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Cigarettes in Review: Part 3: American (cont.)

American Spirit (Yellow): These feature all natural tobacco, which has made them popular with the alternative crowd as well as with the neo-hippies. They have a strong nicotine kick, but the flavor is harsh and has a blunt, charred taste. Also they have a poor draw. Vastly overrated. Really, don't smoke these. Nat Sherman’s – Nat Sherman started as a tobacconist in New York in 1930. Nat Sherman all natural cigarettes are American classics, and the company history and tradition adds to the smoking experience . They come in elegant boxes and a variety of styles, and the cigarettes themselves are noticeably well constructed. And while I am hostile to light cigarettes it should be remarked that the various Nat Sherman lights are lighter not because they contain filler, but because of different filters and milder blends. (Note: many Nat Sherman styles are brown cigarettes and I have (for whatever reason) an aversion to smoking brown cigarettes, even though (oddly enough) I smoke cigar...

Cigarettes in review: Part 2: Imported

Dunhill (Red –International): Strong but smooth flavor, and have a considerable amount of nicotine. An excellent, top of the line smoke. Debonair. This used to be my regular brand. The ones in the attention getting international box are slightly longer than a king size. With taxes where I live they now cost $7.00 a pack, which is an outrage. Sweet Afton’s (non-filter): From Ireland, though the name comes from a Robert Burns poem. Made of quality Virginia tobacco, this great tasting cigarette is far less harsh than the typical non-filter cigarette. Outstanding. My only complaint is that the box they come in is flimsy. Major Extra Size: These are also from Ireland, I think (and manufactured by the people who make Sweet Afton’s). They are actually smaller than a king size. A nice, mild Virginia tobacco taste. They fall into the category of cigarettes I enjoyed, but for some reason was not inclined to smoke on a regular basis. State Express 555: These UK smokes have eye the most aest...

Cigarettes in review: Introduction; Part 1: American

Introduction ‘Light’ cigarettes: Why are you smoking ‘lights’? Do you think they will only give you ‘light’ cancer? Menthols: Why are you smoking menthols? If you smoke menthols you obviously are not interested in tobacco or smoking, so stop reading this now Cloves: Why are you smoking cloves, are you a goth girl? Oh, you are? Never mind then. 'Generic' brands: Why are you smoking cigarettes that smell and taste like burning tires? If you are willing to risk disease from an activity, pay enough so that it is actually pleasurable enough to be worth doing. Part 1: American Marlboro Reds: I smoked these as a young lad. They provide a decent nicotine kick, and for a mass produced smoke have a middle of the road flavor with a harsh finish. Marlboro 100’s: These are slightly smoother than Marlboro Reds. They are also longer, but not as longer as you might think, since part of the added length (and part of the added smoothness I suspect) stems from longer filters. I guess they are a s...