This year, the legendary tobacco brand Rothmans celebrates its 135th anniversary. Founded in London in 1890, the brand remains popular with smokers worldwide. What new products have hit the market for this anniversary? The first product that immediately caught my attention was Rothmans International cigarettes. For the brand’s 135th anniversary, the pack was released in an authentic design, well-remembered from the 1990s.
Contents
The simple design, using a two-tone palette of gold and blue, immediately harks back to its youth. Back when Rothmans International cigarettes were sold in flat, square, two-compartment packs, each containing 10 cigarettes. I’m sure many remember well not only the appearance of the pack but also the taste of those cigarettes. They weren’t cheap, but the price was offset by their excellent quality and taste. They were moderately strong and memorable cigarettes. Let’s say they weren’t for every day. The pack released today still has the same design. However, it’s not flat, but closer to the classic King Size format. And there’s no escaping the mandatory health warnings. By law, they occupy at least half the surface area of ​​the package. The rest is as close as possible to the original version from the past.
The inscription on the back of the pack reads: “A special edition of the legendary Rothmans International cigarettes in honor of the brand’s 135th anniversary. Exquisite taste, selected Virginia, Burley, and Oriental tobaccos. Original design.“
An interesting fact: the manufacturer decided to release the anniversary batch of cigarettes not in the premium segment, but in the budget segment, thereby bringing the legendary brand closer to the masses.
Let’s take a closer look at the contents of the anniversary edition and try it out.
Smoking new Rothmans International
Under the lid of the pack, we’re greeted by another reminder of the anniversary: ​​the stylized numbers “135” decorate the foil in which the cigarettes are additionally packaged. Furthermore, under the lid is the inscription “Special edition in honor of the brand’s 135th anniversary.”
The aroma from the pack is natural, tobacco-like, and ever so slightly sweet. It’s difficult to compare it to the original from my youth, as aromas fade over time. But it flashed through my mind—very similar.
The filter is designed to resemble a cork, and there’s also a small air chamber—the mouthpiece. The filter has one barely noticeable perforation ring. The packing is dense and uniform, which was particularly pleasing. Just like in the good old days.
The smoking taste is tobacco-like, classic, and austere. In principle, this is how it should be—after all, the brand originated in England, and everything there is strict and classic. I was also pleased with the strength; it’s decent (about 7 out of 10). The cigarette is enough to keep you going for an hour and a half.
The cigarette burns evenly, and the ash accumulates in a neat gray column. Just the way we like it.
Well, I think the manufacturer has achieved something that many still struggle to achieve—an optimal balance between price and quality. In any case, the cigarettes turned out interesting. And I hope the manufacturer continues to periodically revisit its history. It’s not for nothing that they say that everything old is new again.