Shrapnel Sweet

The Shrapnel Sweet cigars have become one of my longtime guilty pleasures. They are quick, flavorful little smokes that know exactly what they are — simple, inexpensive, and surprisingly enjoyable.

What immediately sets them apart is the sugary-sweet cap. The ends are dipped, giving each draw a sweet candy-like touch that pairs nicely with the mild tobacco inside. It is not a complex cigar by any means, nor does it try to be. These are meant to be convenient, relaxing smokes you can enjoy without overthinking every puff.

The smoke itself is mild, smooth, and easygoing with just enough sweetness to keep things interesting. They burn fairly consistently for such inexpensive little cigars and produce a pleasant aroma, making them perfect for casual smoking situations.

For me, these have become my go-to road trip cigars.

I’ve smoked these while driving for years now. Something about the sweetness and steady little nicotine kick helps keep me alert on long drives — which is important because, honestly, I do not do particularly well driving long distances. Anyone up for a road trip? Count me in. Just wake me up when we get there.

Price-wise, they are tough to beat. These little jewels come packed 50 to a box, and I usually pick up two boxes for around $39 total. For that kind of value, they are easy to keep stocked and even easier to enjoy without feeling guilty about burning through a few during a long weekend on the road.

No, they are not premium hand-rolled masterpieces destined for cigar magazines. But sometimes the best cigars are simply the ones you genuinely enjoy smoking over and over again — and for me, the Shrapnel Sweet absolutely falls into that category.