Best ZYN Flavors and Alternatives

ZYN is a popular brand of nicotine pouches, designed for adult nicotine users seeking a smokeless and tobacco-free alternative to traditional nicotine products.

Nicotine pouches are small, discreet pouches that contain nicotine along with other non-tobacco ingredients, such as flavorings and plant-based fillers. They are placed between the gum and upper lip, allowing users to enjoy nicotine without the need for smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco.

ZYN may be the Big Tobacco heavyweight in this space but there are other great options. Mi-Pod carries a selection of independent and popular nicotine pouch brands. These are not mere ZYNPosters but can compete on a level field of play.

 

 

ZYN Nicotine Pouches

ZYN is a product of Phillip Morris and manufactured by Swedish Match. ZYN pouches hold a commanding share of the US market. ZYN products have also gobbled a large share of the traditional snus sales as well, despite the lack of an excellet tobacco inspired flavor. Snus is finely ground tobacco but otherwise a very similar product in terms of appearance.

ZYN is a straightforward enough product. It uses synthetic nicotine in place of nicotine extracted from the tobacco leaf. Available in several strengths, a slow, consistent release is the trademark of the ZYN flavor and nicotine experience. In the US, you can choose from 3 mg and 6 mg in their standard lineup. Alas, Apple Mint, Lemon Spritz and Black Cherry are not on the menu.

For adults who enjoy nicotine, ZYN also has the advantage of not being constantly under attack by lobbyists and the tobacco industry in the same way that vapes are.

 

ZYN Pros and Cons

Pros: Slow and consistent release. Loyal fan base acclimated to the specific mouthfeel, flavor experience and sensations of ZYN. Lacks does not contain the carcinogenic tobacco specific nitrosamines found in smokeless tobacco.

Cons: Premium pricing. Only 15 pouches per can. No lower or zero nicotine options. Independent nicotine pouch brands have closed gap in release and flavor technology. There have been historical shortages that made it difficult to buy ZYN pouches. Whether you order ZYN online or buy ZYN at the gas station, last summer for instance had major supply chain issues. 

 

Related Links

• Shop Nicotine Pouches
• Shop Zimo Pouches
• Shop Ammo Pouches
• Top Citrus ZYN Alternatives

 

Top ZYN Flavors Ranked

There is a surprising amount of difference between nic pouches in terms of flavor release, potencies and even the blends of artificial and natural flavorings used to create seemingly identical products. Here are the top ten ZYN flavors. Check out our review of the best Citrus ZYN alternatives.

The list below is based on industry data, social listening research and personal opinion. Here are the Top ZYN flavors ranked.

• Wintergreen
• Citrus
• Spearmint
• Cinnamon
• Coffee
• Chill
• Smooth
• Cool Mint
• Peppermint
• Menthol

 

Not ZYNPosters

ZYN and ZYN flavors remain the benchmark in the tobacco-leaf free alternative market, but there are great options for adult nicotine consumers. Far more than simply "ZYNpostors", they have much to recommend and do not have the baggage of being manufactured by the tobacco industry. Phillip Morris International owns ZYN and Swedish Match.

The next time you are buying ZYN online, consider great options like Ammo Pouches, Zimo, and Sesh.

ZYN ingredients do not justify ZYN prices, you are paying a premium for the brand name. You won't collect any ZYN Rewards Points for your ZYN Rewards Account, but you will be cutting the cord with the tobacco industry while enjoying a smoke free alternative.

 

Best ZYN Alternative Brands

ZYN does not have a special monopoly on facilities or technology. Nic pouches are all about execution and quality. This interview with the ZIMO founder explains more about how they have created the infrastructure and proprietary formulations to compete with Swedish Match.

US-made Ammo Pouches are another powerhouse, using coconut fiber filler to provide a fresh taste and smooth release of potent nicotine strengths.

 

ZYN Wintergreen

Atop the list of the best ZYN flavors is Wintergreen. It has a nice level chilliness and a flavor very comparable to the typical wintergreen green gum. The difference is that this is a product for adult nicotine consumers.

Wintergreen has a strong gum tingle to go with the icy burst. The Wintergreen flavor is quite refreshing compared to oral tobacco products like snus. This is because ZYN is tobacco-free. There is not a hint of cured leaf flavor.

