Black & Mild
Cigars

A Brief History of Black & Mild Cigars

Black & Mild Cigars cracked the code on how to savor the joy of smoking a pipe without the hassle. The answer came from John Middleton Co., a family-run tobacco business founded in Philadelphia in 1856. Initially a retail shop, the company gradually moved into manufacturing and distribution. The company spent over a century blending and selling pipe tobacco before launching its now-famous cigar line in 1980. Learn more about the history of Black & Mild cigars on the Blending Room.

That year, they introduced Black & Mild Cigars, a cigarillo-style product outfitted to smoke like a pipe. It was equipped with a plastic or wood tip and gave smokers the exact product they’ve always wanted.

The brand expanded through the 1990s and became a staple across the industry. You’ll find them in gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, and retailers nationwide. In 2007, John Middleton Co. was acquired by Altria Group, further solidifying the brand’s presence in the national market.

Black & Mild Flavors

Black & Mild Cigars are machine-made and come available in a consistent 5x30 size, with some products available in 3.37x24, 5x29, or 4.33x30. Each cigar includes a homogenized binder and wrapper and is filled with a blend of pipe-cut Cavendish and Burley tobaccos. The plastic or wood tip mimics the mouthfeel of a pipe stem and lets you savor all the charm of a pipe without any of the mess.

There are several types of Black and Mild cigars with each offering a slightly different experience. All while still retaining the core flavor profile built around sweet, aromatic pipe tobacco.

• Original: The most widely recognized product in the brand’s line. It features a wood tip with warm and rounded aromatics.
• Wine: Considered one of the best products in their portfolio. It adds a red wine-inspired (vino) flavor with a plastic tip letting the Black Cavendish and Virginia tobaccos shine.
• Cherry and Apple: The fruit-infused variations bring old-fashioned aromatic appeal. Each packed with cherry and apple inspired flavor, respectively, these two products are the go-to for any fragrant-cigar fan or pipe enthusiast.
• Cream and Select: These two different products offer a more reserved profile and are perfect for anyone on a budget that still wants the savory richness of smoking a pipe.

Each of these Black & Mild flavors is available for you to try when you shop at JR Cigars.

Picking the Right Black & Mild Cigar Box

Black & Mild cigars are packaged in two sizes, Black & Mild packs of 10, and boxes of 25. The smaller packs are perfect if you want to try them or for short-term use. The upright boxes are preferred by repeat buyers who already know what they like. All packaging is sealed for freshness, and because they’re all pre-cut and tipped, there is no need for additional accessories.

Shop Online for Black & Mild Cigars

Black & Mild cigars remain one of the most accessible machine-made cigars on the market. With a clear identity built around pipe-style smoking, a wide range of Black & Mild flavors, and packaging, the brand continues to be a staple in the industry. Whether you’re exploring new types of Black and Mild products or getting more for your daily use, we recommend exploring the full lineup of options here at JR Cigars.