Pablo Ice Cold vs Red vs X Ice Cold: Every Format Compared
The Pablo Ice Cold vs Red question comes down to one choice: pure freeze or mint with warmth.
Then a third option joins in. X Ice Cold keeps the cold but adds a subtle tobacco-style note.
These three flavors form the core of the Original line.
They also appear in Mini, Dry, XXL and the US range.
This guide compares their profiles first. After that, it maps every format and strength where each one appears.
All three are strong products for adults 21+ who already use nicotine.
Key Takeaways
- Ice Cold is an intense peppermint and menthol freeze, the flagship flavor.
- Red pairs mint with red-pepper warmth, according to the maker.
- X Ice Cold is a cold mint with a subtle tobacco-style undertone, yet contains no tobacco leaf.
- Within any one format, all three share the same strength. So flavor is the only difference.
- Ice Cold appears in the most formats, including Dry and XXL, where Red and X Ice Cold are absent.
Three Flavors, One Shared Base
Before comparing taste, it helps to see what stays constant. That way, you know exactly what changes between cans.
In the Original line, all three use 30 mg/g nicotine in a 0.8 g pouch.
So each pouch delivers 24 mg.
Each can holds 20 pouches with 16 g net weight. Every pouch is all-white plant fiber with no tobacco leaf.
N.G.P Tobacco ApS of Aalborg, Denmark, makes all three. Therefore, the only real variable inside a format is flavor.
“Red” and “Ice Cold” describe taste, not strength.
A Red pouch and an Ice Cold pouch from the same line match on nicotine.
Ice Cold: The Flagship Freeze
Ice Cold anchors the Original line. In fact, the catalog calls it the flagship profile.
What the profile says
The maker describes Ice Cold as an intense peppermint and menthol freeze. Both parts of that phrase matter.
Peppermint gives the bright, minty taste. Meanwhile, menthol drives the strong cooling sensation on the lip.
How it sits on the scale
Ice Cold sits near the top for cooling and near the bottom for sweetness. It is clean, sharp and cold.
Only Frosted Ice, from Gold, Exclusive and the US range, reads as less sweet in the catalog.
Who tends to suit it
- Adults who like strong peppermint gum or icy mints.
- Anyone who wants a simple, single-note flavor with no extra twist.
- Users who want the widest choice of formats, from Mini to XXL.

Red: Mint With Red-Pepper Warmth
Red takes a different route. Instead of adding more cold, it adds warmth on top of the mint.
What the profile says
The maker describes Red as a hard-hitting mint and red pepper blend. So expect mint first, then a warm edge.
The US 20 mg version reads slightly differently. Its profile lists mint and spearmint with a warming, tingling edge.
How it sits on the scale
Red scores lower than Ice Cold for pure cooling. However, it adds a second sensation that the other two lack.
Sweetness stays low. As a result, Red feels bold rather than candy-like.
Who tends to suit it
- Adults who find full menthol too icy but still want mint.
- Anyone who enjoys cinnamon gum or a little heat in flavors.
- Users who want variety inside the same strength as Ice Cold.

X Ice Cold: Cold Mint With an Earthy Note
X Ice Cold sits between the other two in spirit. It keeps a cold mint base, then adds depth.
What the profile says
The catalog describes a cold mint with a subtle tobacco-style undertone. That note comes from flavoring only.
Like every Pablo pouch, X Ice Cold contains no tobacco leaf. Still, the flavor nods toward a more traditional taste.
How it sits on the scale
Cooling stays high, though the profile does not name menthol the way Ice Cold does.
The undertone makes it the most savory of the three. In contrast, Ice Cold stays purely minty.
Who tends to suit it
- Adults who want cold mint with a little more depth.
- Anyone who finds pure peppermint a bit one-dimensional.
- Users who want an earthier option in the same strength band.

Pablo Ice Cold vs Red: Side-by-Side Table
This table compares all three flavors on profile and on every format where they appear.
| Feature | Ice Cold | Red | X Ice Cold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog profile | Intense peppermint and menthol freeze | Mint with red-pepper warmth | Cold mint, subtle tobacco-style undertone |
| Cooling | Very high | Medium | High |
| Extra note | None | Warmth | Earthy undertone |
| Original (0.8 g, 20 per can) | 24 mg | 24 mg | 24 mg |
| Mini (0.5 g, 30 per can) | 15 mg | 15 mg | 15 mg |
| Dry (0.6 g, 20 per can) | 18 mg | Not in current catalog | Not in current catalog |
| XXL (0.8 g, 30 per can) | 24 mg | No | No |
| US range (0.8 g, 20 per can) | 20 mg | 20 mg | 20 mg |
Two points stand out. First, strength never differs between flavors in a shared format.
