Twist Tobacco

About Twist Tobacco

Twist tobacco is available in long ropes that you can cut and use for chewing or smoking in a pipe. This alternative tobacco product is known by chewing tobacco and pipe smokers for its robust flavour. However, many pipe smokers will also tell you that they appreciate rope tobacco’s distinctively aromatic smoke and slow burning characteristics.

You’ll find both black and brown twist tobacco among our offerings. Black twist is famous for its smokier aroma, while brown twist is known for its stout smoke and strength.

Browsing our collection, you might notice that flavour is an important aspect of this exceptional product. While this traditional form of tobacco is naturally aromatic and packed with flavour, the best-loved brands also produce a range of flavoured rope tobacco.

Choose from delicious options such as Kendal S Type Roll Twist Aniseed, Kendal S Type Roll Twist Apple, Kendal S Type Roll Twist Black Cherry Irish, and Kendal S Type Roll Twist Rum and Maple and add something unique to your pipe smoking experience.

Rope Tobacco: A Time-Honoured Tradition

The high-quality rope tobacco we stock represents a time-honoured tradition that goes back to Indigenous communities in the Americas. Early tobacco producers in Virginia adopted the technique of making twist tobacco from these communities as a simple way to preserve and transport tobacco in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The process involves tightly twisting tobacco leaves into rope-like strands by hand or using specially designed machines. This triggers natural fermentation, which enhances the flavour and helps keep the tobacco fresher for longer. The shape also means that tobacco in this form is more durable and easier to transport. Discover the distinct experience offered by Kendal Black Irish X Twist, Kendal Brown Pigtail Twist, and other premium rope tobacco available at the Black Swan Shoppe.

How To Use Twist Tobacco

Using twist tobacco is incredibly easy, whether you want to chew it or smoke it in a pipe. If you want to chew the tobacco, simply slice a piece off, and place the piece between your gum and cheek. Resist the urge to chew as this produces unpleasant juices and remember to spit out the saliva that collects in your mouth.

If you want to smoke rope tobacco in a pipe, cut a few thin slices and then cut or use your fingers to crumble them into smaller pieces of the desired size depending on the burn rate you are wanting to achieve. Some pipe smokers leave the crumbled twist tobacco to dry for a few minutes before smoking it, while others are happy to start packing their pipe bowl as soon as they finish crumbling the slices. Pack your pipe using the same method you use for regular pipe tobacco.

Experience the versatility, unmistakeable aroma, and bold flavours of top-quality twist tobacco from the Black Swan Shoppe. No matter your preferences, you’re sure to find something in our rope tobacco collection.

Twist Tobacco FAQs

How do I smoke twist tobacco in a pipe?

Slice a few pennies off your rope of twist tobacco and use your fingers to crumble them into small pieces. You can cut the pennies into small pieces before crumbling them. If preferred, you can leave the bits of rope tobacco to dry for a few minutes before packing them into the bowl of your pipe and lighting it as you would when you use regular pipe tobacco.

Can I swallow twist tobacco if I chew it?

No, twist tobacco should never be swallowed. Swallowing saliva or tobacco when chewing it can cause nicotine poisoning, the symptoms of which include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, increased heart rate, and seizures.

How do I keep rope tobacco fresh?

The best way to keep rope tobacco fresh is to store it with a tobacco humidification product in an airtight container. Keep the container in a cool, dark place and avoid places that heat up and cool down regularly to avoid the chance of condensation forming in the container. Tobacco can be rehydrated by adding deionised water but this should be done gradually to avoid mould.