Short answer: Backwoods are an American brand of machine-made cigarillos, introduced in 1973 and known for their rough, rustic look and natural leaf wrapper. They come in resealable foil packs of five, in flavors from Original and Honey Bourbon to Russian Cream and Dark Stout. We don't carry Backwoods online. This guide covers what they are, and the cigars from our humidor worth trying next.
What are Backwoods?
Backwoods Smokes launched in the United States in 1973, designed to look as rugged and natural as possible: a nod to the frontier cigar. The Backwoods name now belongs to ITG Cigars Inc. Retailer listings describe the Original as machine-made, with a natural leaf wrapper over a homogenized tobacco binder and a short filler of Caribbean Basin, Cuban-seed tobaccos. The rough, uneven look is intentional.
Backwoods flavors
Flavors listed by major cigar retailers include:
- Original: the unflavored blend, mellow and tobacco-forward
- Honey: tobacco with honey sweetness
- Honey Berry: honey with ripe berry
- Honey Bourbon: honey with a whiskey note
- Sweet Aromatic and Black 'N Sweet Aromatic, the second with black Cavendish and espresso notes
- Russian Cream: a smooth vanilla-cream profile
- Wild Rum: tropical rum and vanilla
- Dark Stout, Black Russian and Grape
The range changes over time and not every shop stocks every flavor, so check with your retailer for the current line-up.
Backwoods vs. a handmade premium cigar
Backwoods are machine-made from short filler around a homogenized binder. A premium cigar is rolled by hand from whole, long-filler leaves with a natural binder and wrapper. It burns longer, and most premium cigars carry no added flavoring: the taste comes from the leaf and how it was aged.
What to smoke after Backwoods
All of these are in our walk-in humidor in Yuma, Arizona, and ship nationwide.
- If you like the sweetness: flavored and infused cigars. Java Latte by Rocky Patel is the coffee drinker's start, ACID Kuba Kuba is the aromatic one, and Tatiana is the sweet, short smoke. Our flavored cigar guide compares them.
- If you like a short smoke: tins and cigarillos, from Tatiana minis to Java X-press and CAO cigarillo tins.
- If you want a natural, everyday cigar: premium cigars under $15 and our samplers.
- When you're ready for the top shelf: Fuente Fuente OpusX, the allocated cigar our collectors chase most. See what has arrived on Opus X In Stock Now, every rare cigar on the shelf at Rare Cigars In Stock Now, and the latest Rare Shelf Report.
Buying from Sun of a Gun
We ship nationwide from our walk-in humidor in Yuma, Arizona, including Puerto Rico. Shipping is $9.99 flat, free on orders of $125 or more, and orders ship within 1–2 business days. Questions on what to try? Call 928-276-3500.
Frequently asked questions
Do Backwoods have nicotine?
Yes. Backwoods are made of tobacco, and tobacco contains nicotine. Like other cigars, they are meant to be smoked without inhaling.
Are Backwoods weed?
No. Backwoods are tobacco cigarillos; they contain no cannabis.
How many Backwoods come in a pack?
Five, in a resealable foil pouch that keeps them from drying out. Retailers also sell cartons of eight five-packs (40 cigars), and some flavors come in boxes of 24.
Who makes Backwoods?
The Backwoods brand belongs to ITG Cigars Inc. It was introduced in the United States in 1973.
Does Sun of a Gun sell Backwoods?
Not online. Our humidor is built around premium cigars. If you enjoy flavored Backwoods, start with our flavored and infused cigars.
