Now, if you’ve tried the popular Killa nicotine pouches which are also produced by N.G.P. then to put this simply, Pablo is like Killa on steroids. These two make up N.G.P staple products and Pablo Ice Cold is their golden boy, quite literally. Pablo Ice Cold and Killa Cold Mint were some of the earliest tobacco-free nicotine pouches to grace the market and provided a more modern take on traditional tobacco snus. The minty, white pouch quickly climbed the ranks of veterans and proved itself a solid and reliable powerhouse! Today you can find all types of fruit, candy and even coffee-inspired Pablo tastes but in this review, we will put the original to the test. Pablo Ice Cold.
Packaging 5/10
Now if you’ve read any of my other Pablo Snus reviews you will know that I despise the Pablo Ice Cold design. The gold colour, and imagery of guns, violence and cash are all a bit tacky to me, but hey maybe that’s because I’m over 40! I can see why this might appeal to the younger audience though, and to be fair to N.G.P. the imagery on the packaging correlates quite well with how this nicotine pouch will make you feel… Imagine being captured by the cartel, blindfolded and thrown into the back of a van while they proceed to drive high speed through the bumpy jungle roads. This pouch will smack you in the face.
Although different in appearance from the white cans used in the exclusive line of Pablo, you can expect the same superior quality with the Pablo Ice Cold can. It features a premium feel, everything is tight and secure. One of my favourite things about the packaging is that it is super lightweight but well-constructed which makes it easy to carry. They can also feature a deep waste compartment that is consistent across all Pablo products making disposal of the pouches hassle-free.
Smell Test 8/10
If you are not a fan of mint pouches then the smell from Pablo Ice Cold is going to send shivers down your spine. Upon cracking the can open the initial whiff is overwhelmingly cool, reminiscent of a brisk winter morning. You are met with intense notes of mint, menthol and pure ice. It has an almost herbal essence to it which I like, I remember hearing that they use natural oils in these flavours and if that is true then I am a fan!
The mint aroma is sharp and clean, almost invigorating in its purity. Beneath these dominant scents, there is a subtle undertone of something slightly medicinal, perhaps eucalyptus which adds depth to the aroma. This herbal note enhances the refreshing quality and gives Pablo Ice Cold a layered complexity rather than the one-dimensional mint flavours you often find in other brands. You can tell from the smell alone that this pouch will leave your gums tingling.
Pouch Composition 15/20
Pablo products have traditionally been known for their moist pouch. It is a unique feature that is consistent across N.G.P products. I have found that Pablo Ice Cold in particular is far more moist than some of the exclusive flavours. It is as if the added moisture in combination with the mint and menthol contributes to the nicotine delivery because believe me this hits much faster and harder than any fruit or candy-flavoured Pablo.
Some of the pouches were a little more ‘flat’ and compressed in comparison to the plump pillowy pouches found in the Pablo Exclusive lines. Nonetheless, the pouch quality is still great and the added moisture seems to make the pouch more robust this pouch is less likely to split in the can or in your mouth which is always a plus.
Flavour 14/20
The moment you place the pouch in your mouth you are met with a surge of sharp, clean mint. This initial minty blast is accompanied by a slight menthol presence which together, leave you with quite an intense tingling and cooling sensation on the gum. If you enjoy mint pouches this is a refreshing and enjoyable experience. Overall, the taste is robust, refreshing, and unmistakably minty. One thing is for sure though, be prepared for Mr.Burns! This one comes with an intense tingle.
Unlike some of the sweeter flavours, the taste of Ice Cold lasts for quite a long time. If you are someone who likes to leave pouches in for a longer time, for reference I kept this in for around 30 minutes and the flavour was still quite prominent by the time I had removed it. I can’t fault Pablo Ice Cold in this department.
With Pablo Ice Cold you may find yourself dribbling, literally. The strong combination of mint and menthol together with the extreme tingling sensation was a sensory overload for my mouth and induced a lot of saliva… Which I was not a fan of at all. However, once I was through this stage it was quite enjoyable.
Strength 18/20
I don’t know what it is about mint pouches but if you have been using snus for a long time, you know that they just hit harder. Pablo Ice Cold was no different, if you have been using one of the fruity exclusive flavours and think you are ready for this think again. Although they all boast 50mg/g and 30mg per pouch the acidity, menthol and moisture in the Ice Cold, or any mint variation of Pablo for that matter just make the whole experience far more intense. At 50mg/g Pablo Ice Cold delivered the kind of strength I expected and more. This pouch is for the more seasoned user and is not something I would recommend to a beginner.
Longevity 20/20
These pouches start intense and finish pretty intense too. It is no surprise that this product is so loved by power users. It does what it says on the tin and does so for an extended period. The release of nicotine is initially fast but it continues to release at a consistent pace throughout the experience which provides for a smooth and enjoyable use. 20/20.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Complex mint flavour profile
Steady nicotine release
Superior strength
Cons
Pouches can sometimes be overly moist
Intense sensory experience (tingling)
Packaging can be offensive for the office.
Verdict & Score 80
Pablo Ice Cold is a staple for a reason, with all the interesting new flavours added to the Pablo line it has managed to remain a top seller. Overall it is quite a different experience to most mint-flavoured products and is a more complex flavour profile which is nice, but beware this whole experience from Pablo Escobar pointing guns in your face, to the extreme tingling sensation you will feel in your mouth is quite intense. An interesting ride to say the least
Who is it for?
This is for the mint enthusiasts, if you don’t like mint pouches don’t even waste your time. This snus is for the power user, the daredevil, and the rebel but beginners should stay far away from this pouch.
I hope you enjoyed this Pablo Ice Cold review, until next time snus heads!
