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 aesthetically pleasing packaging (in both Kings or International box) of any modern cigarette. They have a mild, agreeable flavor, and seem less smelly than many cigarettes.
Ducados: These strong Spanish cigarettes have an odd filter and provide a lot of nicotine. They taste cigar-like to me. Stenchy and harsh.
Prince: Smooth flavor, kind of like a mild Marlboro without the burnt aftertaste, and a lot of nicotine. I expected more considering they are from Denmark, so therefore find them disapointing.
Export ‘A’: Has anyone ever seen an Export ‘B’? A quality cigarette, I don’t find them strong enough or exceptional enough given their usual price.
John Player Specials: I think these Canadian cigarettes deliver more nicotine than any other filtered cigarette. Strong flavor has an acrid aftertaste that was never to my liking.
Rothman's: Taste kind of like a ragged Dunhill.
Turkish Special: These are made in Holland. Great real Turkish taste (although I only like real Turkish taste occasionally), these have a longer than normal filter that to me reduces the draw too much (unfortunately, as they are quite good). If you switch to these everyone will notice your sweet new smell. Turkish Special non-filters are fantastic, but for some reason I don’t see them around anymore.
Gauloises (filter/non-filter): Better than Gitanes, I have never been a fan of these, despite their strength, perhaps because I associate them with poseurs. Smelly.
George Karelias: A tolerable Greek cigarette, for those who for some reason feel compelled to smoke Greek cigarettes. Overly vegetative flavor.
Shepherd's Hotel: German. Strange name, strange box, strange gauge, strange tangy flavor.
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 aesthetically pleasing packaging (in both Kings or International box) of any modern cigarette. They have a mild, agreeable flavor, and seem less smelly than many cigarettes.
Ducados: These strong Spanish cigarettes have an odd filter and provide a lot of nicotine. They taste cigar-like to me. Stenchy and harsh.
Prince: Smooth flavor, kind of like a mild Marlboro without the burnt aftertaste, and a lot of nicotine. I expected more considering they are from Denmark, so therefore find them disapointing.
Export ‘A’: Has anyone ever seen an Export ‘B’? A quality cigarette, I don’t find them strong enough or exceptional enough given their usual price.
John Player Specials: I think these Canadian cigarettes deliver more nicotine than any other filtered cigarette. Strong flavor has an acrid aftertaste that was never to my liking.
Rothman's: Taste kind of like a ragged Dunhill.
Turkish Special: These are made in Holland. Great real Turkish taste (although I only like real Turkish taste occasionally), these have a longer than normal filter that to me reduces the draw too much (unfortunately, as they are quite good). If you switch to these everyone will notice your sweet new smell. Turkish Special non-filters are fantastic, but for some reason I don’t see them around anymore.
Gauloises (filter/non-filter): Better than Gitanes, I have never been a fan of these, despite their strength, perhaps because I associate them with poseurs. Smelly.
George Karelias: A tolerable Greek cigarette, for those who for some reason feel compelled to smoke Greek cigarettes. Overly vegetative flavor.
Shepherd's Hotel: German. Strange name, strange box, strange gauge, strange tangy flavor.
I completely agree with every cigarette review you have given. As a U.S. citizen, I have been limited to avaiability. My reference has been Player's Navy-Cut (the Phillip Morris Version), but have been fortunate enough to find a retailer selling Sweet Aftons. Nite quite as full-bodied as the Player's, but a wonderful flavor. If I have to smoke a filtered cigarette, it is usually a Davidoff Classic. Although I have heard wonderful things about Treasurer cigarettes. Have you tried either of these?
ReplyDeleteDavid
"I completely agree with every cigarette review you have given"
ReplyDeleteI'm actually kind of surprised by that, given my own experience where I like some cigarettes more or less at different times. But glad you liked the reviews.
I've never tried the Davidoffs, I probably should. As far as Treasurer goes, I can't force myself to pay $25+ for a box of pre-made cigarettes (I'm not sure if you can get them anymore?).
Of course, If you really want an exquisite smoke you have to roll your own (and there is no way Treasurers approach the quality of even a good RYO cigarette, let alone a great one).
Roll your own tobacco reviews will be next though when I will get around to it I don't know (I'm a huge fan of the Bali Shag line). If you already enjoy non-filters you should try some roll your own out. For more follow the link on my sidebar to RYO Magazine.
Hello David, I tried the Treasurer cigarettes because I found a pack on the e-bay at about 7$.
ReplyDeleteI like very much Davidoff Magnum (and classic as well), Sobranie black russian and Barclays (for every day use), and for me the Treasurer were a HUGE deception.
Of course, you buy the name, and there is nothing wrong with them, they have a very natural taste, nothing like the metal/acid/rainwater smell of the Marlboro light for example, but their taste is...common. it lacks personality in my opinion - kind of smoking Camel lights at 10 times their price.
