1.5mg to 11mg of nicotine per pouch.
• VELO nicotine pouches provide an even greater range from 4mg to 17mg.

These are two popular brands that many will be familiar with, making this swap a little easier. However, there are other brands offering similar nicotine strengths.

What Nicotine Pouches Have a Mouthfeel Like Nordic Spirit?

A key feature of a Nordic Spirit pouch is its super-functional format, which offers discreet use, a comfortable fit, and a long flavour release with minimal drip. An alternative brand that offers these benefits is Swave nicotine pouches. It features a brilliant range of bold-tasting pouches with similar attributes to Nordic Spirit's. They come in slim and mini formats with moderately moist surfaces for an ergonomic fit and a powerful onset of flavour that lasts an impressively long time. They also have the finest, softest materials to ensure a comfortable feel and no gum irritation during or after use.

How does the Nordic Spirit Price Compare?

The price of a can of Nordic Spirit online is around £6.50* making this quite an expensive product in comparison to the many available on Snusdirect.eu. To highlight this, below are the prices of nicotine pouches in our store(as of October 2024), showing what’s available at the same price or lower!

• VELO - £3.92
• ZYN - £4.52
• On! - £4.52
• LOOP - £4.69

In comparison, it is clear that Nordic Spirit pouches are more expensive than many of the best nicotine pouch brands on the market, highlighting one benefit of making the swap.

*The Nordic Spirit price above is from the official Nordic Spirit website.

Why Should You Try Something Different?

There are many reasons why users like yourself, should want to change the nicotine pouch that they’re using, and this includes swapping out other brands besides Nordic Spirit. Many factors are at play when picking a nicotine pouch. But why should you make a change?

• Looking for a cheaper nicotine pouch
• Want to try a new brand
• You’re bored of the flavour profile
• A stronger product may be required
• You want to see the difference between a moist and dry pouch
• Experimentation

How does a user know their favourite nicotine pouch unless they have tried a wide variety of products? There may be a great pouch out there that they haven’t tried yet.

Why are Consumer Opinions Useful?

Before buying a product it helps to gather all the information possible, so you know what to expect. For this reason, in-depth product descriptions and blog posts are provided on our website so there are no surprises when the nicotine pouch arrives at your door. Another way to gain a different insight into a nicopod is through customer reviews.

Customer reviews provide an honest and first-hand opinion on a product, providing extra information that would only be discovered once the nicotine pouch is tried by yourself.

What Do Our Customers Think of VELO?

VELO Nicotine pouches is one of the most popular brands across Europe. It harbours a vast range of flavour profiles, pouch strengths, and formats, suiting those with differing preferences. The company responsible for this high-quality brand is British American Tobacco (BAT) and because of the company’s vast experience in the tobacco and tobacco-free alternatives market, it has created a brand in VELO that is simple, eye-catching, intriguing, and of fantastic quality. However, that is our opinion, let’s see what our customers say about the brand.

“Best Snus.”

“5*, the best.”

Which VELOs are Preferred?

Some of the more popular products from the range include Crispy Peppermint, Mighty Peppermint, and Witty Spearmint. All of which are variations of the mint-tasting experience. Crispy and Mighty Peppermint, both have peppermint tones accompanied by bold menthol flavours, compared to Spiffy Spearmint which is much lighter and sweater. Customers thought:

Crispy Peppermint

DS - “Quickly became my favourite pouch, nice minty taste and the strength is right where it should be.”

Mighty Peppermint

Samuel - “I buy and use this product routinely, one of the best pouches I have found.”

How have Consumers rated ZYN Pouches?

ZYN is a direct rival of VELO, and it’s led and manufactured by BAT’s rival Swedish Match, one of the first snus (tobacco pouch) producers in the world. With its beginning and expertise in snus, it was only natural for the company to go downstream and create a tobacco-free nicotine pouch brand of its own - that being ZYN. Similarly to VELO, it has a range of flavours, strengths, and formats that can be enjoyed by many users with differing preferences. Some of our customers have described ZYN as:

“My go-to choice after trying different brands and flavours.”

“The best.”

“Very tasty and pleasant feel on the gum.”

The Favourite ZYN Nicotine Pouches

A handful of the best-selling products on Snusdirect are products of ZYN. Again, the more commonly used nicopods are peppermint and spearmint flavour profiles. Pouches such as ZYN Spearmint and Cool Mint have such a good reception due to their clean, crisp-tasting experience. Previous customers have rated these products and said:

ZYN Cool Mint Mini

Bill - “Good stuff, the taste is really minty, nice cold sensation, very fresh.”

ZYN Mini Dry Spearmint

Harry - “Great low-strength pouch. Spearmint flavour is well balanced.”

