Top Tobacco Brands for Crafting the Perfect Rollie

In recent years, the art of rolling one's own cigarettes has gained popularity among tobacco enthusiasts looking for a more personalized smoking experience. With a diverse range of brands available, selecting the finest tobacco for rolling can be a delightful venture into flavors, aromas, and crafting techniques. Some brands have distinguished themselves for their quality, offering smokers a superior blend that caters to various preferences. Eager to explore the top contenders in the world of roll-your-own tobacco? Discover our curated list of the best brands below.

Illustration of tobacco for rolling cigarettes

Best brands of tobacco for rolling cigarettes in 2025

American Spirit

American Spirit, while often misconceived as a healthier option, is not supported by evidence to be less harmful than other cigarette brands. Despite this, the brand has seen significant growth, increasing its market share from 0.26% in 2002 to 1.70% by 2013, representing a 554% relative growth over this period. American Spirit cigarettes are found to have high levels of nicotine, with some varieties producing more tobacco chemicals per cigarette than other brands, potentially making them more addictive. The brand's advertising tactics, including terms like "natural" and "organic," have misled consumers into believing the cigarettes are less harmful, with nearly 64% of American Spirit smokers holding this misconception. However, these claims are prohibited by the FDA, and the brand continues to face criticism for violating federal regulations.

Drum

Drum is a renowned Dutch brand of fine-cut handrolling tobacco, or shag, introduced in 1952 and currently owned by Imperial Brands. It is the worldwide #1 brand for shag tobacco, popular for its unique and full flavors, particularly its 50/50 blend of barrel-cured Dark Kentucky and Bright Virginia tobaccos. In the Netherlands, Drum is the #2 selling brand of shag-tobacco, with shag tobacco historically holding a significant market share, such as 53% in 1989 and 42% in 2010. Drum's popularity is also driven by its economical pricing, allowing users to roll multiple cigarettes from a single pouch. The brand is widely available in the U.S., Europe, and other markets.

Bugler

Bugler is a prominent brand of roll-your-own tobacco, introduced in the United States in 1932 by Lane Limited, which later became a subsidiary of the Scandinavian Tobacco Group in 2011. It is the second highest selling brand of rolling tobacco in the U.S., competing closely with the brand TOP. Bugler distinguishes itself with a premium "Turkish and domestic blend" of tobacco, similar to the higher-priced factory-made brand Camel. Each pouch of Bugler contains 0.65 oz of tobacco and 32 cigarette papers, and the brand has recently transitioned to thinner, interleaved rolling papers. Bugler is part of a robust portfolio of fine-cut tobacco brands under the Scandinavian Tobacco Group, which also includes Break, Escort, Bali Shag, and Tiedemanns. You can find more detailed information about Bugler on Wikipedia.

Golden Virginia

Golden Virginia, introduced in 1877, is a renowned hand-rolling tobacco brand manufactured by Imperial Brands, widely recognized for its high quality and value. It is the second most popular rolling tobacco brand in Great Britain, with a significant market presence in Western Europe, particularly in the UK, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, and Luxembourg. The brand offers a blend of fine-cut Virginia, burley, and oriental tobaccos, available in various pouch sizes including 30g, 40g, and 50g. Golden Virginia holds a strong position in the premium price sector, which accounts for 36% of the RYO market, despite the growth in the value price sector. For more information on this esteemed brand, please visit the Imperial Brands website.

Samson

While Samson is not specifically highlighted as one of the best producers for tobacco for rolling cigarettes, it could be considered a brand within the broader context of roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco. RYO cigarettes are particularly popular among younger smokers and those from lower socioeconomic groups, with 24.6% of smokers in Ireland reporting RYO use in 2014, and a higher prevalence among those under 25 years old (44.9%). The market dynamics for RYO tobacco are influenced by factors such as taxation and socioeconomic status. For instance, in Ireland, nearly half of RYO smokers belong to the DE socioeconomic group. Understanding these patterns is crucial for policy development and public health initiatives. For further insights, you can refer to the Roll-Your-Own Report 2017.

Bali Shag

Bali Shag is a renowned brand for rolling tobacco, known for its traditional Dutch-style blend of dark burley and light Virginia tobaccos. The tobacco is cut with a fine silk, or shag, making it ideal for hand-rolling cigarettes. After a brief discontinuation in February 2018, the brand was acquired by Republic Tobacco and relaunched in mid-2019 with a new blend containing 85% foreign leaf and 15% US leaf. Currently owned by the Scandinavian Tobacco Group, Bali Shag offers various variants such as Rounded Virginia, Rich Virginia, and Nature. Its fine cut and balanced flavor have made it a favorite among those who roll their own cigarettes. For more detailed information, visit their Wikipedia page.

Dunhill

Dunhill, a prominent brand under British American Tobacco, is notable for its innovative and popular tobacco products, including its capsule cigarettes. In 2021, Dunhill accounted for 12% of the cigarette market in Sri Lanka, with the Dunhill Switch being a significant contributor, having featured in all subsequent annual reports since its introduction in 2014. The Dunhill Switch, a premium cigarette, has maintained its presence despite regulations prohibiting flavoured cigarettes since 2016. The brand has also introduced new products such as the Dunhill Double Capsule Yellow and Green, further expanding its market share. Dunhill's packaging has undergone significant changes to appeal to a younger demographic, including a modern and aspirational image redesign in 2005.

TOP

Amber Leaf is the leading brand of rolling tobacco in Great Britain, with approximately 1.4 million consumers in 2023, making it the most popular choice among rolling tobacco users. Owned by Japan Tobacco, Amber Leaf dominates the market, followed by Golden Virginia. The brand's popularity is reflected in its significant market share, indicating a strong preference among consumers. The rolling tobacco market has seen an increase in value, partly due to tax increases and consumer preferences. Amber Leaf's dominance highlights its quality and consumer trust. For detailed statistics on leading brands of rolling tobacco in the UK, visit Statista's comprehensive report.

Peter Stokkebye

Peter Stokkebye is renowned as one of the premier producers of tobacco for rolling cigarettes, with a legacy spanning over 100 years since the company's founding in 1882 by Erik Peter Stokkebye. The brand is particularly noted for its mild aromatic tobaccos, which were successfully introduced to the North American market in the early 1970s by Peter Stokkebye. Their products, such as Bali Shag and Danish Export, have gained a devout following among pipe tobacco enthusiasts. The company's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a significant supplier to the American market, with brands like Orlik, W.O. Larsen, and Stanwell also under their umbrella. Despite market fluctuations, Stokkebye has maintained a strong presence, with sales holding steady or even increasing in recent years. For more information, you can explore their Natural No.1 blend on TobaccoReviews.

Gambler

The Gambia's tobacco market does not feature a brand named "Gambler" as a significant producer for rolling cigarettes. However, the market is dominated by major brands like Piccadilly, Royal Business, and Bond Street, which together account for over 80% of all cigarette purchases. Roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco, which is globally popular due to its relative affordability and lower regulatory restrictions, constitutes about 14.4% of tobacco use in the Gambia. Notably, the global RYO tobacco market was valued at USD 30.7 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2022 to 2030. For further insights into tobacco market trends, visit this detailed analysis.