Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company takes its name from Santa Fe, New Mexico, the city where it grows and processes all of its tobacco and manufacturers its cigarettes, cigarillos and cigars. Santa Fe is likely best known for Natural American Spirit, an affordable cigarette brand that has achieved so much success that it inspired the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company to purchase Santa Fe in 2001.

Santa Fe continues to operate as its own company but under the umbrella of the Reynolds American division. Being under that umbrella has afforded the company a number of benefits, including better promotion, marketing and distribution for its line of cigars. Santa Fe filtered cigars, for instance, was once among America’s best-kept tobacco secrets but is now well known and widely available.

Once the increased distribution was in place, Santa Fe filtered cigars became one of Santa Fe’s best-selling products and one of the best-selling cigarillos on the market. The Santa Fe filtered cigars are distinguished by having a distinct aroma and taste that is only possible with tobacco grown in that region and which is considerably different from the more prevalent cigarillo style, which uses Kentucky tobacco and blends.

Santa Fe filtered cigars are sold in 100s length and with 20 cigarillos per pack. Packs can be purchased individually or in 10-pack cartons, which are usually available at a discount. The original Santa Fe flavor is still the most popular and is sold as Originals or Regulars. The original Santa Fe filtered cigars have a rich flavor and aroma that is true to traditional cigars, but the filter and grooving allow for a much smoother smoke than you’re likely to find with a traditional cigar.

In the U.S., cigarillos are not taxed at the same rate that cigarettes are, and this has made some cigarillo brands, including Santa Fe, a popular alternative. In order to meet the needs of this new market better, Santa Fe also sells Mild and Menthol variants of the original flavor.

Flavored cigarillos are also very popular, and Santa Fe meets that demand with flavored Santa Fe filtered cigars. Currently available flavors include grape, peach, strawberry and vanilla, which is branded as “white.” Interestingly, Santa Fe does not yet have a cherry-flavored cigarillo despite great demand on the market, and it’s likely that Santa Fe will introduce a cherry-flavored filtered cigar to the market sooner than later.