Backwoods Cigars: History, Varieties, and Popularity
The Backwoods cigars brand has carved out a rugged niche in the cigar world by combining a bold visual identity with a surprisingly smooth flavour profile. From its inception in the 1970s to its current widespread recognition, the story of Backwoods cigars weaves together clever marketing, natural-leaf construction, and an expanding variety of blends. In this article we’ll dive into the brand’s history, explore its flavour list and packaging options (including where to buy Backwoods cigar packs), and examine what has made Backwoods cigars so popular.
History and Origins
Backwoods cigars were first introduced in the early 1970s — specifically around 1973 — shortly after the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act restricted many forms of cigarette advertising.
The brand positioned itself with a strong outdoors / “wild yet mild” aesthetic: a rugged, rustic look with frayed ends, tapered bodies, and all-natural tobacco. Backwoods became widely available nationally around 1981. Over time, the brand has maintained its identity by emphasising natural‐leaf wrappers, a “wild” visual style, and a broad range of flavour offerings.
Varieties and What’s Available
Backwoods flavours list
One of the key strengths of Backwoods cigars is the diverse flavour offerings. Some of the well-known varieties include: Original (unflavoured natural tobacco), Sweet Aromatic, Honey, Honey Bourbon, Honey Berry, Black ’n Sweet Aromatic, and various limited‐edition or regional varieties. For many enthusiasts, the appeal lies in the combination of all-natural wrappers and infusions of honey, bourbon, vanilla, or fruit-like sweeteners — offering a more approachable smoke than many premium full‐bodied cigars. The brand also offers different packaging options such as single packs or multi-packs.
Packaging & Buying: “where to buy Backwoods cigars” & “Backwoods cigar packs”
When it comes to purchasing, Backwoods cigars are available through tobacco retailers, convenience stores (in jurisdictions where permitted), and online tobacco/ cigar-specialist stores (within regulatory restrictions). Cigar Studio offer Backwoods cigar packs such as foil-pouches holding 5 cigars, or box packs of multiple foil-pouches.
Because of flavour and regulatory variation (some flavours may be restricted in certain states or countries), availability varies by region — so checking with local retailers or trusted online platforms is wise.
Popularity, Appeal & What Sets Them Apart
Backwoods cigars have achieved a strong following thanks to a combination of factors:
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Their distinctive appearance and branding (wild outdoors-image) give them a strong identity.
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The use of natural tobacco wrappers (such as broadleaf) lends them a more “real cigar” feel — even though many are machine-made.
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A variety of flavours makes them accessible for those seeking milder, sweeter smoke experiences (relative to heavy premium full-body cigars).
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Pop-cultural resonance (for example in music/hip-hop communities) has further boosted recognition.
As a result, Backwoods cigars have secured a place in the market as a strong “flavoured / accessible” cigar brand with broad appeal.
The journey of Backwoods cigars from their early 1970s roots to today’s diverse flavour-rich brand illustrates how clever branding, consistent product identity and flavour innovation can build lasting popularity. Whether you’re drawn to the sweet Honey blends, the aromatic variants like Sweet Aromatic, or the rugged natural look of the Original, Backwoods offers choices. And with multiple pack formats and wide (though regionally variable) availability, they remain a go-to for many cigar smokers.
What makes Backwoods cigars different from others?
Backwoods stand out because of their all-natural tobacco wrappers (such as Connecticut or broadleaf), their rustic appearance (frayed end, tapered body), and the flavour-infused blends that offer a milder, sweeter experience. Their branding emphasises the “wild & mild” outdoors image, giving the product a strong identity compared with many generic machine-made cigars.
Are Backwoods cigars machine-made or hand-rolled?
While Backwoods maintain many of the visual cues of hand-rolled cigars, they are in fact machine-made. Their construction uses natural leaf wrappers and fillers but production is mechanised.
Where are Backwoods cigars most popular?
Backwoods have strong popularity in the United States, driven by their accessible pricing, distinct flavour lineup, and cultural resonance (especially in certain sub-cultures like hip-hop).


























