TOBACCO TYPES
Pennsylvania Type 41
This variety is a unique dark aired cured tobacco. The use of this variety spans over many tobacco products such as
American chew, moist snuff, snus, cigars and dark cigarettes. Characteristics of the variety include impeccable absorption
capacity, stretch ability, durability, a nonintrusive rich flavor orally and a nice smooth smoke on or in a cigar. Nicotine levels
are typically 3.5 – 4.2.
Pennsylvania Green River One Sucker (GROS)
This dark air cured variety is the same variety grown in Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia for many years. It has been grown in
Pennsylvania since 2005 as a result of the abolishment of the governmental quota system. Since the inception of this variety
in 2005, it has become an integral component of the snus and moist snuff industry. Attractive characteristics include a thick
bodied leaf with excellent absorption capacity and a high nicotine level. Nicotine levels are typically 6.7 – 7.2.
Pennsylvania / Maryland 609
This variety is predominately used in the cigarette industry across the globe. It is the same seed that was used in Maryland
when Maryland 609 was still being grown and available. When the market in Maryland disappeared for this type of tobacco,
the 609 variety was brought next door to the Pennsylvania farmer base. In comparison, the PA/Maryland 609 is the closest
replica to what Maryland 609 used to be. Characteristics include a thin to medium bodied leaf with good filling capacity which
produces a nice, well rounded smoke. Nicotine levels are generally 3.2 - 4.0.
Virginia Dark Fired
The difference between Virginia dark fired and Tennessee/Kentucky dark fired is the Virginia receives much less smoke
during curing. Therefore, the leaf gives off just a hint of the characteristic smoke smell. The body of the leaf is thick, tends
to carry excellent oil and stretch and has very good absorption capacity. Traditional uses for this variety include moist snuff,
Egyptian water pipe, RYO and wrapper for cigars. Nicotine levels are typically 5 – 6.
Connecticut Broadleaf
This Connecticut variety is predominately grown for the sole purpose of wrapper for the cigar industry. Contrary to other
tobacco crops in the U.S., it is sold on the open market after the farmer has prepared the bales for sale. The purchase
price depends on the quality evaluations conducted of the individual farmer’s crop. The top quality grades have thick body,
excellent oil, stretch and absorb very well. These qualities produce premium maduro wrapper which inherently generate a
slight sweet taste when smoked.
Connecticut Shade
Protected from the sun by muslin, this variety produces a thin bodied leaf for the premium cigar market. Top quality wrapper,
without a blemish, is very expensive. This tobacco is manually sorted into many classifications and segregated according to
quality. Characteristics of the leaf include good oil, stretch and absorption capacity. The smooth smoke with the roundness
of tobacco flavor, gives this tobacco its uniqueness.
Wisconsin Type 55
Procured from Wisconsin, this variety is predominately used in U.S. chew products. It has a pleasant neutral flavor and has
excellent absorption capacity. It grows faster than other domestic varieties, thus making it a good variety for the shortened
growing season in Wisconsin. Upon being received from the farmer, the tobacco is put in piles to sweat. After the sweating
process, the tobacco is allowed to mellow for at least one year through a natural summer and winter sweat before being
selected for use in a product. Nicotine levels are typically around 3.5.
Tennessee / Kentucky Dark Fired
Predominately this type is used in the moist snuff market. Other uses include the Egyptian water pipe, RYO, MYO, pipe and
Italian style cigars. Wrapper tobacco is also hand selected at the farm level. As the name suggest, it is fire cured with smoke.
The process of fire curing entails four consecutive weeks of applying smoke from smoldering sawdust piled on hardwood slats.
Characteristics of the leaf include thick body, oil, stretch and good absorption capacity. The nicotine level typically is 5.6 - 6.5.
Tennessee / Kentucky Dark Air Cured
This variety is the same as the dark fired from Tennessee and Kentucky without the smoke added during the curing process.
It too is used predominately in the moist snuff market but also caters to the snus, RYO, MYO and Egyptian water pipe
markets. The thick leaf typically carries oil, stretch and good absorption capacity. The nicotine level is normally 5.5 - 6.5.