The full name of this brand is State Express 555 cigarettes; this is one of State Express varieties. State Express cigarettes are designated by numbers (by the way, the founder of the brand also registered a combination of three numbers up to 999 under a trademark). Under each code, products with a different composition are “hidden”. For example, “777” refers to Turkish tobacco cigarettes, and “555” refers to Virginia tobacco.
So did the State Express 555 cigarettes appear? The flagship of the brand was just the “Three Fives”, they also remained one of the most popular even now, especially in Asian countries. In China, for example, brand cigarettes have been exported since the 20s of the last century. The basis of the tobacco blend that is used for those State Express 555 cigarettes is made up of high-class oriental tobaccos, and special impurities give a long-lasting aroma and a light, unobtrusive aftertaste. 555 cigarettes are strong, smoky, and slightly tart, with characteristic “British” notes. They are mainly preferred by experienced smokers who appreciate the quality of the best tobacco blends.
The brand belonged to the company Ardat. Sir Albert Levy is said to have taken the name Ardat from a book of the same name written by Marie Corelli. The title of the book is derived from numerous references in the Books of Ezra (in the Apocrypha) to the “Field of Ardat”.
What are 555 cigarettes?
State Express 555 cigarettes are a British tobacco brand with an ancient history. According to the legend, the founder of the brand, Albert Levy, at the end of the 19th century, while in the United States, rode the Empire State Express. He gave the same name to his tobacco production, and after 3 years he registered it as a trademark. The brand was originally owned by the Ardath Tobacco Company. The company was created in the late 19th century in London, England, and was originally called Albert Levy & Thomas. The Ardath Tobacco Company Limited was originally located at 62 Leadenhall Street in London and called La Casa de Habana (The House of Havana) until 1895 when it changed its name to the modern version.