A Masterclass in Blend

CIGARETTE BLEND
The main ingredients to any cigarette blend are lamina, stem and sometimes Dry Ice Expanded Tobacco (DIET). The magic
of each blend is in the combinations and proportions used of these ingredients across the tobacco varietals of Bright, Earthy,
Dark and Aromatic.

LAMINA is the green fleshy main part of the leaf. It creates the flavour. Lamina is cut into long strips so
we end up with long strands of tobacco in a blend.

STEM is the mid-rib of the leaf. It is separated from the leaf lamina in the country of origin, then cut.
Sometimes, it is expanded using a technical process, resulting in Steam Treated Stem (STS).

DIET stands for Dry Ice Expanded Tobacco. By using liquid and frozen carbon dioxide we can expand
the tobacco. It’s used to balance out a blend and its smoking mechanics. DIET is mainly used in ‘low
tar’ products, to effect burn rates. A blend may contain up to 30% of DIET.

MASTER BLENDER & BLEND STYLES

MASTER BLENDERS combine tobaccos with different tastes and styles to create satisfying blends with something unique
to each brand. A cigarette blend aims to provide the perfect balance of taste, intensity and harmony. Master Blenders spend
15 – 20 years learning their trade.

BLEND STYLES – There are four main blend types used by BAT, defined by the tobacco type they contain, ie: the
combination of Bright, Earthy, Dark or Aromatic tobaccos. Each has a distinct taste profile with Bright Virginia being the most
common blend in former British Commonwealth countries.

VIRGINIA BURLEY

ORIENTAL STEM

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO | SEED TO SMOKE | A MASTERCLASS IN BLEND

The Blend Process
GREEN LEAF PROCESSING
INTERNAL REGRADING
BAT GRADERS combine tobaccos from many sources to create uniform smoking styles and qualities, or CODED GRADES.
BAT has a scale of 160 different grades. Grading is a crucial role and 8-15 years experience is routine for a BAT grader.

GREEN LEAF BLENDING

The GREEN LEAF BLENDER will create combinations of Internal Graded Tobacco to create a PACKED GRADE for the
MASTER BLENDER to create recipes from.

GREEN LEAF THRESHING

Green Leaf Threshing (GLT) is done in the country of origin. It involves separating the lamina from the stem to create
unprocessed leaf and stem, and to create the perfect moisture content for safe storage.

PRIMARY MANUFACTURING DEPARTMENT

THE TOBACCO COMPONENTS - LAMINA, STEM and DIET are individually processed, reducing them to a uniform size
and moisture content ready for use in crafting a blend.

THE PROCESS - The leaf begins quite dry, so moisture and heat are added in the Direct Conditioning and Casing Cylinder.
This tumbles the leaves in a steam filled environment, casings can also replace natural sugars lost during the curing process.

THE OUTPUT - All 3 components (Lamina, Stem and DIET) are individually processed before being finely cut and then
combined back together to form CUT RAG TOBACCO ready for cigarette manufacture.

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO | SEED TO SMOKE | A MASTERCLASS IN BLEND