Jake’s Mint Chew Kola Review
As we announced previously there are some big new things going on with our friends at Jake’s Mint Chew. They recently received their USDA Organic Certification and just recently they’ve released their newest flavor – Kola.
I hadn’t heard anything about Kola except that it was coming so I wasn’t really quite sure what I was getting. For some reason I was thinking Coca-Cola… what I got couldn’t have been further from that… and that’s a very good thing.
Essentially this is a lemon / citrus fake dip. It’s got a nice tart smell when you break open the tin which surprised me only because I was expecting to smell something akin to soda. Once I got over my initial surprise that I WASN’T smelling Coke, I was pleasantly surprised. As far as I can recall, Jake’s is the first smokeless alternative vendor to tackle the lemon part of the citrus family. There are quite a few “berry” fake dips out there, including Jake’s own Cranberry, but this lemon version is a nice twist.
As I’ve said in past I’ve never been a huge fan of the flavored chews, but this one offers something a bit different. In addition to the oral piece that someone looking to quit dipping is craving, this also offers a nice kick of refreshment. The best way I can describe the flavor would be a lemon drop candy without the sweetness. I realize that it’s not the best description but it’s the best I could come up with other than “lemonade” which isn’t all that accurate either.
As I said, good smell when opening the can and as with other Jake’s Mint Chew products the spitibility and longevity of the chew are here as well. I popped this one in on my way home from work and it kept its flavor for nearly the entire 40 minute commute. There are still other fake dips out there that pack better than Jake’s, but this is nice and soft and holds together nicely in my mouth even as I “work it” to get more spit and flavor going. The ingredients list from the can (which now includes the USDA Organic stamp) include: organic glycerin, organic mint, water and organic flavors. In addition, each 1.2 oz can has a “use by date” printed on the bottom which I absolutely love.
Kola has already been added to the Jake’s Mint Chew website. It’s available as a 10 pack, part of a split 10 pack and is also included in their sampler pack (where now you’ll be getting 2 Wintergreen, 2 Straight Mint, 1 Spearmint, 1 Kola, 1 Cranberry, 1 Licorice and 1 Cinnamon). Jake’s Mint Chew can be found on the web at www.jakesmintchew.com
Special thanks to Adam and Jake for providing samples for me to try and review. Don’t forget to check out our other smokeless alternative reviews (including reviews of other Jake’s products).
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Have you tried Jake’s Kola? Send us a review and we’ll get it added to the site!
I picked up Jakes mint from a liquor store not too long ago can’t remember if it was cola or not but I was not so impressed it was very messy and fell apart easily and actually made me break out around my lips.
First I would like to say that I appreciate all of your reviews and am going to try some new stuff that you’ve reviewed. I really like the Oregon Mint Snuff Co. Original Mint pouches. Wish they were a little bigger but still really enjoy them. Definitely want to try the Teaza pouches.
Regarding the Jake’s Mint Chew Kola flavor, I am very disappointed. I think you were right, at least somewhat. To me when I open the can it kind of smells like the Cola gummy candies that we got as kids. The ones that were shaped like soda bottles where the bottom half was brown and the top was clear. The smell is not real strong but it is there. As for the taste, there is none! Yes, it does have a subtle lemon taste. About as much as you might get if you put one drop of lemon juice in a 24oz glass of water. Feint, almost non-existent but it is slightly there. I was very disappointed in the flavor! There isn’t even a taste of mint! You’d get more flavor out of some fresh blades of grass from the baseball field. There is no point in using this chew. There is no tobacco (YAY!), no caffeine or energy boost, and absolutely no flavor! I will not be buying Jake’s Mint Chew ever again. With the Oregon Mint Snuff original mint pouches, at least I get good flavor and fresh breath, along with it being easy to use and clean up with no mess.
I would like to try some new flavors and definitely like the caffeine/energy boost idea (I have a rare bile duct disease that causes chronic extreme fatigue) but I want a chew that actually has a flavor to it. Something I can recognize that tastes good. For me Jake’s Mint Chew is nowhere near that!
Thanks again for all of your reviews and the information you put out for us! I really appreciate it! AB
where can I try a free sample?
Hey Jonathan – You’d have to reach out to them directly to see if they’re doing any sample promotions currently.
this stuff is the shit I got the split pack today hell yeah!!!!
More clearly…. i like Oregon Mint Co. “Original”. I’m wondering if Jake’s natural mint or spearmint tastes the same but only less gummy. I don’t like a strong burn so if Jake’s spearmint has more of a burn then i’d want the natural.
sixgunluvr – I’d say (in general) that yes, Jake’s will be “less gummy” than the non-pouch Oregon Mint Snuff. The Straight Mint is a bit less “snappy” then the Natural Spearmint version, so I’d suggest start there. They’re both good chews, but if you’re looking for something with less burn I’d suggest starting with the original. If you haven’t seen it, my review of those Jake’s flavors is here: http://blog.killthecan.org/2010/10/jakes-mint-chew-review/
Chewie,
I been using the Mint Snuff Original and really like it a lot. What Jake’s would be similar. Natural Mint or Spearmint?
Hey chewie was wondering how I can snag a few samples to try it out before I commit
Hey Randy – send me a note to chewie(AT)killthecan.org and I’ll hook you up.
Hey cHewie thanks for responding back where do I email you with my info
Hey Randy – please send me an email at chewie@killthecan.org or via the contact form here on the site: http://blog.killthecan.org/contact-us/
@Hellya – I got another couple of cans of Kola – will be re-reviewing here over the next couple of days. I’ll let you know when that review has been posted. Thanks!
Just got my split pack in today, ordered cherry and kola. I was excited to try the kola as you mentioned it had a strong citrus taste. Not sure if my tin/tastebuds are wrong or yours, as when I opened it up it smelled exactly like soda, and the smell was not powerful at all. The taste also resembles soda, and also barely there. I was really hoping for the lemon flavor. Disappointed with the kola I took it out after 3 minutes and opened the cherry. Again very weak smell and taste, almost tasted the exact same as the kola. Its as if they don’t add enough flavor to overcome the base taste of the mint. The taste is nothing like cherry skoal. Texture is a little worse than SMC, but somewhat resembles real chew (can be a good or bad thing, in my opinion good).
I think this flavor needs to be re-reviewed as I do not think it is a lemon / citrus taste, but in fact a soda taste. The stuff isn’t horrible but it isn’t as good as I was expecting unfortunately, maybe I just got a bad tin of each? Will re-post after a couple more tries of the stuff.
Thanks Hellya – you’re actually not the first person that’s told me my review of Kola was off. I’m going to reach out to Jake’s to see if I can snag another can. Not sure if I just got a different batch or perhaps I had a cold… could be a bunch of things.
Definitely check back after you’ve had a chance to try it again. Thanks!