Marlboro Reds

Origin : Who knows?
Format : Short panatela
Size : ~120 x 10 mm
Ring : 25
Wrapper : Cigarette Paper
Filler : Cut tobacco and additives
Marchine-Made
Price : ~$5 for a pack of 20 or more (depending on where you live)

A special day and a special smoke. Today's review concerns a Marlboro Reds, the original blend No. 27 (it was selected after 27 blends were tried) which is currently the most sold cigarette in the world. Did you know that the term 'cigarette' appeared in the 18th century when Sevillian beggars would pick the cigar nubs from the ground, wrap the tobacco in paper and smoke it? Well, these days the work is already done by Philip Morris...

Appearance :
The main wrapper leaf is white and quite porous. It contains microcrystalline cellulose to regulate the burn. The filter is made of cellulose acetate and is covered by the tipping paper which is supposed to protect the mouthpiece from saliva. This stick is regularly rolled by an automated torcedor and some small pieces of tobacco might fall off the foot if you tap it against a table. The pre-draw provided no particular flavor.
 
Construction :
The burn is very regular with a reduced idle burning speed (although it doesn't self-extinguish). The smoke might sting the eyes a little. I liked the fact that you can smoke this stogie even if it's really windy outside, it nevers goes out.

Flavor :
The Reds have a very original dried grass flavor in the first third, mixed with simple tobacco taste. Strangely, there is no real evolution and the last third (which you reach within 5 minutes) has exactly the same flavor. I noticed that this stick pairs up really well with some cheap beer like Heineken.

Value :
I heard stories of people who only purchase these stogies in the Duty Free shops and they buy them by packs of 400! I think they must be addicted or something.

Overall Rating :
Overall, this is not my cup of tea. Although I appreciate the unit price, I'd prefer smoking something more flavorful. What about you?

This post was written by Denis aka Inspector. Click here for his latest articles and more information.