Wilsons & Co (Sharrow) Tobacco

For nearly three centuries Sharrow Mills have been the home of one of the world's leading manufacturers of nasal snuff.

Wilsons & Co (Sharrow) Ltd produce a wide range of flavours, catering both for the traditional snufftakers and for the new young set who are now discovering the pleasures of the snuff habit.

The Company

The first Wilson to come to Sharrow Mills was Thomas, a shearsmith, who rented the water wheel and buildings from the Duke of Norfolk in 1737. He was an important figure in Sheffield industry, being Master of the famous Cutlers' Company in 1731. He was followed by his son Joseph, a highly succesful international merchant and entrepeneur, who was associated with Boulsover in the manufacture of the first Sheffield Plate. Joseph carried on this silver-plating and various other manufactures such as saw-making at Sharrow Mills and at other places in Sheffield. His main interest was in snuff making; at some point he had come in to the posession of the secrets of this trade, and he was able to expand from this into his other ventures. In 1763 a fire at the Millsdestroyed thousands of pounds-worth of his stock-in-trade which included 'tobacco snuff', and the business was considered so vital to tax revenues that a national collection was ordered to recompense Joseph and his partner (insurance was by no means universal in industry at that time).

By the 1760's Joseph decided to continue th snuff business entirely by himself. It had become the most important part of his activities at Sharrow Mills, and it was at this time that he started making SP, for which Sharrow has been famous ever since. A further six generations of the Wilson family have followed Thomas at Sharrow Mills and the business which is now known as Wilsons & Co. (Sharrow) Ltd. is still wholly owned and run by members of the Wilson family.

Steam-power was introduced in 1797 and the capacity of the mills has been gradually increased over the years but the water wheel is still working, deriving its power from the little river Porter. Sharrow snuffs were originally sent out in barrels, boxes and bladders. Today a wide range of packing, the most popular being 5, 10 and 25gr. tins, is available and snuff is made in an increasing number of flavours. These include the older blends such as Wallflower, Rose of Sharrow, Royal George, Jockey Club, Crumbs of Comfort, Aniseed and Eucalyptus, S.P., S.S., Tom Buck, Sharrow Medicated, Irish High Toast and Queen's Extra Strong, as well as the newer additions such as Super Menthol, SM 500, Rum and Blackberry, Vanilla, Irish Whiskey, Tangerine, Honey Menthol and Prime Minister.

Snuff Categories:

Category 1: The SP Varieties.

Best SP has been Wilsons' best selling snuff for more than 250 years. Its basic aroma is of the finest tobacco leaves with just a hint of the addition of various essential oils of Mediterranean citrus fruits. SP 100 is very similar with a slight variation in the texture of grinding, while Queens and Tom Buck are both stronger versions of Best SP, Gold Label is a milder flavoured SP using 100% American tobaccos.

Sharrow Snuffs in this category:
Best SP, Best Dark, Brunswick, Burgundy, Kendal Brown, Gold Label, Morlaix, Princes, Queen's Extra Stong, SP100, Tom Buck (Extra Strong SP).

Category 2:Mentholated Snuffs.

SM (Sharrow Medicated) is flavoured with a pleasant balance of Menthol Crystals and Eucalyptus oil. SM 500, SM Brown, SM Blue and SM Gold are all variations on SM, the last two with the addition of Camphor. Extra Strong Menthol has an even higher amount of menthol in the recipe. Menthol is simply that, with no Eucalyptus. Super Menthol combines strong Menthol flavours onto a citrus base, which is particularly popular. Aniseed and Eucalyptus is simply that, while Aniseed Extra also uses the more complex citrus base. Crumbs of Comfort uses spearmint as one of its many ingredients, while Country Mint has spearmint on its own. Prime Minister is a glorious mixture of nearly all the various mentholated ingredients with spearmint as the top note.

Sharrow Snuffs in this category:
Aniseed Extra, Cherry Menthol, Crumbs of Comfort, Extra Strong Menthol, Honey Menthol, Menthol, Menthol Plus, Peppermint, Prime Minister, Raspberry, SM (Sharrow Medicated), SM Brown, SM Blue, SM Gold, SM 500, Spearmint Plus, Super Menthol, Ice Liquorice.

Category 3: Scented Snuffs.

Royal George has many different flavours with Violet, Rose and Vanilla contributing to its very sweet aroma. Jockey Club is another popular sweet scented snuff. Strasbourg has the tang of Citrus Spice. Sharrow Irish D High Toast is a medium brown toasted SP. Irish Toast is a medium brown brew of fairly moist fire-cured tobaccos, while Irish High Toast is a light brown version but very dry. French Carotte is quite coarsely ground and sweetly flavoured. Irish Coffee with its flavour of Irish whiskey is an excellent after dinner snuff.

Sharrow Snuffs in this category:
French Carotte, Irish Coffee, Irish High Toast (22), Jockey Club, Royal George, Sharrow Irish D High Toast, Strasbourg.

Category 4: Fruit, Spice and Flower Flavours.

The above category is self-explanatory and the snuffs carry the flavour as indicated by their various names.

Sharrow Snuffs in this category:
Aniseed & Eucalyptus, Apricot, Carnation, Lavender, Lemon Grove, Rose of Sharrow, Rum & Blackberry, Strawberry, Tangerine, Vanilla, Wallflower.

How is Wilson's nasal snuff made?

Wilsons are still in the happy position of being able to make snuff in the traditional way.

Tobacco

It is made from carefully selected blends of choice tobaccos, often originating from Africa where the leaf is particularly suited.

Mature & Dry

After a number of maturing processes the leaf is dried.

Grind

In the old days this was done using the power of the water wheel at Sharrow Mills, in oak mortars by iron pestles. Today, modern machinery is used to ensure consistent high quality standards are met.

Sieve

Several stages of sieving follow to ensure the silky, even texture.

Natural Oils & Fragrances

To recipes known only to two members of the Wilson family in each generation since 1737, natural oils such as Bergamotte, Attar of Roses, Jasmin and Sandalwood are added in precise measure to delight the nose.

Mature

The blended snuff is matured in wood to ensure permeation of the flavour and to allow the full development of the flavour and character.

Package & Ship

The snuff is packaged into tins and is shipped to tobacconists, wholesalers and to individuals around the globe to enjoy.