American Spirit Cigarettes
Natural American Spirit, known colloquially as American Spirit, is a prominent brand in the American tobacco industry, specializing in cigarettes and other tobacco products. Founded in 1982, the brand was established by Bill Drake, Robert Marion, and Chris Webster in Santa Fe. The company’s inception was supported by initial investments from local figures like Edward Wikes, Robert Wolf, and Philip Naumburg. This entrepreneurial venture aimed to provide smokers with a product distinguished by its natural ingredients and additive-free claims, appealing to those seeking a more authentic smoking experience.
In 2002, American Spirit became a wholly owned subsidiary of Reynolds American, following its acquisition. Reynolds American, in turn, is part of British American Tobacco’s portfolio. This acquisition marked a significant milestone in the brand’s history, allowing it to leverage Reynolds American’s extensive distribution network to reach a broader market both domestically and internationally. In 2015, Japan Tobacco acquired the rights to distribute Natural American Spirit products outside the United States, further expanding its global footprint.
American Spirit Global Presence
American Spirit cigarettes are widely distributed across various continents, including North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. Markets such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Japan, and Tunisia have embraced the brand for its unique selling points. The brand’s expansion into diverse international markets underscores its appeal and recognition among global consumers seeking quality tobacco products.
The product lineup of American Spirit features a diverse range of select filter cigarettes, each distinguished by its color-coded packaging denoting nicotine and tar levels. This approach allows consumers to choose from a variety of options that cater to different preferences and smoking habits. Specialized products like the Perique Blend Filter cigarette, which includes 10% Perique tobacco, and the Organic Filter cigarette, made with organic tobacco, highlight the brand’s commitment to offering alternatives within the cigarette category.
In addition to pre-made cigarettes, American Spirit caters to the preferences of rolling tobacco enthusiasts with a selection of “Roll Your Own” products available in tins and pouches. This category includes offerings like Blue (regular) and Yellow (light) variants in the United Kingdom, providing flexibility and choice for consumers who prefer to roll their own cigarettes.
American Spirit Cigarettes Line and Varieties
American Spirit cigarettes offer a diverse line of products, each distinguished by its unique blend and flavor profile. Here are the known varieties and lines:
American Spirit Traditional Line
- Orange – Smooth Mellow Original Taste: The Orange variant of American Spirit cigarettes offers a smooth and mellow smoking experience with its original taste profile. It is designed for smokers who prefer a lighter yet flavorful tobacco blend, providing a balanced and enjoyable smoke.
- Yellow – Original Blend Mellow Original Taste: The Yellow variant features American Spirit’s original blend, known for its mellow taste. It appeals to those who enjoy a classic smoking experience without overwhelming intensity, making it a popular choice among regular smokers.
- Blue – Original Blend Full-bodied Taste: American Spirit’s Blue cigarettes are distinguished by their full-bodied flavor profile. This variant is crafted for smokers who prefer a richer and more robust tobacco taste, offering a satisfying and full-flavored smoking session.
- Light Blue – Full-Bodied Taste: The Light Blue variant continues the tradition of American Spirit’s full-bodied offerings, providing a robust smoking experience. It caters to smokers seeking a stronger tobacco flavor, ensuring a fulfilling and intense smoking sensation.
- Dark Blue – U.S. Grown Premium Full-Bodied Taste: Dark Blue cigarettes from American Spirit feature tobacco grown exclusively in the United States, known for its premium quality. This variant offers a full-bodied taste with a distinct richness, appealing to connoisseurs who appreciate American-grown tobacco.
- Tan – U.S. Grown Premium Mellow Taste: Tan cigarettes highlight American Spirit’s commitment to premium-quality tobacco sourced from the United States. It delivers a mellow and smooth smoking experience, perfect for those who prefer a lighter yet flavorful tobacco blend.
- Gold – Organic Mellow Taste: American Spirit’s Gold variant features organic tobacco, emphasizing natural ingredients. It offers a mellow and smooth smoking experience with a clean taste, catering to smokers who prioritize organic products and a gentle smoking experience.
- Turquoise – Organic Full-Bodied Taste: Turquoise cigarettes combine American Spirit’s commitment to organic tobacco with a full-bodied flavor profile. This variant appeals to smokers seeking a richer and more intense smoking experience while choosing organic options.
- Black – Perique Rich Robust Taste: The Black variant of American Spirit cigarettes includes Perique tobacco, known for its robust and distinctive flavor. It delivers a rich and satisfying smoking experience, making it a preferred choice for those who enjoy stronger tobacco blends.
