Menu
Republic Tobacco / Republic Group

Republic Tobacco / Republic Group review: Nasty stuff 85

R
Author of the review
12:00 am EDT
Review updated:
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Drum Halfzware shag rolling tobacco is perhaps the worst quality of its kind I have ever encountered. Besides its high price, I found this shag to be lumpy, full of seeds, stems, eyes and was poorly mixed. I can find no bright in it at all. I can tell its been mechanically dried. Its taste is very dry with a very bitter bite and is quite harsh. I took it to my own tobacconist and shared some 'unlabeled' with him. He immediate ID'd as a halfzwere, but said it was the worst he'd tasted. Then, I showed him the brand. He then ordered his stock clerk to pull it off the shelf saying: "I was wondering why this stuff doesn't move. Now I know." I bought the mixture he gets from Denmark. It was a dollar more, and worth it. Drum, in my experience, is nasty stuff.

85 comments
Add a comment
N
N
Nicolette Clarke
Upington northern Cape, ZA
Feb 07, 2023 9:13 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Bought a gross of sahawi and found in 2 packs sdateigaretts with oud rapping on filters date of purchase 30/1/2023

@foodzone Upington northern Cape. Lost prove of perchase time of sale 2:15 the afternoon

K
K
kathyberryman01@gmail.com
, US
Mar 09, 2020 9:31 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi the last 6 bags I have bought at Kwik Trip have been so dry & I would like to request fresh replacements please or refunds to buy new bags please. Thanks so much.

K
K
kathyberryman01@gmail.com
, US
Mar 03, 2020 4:44 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi the last 6 bags I have bought at Kwik Trip have been so dry & I would like to request fresh replacements please or refunds to buy new bags please. Thanks so much.
Kathy Berryman
217 West Chestnut St
Burlington WI 53105
262*716*3238
kathyberryman01@gmail.com

M
M
Mikkicote13
, US
Nov 17, 2019 11:07 pm EST

Every friday i go out to buy tobacco and tubes, The last 3 weeks when i buy 2 boxes of tubes every box i open the tubes are all crushed and damaged . Its ridiculous i have to fix all these tubes before i can start rolling them..

Email to reach me at : michaelajcote@gmail.com

View 0 more photos
R
R
Rhonda k Rogers
, US
Apr 02, 2019 12:20 pm EDT

Bag was extremely dry, full of stems impossible to roll

R
R
ringraven
, US
Oct 21, 2018 8:28 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Have been smoking Premier Select Blue 8oz. roll your own for several years. The large print warning label must have cost so much that your tobacco and tubes were switched to an inferior tobacco and paper source. Tobacco is no longer moist and smells as well as tastes bad. Family complaining non stop to stench where as before very little was said about the cigarette smell. Your tubes fall apart and have tiny holes in paper even before rolling. I also noticed my rolling machine now jams frequently. You are going to lose a regular customer who was very pleased with your product for years.

E
E
ErinRH
, US
Sep 05, 2018 6:52 pm EDT

I have been smoking premier tobacco for 4 years. It was owned by Parker Simpson until about 6 months ago when republic tobacco acquired them. I didn’t have a problem until this past week when the bags changed for fda regulations, not the problem obviously, but, the product inside is not the same anymore. It’s chopped up super fine like pipe tobacco, has a super harsh finish with a sweet taste to it and is much darker in color...just disgusting. It no longer looks like Virginia/Carolinas tobacco and definitely does not taste or smell like it either. I switched from Marlboro lights to premier with no problem, but this last bag of tobacco I couldn’t even finish as it was making me nauseous and giving me horrible headaches. I went back to the tobacco shop and checked the bags and they all look like the one I got, no good. I’m really hoping it was just a bad batch, but, to charge that much for pipe tobacco and to call it cigarette tobacco is complete false advertisement...from what I hear all your brands are no good, so, I’ll pry just switch to American spirit tobacco and cut down on my smoking.

G
G
gail5
, US
Aug 04, 2018 2:32 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

is tobaco ever suppose to be black i bought a can of tops today opened it it was black

H
H
Heatherp3
, US
Nov 16, 2016 1:31 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

All I find in my tobacco is stems twigs and leaves. What can you do to help me. Email me at Mickey8331@gmail.com

duane nieman
duane nieman
, US
Feb 25, 2016 11:45 am EST

found shred plastic in Gambler Regular Tobacco

B
B
bretl
, US
Aug 24, 2018 10:05 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

As if the dust and pencil sized stems of the most disgusting "tobacco" weren't enough, I've also found plastic shredded exactly like the tobacco. Burlap, bits of glove liners, and what I believe is a poly broom whisker also harshen the flavor. The black gunk others are complaining about is kind of a bonus in comparison to the evidence I've found and kept safely. This stuff used to be good, I have several lbs. that were unusable. I've read all comments here and have a few other findings that may interest corporate and their profit margin.

