WHAT MAKES SMALLER CIGARETTE BRANDS DESIRABLE THAN THE BIG NAMES?

When you enter a store in Canada, the packs of cigarettes can all seem the same. However, what is contained in them might be slightly different. Some smokers are aware that smaller regional or even local brands feel different from the major international brands. Ever wondered the reason? It all comes down to the process of making these products, what is in them, and the experience they give. Read on to learn more.

A question of scale

Giant tobacco corporations make billions of cigarettes annually. They target consistency on a large scale. All the cigarettes must be the same as the last one was.

Smaller manufacturers, in their turn, are usually on a smaller scale. This opens up more flexibility in tobacco choice and blending. That does not necessarily imply one pack is better or worse than the other. But it may cause small variations in taste and smell that smokers will pick up.

The tobacco blend

Major cigarette companies mostly blend the varieties of tobacco from different regions. They do this to keep the same taste in the markets. Smaller brands, like Native Smokes, specialize in regional blends. Others use a particular method of curing to impart a unique flavor to the smoke.

Smaller brands pay attention to:

• The type of tobacco leaf
• The drying technique
• The manner in which it is cut.

All these aspects are part of the end experience.

Maybe you are accustomed to commercial cigarettes, where the heavy flavor is counterbalanced and additives are added. Try native smokes and you will realize they have a more earthly or smoother flavor. This is because of the way the mixture is managed.

Smoothness and burn

Smoothness is another term used by many smokers, which refers to the experience of having a smooth burn without any harshness in the throat. This may be determined by a variety of factors, such as:

• The content of moisture
• The design of the filter
• The proportion between fine and coarse tobacco shreds.

Smaller brands tend to burn more slowly, with a cooler feeling. On the contrary, mass-market cigarettes tend to be more consistent and easier to draw.

Consistency and quality control

It may sound like big companies are automatically equal to a higher quality. But that is not always true. Large manufacturers are focused on consistency. Small companies can be focused on craftsmanship.

Both strategies have advantages and disadvantages. A local or regional brand could provide a more individual touch in supply chain and processing, at much lower production volumes.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, the greatest distinction between big and small cigarette brands is how they feel to you. There are smokers who like the consistency of the big names. Smaller brands attract others since they have something a little different to offer. Perhaps a smoother draw and a more natural flavor.