Camel is one of the most famous and historically significant cigarette brands in the world, with a history spanning over 100 years since its introduction. Camel cigarettes were first introduced in 1913 by the American R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Their launch was revolutionary in the tobacco industry, as most people had previously smoked either hand-rolled cigarettes or stronger tobaccos. The brand’s name derives from the significant amount of Turkish (Oriental) tobacco in the blend, intended to evoke the Egyptian cigarettes fashionable at the time. The result was a unique blend of Turkish, Virginia, and Burley tobaccos, dubbed American Blend. Within the first year of its launch, Camel sold hundreds of millions of packs, and the brand quickly became a leader in the American tobacco market.
Production and distribution
Today, the rights to the Camel brand are divided between major global tobacco corporations:
- In the United States, production and distribution remains with R.J. Reynolds, now part of British American Tobacco.
- In other countries (including Europe), the rights belong to Japan Tobacco International (JTI), a division of Japan Tobacco Inc.
Thanks to this, Camel is sold in more than 90 countries worldwide and maintains its status as one of the most recognizable tobacco brands.
Product range
Over its history, Camel has produced many cigarette varieties to suit the tastes of different consumers. Currently, the main types are:
- Camel Filters – The yellow pack of this variety features a new design. The filter is made in the classic “cork” style and is edged with a silver stripe and the same logo with the brand name and a camel. The blend used is standard American Blend and Oriental, both with high nicotine levels. Despite the nicotine, the smoke is smooth, with a tobacco color ranging from light yellow to dark brown, closer to burgundy. The flavors are standard, the smoke is dense, with subtle nutty notes. These cigarettes are strong and may not be suitable for everyone due to the strong cigarette flavor and nicotine.
- Camel Blue / Light – The pack and external design of the cigarette are identical to the classic brand, but the packaging is blue. The blend is significantly lighter in color than its counterpart. The smoke is softer and lighter. Camel’s flavor is distinctly rich in nicotine, the quality of oriental tobaccos, and has a distinct bitterness.
- Camel Crush/Click series is an innovative option with a menthol capsule in the filter that can be activated while smoking.
