John Garrett II starts a business

Toward the end of the Revolutionary War, John Garrett II returns to his home outside of Wilmington, Delaware, after serving as captain of the 6th Delaware Militia Company. He builds a snuff mill on Red Clay Creek and begins to manufacture Garrett Scotch Snuff.

Levi Garrett & Sons

Levi Garrett begins running his father's business under the name Levi Garrett & Sons. He opens a store in Philadelphia to sell the family's dry snuff, kegs of twists (a form of chewing tobacco made from a twist of Virginian tobacco), rolls of plug tobacco and "segars." Snuff is packaged in bottles, beef bladders and containers made from animal gullets.

W.E. Garrett & Sons

Levi's two sons follow him in the business. His son William brings his own sons. The company name is changed to W.E. Garrett and Sons.

Garrett Snuff Trademark

Garrett Snuff is one of the first ten trademarks issued by the newly formed U.S. Patent Office.

American Snuff Company is founded

Headquarters moves to Memphis

The headquarters of the new American Snuff Co. is moved from New York to Memphis, Tennessee, and fierce competition between the three companies begins. The key brands for American Snuff Co. are Levi Garrett, W.E. Garrett, Dental Scotch and Honest Scotch.

Acquiring Taylor Brothers

American Snuff Co. purchases Taylor Brothers of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded by William B. Taylor in 1883, Taylor Brothers is a manufacturer of plug, twist and loose leaf chewing tobacco, with brands including Bull of the Woods and Cannon Ball. Later, Conwood brands and Red Fox brands were added.

Acquisition of Scott Tobacco Company

Scott Tobacco Co., a business based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is acquired. Scott Tobacco manufactures popular twist chewing tobacco, including the brands Mammoth Cave and Warren County.

Levi Garrett

Introduced in 1974, Levi Garrett chewing tobacco had a distinctive taste compared to previous loose leaf products.

Hawken

Hawken is introduced into national distribution with a unique cut and as the first product of its kind in the loose leaf category. It is the first smokeless product to be marketed in a round plastic can.

Kodiak

Kodiak moist snuff is successfully launched and sales grow steadily.

Sold to the prominent Pritzker Family of Chicago, IL and name changed to Conwood Company

Cougar

Cougar is launched as a new value brand option.

Grizzly

Grizzly Long Cut Wintergreen and Fine Cut Natural are introduced in a three-state market. Results are outstanding and distribution is soon expanded into surrounding states with full national distribution by the end of 2002.

Acquisition by RAI

Reynolds American Inc. acquires Conwood Holdings, Inc., which held the rights to Grizzly and other brands.

American Snuff Co.

To reflect a proud tobacco heritage, name returned to American Snuff Company, LLC

Cougar Rebrand

To meet growing demand for value in the moist category, Cougar is redesigned with a more rugged blue-collar look and offered at a new, more competitive price.

Grizzly Snus

Grizzly Snus, a spit-free tobacco pouch, is launched as more consumers turn to convenient tobacco options.

Levi Garrett Moist Snuff

Carrying on the legacy of John Garrett, America’s first tobacco producer, Levi Garrett is launched as an ultra-premium moist snuff.

Grizzly Nicotine Pouches

Grizzly Nicotine Pouches debut in three styles as the demand for tobacco leaf-free nicotine pouches surges.