Wintergreen isn't the most unique ZYN flavor on the market, but it packs the trademark nicotine experience. This means some tingling and burning and then up to 40 minutes of tobacco-free taste. In the battle of what some derisively call the "toothpaste" flavors, Wintergreen ZYN consistently comes out on top. Some may tire of this assertive and cool ZYN Nicotine pouch, but it remains the industry leader.

 

Pros and Cons of Wintergreen ZYN

Pros: nearly perfect blend of cool and chill that drives home the lack of tobacco-leaf ingredients mucking up the flavor. A great wintery mint. 

Cons: Derided as a "toothpaste" flavor, it has a bunch of quite similar siblings and of course is dragged down by availability issues and a high price for only 15 pouches. 

Wintergreen ZYN Alternatives

Making a nice wintergreen flavor shouldn't be a mystery. It has been found in other oral tobacco products for generations and is very common in mints and gums. But in a product which is consumed by adults for nicotine intake, there are other criteria worth considering.

Wintergreen Zimo Review

Wintergreen Zimo a juicier product while remaining spit-free and providing the strong and consistent of nicotine that pouch customers seek. Before you buy ZYN pouches, Zimo should get a long hard look.

Wintergreen Ammo Pouches pack even more punch, the lowest nic strength being 9mg but the premium coconut fiber filler allowing for a smooth and mellow yet invigorating experience. We extoll the myriad virtues of Ammo pouches in the Citrus alternatives section below. Ammo is a premium priced product compared to Zimo but both are great options. Ammo takes a more full bore approach and the 15 pouches per can matters less on a mg of nicotine basis, as they are the much stronger pouch. 

ZYN nicotine pouches are famous for their sustained nicotine release. Adult nicotine users may also be under impression that the dryer mini-pouch design is necessary, so you don't have to swallow ZYN spit. Zimo manages to avoid the dryness of the ZYN pouch without being overly wet like Rogue pouches. The high-quality Zimo ingredients are pH balanced and shelf stable. ZYN pouches expire just the same as any rival product, and Zimo has worked to create a product that stays fresh for longer.

Despite not being exceedingly dry and stiff, saliva production, which can result in an upset stomach, is not a problem.

ZYN nicotine levels are often said to punch above their weight and their products provide a superior nicotine kick to products that on paper are more powerful. The top strength of a U.S. market ZYN is 6mg. This is a very important factor because we are dealing with adult products here and nicotine experience is part of it. Zimo comes in 4mg and 8mg strengths. It has fewer flavors in count but when you factor in that a half-dozen ZYN flavors are mint ice, it actually has a wider array of choices.

The drier ZYN contrasts a bit in texture with the smoother water-free formula of Zimo, which still has the tingle but does not feel quite as brutal on the gums. It is important not to consume too much nicotine, but both ZYN nic pouches and Zimo deliver as advertised. Zimo just happens to have a higher nicotine strength and more options. If you love the Wintergreen ZYN flavor, do not miss Wintergreen Zimo.

 

 

ZYN Citrus

There are two major camps in the world of ZYNfluencers and Citrus ZYN has a major following in the adult nicotine market. It is one of the best ZYN flavors and features lemon and lime flavors. Unlike the European market, which is flooded with new ZYN flavors, Citrus is really the only fruity option in the U.S.

The citrus flavor is not overly tart. The sweetness has a hint of orange flavor as well. There is still some coolness. Even the aroma is delightful with the Citrus ZYN.

ZYN Citrus Pros and Cons

Pros: The only fruity ZYN flavor in the U.S., it has a nice blend of tart and sweet flavors. Lemon-lime is a great artificial flavors in so many contexts. This is no exception. Not a spicy flavor but it has some bite. 

Cons: Smells better than it tastes, kicked off some heartburn in the author, which artificial citrus flavors sometimes do. Lemon and lime artificial flavors are great, but they are still notably synthetic without other fruit flavors or more mint to balance it out. 

ZYN Citrus Alternatives

We have full review of Citrus Ammo: Best Citrus ZYN Alternative. This is a premium product without ZYN prices. No one will think Ammo is knock-off or clone. It has more nicotine strengths, more flavor, amazingly slow release, a great mouthfeel and in the view of the author is comprehensively superior. It tickles the taste buds with a gentle sweetness that lasts an hour. 