Customer Opinions on Skruf Superwhite

Skruf Superwhite is a relatively new brand, produced in 2018 by Skruf Snus AB. This company, born in Sweden, began in 2002, so in comparison to BAT and Swedish Match is a very new company. However, what may seem like a lack of experience is trumped by innovation and product integrity. It has built a reputation across Europe as one of the best tobacco-free pouches on the market and holds the poll position in many user rotations with its soft pouch texture and efficient nicotine and flavour release. Snusdirect has described the brand:

“Nice & Fresh.”

“Good and strong kick.”

“The best one I’ve tried.”

Which Skruf Superwhite Pouches Stand Out?

There is one flavour profile that performs well on Snusdirect and that is Skruf Superwhite Fresh Mint. But it comes in three nicotine strengths, meaning users with different nicotine tolerances can relish the same crisp flavour. Here’s what the consumers think about each.

Skruf Superwhite No.52

Valentin - “the best so far for me. Not too mint, not too strong. I only order this one!”

Skruf Superwhite No.54

Mohamed - “Skruf has been my No.1 since 2013. It’s strong and has a great mint taste. Never breaks in my mouth.”

The Take Home Message

The reason reviews on products are left on our website isn’t only to help improve our business but are also there for you to use, enabling you to see which pouches are worth trying and adding to your rotation. In turn, the reason for this blog post is to inform you.

Use customer opinions to pick better nicotine pouches, making your shopping experience far less strenuous and tedious.

Winter flavours - Ranging from creamy to spicy

What you like will influence the nicotine pouches you’ll use. In turn, those mentioned below may not suit your preferences, but if you’re looking for something different than a minty nicotine pouch, try the products below.

• Helwit Mocha
• VELO Fresh Jalapeño
• On! Coffee
• LOOP Red Chili Melon Strong

The products mentioned above aren’t the most popular nicotine pouches on the market but are made by some of the best brands, guaranteeing a premium pouch. Moreover, these flavours are soothing and warming, opposing the gloomy weather conditions of the winter months. If you want to see others that are similar, try ZYN and its wide range of tasting experiences.

What flavours best suit the winter months

During the winter, you need a nicotine pouch that will warm you up. Mint is good at keeping you cool and fresh, but this isn’t needed when it's cold and dark. Instead, you need something uplifting and hearty, explored further on.

A warming sensation

What better way to warm up than to have a tasting experience that does it for you? By utilising flavours such as red chilli and jalapeño, brands can supply this “warming sensation”. Just like menthol brings a “cooling sensation”. Some of these profiles are mentioned above, but another exciting nicotine pouch is VOLT Spicy Guava Strong, which mixes exotic guava with spicy chilli.

A creamy coffee taste

Another popular flavour profile that we at Snusdirect believe is perfect for the colder months is a coffee nicotine pouch. This flavour category is quite broad and takes two different directions, including:

• A rich, roasted coffee flavour
• Or a creamy, sweet, and chocolatey coffee-tasting experience

This variation opens this category to those with different preferences, as it suits those who prefer bold and bitter flavours or something sweet and syrupy. And what better way is there than to warm up with a hot cup of coffee?

Should you use strong nicotine pouches in the winter?

If you are to change the flavour profiles you use in the colder months, does the same apply to the nicotine content?

As a rule of thumb, you should not consume more nicotine if it's not needed. Therefore, you should use the same strength products throughout the year and not fluctuate between different seasons.

Consuming more nicotine may increase your tolerance, leading you to stronger products, and the likelihood of increasing your chances of addiction and the possible nicotine side effects increase.

Tips for Using Nicotine Pouches in the Winter

In the winter, you need to be conscious of how you store your pouches and what to do before you use them, as the cold and wet conditions can affect their quality. A few tips to use as you approach the winter months are:

• Store your nicotine pouches correctly - it is important to store them in a dry and cool place.
• Keep your pouches dry - be careful of the rain, as this can ruin your product if it gets in your can.
• Fluff your pouches before use - as it gets colder, your nicotine pouches will become firmer, so fluff them before use to ensure the contents have dispersed evenly.

The Best Nicotine Pouches of 2024

Nicotine pouches popularity depends on consumer preference, and this is why ranking them can prove difficult as some may like a product that others do not. However, some products are bought more than others, showing the pouch's success. 2023 has seen a lot of new products, but some of the old remain firm favourites for 2024, as seen below:

1. VELO Freeze X-Strong Slim - a classic pouch with a potent nicotine release matched by a robust ice-cold menthol sensation.

2. VELO Ice Cool Mint Slim Strong - This pouch combines potent peppermint notes with frosty menthol tones, creating a favourite mint-tasting experience.

3. Skruf Superwhite no.54 Fresh Mint Xtra Strong - Another product with an icy fresh flavour profile, utilising the bold notes of menthol and herbal peppermint.

4. VELO Freeze Max - This product has the same tasting experience as No.1 but with more nicotine. Each pouch contains 17mg of nicotine, perfect for experienced users wanting an intense sensation.

