"Mycroft took snuff from a tortoiseshell box, and brushed away the wandering grains from his coat front with a large, red silk handkerchief" (GREE).

Of course, tobacco is used in various forms, and the Canon specifically mentions cigars and cigarettes as well as snuff. Of cigars, there are countless types and sizes. Each cigar is classified by its shape, its length, and its diameter or "ring gauge." The "ring gauge" is a measurement divided into a 64th of an inch. So when a cigar's ring gauge is X (where X could be between 1 - 64), it's actual size is X/64". There are plenty of shapes to choose from, a few sizes being called Churchill, Lonsdale, Figurado, Corona, and Robusto (but there are countless others). Names and even sizes for the same name vary from country to country and maker to maker (although many makers try to reproduce "classic" sizes accurately), so unless taking one specific brand, explaining the size is practically useless.

Coal Scuttle	At 221B, Holmes kept his cigars in the coal-scuttle (yes, really) (MUSG). But for traveling, he had a more conventional cigar-case (SILV).	Cigar Case
	Holmes also had a cigar box where he stored cigars that he offered guests (as to Lestrade in NOBL).	Cigar Box

In SIGN, Holmes comments, "To the trained eye there is as much difference between the black ash of a Trichinopoly and the white fluff of bird's-eye as there is between a cabbage and a potato." A "Trichinopoly" is an Indian cigar made in the now named Tiruchirapalli (named Trichinopoly under British rule and now commonly known as Trichy or Tiruchi) and Dindigul. Modern Trichy cigars are described as "rough;" and some modern brands are Black Tiger, London Calling, and Piccol (in Panatela size). For a description of "bird's eye," see the main tobacco index page which lists cut varieties of tobacco.

Dr. Roylott also smoked "strong Indian cigars," and these might have also been of Trichy origin (SPEC).

Holmes had clearly made an in-depth study of cigars, their composition, and ash. He also identified Dutch imported Indian colony cigars and "Havana" (Cuban) cigars in RESI. Some of the most famous Cuban brands are Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, Partagas, Bolivar, Punch, and Trinidad.

Both Holmes and Dr. Watson smoked cigars (CARD, NOBL, SILV, GLOR, FINA), though not as often as their pipes. However, cigars sometimes would replace their evening pipes (CARD).

Cigarettes were also part of the duo's tobacco repertoire. Cigarettes have been around since 1828, and they also come in several varieties. Some are hand-rolled, some have filters, some are filterless (or "unfiltered"). Today the tobacco inside is also classified as ultra-light, light, or regular depending on the tobacco's strength. They come in regular (King), 100s (Superking - which are long), 120s (even longer) and wide or slim versions.

Holmes blue-smoke-emitting cigarettes were kept in a silver cigarette-case (FINA). Like a cigar case, these cases prevent damage to the cylinder of tobacco (and may assist with retaining some humidity in the tobacco).

Cigarettes, like cigars, appear much less in the Canon than pipes. Hence, pipe tobacco was the preferred type of tobacco by 221B's famous residents. Nevertheless, Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Holmes in the (fabulously done) Grenada series, the "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (and subsequent continuances of the series), showed many more visual references to cigarettes than appear in the text (primarily because he, himself, was a consummate cigarette smoker). Although we do not have specific information about the type of cigarettes Holmes smoked, we do know that Dr. Watson smoked Bradley cigarettes from Oxford Street.

Please note: Tobacco use carries significant risks to develop various cancers, strokes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.