You walk into any Canadian smoke shop and you see three main options on the wall: cigarettes, cigars, and the curious middle child — cigarillos. They look like skinny cigars, smoke like a longer cigarette, and sit at a price point most Canadians can swing on a regular basis. So what exactly are cigarillos, how are they different from cigars and cigarettes, and which ones should you actually try? This 2026 guide has the answers.
What Is a Cigarillo?
A cigarillo is a small, machine-rolled cigar. Most cigarillos are between 3 and 4 inches long and contain about 3 grams of tobacco. They are wrapped in tobacco leaf (or homogenized tobacco wrapper), not the paper used for cigarettes. This means the smoke is heavier, the flavour is fuller, and the burn time is longer than a regular cigarette.
The key word is small. A full cigar can take 45 minutes to an hour to smoke. A cigarillo takes 10 to 20 minutes. That is exactly why so many Canadians choose them — same cigar flavour, way less time commitment.
Cigarillo vs Cigarette vs Cigar
Here is the side-by-side breakdown.
- Cigarette: Paper-wrapped, ~1 gram of tobacco, 5 to 7 minute burn. Light and quick. Filter standard.
- Cigarillo: Tobacco-leaf wrapped, ~3 grams of tobacco, 10 to 20 minute burn. Stronger flavour. Some have plastic or wood tips, some are unfiltered.
- Cigar: Tobacco-leaf wrapped, 5 to 20+ grams of tobacco, 30 minutes to over an hour burn. Premium experience, premium price.
The biggest difference between a cigarillo and a cigarette is the wrapper. Tobacco-leaf wrappers slow the burn and add their own flavour notes. The biggest difference between a cigarillo and a cigar is just size — the construction process is similar but smaller.
Flavoured vs Unflavoured Cigarillos
Most cigarillos sold in Canada are flavoured. The wrapper or filler is treated with a flavouring during manufacturing, giving each smoke a distinct taste. Common flavours include:
- Honey berry
- Grape
- Wild rum
- Sweet aromatic
- Dark stout
- Vanilla
- Cherry
Plain, unflavoured cigarillos still exist but are less popular in the Canadian market. Most smokers reach for flavoured because the sweetness balances the tobacco bite.
Why Canadians Are Switching to Cigarillos
Three reasons keep showing up.
1. Better flavour for the money. A pack of cigarillos costs a few dollars more than a pack of cigarettes but delivers way more smoking time per stick. Per-minute of smoking, cigarillos often work out cheaper.
2. Less frequent smoking. Because each cigarillo lasts longer, smokers tend to have fewer “sessions” through the day. Some Canadians use this as a soft step toward cutting back.
3. Social factor. Cigarillos look and feel premium. They suit patio drinks, after-dinner socials, and weekend evenings in a way cigarettes do not.
The Top Cigarillo Brands in Canada
Here are the names that dominate the Canadian cigarillo market in 2026.
Backwoods
Backwoods are the most-known cigarillo brand in North America. Rustic uneven shape, all-natural tobacco wrapper, and big flavour notes. Popular flavours include Honey Berry, Wild Rum, and Sweet Aromatic. Each pack contains 5 cigarillos. Browse the Backwoods selection for current flavours.
Castro
Castro cigarillos are a long-standing Canadian-market favourite. Smoother and milder than Backwoods, with a cleaner wrapper and a plastic tip on most varieties. Affordable price point. See Castro Cigarillos for current stock.
PrimeTime
PrimeTime cigars (technically little cigars, very close to cigarillos) are sweet, light, and beginner-friendly. The price-to-quantity ratio is excellent. Find them on the PrimeTime product page.
How to Smoke a Cigarillo
This is where cigarillos confuse first-time smokers. There are two schools.
Mouth smoking (cigar style): Pull the smoke into your mouth, taste it, then exhale. You do not inhale into the lungs. This is the traditional way to enjoy a cigar and works well for premium cigarillos.
Inhaling (cigarette style): Pull the smoke into your lungs like a cigarette. Most casual cigarillo smokers do this. It delivers the nicotine faster but loses some of the flavour subtleties.
Either way works. Try both and see which feels right. For deeper context on cigarette-style smoking, see our cigarette pack guide for pack sizes and rotation.
Storing Cigarillos
Cigarillos last longer than cigarettes but still need basic storage care:
- Keep them in their original packaging until you are ready to smoke them.
- Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid heat sources.
- Avoid the freezer — moisture loss makes the tobacco harsh.
- For premium cigarillos, a small Boveda humidity pack keeps them perfect.
For more detail on tobacco storage in general, see our guide on how to store cigarettes properly.
Are Cigarillos Healthier Than Cigarettes?
No. This is a common misconception. Cigarillos contain more tobacco per stick than a cigarette and the smoke contains the same range of harmful compounds. If you do not inhale (mouth smoke only), exposure to lung-related risks is reduced — but nicotine absorption through the mouth and throat still happens, and oral cancer risk increases with regular cigar and cigarillo use. Health Canada classifies cigarillos under the same regulatory framework as cigarettes.
FAQ
Are cigarillos legal in Canada?
Yes. Cigarillos are legal for adults of legal smoking age in Canada (18 or 19 depending on the province).
Do cigarillos have filters?
Some do, some do not. Castro and PrimeTime usually have plastic tips. Backwoods do not have filters — they are smoked like a small cigar.
How long does a cigarillo last?
10 to 20 minutes depending on the size and how slowly you smoke it.
Can I buy cigarillos online in Canada?
Yes. Reputable Canadian online retailers ship cigarillos to all provinces with age verification at delivery. See our best site to buy cigarettes online in Canada guide for details that apply equally to cigarillos.
Ready to Try a Cigarillo?
Canada Smokes carries every major cigarillo brand at fair prices with fast, discreet shipping. Pick a flavour, place the order, and enjoy your first proper cigarillo before the weekend. Browse our full cigarillo and tobacco selection to find the right pack for you.
