Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Inventory [Line Items]
Leaf tobacco	$ 59,130	$ 65,411
Other raw materials	3,151	3,831
Work-in-process	210	688
Finished goods	64,396	64,594
Inventories at current cost	126,887	134,524
LIFO adjustments	(26,495)	(25,296)
Inventory, Net	100,392	109,228
Leaf tobacco purchase commitments	1,995	3,042
Leaf tobacco [Member]
Schedule of Inventory [Line Items]
Leaf tobacco purchase commitments	11,914
Master Settlement Agreement [Member]
Schedule of Inventory [Line Items]
Capitalized MSA cost in finished goods inventory	$ 13,854	$ 13,804