Second, Ice Cold reaches five formats, while Red and X Ice Cold reach three each.
Format by Format: Where Each Flavor Lives
The same flavor can feel different depending on pouch size, moisture and count. So format deserves its own look.
Original
Original is the home base for all three.
It uses 30 mg/g in a 0.8 g pouch for 24 mg each.
Cans weigh 16 g net and hold 20 pouches. The maker labels this tier super strong.
Browse the Original line for X Ice Cold and its two siblings.
Mini
Mini keeps the same 30 mg/g but uses a 0.5 g pouch. As a result, each pouch carries 15 mg.
Each Mini can holds 30 pouches with 15 g net. All three flavors appear here.
Mini suits adults who want a smaller pouch under the lip. See Mini versus Original for details.
Dry
Dry uses a low-moisture 0.6 g pouch at 30 mg/g. That gives 18 mg per pouch and 12 g net.
Only Dry Ice Cold appears in the maker’s current catalog. Red and X Ice Cold are absent there.
Our Dry versus Original comparison explains how lower moisture changes the experience.
XXL
XXL uses the Original 24 mg pouch but packs 30 into a can. Net weight rises to 24 g.
Ice Cold is the only XXL flavor. So Red and X Ice Cold fans should stick with Original cans.
US range
The US range offers all three at 20 mg per pouch. Each uses a 0.8 g pouch at 25 mg/g.
Cans hold 20 pouches with 16 g net. Look for Original Ice Cold, Original Red and Original X Ice Cold.
The US versus EU range guide compares the two families in full.
The Strength Math Behind Every Format
Pablo strength always follows one formula: nicotine per gram times pouch weight. Here it is for this trio.
- Original: 30 mg/g × 0.8 g = 24 mg per pouch.
- XXL: 30 mg/g × 0.8 g = 24 mg per pouch, just more pouches.
- US range: 25 mg/g × 0.8 g = 20 mg per pouch.
- Dry: 30 mg/g × 0.6 g = 18 mg per pouch.
- Mini: 30 mg/g × 0.5 g = 15 mg per pouch.
Notice that four formats share 30 mg/g. Yet the pouch weight changes the real dose from 15 to 24 mg.
That is why mg per pouch beats mg/g for comparisons. Our mg per pouch guide covers every line.
Even 15 mg is a firm strength. Too much nicotine can cause dizziness, nausea, sweating or a racing heart.
Cold, Warm or Deep: How the Sensations Differ
Each flavor in the trio adds a different sensation on top of nicotine. Knowing which is which helps you choose.
Cold from menthol
Menthol creates a cooling feeling rather than a taste. So Ice Cold feels cold from the first minutes.
Warmth from red pepper
Red swaps part of that chill for warmth. The maker calls the blend hard-hitting, which suggests a noticeable kick.
Depth from the undertone
X Ice Cold keeps the cold but adds a savory layer. As a result, it reads rounder than Ice Cold.
Nicotine also creates its own tingle, especially at 24 mg. Our post on why nicotine pouches tingle explains the difference.
Common Mix-Ups With These Names
The trio’s names cause a surprising amount of confusion. Here are the mix-ups worth clearing up.
“X” does not mean extra strength
X Ice Cold matches Ice Cold on nicotine in every shared format. The “X” marks a flavor twist only.
“Red” is not a strength color
Some brands use can colors to signal strength. Here, though, Red names a mint and red pepper flavor.
Ice Cold XXL versus X Ice Cold
These two sound alike but differ. Ice Cold XXL is a 30-pouch can, while X Ice Cold is a flavor.
US Original versus EU Original
The US range sells “Original Ice Cold” at 20 mg.
Meanwhile, the European Original line carries Ice Cold at 24 mg.
Both use a 0.8 g pouch. However, the US version uses 25 mg/g instead of 30 mg/g.
Total Nicotine per Can
Pouch count and pouch strength together set the total nicotine in each can. That figure helps when planning supply.
- Original: 20 pouches × 24 mg = 480 mg per can.
- XXL: 30 pouches × 24 mg = 720 mg per can.
- Mini: 30 pouches × 15 mg = 450 mg per can.
- US range: 20 pouches × 20 mg = 400 mg per can.
- Dry: 20 pouches × 18 mg = 360 mg per can.
So a Mini can holds almost as much nicotine as an Original can. It just uses smaller pouches.
Likewise, XXL holds half again as much as Original. Therefore it lasts longer at the same pouch strength.
Our XXL versus Original guide looks at that trade-off in detail.
Telling the Formats Apart by the Specs
Ice Cold appears in five formats, so the flavor name alone is not enough. Net weight is the quickest clue.
