At Snus Vikings, we see new nicotine pouch brands arrive every month. Most follow familiar patterns: louder flavours, higher nicotine numbers, or small tweaks on what’s already out there. CLEW stood out for a different reason. After extensive testing across the range, it became clear that this is a brand built around experience first, not headline strength.
Designed in the USA and now launching in the UK, CLEW nicotine pouches focus on flavour endurance, mouthfeel, and consistency; areas where many pouches fall short once you move beyond the first few minutes of use.
First Impressions: Build Quality & Pouch Design
The first thing you notice when opening a can of CLEW is the pouch itself…
Well, not exactly.
The first thing that you notice is the can itself, which has a lovely domed shape which sits really nicely in the palm, then, when you pop that unique top, you notice that the pouches themselves are different. These are moist pouches, rather than dry ones, which has a significant impact on how the flavour and strength kick in.
Moist pouches release flavour and nicotine more quickly and more evenly than dry formats. With CLEW, the nicotine delivery feels immediate but controlled, without the sharp spike or irritation sometimes associated with higher-strength dry pouches. The pouch material uses a premium fleece, which gives a noticeably smooth mouthfeel under the lip, even when you are using them for longer.
In practical terms, this means:
- Less friction against the gum
- A more even flavour release
- Reduced dryness over time
For users accustomed to dry pouches, CLEW feels softer and more rounded, something which is particularly noticeable after the 20–30 minute mark.
Moist vs Dry Pouches: Why It Matters
This is where CLEW really differentiates itself.
Dry pouches rely on saliva to activate flavour and nicotine release. That can work well for slower, subtler delivery, but it often leads to uneven performance; strong at first, then flat. Moist pouches, like CLEW’s, are pre-balanced for consistent release.
In testing, CLEW’s pouches delivered up to 45 minutes of flavour and nicotine impact with minimal fade, which is impressive even among premium brands. There’s no harsh drop-off, no sudden loss of flavour, and no need to reposition the pouch halfway through.
For users who value reliability over novelty, this is a genuine upgrade.
Strength Options: Clear, Usable, and Well Judged
CLEW is available in four nicotine strengths:
- 5mg
- 10mg
- 15mg
-
20mg
(with a 2.5mg option confirmed as coming soon)
From our perspective as both as pouch users and retailers, this range of strengths makes a lot of sense. The lower strengths are well suited to newer pouch users or those reducing nicotine intake, while the upper end provides a confident hit without crossing into harsh or aggressive territory.
What’s notable is that the experience remains consistent across strengths. The higher strengths don’t sacrifice comfort, and the lower strengths don’t feel underwhelming. That balance is difficult to get right and CLEW has managed it.
Flavour Review: Endurance Over Gimmicks
CLEW’s flavour lineup is focused rather than bloated, and that works in its favour. Instead of novelty blends that peak quickly, these flavours are built for longevity.
Mint profiles such as Cool Mint, Spearmint, Wintergreen and Menthol are clean and layered rather than overly aggressive. They cool without numbing and stay present throughout use.
Fruit options like Blueberry, Watermelon, and Citrus are bright but controlled, with no artificial sweetness, no sharp aftertaste. For users who prefer something deeper, Coffee delivers a unique richness without heaviness or bitterness and there are additional flavours like Cherry Cola coming to the UK soon.
Across the board, flavour intensity is maintained without overpowering the nicotine delivery; a sign of careful formulation rather than flavour masking.
Ingredients & Manufacturing Standards
CLEW nicotine pouches are formulated and developed in the USA using high-quality ingredients selected for consistency and comfort. The formulation avoids unnecessary harshness while maintaining performance, which is particularly noticeable in longer sessions.
The brand has also been awarded Best Nicotine Pouch Globally, an accolade that reflects user experience rather than just strength or novelty and based on our hands-on evaluation, that recognition feels justified.
Who CLEW Is Best For
In the opinion of the Snus Vikings expert review panel, CLEW is ideal for:
- Users who care about flavour lasting beyond the first 10 minutes
- Those who prefer a smoother, moist pouch experience
- People who want clear strength options without extremes
- Anyone who values comfort and consistency over shock factor
It’s not a brand chasing the strongest numbers on the shelf, it’s a brand designed for people who actually use pouches daily and notice the details.
Final Verdict
CLEW is one of the more thoughtfully engineered nicotine pouch ranges we’ve tested this year. The combination of unique can shape, moist pouch design, premium fleece material, long-lasting flavour, and sensible strength tiers makes it a standout option in a crowded market.
For users looking to move beyond dry pouches or short-lived flavour hits, CLEW delivers a genuinely refined experience that feels deliberate, well-balanced, and built for real-world use.
Life, amplified — without compromise.
