No, Scrump, you are not alone in that memory. They were very oily (would easily soak through the supposedly greaseproof paper bag) and pretty salty too. Our Woolworths had a peculiarly 50s device to heat them, a sort of flat glass tray about 5" high held together at the corners by chrome bows which met at a light fitting that hung over the nuts. I think they did cashews too, but nobody I knew could afford those, so they were probably even more stale than the peanuts usually were.

Nowadays I would be hard pushed to choose between cashews and almonds. I especially like hickory-smoked almonds. I haven't found a nut I dislike, though I wouldn't be heartbroken if walnuts were suddenly unavailable.

This is making me decidedly peckish.