C
C
Connie Burton
, US
Jan 22, 2016 4:38 pm EST

I've been buying Top rollers for over 12 years, in the last few weeks had to buy 3 because they keep falling apart.. went to Ebay today, I'm going to start ordering everything i need from there... found rollers for $99 cents and papers for $1.06 for 70mm 220 a pack... this is so sad...

View 0 more photos
M
M
Mark Hankins
, US
Dec 11, 2015 9:04 am EST

on the Cig. Case [protected] made in China
The Inside is to SMALL can only get 12 cigs in from the back 2 rolls go in fine.
The 3rd role closest to the front It's hard to put any more in it

M
M
Mike Williams
, US
Aug 25, 2015 9:37 pm EDT

Bought a package of top. Noticed the paper had changed. Now there's not enough glue on the paper to hold it together when I use my hand machine to roll them. There's 2.50 wasted.

K
K
KinderBenzer
, US
Jun 19, 2015 4:10 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Purchased a 6 ounce bag of 4Aces Pipe tobacco mainly due to the price point. Very disappointed in the product overall due to it being harsh, dry, and full of stem pieces. This is not the premium smoke they claim on their packaging. Guess it truely is time to quit.

M
M
myronmich
osseo, US
Oct 23, 2013 6:41 am EDT

I bought tubes at a local store and when I got the tubes home to roll them they would come apart to alittle more then half way down the tubes bout 75% of the tubes are effected. Thank you for your time James Meyer

L
L
Lissa Auddunn
Morley, US
Mar 11, 2015 4:26 pm EDT

~~ DITTO, TO MOST OF THESE UNPLEASANT REMARKS..! I*, NOW BEING "DISABLED", AM OM A "FIXED INCOME". AND PURCHASING THINGS THAT DO NOT "MEET THE GRADE", IS QUITE DISTURBING..! AS, ARE THE "GAMBLER" PRODUCTS, RECENTLY. I* AM ASHAMED, THAT I* HAVE BEEN A CUSTOMER OF THEIRS, FOR QUITE SOME TIME. IT IS, OBVIOUSLY, NO LONGER WORTH THE TIME ~OR~ MONEY, PUT INTO THEIR PRODUCTS..!..!

J
J
jcheff
, US
Feb 12, 2015 12:29 am EST

I have been buying the bold large pipe tobacco for over a year now. And i changed it up from the gambler pipe tabacco . The reason I had switched was the gambler ( the red bag ) was full of stems and other crap that didnt belong in the tobacco. And haven't looked back ( and got friends to switch that were having the same problem ) and now the bold tobacco is starting to be real cheaply bagged up. Not happy and will be switching and telling friends to when i find a better product I'm tired of everyone cigarette I'm able to keep im throwing away two due to a stems ripping the papper or my machine jamming up also it says large pipe tobacco and lately it has been a bunch of shake, steams good bye crappy tobacco.

P
P
Patti C.
Youngstown, US
Jan 04, 2015 9:43 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Gambler tobacco is not what it used to be. I am very disappointed with it in the last 6 months. I bought a cheaper brand of tobacco to mix with the Gambler Tube Cut Silver but it gave me a terrible cough within a few days. I stopped using it and the cough went away. It was made by Gambler also. Now the Silver has a similar taste and is dry and stringy. I have used the gold filter tubes over other products but now I am having trouble getting the tobacco into the tubes. A few months ago I had a box of tubes that seemed to be too narrow and the tobacco would not go close to the tube. Ar first I thought it was my machine but found it was not. The next box of tubes was o.k. and now the last three boxes are the same way. It will only fill half of the tube. What a waste ! I am now looking for another brand of tobacco and another brand of tubes. This company has been a big disappointment and very costly for me. I use to smoke Marlboro and an looking for something similar in taste. Any suggestions would be welcome.

M
M
mike a hicks
gainesville, US
Oct 28, 2014 9:34 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I got some of there pipe tobacco and it was dry and nasty to taste I will never buy this ### again the name of it was largo pipe tobacco, the pouch said it was sealed and fresh I don't think so, it don't matter if we wright them or not as long as thay get away with it thay well keep saleing this crap, thay got me this time but never again .

