Wed, December 04, 2024 - 

January 15, 2025

"Shag" – Tobacco leaves cut into thin strips that you roll yourself to enjoy. There are various types of leaves, each offering different aromas and flavors, making it an increasingly popular hobby. Intercontinental Trading Co. (Tokyo), which imports and sells foreign tobacco, handles the 'Pueblo Natural Shag,' a tobacco that is popular in Europe for being additive-free and meant for hand-rolling. It allows you to enjoy the original taste of tobacco, and its cost-performance is high, which is why it has been slowly gaining popularity in Japan. In this article, we tried four varieties and checked their flavors.

Enjoy the additive-free hand-rolled tobacco 'Pueblo Shag' popular in Europe!

'Shag' refers to tobacco leaves that have been cut into thin strips for hand-rolling. Unlike commercially sold pre-rolled cigarettes, you roll it yourself, which allows for a variety of ways to enjoy it. In English, it is written as 'shag,' which not only refers to 'tobacco for hand-rolling' but also means 'coarse fur' or 'shaggy hair.'

The lineup includes four varieties: the flagship 'Pueblo Natural Shag,' along with 'Pueblo Natural Shag Blue,' 'Pueblo Natural Shag Pink,' and 'Pueblo Natural Shag Orange' (each 30g pouch, priced at 900 yen including tax, and currently available).

The 'Pueblo Natural Shag' series features packaging that embodies a natural feel, inspired by the spirit 'Kokopelli,' worshiped by the Pueblo Native American tribes living in the southwestern United States, particularly in New Mexico and Arizona. The tobacco is additive-free and fragrance-free, allowing you to enjoy the original taste of tobacco, which is why it has gained high popularity in Europe.

The tobacco leaves used for shag are cut finer than the leaves inside regular cigarettes. This is designed to make it easier to roll by hand, and the fineness of the cut varies depending on the type of shag.

Additionally, the types of tobacco leaves used range from Virginia, Burley, to Oriental, among others. One of the joys of shag is that you can customize and blend according to your preferences.

The 'Pueblo Natural Shag' series is characterized by being additive-free and fragrance-free, allowing you to enjoy the original taste of tobacco. Additionally, compared to pre-rolled cigarettes, shag tobacco is more affordable when compared in the same quantity. You can also roll it in the amount you prefer, which reduces waste and makes it more economical. As a result, it contributes to saving on tobacco costs, and its cost-performance is another reason for its popularity.

Now, let’s try smoking the four varieties of 'Pueblo Natural Shag' and experience the enjoyment firsthand.

Each variety of shag has its own unique characteristics, so enjoying your own original blend is part of the fun!

To enjoy 'Pueblo Natural Shag,' you must first roll the shag using the included 'hemp paper.' For those transitioning from pre-rolled cigarettes, it’s recommended to use the separately sold 'Dark Horse Plain Slim Filters' (150 pieces, priced at 198 yen including tax).

Note: Hemp paper is made from hemp and is characterized by its slow burn rate and lack of paper odor.

Additionally, for smoothly rolling shag with paper, it’s recommended to use the separately sold 'Rizla Regular Size Cadet' (priced at 660 yen including tax).

Once you’ve adjusted the shag to your preferred amount and rolled it with paper, you're all set! By using a roller, you can create your own hand-rolled cigarettes. The act of rolling itself brings a certain hobby-like satisfaction and a relaxing effect. Additionally, by rolling carefully, you can enjoy the tobacco more fully, making the process itself enjoyable as you improve your technique.

Additionally, since there are four varieties of 'Pueblo Natural Shag' in the lineup, you can also enjoy blending them to create your own preferred flavor.

Let’s start with 'Pueblo Natural Shag.' This is the basic product, offering the bold, full-bodied taste of tobacco. It gives the impression of being satisfying even for heavy smokers.

Next is the 'Pueblo Natural Shag Blue.' This one has a lighter flavor with a refreshing aftertaste. Additionally, both the 'Pueblo Natural Shag Blue' and 'Pueblo Natural Shag' are available in a more economical 100g can (priced at 2,900 yen including tax), so if you like the flavor, it’s highly recommended.

The 'Pueblo Natural Shag Pink' has a charming package design, but the flavor is what stands out—it mainly uses Virginia leaves, offering a refined and toasty taste that feels more mature.

Finally, the 'Pueblo Natural Shag Orange.' This variety is the only one that blends Java leaves with Burley leaves, offering a stronger and more robust smoking experience.

It’s also recommended to enjoy connecting with other hand-rolled cigarette enthusiasts!

The four varieties of 'Pueblo Natural Shag' each offer distinctive flavors, giving you the pleasure of choosing a shag that suits your taste. Recently, hand-rolled tobacco has been slowly gaining popularity, and this has led to opportunities for smokers to connect with each other. Sharing information about shag and rolling techniques, or exchanging rare flavors, is one way to enjoy it. You could also exchange information and form a community online or on social media, and even organize tasting events where people bring their own shags to try!"

The four varieties of 'Pueblo Natural Shag' can be purchased at tobacco shops nationwide.