A Morning Chat Over Coffee and the Art of Tobacco
I sat down one groggy morning with a warm cup of coffee and Hedges snuff, ready to interview one of the biggest names in the snuff world:
Roderick Lawrie, founder of Toque Snuff.
Toque has been featured in everything from casual forums to the famously hilarious snuff segment on QI. Roderick’s blend of passion, history, and experimentation has carved a distinct space in the snuff community.
Once our call started, the conversation flowed as easily as our shared love for history and tobacco.
Meet the Man: Roderick Lawrie
Roderick, much like me, is a man of many hobbies. He is studying hypnosis these days. He also enjoys shooting clay pigeons in his free time.
But his main passion?
Snuff making.
What Got You into Snuff?
Roderick: “Back in my younger days, I was a heavy smoker. When I met my wife — a cancer researcher — she begged me to stop smoking. So, she suggested I try snuff, since it was a much safer choice.
I still have a cough now and then, but it’s much better than it could have been.
Then in 2005, the UK smoking bans really kicked off. You couldn’t smoke in pubs, or even the cinema.
I launched Toque in 2006, and people started snuffing instead of smoking.
Now? Everyone seems to want to vape.”
(Neither Roderick nor I are fans of vaping — but that’s a story for another time.)
Favorite Toque Snuff?
Roderick: “Oooh, that’s a hard one. With snuff, people change preferences all the time. It’s not like cigarettes where you’ve got your brand.
For me, I’d say either the Grapefruit — it’s really good, but the scent fades fast. If you don’t use it within a week, the smell’s gone. Or Absinthe, which seems to last forever. It could survive a nuclear bombing and still smell strong!”
Least Favorite?
Roderick: “Cheese & Bacon. I just don’t get it. I made it as a joke snuff, by request. But that guy gave it to his friends, and suddenly people kept asking for it!”
Me: “Was he an American?”
Roderick: “Yes, he was. Is that a big thing in the States?”
Me: “Oh yes, bacon is everywhere. In diners especially.”
(Funnily enough, I was wearing my old diner work shirt during the interview.)
Roderick: “One of the best snuffs I ever had was a 1928 tin of Levi Garrett. Still sealed, original cork and all. Smelled amazing. Sadly, just an empty jar now.” (He chuckled.)
Editor’s note: Levi Garrett is an American snuff company.
The Toughest Challenge in the Snuff Business?
Roderick: “Shipping and customs, by far. It used to be easy to get snuff to Germany, now it’s nearly impossible. Canada and Australia too. Customs hold things for weeks. In Canada’s case, one in five orders gets seized.”
We both agree this is a growing problem. People should be allowed to choose their tobacco products without governmental interference or customs delays. We also touched on how social media is increasingly censoring tobacco-related content.
Even saying the word “tobacco” can get flagged these days. Online forums and Discord seem to be the last bastions for tobacco-related conversations.
What’s Next for Toque?
Roderick: “We’ve got a few new flavors coming out for the Artisan line. This is where we keep our more unique snuffs. Then there’s Otto, our line for more Germanic-style snuffs. One of my favorites in the Artisan line is the Oriental mixture it’s really unique.”
Final Thoughts & Personal Takeaways
We chatted about everything from collecting and antique firearms to cigars. (I’ll admit, I was jealous of his cigar collection.)
I’ve got some Toque tins on order and will be reviewing them here on QPT soon.
Do I Recommend Toque?
Yes. Absolutely.
At the time of writing, Toque offers 111 exclusive scents. About 80% of the base flour is sourced from Wilson’s, a name in and of itself.
Each blend is uniquely crafted (see: Cheese & Bacon) and there’s something for every type of snuffer.
Shipping is free on orders over $75, and their customer service is fast and friendly. Roderick himself is active in the Facebook community, chiming in on posts and answering questions.
If you’re curious, pick up a few tins. Worst case? You’re out $3–$5 and end up with a quirky addition to your collection.
Big thanks to Roderick Lawrie for the chat.
I’m eager to dive into the Toque lineup!
Quack Pack Tabac 