- 16 g net with 20 pouches: Original at 24 mg, or the US range at 20 mg.
- 15 g net with 30 pouches: Mini at 15 mg.
- 12 g net with 20 pouches: Dry at 18 mg.
- 24 g net with 30 pouches: XXL at 24 mg.
Original and US cans share 16 g, though. In that case, check the strength in the product name.
Some listings quote mg/g, while others quote mg per pouch. So always run the math.
If anything about an order does not match these specs, contact the seller before use.
Choosing Between the Three
Since strength matches inside each format, you can pick on taste alone. Then choose a format that suits you.
- Decide whether you want pure cold, warmth or depth.
- Pick Ice Cold for pure cold, Red for warmth, or X Ice Cold for depth.
- Next, choose a strength: 15, 18, 20 or 24 mg per pouch.
- Check that your flavor exists in that format, using the table above.
- Finally, choose a can size that fits how often you use pouches.
Quick picks by situation
- Want the most formats to choose from? Ice Cold wins on availability.
- Want a 30-pouch can at 24 mg? Only Ice Cold XXL offers that.
- Want a smaller pouch? All three come in Mini at 15 mg.
- Want a lower-moisture pouch? Dry Ice Cold is the only current option.
- Want something below 24 mg but in a full-size pouch? Try the US 20 mg versions.
Picking a Starting Strength in the Trio
Every format here sits at 15 mg per pouch or higher. So none of them is a light option.
Pablo is for experienced adult nicotine users. Even so, the trio offers clear steps between formats.
Lower end: Mini at 15 mg
Mini gives the lowest dose of the trio. It also uses the smallest pouch, which some adults prefer.
Middle: Dry at 18 mg and US at 20 mg
Dry Ice Cold sits at 18 mg in a 0.6 g pouch.
Meanwhile, the US versions offer 20 mg in a full-size pouch.
Top: Original and XXL at 24 mg
Original and XXL deliver the full 24 mg. Choose these only if lower formats already feel comfortable.
If any pouch makes you dizzy, nauseous or sweaty, take it out. Then drop to a lower format next time.
Newer adult users should read our beginner’s guide first. It covers US options well below 15 mg.
The Pablo strength guide also compares these formats with Silver, Gold and Exclusive.
Rotating Within the Trio
Because the three share strengths, they make an easy rotation. You change flavor without changing the dose.
For example, an Original user could alternate Ice Cold and Red across a week.
Similarly, a Mini user can move between all three while staying at 15 mg per pouch.
Multi-can packs suit this well. Plus, bigger packs bring the price per can down.
For mints beyond this trio, our mint comparison covers Spearmint through Frosted Ice.
Using and Storing These Pouches
All three follow the same routine. Place a pouch under your upper lip for up to about 30 minutes.
You can swallow saliva while using one. Afterward, put the pouch in the lid compartment, then household trash.
The how-to-use guide covers placement and first-time tips.
For storage, keep cans cool and dry with the lid closed.
The maker quotes 18 months of shelf life from production.
Also keep every can away from children and pets. In the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222.
A Note on Regulation
The FDA regulates nicotine pouches as tobacco products, even without tobacco leaf.
Its authorized nicotine pouch list currently includes ZYN and on! PLUS products only.
Pablo is not on that list. However, N.G.P says it has submitted applications that remain under FDA review.
Federal law sets the minimum age at 21. State and local rules also vary.
FAQ: Ice Cold, Red and X Ice Cold
In the Pablo Ice Cold vs Red matchup, which one is stronger?
Neither. Within the same format, both carry identical nicotine, such as 24 mg in Original.
Does Red taste spicy?
The maker describes it as mint with red pepper. So expect warmth rather than heavy heat.
Does X Ice Cold contain tobacco?
No. Its tobacco-style undertone is a flavor note. Pablo pouches contain no tobacco leaf.
Why can’t I find Dry Red or Dry X Ice Cold?
They do not appear in the maker’s current catalog. Dry Ice Cold is the current Dry option.
Which version gives me 30 pouches per can?
Mini offers all three at 30 per can. Ice Cold XXL also holds 30, at 24 mg each.
Is the US Red the same as the European Red?
Not exactly. The US 20 mg profile lists mint and spearmint with a warming, tingling edge.
Final Thoughts on Pablo Ice Cold vs Red
Ice Cold delivers pure freeze. Red adds warmth, while X Ice Cold adds an earthy undertone.
Because strength matches inside each format, taste is the deciding factor. Then format sets your dose.
Shop Mini, XXL, US range or the full mint category to compare cans.
Each product comes in 1, 5, 10, 30 or 50 can packs.
WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.


