Process for providing tobacco extracts process for providing tobacco extracts

Concentrated tobacco extracts are provided by first extracting water soluble components from tobacco. The aqueous extract then is contacted with supercritical carbon dioxide, and certain tobacco components in turn are extracted from the aqueous extract. Alternatively, the aqueous extract is subjected to a spray drying step, and the spray dried extract is contacted with supercritical carbon dioxide in order that certain tobacco components are extracted from the spray dried extract. The resulting extracted components are separated from the supercritical fluid in order to yield a tobacco essence. The essence has a homogeneous, viscous character and exhibits a tobacco aroma. The essence is useful as a flavoring agent for cigarettes and other smoking articles.