ZYN products have the edge in name recognition and little else when compared to Ammo. An in the US, the ZYN strengths simply do not stack up to Ammo for adults with high nicotine tolerance. Ammo does more than replicate the ZYN experience, the subtle sweetness, hint of cooling sensation, and citrus tang makes Citrus Ammo maybe the strongest player in the nic pouch game. One advantage of ZYN is that there is a 3 mg version, the lightest hitting Ammo starts at 9. 

 

 

ZYN Spearmint

 

While Wintergreen ZYN seems to have the most vocal fan base, the author prefers to the smoother taste of Spearmint and considers it among the best ZYN flavors.The tingling, dry and stiff initial mouthfeel of the ZYN contrasting with a relaxing and subdued minty flavor. As is the case with most ZYN pouches, the flavor release is top-notch. Spearmint is the mildest and sweetest of the minty ZYN flavors. Consider Cool Mint the peppermint equivalent.

Spearmint ZYN Pros and Cons

Pros: The authors favorite from the pack of ZYN mints. Smoother, crisper, and bit less assertive than wintergreen. More balanced than Cool Mint. 

Cons: A good flavor but not groundbreaking. There are a lot of good spearmint flavors in 20 pouch cans at a lower price point. 

Spearmint ZYN Alternatives

Zimo Mint is a great alternative to ZYN Spearmint and Mint Ammo Pouches have much to recommend as well. Ammo takes a much more European approach in nic strengths, if not naming convention. They come in 9mg standard, 12mg Strong, and 15mg magnum strengths. There are only 15 pouches per can, same as ZYN, but the peak strength is over twice as potent. 

It must cover a lot of bases as there remains the ZYN Cool Mint, Menthol and Peppermint in this same flavor profile space. Mint flavors are obvious a smash hit in the world of nic pouches. The strength of Zimo Mint is that the flavor release is slow enough, but it has a sweet burst when parked. It has all the minty bases covered. The ZYN cost versus Zimo should also be a real consideration, as should the availability of a zero nicotine Zimo when the least potent ZYN is 3 mg. 

 

 

ZYN Cinnamon

Zynnamon continues with the chewing gum themed flavors. It tastes a lot like Big Red and is a bit less punch than those Red-Hot confections. If this was a vape, you can be sure the nicotine abstinence zealots would be livid. This cinnamon flavor certainly doesnt taste like something off the spice rack or the tobacco plant.

The flavor does have a bit of spice and if you don't like cinnamon chewing gum you will likely have zero use for this flavor. But if you are a fan of the sharp and sweet notes of cinnamon, this ZYN pouch will be a perfect fit.

ZYN Cinnamon Pros and Cons

Pros: A refreshing change from mints and flavorless options. Spicy and sweet! Common breath freshening flavor profile.

Cons: Can be an acquired taste that some people loathe. Not as strong as you would expect from a flavor that is traditionally quite assertive.

ZYN Cinnamon Alternatives

The flavors in ZYN pouches are great but Zimo Cinnamon is an alternative that proves to be much more than just a nic pouch to enjoy when you cannot buy ZYN online or have ZYN delivered. With the ZYN shortage, Zynnamon may not be widely available at MSRP 5.49, but Cinnamon Zimo can stand on its own merits. That it undercuts the cheapest ZYN and contains 33% more pouches in each can makes it a huge bargain in comparison.

The sweet and mildly spiced release slowly while the nicotine starts out a bit more argy-bargy. This is not as dry and stiff of a pouch as ZYN, but Zimo does provide the visceral experience when first inserted underneath your top lip.

 

 

ZYN Chill

 

Chill ZYN is one of the "unflavored" ZYN Flavors. Unflavored belongs in quotes because coolness is an added taste, even if it is not a characterizing fruit or mint artificial flavor. A synthetic cooling agent might be responsible for the Chill ZYN flavor but notes of the filler material and nicotine are also present. This is generally a background taste and quite mild. Chill ZYN rewards the user because when the coolness is gone the nicotine has been absorbed. Smooth has no such indicator. The bite does change with the 3 mg versus 6 mg options.

ZYN Chill Pros and Cons

Pros: The superior of the flavorless ZYNs, it contains cooling agents with add a tingle. 

Cons: Is it flavorless if it contains a cooling agent? Not as satisfying as chilly mint options.