- Dark Green – Organic Full-Bodied Menthol: Dark Green cigarettes by American Spirit blend organic tobacco with a full-bodied menthol flavor. This variant caters to menthol enthusiasts seeking a natural and intense smoking sensation.
- Light Green – Organic Mellow Menthol: Light Green cigarettes offer a milder menthol experience with organic tobacco. It provides a refreshing and smooth smoking session, perfect for those who prefer a lighter menthol touch.
American Spirit Natural Line
- Celadon Green – Unique Balanced Taste: Celadon Green cigarettes from American Spirit offer a unique balanced taste, providing a harmonious blend of flavors that appeals to smokers seeking a distinctive and well-rounded smoking experience.
- Hunter Green – Full-Bodied Balanced Taste: Hunter Green cigarettes combine a full-bodied tobacco taste with a balanced flavor profile. It caters to those who appreciate a robust yet harmonious smoking experience, ensuring satisfaction with every puff.
- Gray – Perique Rich Taste: Gray cigarettes feature Perique tobacco, known for its rich and intense flavor profile. It delivers a deep and satisfying smoking experience, appealing to smokers who prefer strong and flavorful tobacco blends.
- Brown – Unique Non-Filtered: Brown cigarettes by American Spirit offer a unique non-filtered smoking experience. It provides a direct and robust tobacco taste without a filter, appealing to aficionados who enjoy a traditional and unfiltered smoking experience.
American Spirit Specialty Line
- Agate (Japan Only) – Rich Sweet Taste: Agate cigarettes are exclusively available in Japan, offering a rich and sweet tobacco flavor. This variant caters to Japanese consumers seeking a distinct smoking experience with a unique blend of flavors
American Spirit Alternative Tobacco Products
Yes, American Spirit offers alternative tobacco products beyond traditional cigarettes. They cater to consumers who prefer to roll their own cigarettes with a selection of “Roll Your Own” tobaccos available in tins and pouches. These products provide smokers with the flexibility to create their own cigarettes using American Spirit’s high-quality tobacco blends. In addition to pre-rolled cigarettes, the availability of rolling tobacco underscores American Spirit’s commitment to offering a range of options that appeal to diverse smoking preferences and habits.
Consumer Reviews about American Spirit
Consumer reviews about American Spirit cigarettes vary widely, reflecting diverse experiences and preferences among smokers. Many enthusiasts of American Spirit appreciate the brand for its emphasis on natural ingredients and additive-free tobacco. They often praise the distinct flavor profiles offered by different varieties, noting smoothness and richness in taste compared to other brands. Some consumers also appreciate the color-coded packaging, which helps them choose products based on nicotine and tar levels that suit their smoking habits.
However, American Spirit has also faced criticism and mixed reviews. Some smokers find the cigarettes to be stronger or harsher than expected, especially those accustomed to lighter brands. There have been debates about the health benefits of “additive-free” claims, with some consumers questioning whether these products are truly safer than others. Additionally, the pricing of American Spirit cigarettes is often noted as higher compared to more mainstream brands, which can be a drawback for budget-conscious consumers.
Overall, consumer reviews about American Spirit cigarettes reflect a range of opinions, from loyal enthusiasts who appreciate the brand’s commitment to natural ingredients to skeptics who question marketing claims and find the products to be too strong or expensive. Like many tobacco products, opinions on American Spirit vary greatly based on personal preferences and individual smoking experiences.
Controversies around American Spirit cigarettes
Despite its popularity, American Spirit has not been without controversy, particularly concerning its advertising claims. Previously marketed as “100% Additive-Free Tobacco,” the brand faced scrutiny from California Attorney General Jerry Brown in 2010. The investigation resulted in an agreement that required clearer disclosures stating that American Spirit’s organic tobacco is not inherently safer or healthier than other tobacco products. This agreement, supported by attorneys general from 32 states and the District of Columbia, aimed to provide consumers with more transparent information about the product’s composition and health implications.
American Spirit cigarettes continue to be recognized for their commitment to natural ingredients and diverse product offerings that cater to a wide range of consumer preferences. With a strong presence in both domestic and international markets, the brand remains a significant player in the tobacco industry, providing smokers with options that emphasize quality and choice.
Conclusion
American Spirit cigarettes continue to be recognized for their commitment to natural ingredients and a diverse product range that appeals to smokers seeking distinctive flavor experiences. With a global presence and a legacy of quality, American Spirit remains a significant player in the tobacco industry, providing consumers with a unique choice in smoking preferences.