Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 292,827		$ 288,995	$ 291,180	$ 260,378	$ 277,618	[1]	$ 295,124	[2]	$ 268,460	[3]	$ 222,087	$ 1,133,380	[4]	$ 1,063,289	[4]	$ 801,494	[4]
Operating income (loss)	36,023		37,855	37,967	31,476	29,342	[1]	29,876	[2]	21,077	[3]	31,018	143,321		111,313		143,167
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses													19,966		23,963		15,213
Indentifiable assets	927,768					949,595							927,768		949,595		735,542
Depreciation and amortization													10,607		10,790		10,398
Capital expenditures													11,838		23,391		3,848
Litigation judgment expense						1,800		3,000		14,361			0		16,161		0
Equity Method Investments	16,499					10,954							16,499		10,954
Gain on brand transaction													0		0		(5,000)
Restructuring charges													0		0		900
Tobacco [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues													1,133,380		1,063,289		801,494
Operating income (loss)													164,581		130,157	[5]	160,915	[6]
Indentifiable assets	440,564					434,842							440,564		434,842		297,587
Depreciation and amortization													9,118		8,179		8,078
Capital expenditures													10,725		23,073		2,734
Litigation judgment expense															16,161
Non-recurring settlement charge															3,000
Gain on brand transaction																	5,000
Restructuring charges																	900
Real Estate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues													0		0		0
Operating income (loss)													(1,929)		(631)		(886)
Indentifiable assets	138,096	[7]				110,352	[7]						138,096	[7]	110,352	[7]	61,770	[7]
Depreciation and amortization													326		298		74
Capital expenditures													252		226		1,114
Equity Method Investments	140,968					86,333							140,968		86,333		48,318
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues													0		0		0
Operating income (loss)													(19,331)		(18,213)		(16,862)
Indentifiable assets	349,108					404,401							349,108		404,401		376,185
Depreciation and amortization													1,163		2,313		2,246
Capital expenditures													861		92		0
Real Estate Investment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses													19,966		23,963		15,213
Real Estate Investment [Member] | Tobacco [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses													0		0		0
Real Estate Investment [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses													19,966		23,963		15,213
Real Estate Investment [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity income from non-consolidated real estate businesses													$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

[1] Fourth quarter 2010 net income applicable to common shares includes litigation judgment expense of $1,800.

[2] Third quarter 2010 net income applicable to common shares includes $3,000 settlement charge.

[3] Second quarter 2010 net income applicable to common shares includes litigation judgment expense of $14,361.

[4] *Revenues and cost of goods sold include federal excise taxes of $552,965, $538,328 and $377,771 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

[5] Operating income includes litigation judgment expense of $16,161 and a $3,000 settlement charge.

[6] Operating income includes a gain of $5,000 on the Philip Morris brand transaction completed February 2009 and restructuring costs of $900.

[7] Includes investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting of $140,968, $86,333 and $48,318 as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.