Black and Mild cigars have been a fixture of American culture for decades. You’ll spot them at gas stations, convenience stores, and corner shops from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, and there’s a reason the brand has held its ground so firmly. Black & Mild is the top-selling cigar in the five-pack category in the United States, with nearly a third of the market captured back in 2009 — and those numbers haven’t collapsed since.
Whether you’re already a regular smoker trying to figure out which black and mild flavors suit you best, or you’re just curious about what all the fuss is about, this guide breaks down everything worth knowing: the full flavor lineup, the wood tip vs plastic tip debate, sizing options, and what you can expect to pay.
What Actually Is a Black and Mild?
Before getting into flavors, it helps to understand what makes a Black & Mild different from a regular cigar.
At its core, a Black & Mild is a machine-made cigar produced by John Middleton Co., a subsidiary of Altria. What truly distinguishes it from many other machine-made or even handmade cigars is its unique blend of pipe tobacco — specifically Cavendish, Burley, and Golden Virginia tobaccos. This blend is wrapped in a homogenized tobacco sheet and features a plastic or wood tip.
The pipe tobacco filling is the key detail. It’s why Black & Milds smoke sweeter and more aromatic than traditional cigars. The plastic or wood tip mimics the mouthfeel of a pipe stem, letting you experience all the appeal of pipe smoking without any of the mess.
The company’s slogan, “Tastes great! Smells great!” was coined specifically because of the sweet smell the smoke produces.
The Brand’s History in Brief
The John Middleton Company was founded in 1856, originally making some of the world’s finest pipe tobacco blends. Then, in 1980, the company converted many of these American pipe tobaccos into the form of a small tipped cigar in both plastic and wood tip varieties.
The widespread success of Black & Mild produced a windfall of profits for the Middleton family for decades. In 2003, John Middleton, the great-great-grandson of the company’s founder, bought out the stakes of his mother and sisters for approximately $200 million. Just four years later, in late 2007, he sold the company to Altria for $2.9 billion.
That’s not a bad return on pipe tobacco.
Every Black and Mild Flavor, Broken Down
Today the brand offers over 20 flavor options, which can make picking one feel more complicated than it needs to be. Here’s what each of the main black and mild flavors actually tastes like.
Original
The Original is the classic blend of Cavendish and Virginia tobaccos, offering a natural, slightly sweet aroma that defined the brand. It’s the baseline. If you want to understand what a Black & Mild actually tastes like without any added sweetness or fruit, start here. The wood tip version delivers subtle vanilla notes alongside the tobacco.
Wine
The Wine variety adds a red wine-inspired flavor, letting the Black Cavendish and Virginia tobaccos shine through with a fruity, sophisticated twist. It’s one of the best-selling varieties in the entire lineup and comes in wood tip, plastic tip, and filtered formats. If you’re new to Black & Milds, Wine is probably the safest recommendation.
Jazz
Jazz features a blend with hints of vanilla and hickory, known for its slow and steady burn, providing an elegant and subtly complex flavor. It consistently ranks as one of the most popular options. The wood tip version specifically tends to top “best of” lists because the woody mouthpiece complements the flavor profile especially well.
Cream
The Cream flavor is described as the most decadent in the Black & Mild lineup — a mix of fresh creamy taste and mild pipe tobacco. Think smooth, velvety, and slightly sweet without being overwhelming. It’s a comfort pick.
Apple
The Black & Mild Apple offers a refreshing twist with its crisp apple flavor and a sweet, fruity aroma. It sits on the sweeter end of the spectrum and tends to appeal to people who prefer aromatic, fruit-forward smokes.
Cherry
The Cherry variety combines a spicy Virginia tobacco blend with a hint of cherry liquor, finished with a touch of tartness. It’s a more complex flavor than Apple — less straightforwardly sweet, with a bit more edge.
Deluxe
Deluxe is a truly classic taste touched with a hint of chocolate. It’s understated rather than candy-sweet, which makes it one of the more refined options in the range.
Blues
Blues is a Black & Mild with the gentle flavor of mint. It’s a lighter, cooler smoke — good for warm weather or anyone who likes a bit of freshness cutting through the tobacco.
Select
Select provides a smooth, sweet smoke with a persistent fruity flavor that endures throughout the entire burn. It sits between the boldness of Wine and the mildness of Cream.
Casino
Casino is a slightly more niche offering that doesn’t get as much attention as Wine or Jazz, but it has its loyal following among smokers who want something with a slightly bolder, richer tobacco profile without the added sweetness of the flavored options.
Sweets
Sweets is a slightly sweeter version of the Original, with more prominent notes of vanilla. It’s available in the wood tip format and sits comfortably between Original and Cream on the sweetness scale.