Chill ZYN Alternatives

Sesh Nicotine Pouches include an unflavored version in 4mg, 6mg and 8mg nicotine strengths. Sesh Clear are traditional pouches which start dry with a tingle. What they don't have is a notable flavor. It is a product solely focused on delivering nicotine to an adult user. A good and quality

 

 

ZYN Smooth

Chill ZYN has an icy kick. Smooth has no flavors at all. I prefer chill. Pouch flavors best when they give an indication that the contents have been absorbed. That is one of the primary reasons the flavors are even in pouches, as they are not technically a tobacco product and have no burnt or cured leaf notes to hide.

Smooth ZYN Pros and Cons

Pros: This flavor truly does not have added characterizing flavors. You can still taste some of the materials and shelf stability ingredients, which are quite mild and sweet.

Cons: With no flavors there is no way to track your progress. Pouches are generally designed to run out of taste when the nicotine is all gone. Turns out no flavor is kind of bland and less appealing to adult palates.

Smooth ZYN Alternatives

Unflavored Sesh pouches are a more logical replacement for ZYN Smooth than Chill. Both flavors are not flavors at all, which can be detrimental if you use the flavor running out as an indication that it is time to remove the pouch.

 

 

ZYN Coffee

If you are looking for the rich notes of Arabica bean in a spot-on coffee flavored pouch, Coffee ZYN might disappoint. Like all ZYN Flavors it is still pleasing to the palate but a black coffee imitation it is not. It is more of a sweet coffee type experience, think ice cream or a gummy, which is quite pleasant.

Coffee ZYN Pros and Cons

Pros: A change of pace using a flavor with a strong legacy in many applications outside of oral nicotine.

Cons: Depending on what you drink, it really doesn't taste like coffee but like coffee flavor. There is a big difference.

Coffee ZYN Alternatives

Lucy Breakers Espresso 4mg is the logical Coffee ZYN Alternative. The rival tobacco companies also churn out mocha inspired nic pouches. Lucy Breakers contain an extra flavor burst within and have ZYN beat in terms of intensity and integrity of taste. Lucy Breakers are slim pouches, and the breaker also helps reduce dryness when activated.

Sesh will reportedly offer a coffee flavor soon to challenge Lucy and ZYN's hold on this space.

 

ZYN Peppermint

Zyn Peppermint is a bit stronger than spearmint, more akin to those red and white striped mints than a stick of chewing spearmint chewing gum. There is still a fair amount of flavor overlap, it is unlikely you will like one and hate the other. 

ZYN Peppermint Pros and Cons

Pros: Peppermint is a unique and classic flavor that deserves a pouch. It has a bit more bit but is still cool and sweet.

Cons: Is there such thing as too many mint flavors? There is plenty of great competition from independent nic pouch companies in the chilly mint market.

ZYN Peppermint Alternatives

If you must have the word peppermint written on the label, the independent pouch producers simply don't have the resources to submit PMTAs for five mint or six similar flavors. But their old tobacco industry rivals Rogue, On! and Velo all have one.

 

 

ZYN Cool Mint

Cool Mint ZYN has many fans who insist it is superior to Wintergreen or Spearmint. It is easy to see why mint is such a great seller in this space. This is a classic mint flavor.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Cool Mint is always a wonderful and refreshing flavor with oral nicotine products, really anything you suck on when gum and mints are factored in.

Cons: This flavor masterpiece has plenty of tough competition from Zimo, and its own stablemates like Spearmint and Wintergreen.

Cool Mint ZYN Alternatives

Back in the typical mint flavor pocket, Sesh Mint, Zimo Mint and Lucy Mint are all great options. Like any good mint, this ZYN flavor teases a bit of herbaceous sweetness. 

 

 

ZYN Menthol

There is some splitting of hairs when it comes to comparing Wintergreen, Spearmint, Cool Mint, Peppermint, Menthol, and chill. Menthol is probably the weakest of the flavors as it isn't as sweet. For alternatives, the Sesh Mint, Zimo Mint, Frē Mint, Lucy Mint are all outstanding.

Menthol ZYN Pros and Cons

Pros: Cooler and with less sweet mint flavor, fans of chilliness who don't want a flavor as spartan as chill will love it.

Cons: Feels a bit like a filler flavor and narrowly tailored to a small group that loves coolness and doesn't want mint.

 

 

Our Verdict

There is plenty of room for competition and improvement. The limitations of ZYN's 3 mg and 6 mg strengths is also real, as is the dearth of new flavors compared to an international collection that includes Black Cherry, Apple Mint, Lemon Spritz and many others. 

But with the proper facilities and master formulators, the independent pouch industry has managed to create products that have achieved parity or better with ZYN.