Shrapnel Black

I recently tried the Shrapnel Black cigars, little budget-friendly sticks that incorporate small amounts of Black Cavendish pipe tobacco throughout the filler. The addition of pipe tobacco definitely gives them a different character compared to your average small cigar, adding a slightly richer aroma and a touch of sweetness to the smoke.

Overall, they were not bad at all.

The smoke itself was fairly smooth with a mild body and a subtle sweetness that occasionally drifted in and out. The Black Cavendish added a slightly darker, aromatic quality to the profile, though not enough to overpower the cigar tobacco underneath. There was a faint earthy note throughout, along with a soft toasted sweetness that made them easy to smoke while driving or relaxing outdoors.

That said, after smoking the Shrapnel Sweet for several years, I still prefer the original’s sweeter profile. The sugary sweetness of the Shrapnel Sweet simply suits my palate better and has become one of those reliable everyday smokes I always keep around. In fact, I usually keep a box or two on hand and often grab a few sticks on my way out the door whenever I’m heading out on the road.

For the price, though, the Shrapnel Black is hard to criticize. I picked up a box of 50 for around $25, which makes them an inexpensive and convenient grab-and-go smoke. While they probably will not replace my regular Shrapnel Sweets anytime soon, they were enjoyable enough that I certainly do not regret trying them.

Shrapnel also offers another variation called Shrapnel Ice, which adds a minty menthol flavor to the mix. Personally, mint and menthol are just not my thing when it comes to cigars, so I will be passing on those. But for smokers who enjoy that cool menthol-style finish, they may very well be worth checking out.