A
A
apemermoud
Bloomington, US
Jul 30, 2014 1:18 am EDT

I always buy Gambler tubes but THIS time The Filters ARE NOT glued in!
Almost every tube i have used the Filter is either in the MIDDLE of the
tube or falls out when I add the tobacco... I am very disappointed and
hope this doesn't happen again!
April Mermoud, Bloomington, IN 47404

A
A
apemermoud
Bloomington, US
Jul 30, 2014 1:15 am EDT

I always buy Gambler tubes but THIS time The Filters ARE NOT glued in! Almost every tube i have used the Filter is either in the MIDDLE of the tube or falls out when I add the tobacco... I am very disappointed and hope this doesn't happen again!
April Clark, Bloomington, IN 47404

R
R
Ralf Rammel
Celina, US
Jul 22, 2014 8:55 am EDT

I am very disappointed with the T2 that I purchased. It says "Worlds Toughest Cigarette Machine" right on the machine. That is a blatant lie.There regular
Top-o-matic machine is by far a better machine and its cheaper and lasts longer. The phrase "The Worlds Toughest Cigarette Machine" is FALSE advertising! STOP IT!

A
A
Ashwi
LaPorte, US
Jan 14, 2014 6:57 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I also wish to sound out, the quality is the worst, its like its the garb that fell in the floor.

C
C
circlediamond
Phoenix, US
Dec 03, 2013 12:02 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Found these stings in my new bag of Four Aces Pipe Tobacoo. Have never found foreign objects in a bag of tobacco. Here is this company's correct contact information:

REPUBLIC TOBACCO
2301 Ravine Way, Glenview, Illinois, 60025, USA.
Tel: [protected] Fax: [protected]
info@therepublicgroup.net

View 0 more photos
P
P
Pate'
Orlando, US
Jun 30, 2013 7:50 am EDT

Are these so called Natural no chemical smokes safer than regular spokes i used to smoke Marlboros, Or is the hype BS?
And what is the best Brand out there?

D
D
Danielprout
Eveleth, US
Feb 09, 2012 9:14 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have been buying gambler tobacco for years now it is full of stems seeds and roughage don't even look like tobacco i am on a budget so i buy your product please send me another pouch to satisfy me bar code on pkg is [protected] Dan prout 4316 st Mary's Dr eveleth MN 55734

S
S
spazzomatic
Flushing, US
Mar 22, 2011 5:52 pm EDT

My parents had begun rolling cigarettes a few years back as a way to cut the rising cost of pre-packaged cigarettes. My father is the primary "roller", and so he is the expert on the quality of the cigarette tobacco he handles, but in my whole family's opinion, the cigarettes rolled with DRUM, TOP, and GAMBLER tobacco are inferior to any others we have used and smoked. I'm not on here to dispute the safety of cigarettes, as we are all adults and understand the risks of smoking, I am simply here to voice my opinion on your inferior product. In my father's own words, he asks if you sweep the floor to fill a canister, for he finds more seeds, stems, and garbage in it than actual moist smoking tobacco. Once rolled these cigarettes crumble like two week old breadsticks and taste even worse. Even my mother commented on the quality when she tried to ash and half the cigarette fell out in her ashtray. Lets not discuss the price, because its like highway robbery/rape, but the quality of the tobacco is horrendous. Honestly, you should be so embarrassed to sell such a product and I think its pretty unprofessional that your company DOES NOT even have a website so as to directly complain to the company and those in charge. This is the closest thing to contacting them that I found online, and I am not going to waste my time on the phone to complain to someone who won't be able to help me. Anywho - Terrible taste and consistency; filthy packaging conditions, I can ONLY ASSUME, and the expense make this absolutely the worst in rolling tobacco. Try Midnight Special, its much smoother, stays moist longer, also. Thanks for reading this rant!

J
J
John McMahan
Blythe, US
Feb 25, 2011 6:37 pm EST

I have been smoking top for over 20 years and i see the same thing. All we get now is pipe tobacco for it is allmost black. This is a rip off to do this to us without telling us about the change.

U
U
Uglyinak
Juneau, US
Feb 04, 2011 12:09 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Drum used to be the way to go, sure once in a while a stale batch rolls threw. But the real issue is the new pouches. Not so much the pouch, but the contents. Less tobacco and smaller papers, same price, 16$ in alasks. Its a crime.

T
T
thomas allen
screven, US
Dec 22, 2010 4:49 pm EST

I purchased 4 aces pipe tobacco regular blend it tasted alright but about every tenth cigarette I go to roll I find asmall white hair about one inch long I picked them out am afraid when I get to bottom of the bag I will fin rat droppings.

