American Spirit cigarettes come in a variety of colors, each with their own unique meaning and characteristics. The colors are designed to represent different strengths, flavors, and qualities of the tobacco blend inside. Understanding what each color signifies can help smokers select the variety that best suits their preferences. This article will examine the history behind American Spirit’s colored branding, what each color represents, and the properties of the different blends.
History of American Spirit Cigarette Colors
American Spirit cigarettes are produced by Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, which was founded in 1982. The company prides itself on using organic, additive-free tobacco in its products. In the 1990s, American Spirit began offering their cigarettes in a rainbow of colors to distinguish between the different blends and strengths. The colored branding was unique in the tobacco industry at the time and helped American Spirit stand out on store shelves.
The colors and their meanings have evolved over the years as American Spirit has added new varieties and tweaked their blends. But the core color codes have remained largely consistent, aiming to help smokers easily identify the characteristics of each type. The colors serve as a quick visual reference point, though the names of each blend also reflect what’s inside.
Overview of American Spirit Cigarette Colors
Here is a quick rundown of the main cigarette colors currently available from American Spirit and what each one signifies:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Full-bodied tobacco taste, highest nicotine content |
| Orange | Full-flavored, medium nicotine content |
| Green | Smooth, mellow taste, lower nicotine |
| Blue | Mild, light tobacco flavor, very low nicotine |
| Red | Medium bodied, balance of flavor and mildness |
| Black | Bold, full flavor with no additives |
| Silver | Ultra light, smooth taste |
Now let’s take a more in-depth look at each color variety.
Yellow American Spirits
The yellow American Spirit blend contains the boldest flavor and highest nicotine content of any color in their lineup. Marketed as “full-bodied” cigarettes, the yellow variety uses 100% additive-free, organic tobacco. They are specially blended for a strong tobacco taste and powerful nicotine kick.
Of all the colors, yellow Spirits have the shortest burn time at just over 5 minutes per cigarette. The yellow pack is clearly marked “Natural Tobacco” to inform smokers of the high nicotine content. This variety is ideal for smokers who crave that authentic, unfiltered tobacco flavor. The yellow blend contains approximately 1.25 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette.
Orange American Spirits
Orange American Spirits represent a smooth, full-flavored cigarette with medium strength. The blend combines full tobacco taste with a mellow smoking experience. Orange Spirits contain roughly 0.95 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette.
Unlike the yellow variety, orange American Spirits incorporate a small dash of organic guarana. Guarana is derived from a South American plant and adds a subtle kick. This helps enhance the flavor while keeping the nicotine content more moderate compared to the bold yellows.
The orange cigarettes are a nice balance between rich tobacco taste and mellowness. They have a typical burn time of just over 6 minutes per stick. The orange pack is described as “Robust Flavor” to indicate the smooth yet full flavor.
Green American Spirits
Green colored American Spirit cigarettes are billed as the brand’s “Mellow Taste” option. They deliver a light, smooth flavor with lower nicotine content than the yellows or oranges. The green variety contains approximately 0.65 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette.
In addition to 100% organic tobacco, the green blend incorporates organic spearmint. This adds a light menthol essence that gives a cool, refreshing smoking experience. Green American Spirits offer a smooth, easygoing flavor profile with pleasant aftertaste compared to tobacco-dominant varieties.
The green cigarettes burn slower than yellows and oranges, with an average time of nearly 7 minutes per stick. This makes them more satisfying for casual smoking.
Blue American Spirits
Looking for an ultra-smooth, mellow cigarette? The blue American Spirits offer an extra light tobacco flavor containing the lowest nicotine levels in the lineup. With just 0.6 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette, blue Spirits are about 50% less nicotine than regular full flavor smokes.
The blue pack is marked “Mild Taste” and includes lighter blends of organic tobaccos for a feather-light flavor and aroma. Instead of overpowering tobacco, it offers delicate notes that make for an effortless, cleansing smoke. This variety won’t blast you with nicotine or robust tobacco taste.
Blue American Spirits take their time burning, with an average duration over 7 minutes per cigarette. The light flavor and mild strength lend well to leisurely smoking.
Red American Spirits
Red American Spirits aim for balance between rich tobacco taste and milder qualities. Billed as the “Original Blend” they offer medium strength and smoothness. The red variety contains around 1 milligram of nicotine per cigarette.
Incorporating a medley of different organic tobaccos allows the red blend to achieve equilibrium. It offers fuller flavor than lights like green and blue Spirits, while remaining smoother than orange and yellow varieties. There’s enough boldness to satisfy regular smokers but not overpower those wanting a little mildness.
Red American Spirits burn at a moderate pace of around 6.5 minutes per cigarette. The balanced original blend suits most smoking preferences. It delivers quintessential tobacco flavor with measured smoothness.
Black American Spirits
The black pack represents American Spirit’s “Natural” line of cigarettes. Black American Spirits use 100% additive-free, organic tobacco for a bold, unfiltered smoking experience. The blend contains around 1.15 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette.
Lacking any flavors or quirks from supplemental plants, the black variety spotlights pure, unadulterated tobacco taste. It’s a classic “original” tobacco flavor similar to smoking hand-rolled cigarettes. The black pack promises “A Strong Taste for Smokers Who Like to Taste Their Tobacco.”
Black American Spirits burn faster than the ultra light varieties, finishing each stick in around 5.5 minutes on average. Smokers who crave authentic tobacco flavor will appreciate the pure blend.
Silver American Spirits
Lastly, silver American Spirits deliver an ultra-smooth, mellow smoking experience as the lightest blend in the spectrum. Marketed as “Ultra-Light Taste” silver Spirits contain just 0.4 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette. This very low nicotine content makes them lighter than even the blue variety.
The silver cigarettes include bright, golden Virginia tobacco plus organic sugarcane instead of paper as a wrap. This imparts a softer, lighter flavor and feeling. Silver American Spirits offer an airy, delicate smoking experience similar to ultra-light brands. But they still use high-quality tobacco minus chemical additives.
At over 8 minutes per stick, silver American Spirits have the longest burn time for leisurely smoking. The ultra light flavor and mild impact allow drawing out each cigarette to the fullest.
Picking Your Preferred American Spirit Variety
All American Spirit cigarettes use organic, pesticide-free tobaccos without any chemical additives. But the colors help smokers choose between options like:
– Stronger, bolder tobacco taste versus mellow, smooth flavors
– Higher nicotine content versus lower nicotine options
– Faster burn times if you enjoy quicker smokes versus slower-burning if you like extended smoking
– Balanced, medium styles versus light or heavy extremes
The color-coding makes it easier for smokers to pick the blend and strength profile that fits their cravings. American Spirit offers a wider range of styles across the spectrum compared to most major brands who focus on lights versus full-flavor.
Buying Tip for American Spirit Cigarettes
Because American Spirits use premium tobacco, they tend to cost a little more than discount cigarette brands – generally $1-$3 per pack higher. One way to save money is to buy them in cartons which lowers the per-pack price. American Spirit cartons contain 10 packs of 20 cigarettes (200 total sticks).
Shopping online can offer even more savings on American Spirits versus buying at convenience stores or gas stations. Many online tobacco shops offer discounts with the option to buy cartons and cases. So buying in bulk online is an easy way to save money on American Spirits over time.
The Takeaway on American Spirit Cigarette Colors
While all natural and additive-free, American Spirit cigarette colors denote a wide range of flavor profiles and strengths. The color-coding helps smokers easily find a variety suited to their preferences. Options range from intense, unfiltered tobacco taste (yellow) to ultra-smooth lights (silver). With seven styles to choose from, American Spirit has a color to satisfy every type of smoking interest.