Black and Mild Flavors: Quick Comparison
| Flavor | Sweetness Level | Key Notes | Best For |
| Original | Low | Tobacco, nutty, earthy | Traditionalists |
| Wine | Medium | Fruity, wine-forward | Beginners, casual smokers |
| Jazz | Medium | Vanilla, hickory | Evening smoke |
| Cream | High | Creamy, vanilla-sweet | Comfort smokers |
| Apple | High | Crisp apple, fruity | Sweet smoke fans |
| Cherry | Medium | Cherry, tartness, spice | Those who want complexity |
| Deluxe | Low-Medium | Classic tobacco, chocolate hint | Refined taste |
| Blues | Low | Mint, fresh | Warm weather smoking |
| Select | Medium | Fruity, smooth | All-rounder |
| Sweets | Medium-High | Vanilla-forward | Wood tip fans |
Wood Tip vs Plastic Tip: Which One Should You Pick?
This is genuinely one of the most common questions about Black & Milds, and the honest answer is it comes down to personal preference.
Plastic tips are made from smooth, durable plastic and feel lightweight in use. Wooden tips are made from natural wood, offering a more traditional look and texture.
The Black & Mild Wood Tip offers a natural wood mouthpiece, which some smokers believe provides a slightly cooler and drier smoke. The wood also adds a subtle earthy quality to the draw itself. Many longtime Black & Mild smokers swear by the wood tip specifically because it gives the experience a more traditional pipe-like feel.
The plastic tip is more consistent, easier to grip in different conditions, and slightly more modern in feel. For someone who just wants a clean, no-fuss draw, plastic works perfectly.
Beyond those two, other versions also include untipped options and shorts, which are about half the size of the original versions. The filter tip varieties are also available and function similarly to cigarette filters, producing a slightly softer draw.
Black and Mild Sizes
Black & Mild cigars come in a consistent 5×30 size as the standard, with some products also available in 3.37×24, 5×29, or 4.33×30.
The 5×30 standard size takes about 20 to 30 minutes to smoke at a relaxed pace, making it the sweet spot for a proper break. The shorter 3.37×24 is the “Shorts” format — quicker, cheaper, and a good option if you don’t want to commit to a full-length smoke.
How Much Do Black and Milds Cost?
Prices for a 5-count pack typically range from $5.99 to $9.99, with airport locations on the higher end. Flavored Black & Mild cigars tend to cost slightly less than original-flavored versions.
Online, individual Black & Milds tend to sell for around a dollar each, with 5-packs going for between $5.50 and $5.90, and boxes of 50 going for between $38 and $42.
Buying by the box is the obvious move if you have a regular flavor you know you like. The per-unit savings add up quickly.
Prices vary based on your state’s tobacco tax and the retailer. Convenience store prices almost always run higher than online tobacco retailers or dedicated cigar shops. As with most tobacco products, expect prices to shift over time as tax legislation changes.
Who Are Black and Milds Actually For?
Black & Milds appeal most to beginners, casual smokers, pipe tobacco enthusiasts, and budget-conscious consumers. They’re machine-made, consistent, and accessible — you can buy them at a gas station at 11pm without planning ahead.
They’re not what premium cigar aficionados are reaching for. But that’s never been the point. The brand occupies its own lane between cigarettes and traditional cigars, offering something sweeter and more aromatic than either. The cultural presence of Black & Milds — particularly Jazz and Wine — is real, and no amount of snobbishness from the cigar world has dented it.
If you’re comparing Black & Milds to hand-rolled premium cigars, you’re comparing apples to oranges. Within their own category, they’re remarkably consistent and well-made for the price.
FAQ
What’s the most popular Black and Mild flavor? Wine and Jazz consistently rank as the two most popular flavors, with Wine being especially recommended for people new to the brand.
What’s the difference between Black and Mild and Black and Mild Mild? The Mild version is specifically described as smoother and milder, offering a classic taste with a smooth finish designed for smokers who prefer a lighter experience.
Do Black and Milds have nicotine? Yes. They contain nicotine and carry the same addiction risk and health concerns as other tobacco products.
Are Black and Milds cigars or cigarillos? They’re technically classified as machine-made pipe tobacco cigars, though some retailers list them as cigarillos. The distinction matters mostly for tax and regulatory purposes.
Can you buy Black and Milds online? Yes, through tobacco-specific retailers. Age verification is required.
How long does a Black and Mild take to smoke? A standard 5×30 Black & Mild takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The Shorts format takes roughly half that.
The Black & Mild lineup has something for practically every taste preference, from the bold spice of Jazz Wood to the straightforward comfort of Cream. If you’re picking your first one, Wine or Cream are the safest starting points. If you’ve been smoking them for years and haven’t explored the full range, Deluxe and Blues are worth trying — they’re underrated compared to how much attention Jazz and Wine get. Whatever you go with, you know exactly what you’re getting: an affordable, consistent, aromatic smoke that’s been earning its place in American culture for over four decades.