At least, anyway, they do not have the accelerators bands along the stick, just like Davidoff.
regards,
Matteo
Who's David?
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting about the Treasurer. So they really are just 'all packaging'.
I haven't tried it yet but a small American company, D&R tobacco, has come out with arguably the highest quality roll-your own tobacco ever available, called Windsail Platinum Virginia Blend. I'm not sure what the price of it is, but it will surely be much much less than Treasurer.
Cheers. I plan to add new content here next week, but don't count on it.
Anyone know where I can buy some Sweet Afton's online? Or a retailer?
ReplyDeleteI am in Louisville, KY and I can't find them either in stores or online. I have been to the specialty tobacco shops.
Now that you mention it I haven't seen these lately, and browsing a few of the online smoke retailerrs I know used to carry them they aren't there either.
ReplyDeleteTry emailing Sweet Afton's manufacturer PJ Carroll:
http://www.pjcarroll.ie/
Let us know what you find out.
i use to smoke "Dunhill International" but know in Europe the taste of this brand changed. So, i smoke "George Karelias and Sons" a very good luxury Greek cigarette
ReplyDeleteI just purchased a carton of Treasurers for the hell of it, and they are very nice and mild. The only complaint is that they seem to burn too fast. I had been smoking the Sherman Natural Lights regularly which are nice and last forever. I like the skinny ones. Then I bought a carton of Havana Ovals, and tried them, no filter, but tastey. Pth Pth. You can get three smokes from each one, relight them without any nasty "old cigarette butt' taste. Now I'll be smoking the Treasurers until they're gone, maybe go back to the Sherman Natural lights though for my regulars.
ReplyDeleteI have tried quite a few of the cigarettes mentioned and some I have not. My all time favorite is Davidoff Magnum. This is one smooooooth and satisfying cigarette. I tried the regular Davidoff but was not quite impressed. I am tempted to try the Treasurer, but $20 for a pack?
ReplyDeleteDavidoff Magnum sounds like a steal now!
Anon
RJ Reynolds discontinued Barclay cigs without notification to its long time customers. Any one know where I can find any packs or straggler packs of Barclay.
ReplyDeletemmm, sweet aftons. they're irish alright. the burns connection arises through the fact that his sister agnes lived (and died) in dundalk, ireland.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in State Express 555 cigarettes. I dont reckon many on this list are strictly luxury cigarettes. Dont associate price or lack of availability with Luxurious Misery. You ever hit a nat sherman cigarettello? You ever slammed a drum original roll your own, netherlands blend? You ever sucked back a prawda from Poland? No? Well, I am sorry for you. This post is full of joe shit standard man cigarettes. Nothing luxurious here. You can get these from your corner store in Latvia. You know how much large tobacco companies pay to keep the small fry tobacco names off the shelf? A lot that's how much! And, to the dude who wrote an entire entry in Japanese, thanks dude. Your country stocks every cigarette on the planet so you wouldnt know our pain. Luxurious misery? Luxurious bullshit that's what. SKWEEKAH
ReplyDeleteI reviewed 6 products from the Nat Sherman line, including cigaratellos in part three of this series. Click the "cigarettes" label under the entry above.
ReplyDeleteMy reivew of RYO tobaccos is forthcoming (and has been for nearly three years). All the Stokkebye tobaccos are fantastic. But then you knew that.
I've never smoked a Prawda, what are they like?
The problem isn't large tobacco companies paying to keep smaller ones off the shelf, the problem is increased regulation in the EU and the settlements from the tobacco lawsuits in the US.
Sweet Afton's were luxurious. When I wrote that I had no idea you wouldn't be able to get them a year later. That is misery.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for responding Carter. Your stating the demise of the Sweet Afton brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Prawda my dear fellow, I shall expel on your soul a story that is indeed true.
A Polish friend returns from a holiday overseas in the lovely country that is poland and brings back a stash of goodies, including a pile of porn mags. They were fantastic - silky smooth polish girls. Oh, what teasures -- but the real tresure lied beneath the stack of mags, and the treaure does not come in a chest, but a box. And hence my early discovery of something better than naked women, with soft, silky skin. This was a cigarette with a smooth, silky draw, with thick rich smoke and a magnificent flavour. When you draw on a Prawda, you know pleasure. If youve never tried one, scour the world to locate a supplier and marry his daughter! To try a Prawda is akin to smoking the fabled Balkan Sobranie. Turkish tobacco? Turkeyneck! Skweekah
great post
ReplyDeleteAre you paying more than $5 per pack of cigs? I buy my cigarettes over at Duty Free Depot and this saves me over 50% from cigarettes.
ReplyDeleteTook me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! buy davidoff slim cigarettes
ReplyDelete