S
S
sweetlime27
asheville, US
Nov 27, 2010 10:48 pm EST

i switched to Drum over two years ago when prices on pre-rolled cigarettes started creeping up. i've always been very happy with it, however recently the quality (texture, moisture) has steadily decreased. Drum is still my favorite smoke (taste, burn) i would like to see them take the same pride they had in their product as they had a few years ago. also, the new "fresh seal tight" packaging is TERRIBLE. i appreciate updated products, but as my mom always said; "if its not broken, don't fix it." the new packaging blows out in the seams near the corners and spills everywhere, not to mention the fake aluminum makes me feel like a spaz having an anxiety attack. (not fun when you just want a cigarette) it's somewhat socially awkward rolling your own (people don't know what it is and assume other things) so the last thing i need is bring extra noisy-crinkly attraction to myself when rolling.
PLEASE CHANGE BACK TO THE GOOD OL' DAYS, DRUM! I MISS YOU SO!

J
J
JOHN BOURNE
FT. WAYNE, US
Sep 21, 2010 11:18 am EDT

I AGREE THAT REPUBLIC TABACCO SUCKS AS A COMPANY. I BOUGHT A TOPOMATIC MACHINE AND IT BROKE WITHIN A FEW MONTHS AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WAS RUDE AND HUNG UP ON ME. I WILL NEVER BUY THIER PRODUCT AGAIN.

L
L
Lynette Weise
Radcliff, US
Aug 28, 2010 1:06 pm EDT

I just bought my third machine to roll my own and I've had it for 4 days, not even time to send in the warrenty, let along time for you to recieve it, so I took it back to the store that I bought it from and they would not even exchange it. All 3 of the machines that I bought broke at the same place. I looked up the part # GP018 cost is $3.00, not bad, but I won't pay the $7.50 for shipping. So now I' out $32.00 and no way to roll my own.
My e-mail address is " fourweisedogs@hotmail.com
My home address is: 802 Southland Dr. Radcliff, Ky. 4016
Thank you Lynette

D
D
dtumblin
Fairgrove, US
Dec 12, 2009 10:13 pm EST

I have been using Gambler rolling tubes for quite some time, a little over 5 years now. In the past 6 months each box of tubes I have purchased have been short by 5-10 tubes a box. The counting/filling machines must be off at the plant. Seeing how I purchase boxes of tubes at 2 a week I must have been shorted at least 6 boxes of tubes by now. Wonder when that problem will be addressed or how I can get reimbursed for the monies I am out of for not receiving the proper amount of the merchandise I thought I was purchasing.

M
M
Marcotor
, US
Nov 08, 2009 6:13 am EST

Top, Gambler and McLintock are maybe the worst tobaccos on the market. Do yourself a favor, and go on line and order some quality tobaccos. Lots of choice for natural, no cardboard sheet tobacco added, great tasting tobaccos.

B
B
blues 123
Milford, US
Nov 01, 2009 12:04 am EDT

Gambler light tobacco got pretty good for the first few weeks after the rip off price increase. not only did the tax go up but their price as well.. now their back to the added crud/ shake added and no 1 lbs bags any longer. its a crooked deal no matter what you do if you want to enjoy a smoke. ###!
Mike from Delaware

N
N
notaveryhappyconsumer
Bristol, US
Jul 31, 2009 10:04 am EDT

I have purchased 2 Top O Matic rolling machines in the past 6 months. I'm not happy at all with this product my 2nd machine just broke the bolts popping out of the bottom and the cutter cuts the tubes. I bought this product thinking I would save money rolling my own smokes. But apparently not 2 machines have cost me over $100.00 within 6 months. Seems they tend to break around the 3rd month of use. I will no longer use this brand or recommend it to anyone! Now I'm on my search for a 3rd machine in 6 months!

N
N
notaveryhappyconsumer
Bristol, US
Jul 31, 2009 9:57 am EDT

I have purchased 2 (Top O Matic) rolling machines within 6 months. And I'm not happy with the product. Neither one lasted more than 3 months. The bolts pop out of the bottom. the cutter cuts the tubes. I bought this machine to save money but apparently I haven't saved any yet because I've had to purchase 2 machines in 6 months!That's over $100.00! I will not recommend this product to anyone nor will I purchase it again. Now I', on a search for my 3rd cigarette machine in 6 months!

P
P
pisssedoff mf
Gresham, US
Jul 12, 2009 2:48 am EDT

As a result of your drastic cut in quality of your so called "Tube Cut tobacco", you are loosing another customer.
Guys, from what I read online, your business is about to fail ... due to corporate and their greed.
Who ever is reading this in CR, you better make sure corporate doesn't drain the company funds giving themselves bonus's before you get your LAST paycheck.

J
J
jdhj25
Warren, US
May 07, 2009 5:52 pm EDT

People should call the food and drug administration and tell the about all the B.S Republic Tobacco L.P. is putting in Gambler tobacco.
I am.

I will never buy it again.

Learn how the rating is calculated

Write a review File a complaint

Republic Tobacco / Republic Group contacts

Phone number
Website
Category