Inventories (Narrartive) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory [Line Items]
LIFO adjustments	$ 25,837	$ 29,280
Capitalized MSA cost in finished goods inventory	17,364	15,796
Inventories
Inventory [Line Items]
Federal excise tax in inventory	25,888	23,455
Cost of Goods Sold
Inventory [Line Items]
Effect of liquidations of LIFO inventory	211	1,703
Liggett | Inventories
Inventory [Line Items]
Purchase commitments	10,874
Leaf tobacco
Inventory [Line Items]
LIFO adjustments	17,632	19,863
Other raw materials
Inventory [Line Items]
LIFO adjustments	214	643
Work-in-process
Inventory [Line Items]
LIFO adjustments	29	33
Finished goods
Inventory [Line Items]
LIFO adjustments	$ 7,962	8,736
E-Cigarettes
Inventory [Line Items]
LIFO adjustments		$ 5