5. ZYN Cool Mint Mini - ZYN’s take on the mint flavour with notes of peppermint and eucalyptus oil providing an herbal freshness. Moreover, this is the only product in the Top 5 that is a mini size, prioritising a comfortable mouthfeel.

It may not surprise some of you who use VELO to see its dominance for 2024. However, two other fantastic brands join VELO: ZYN and Skruf.

What do these pouches have in common?

All of the products mentioned above sit in the mint category, but more specifically, the bold and cooling mint flavour that centres around the harmonious combination of peppermint and menthol. This type of flavour profile is enjoyed so much that is included in every popular brand range.

Peppermint and Menthol is the community's favourite flavour combination.

A Special Mention: VELO Nicotine Pouches

By looking at the rankings, one brand remains a fan favourite amongst the community in 2023. VELO nicotine pouches. This British American Tobacco (BAT) brand is still creating new products, and its existing products aren’t budging from the top spot. It continues to broaden its product range regarding flavour and strength, ensuring more users can access and enjoy VELO pouches.

New Nicotine Pouches Brands to Keep an Eye On in 2024

In 2023, many brands were released, and some may surge in popularity in 2024. The new brands mentioned below have been created by manufacturers you may have heard of, enabling you to trust its products. The ones we at Snusdirect believe you should keep an eye on include:

• FIX Nicotine Pouches - The Habit Factory’s new venture. These nicotine pouches focus on the “Flavour Index” and experiment with exciting new flavour combinations.
• Lynx Nicotine Pouches - Is Another Snus Factory’s new project. Lynx has colourful cans and exciting tasting experiences to match.

Along with new brands come new products. The New Nicotine Pouches of Autumn 2023 blog post covers some of the new nicotine pouches. Moreover, there’s more information on other new brands in 2023 there, too. There are plenty of options for your rotation in 2024.

What was EPOK snus?

EPOK was a brand that many consider to have kickstarted the global transition from snus to nicotine pouches. It was one of the first all-white products, made by bleaching the tobacco and removing any impurities, resulting in a product that offered a longer-lasting, lower drip experience. The line was created by Winnington – a Swedish manufacturer that British American Tobacco (BAT) went on to acquire in 2017.

Why was EPOK so popular?

EPOK snus was an incredibly innovative product for its time. It pushed the boundaries of traditional snus’ capabilities, giving it a modern, ergonomic edge. Like any new release, enthusiasts had to take a punt and try it to see if they liked it – and they sure did! But why? Well, EPOK presented several pros over its old-school counterpart, including:

• A longer-lasting release
• Significantly reduced drip
• Minimal chances of stained teeth and/or bad breath
• New and unique flavour profiles

EPOK fades, VELO emerges…

In light of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement of 1998, and the gradual decrease in tobacco consumption, manufacturers began working on ways to deliver nicotine without tobacco. As such, EPOK seemingly evaporated into thin air, and consumers were introduced to two new tobacco-free lines, LYFT and VELO.

BAT’s tobacco-free twist took effect in 2018. The pouches of both brands were identical. However, which design you got depended on where you lived:

VELO was released and sold in the US.

LYFT was released and sold in Europe.

Both types took off, and BAT had a bit of a sticky situation on its hands. To create a truly global, instantly identifiable product, it needed to market one brand, not two.

VELO takes over, LYFT relaunches

In 2019, BAT announced it would replace VELO with LYFT in every country, excluding Sweden, by 2020. But what did that mean? Well… LYFT relaunched as its own line, bringing an influx of new portions, flavours and strengths to the market. As such, BAT could cater to a larger cohort and continue to retain its top-dog status.

How do VELO and LYFT differ today?

Both brands prosper globally, with VELO being a clear leader in the UK scene. Take a look at a summary of their differences, below.

Looking for more information on these brands? Head over to our blog for an in-depth VELO vs LYFT guide!

How is VELO different from EPOK?

What started as a semi-traditional tobacco product has now developed into a fit-for-modern-life alternative. In comparison to EPOK, VELO is:

• 100% tobacco-free
• More diverse in flavours, strengths and formats
• Widely available
• Legal in many countries around the world
• MAOI-free

MAOIs: None in VELO, some in EPOK – why?

As you may know, nicotine is an addictive substance. However, there are proteins in our body called MAOIs, which, when inhibited – are linked with increasing the addictive potential of nicotine. But here’s the good thing – these inhibitory effects aren’t associated with nicotine pouches, just snus. This is because of the tobacco. EPOK contained small amounts of white-washed tobacco and – therefore, some MAOIs. VELO, on the other hand, has none!

What came before nicotine pouches? Nasal snuff and snus

When did the first nicotine pouch come out? The answer is 2008! Back then – they were deemed medicinal nicotine replacement products, or ‘NRT’. But what about before? What was on the market then?

Small But Significant Changes

BAT's ideas for LYFT were to transform it into a premium brand sold at a slightly higher price, which led to several changes. What is immediately noticeable is that the cans look different. They now have a simple, more sophisticated aesthetic with modern colourways and sleeker, less striking fonts.

They also come with improved catch lids, thanks to BAT's ingenious FLEX LOCK innovation, which replaces the solid plastic catch lids seen in the previous generation LYFT and VELO nicotine pouches with a flexible membrane material. The benefit is that users get more space to store their used pouches, which is necessary, as BAT also increased their pouch offering from 21 to a generous 24 per can. Another welcomed change is that the materials used to make the cans are now 83% biobased and, therefore, more environmentally friendly.

Three Flavours and Three Strengths

The new generation of LYFT hit the shelves and stockrooms of retailers in three flavours: Cool Air, Just Bloom, and Barista Twist, each available in two strengths. Just Bloom and Barista Twist come in 6 mg or 10 mg/pouch, and Cool Air in 6 mg or 10.9 mg/pouch.

Cool Air offers an intensely refreshing mint flavour, similar to VELO Ice Cool, designed to evoke the sensation of a breath of fresh air. Barista Twist is a coffee-inspired pouch with a core flavour of roasted coffee, enhanced by nutty undertones rather than cocoa or caramel, as often featured in other coffee pouches. Just Bloom is perhaps the most unique-tasting product in the line, with a crisp, sweet, and fresh apple-cider flavour. BAT lists the 6 mg products as regular strength, those with 10 mg as strong, and 10.9 mg as extra strong.

Nordic Spirit's Early Days in the UK

Smokeless products are somewhat lesser-known and used in the UK than in other countries, like Sweden and the USA. But, despite this, Nordic Spirit was still able to make its mark on the country's nicotine users. The brand was invented in 2018, in Vårgårda, West Sweden, by Nordic Snus AB, a subsidiary of one of the world's leading tobacco manufacturers, Japan Tobacco International (JTI). However, it was not until 2019 that it became available to consumers worldwide.

At the time of the brand's release in the United Kingdom, many of the country's nicotine users were still unaware of nicotine pouches and what they were. And while a lack of awareness surrounding these Scandinavian smoke and tobacco-free products could have boded for an unsuccessful first launch, it was, in fact, quite the opposite.

JTI's extensive market research led the company to know what UK consumers would like and be receptive to in a smokeless product, which paid off as sales quickly soared and Nordic Spirit reviews were consistently excellent. Just a year after its introduction, the brand earned a spot behind the counters of the country's major supermarkets, including 396 Sainsbury's stores across the nation. However, many consumers opted to buy Nordic Spirit nicotine pouches online, and still do, due to lower prices and a broader selection of fresher products.

JTI’s Phenomenal UK Marketing Campaign

In a bid to increase brand awareness and popularity even further, JTI utilised its funds and knowledge and launched a massive marketing campaign. The campaign involved creating a presence on social media platforms and offering followers a Nordic Spirit discount code, billboard and public transport advertising, partnering with several of the UK's largest music festivals, and even giving a Nordic Spirit free sample to passing smokers and vapers on the street! These crafty tactics undoubtedly contributed to the brand's success, helping it stack up against other rival brands with similar marketing efforts, like VELO nicotine pouches and ZYN.

Understanding Why Nordic Spirit Became the UK's #1 Nicotine Pouch and Product of the Year in 2021

The brand became the UK's #1 nicotine pouch and Product of the Year in 2021 because it was voted for the most. That is obvious. But the question of why was it voted for the most? - begs to be answered. While there are no hard facts, below are a few anecdotal reasons that might explain why:

1. The pouches have a low moisture content, which to some, especially those used to moister products, like Helwit nicotine pouches, may seem strange. However, the dryness is not a result of poor quality control or manufacturing issues but is intentional. Nordic Snus opted for a dry exterior and contents to enable the longest, most satisfying nicotine release possible. The nicotine sensation lasts for up to 60 minutes, which users enjoy because it provides bang for the buck by reducing the need to re-dose with a fresh pouch.
2. Although many users like intense, potent nicotine pouch flavours, equally as many find them overbearing, particularly users in the UK, as they are less experienced with these products than those in Scandinavia, for example, where they have been available for many years. The Nordic Spirit flavours, like Nordic Spirit mint, are popular among Brits because they are smooth and delicate. As such, they make for an easy-going first experience that is not likely to be off putting but rather tempting to try again.

To sum these points up, whether it was by the intention or accidental luck of JTI and Nordic Snus, Nordic Spirit is tailored perfectly to British users' needs. The brand's compatibility with users, coupled with sensational marketing and production by a trustworthy, esteemed manufacturer, are likely the reasons for its success in the country!