In August 2021, JT released the Ploom X, a high-temperature heated tobacco device that evolved from the Ploom S.
There are currently a total of 16 flavors that can be smoked in this flagship model, including 8 types of Mobius series and 8 types of Camel series. 9 of the 16 flavors are renewed sticks that were originally smoked with Ploom S and will be released in June 2021. In conjunction with the launch of Ploom X, Mobius Rich, Mobius Menthol Fresh, and Camel Rich, the capsule menthol type Mobius Option series was added in November 2021 (currently 4 types).
Here, the heavy smoker author smoked all 16 types of cigarette sticks for Ploom X currently in the lineup and evaluated the taste of each.
Some of the cigarette sticks available in the new model of heated tobacco device Ploom X (far right in the photo). The Mobius series is 570 yen including tax for a pack of 20 bottles, and the Camel series is 500 yen including tax for a pack of 20 bottles.
4 types of capsule menthol type “Mobius Option” series
Heating temperature increased by 95°C! I tried using Ploom X equipped with new heating technology for one month
The biggest evolution of the Ploom X is that the heating temperature of the previous model Ploom S was raised from about 200°C to about 295°C at once, achieving a smoking response close to that of the IQOS, a rival of heated cigarettes. This improvement in the heating temperature of nearly 100°C was achieved by adopting a new heating technology “Heat Flow” that sends hot air inside the stick in addition to the conventional heating method of warming the stick from the surroundings.
By warming the heating furnace (chamber) inside the main body from the surroundings and sending hot air inside the stick, it is possible to intensify the tobacco taste.
After using Ploom X for about a month, I found that Ploom X has evolved to emphasize the flavor and sucking response of tobacco leaves, while producing a slight unpleasant taste. Incidentally, the new IQOS Irma has evolved to reduce the unpleasant taste and odor while maintaining the sucking response. In other words, both models overturned the conventional brand image that the Ploom has a modest odor but a modest sucking response, and the IQOS has a harsh odor but a strong sucking response.
Along with the evolution of the main body, various improvements have been made to the dedicated stick. The nine brands that have been renewed have improved tobacco leaf blends to maximize the taste of Ploom X. In addition, the four regular types have a new blend of the mesophyll part “Lamina”. As a result, the taste of tobacco leaves becomes deeper and the umami becomes more intense. In particular, “Mobius Rich” showed the difference remarkably.
The menthol type is also evolving. “Mobius Menthol Cold” and “Mobius Menthol Fresh” use 100% “natural menthol”, which was also used in “Ploom Tech Plus” cigarette capsules. On the other hand, Camel’s flavored menthol-type sticks use a technology called “flavor microchip” to ensure a long-lasting aroma.
In addition, from November 2021, the capsule menthol type “Mobius Option” series was also added.
The Ploom X cigarette stick is slightly longer than the conventional stick. This is to take into account the optimal distance between the mouth and the device during use, and the filter part is slightly elongated.
What I liked most about Ploom X is that you can smoke an unlimited number of puffs within 5 minutes of smoking, and you can enjoy a spa spa in a fluffy way. With conventional heated cigarettes such as Ploom S, if you smoke it at a short interval, the taste may not come out because the next heating is not in time, but with Ploom X, you can taste it thoroughly every time. I was honestly impressed by this technical capability.
The only thing that bothered me after using it for a month was the difficulty of seeing the LEDs that represent the operation status of the main unit. It was almost impossible to see in bright outdoor places.
Ploom X Dedicated Cigarette Stick Library [Mobius Edition]
From here, I will explain all the types of special cigarette sticks that can be smoked with Ploom X by actually smoking and comparing them. Let’s start with the four types of the Mobius brand.
* The number of ● under the product image is the author’s own evaluation
1. Mobius Rich
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●●, Strength: ●●●●●
Regular type of Mobius for Ploom X.
When heated, the “popcorn smell” peculiar to heated tobacco is fragrant, but it is not a more unpleasant smell than that of the conventional model, but rather the impression of “fragrant and delicious corn”.
When I actually smoked it, I felt a slightly sweet aroma unique to Mobius that I had never tasted with heated tobacco before, and a heavy kick was transmitted to my throat. When the steam is exhaled, a slightly sharp burning sensation and acidity are mixed, creating the smoke of a cigarette. In addition, while there is a tangy stimulus in the throat, the rich umami obtained by blending the mesophyll part of tobacco leaves “lamina” rushes in. This is amazing… With this work, it can be said that the switching group from the cigarette Mobius has finally come close to satisfying taste.
If you want to taste the rich taste that symbolizes the charm of Ploom X, choose “Mobius Rich”.
2. Mobius Smooth
Fragrance: ●●●●○, Richness: ●●●●●○, Strength: ●●●○○
A regular type that can be enjoyed with a feeling similar to the mild cigarette “Mobius (formerly Mild Seven)” with a low tar level.
Even though it is “smooth”, the umami lasts until you finish sucking it, so the satisfaction is high. This one also has a fluffy burning smell and tastes like a cigarette.
3. Mobius Menthol Fresh
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●○, Menthol strength: ●●●●●
A menthol type that has a spicy refreshing feeling that comes to the back of the throat.
It has a peppermint-like spiciness and a spearmint-like sweetness, so it’s easy to suck. It has a natural taste unique to natural menthol, but the throat kick feeling is strong and stimulating due to menthol. Personally, I felt that the mint flavor subsided in the second half, but it was well balanced with the tobacco flavor and was delicious.
4. Mobius Menthol Cold
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●●○, Menthol strength: ●●●●○
Rather than a soothing feeling, it is a natural menthol type that gently conveys a cold feeling.
It has a calm and deep taste, and the impression is that the umami increases when you suck it slowly. However, in the second half, the coolness decreased, and the taste became sober.
5. Mobius Option Purple
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●●●, Menthol strength: ●●●●●
In November 2021, “Mobius Option Purple” was one of the flavored menthol types newly added to the Mobius series for Ploom X. As a berry-based menthol type, “Camel Menthol Purple” already exists, but its taste is quite different due to the price difference.
“Mobius Option Purple” is a menthol type of Mobius for Ploom X, so unlike the Camel series, it uses natural menthol. In addition, following the flow of the optional series of cigarette version Mobius, the filter part is equipped with a capsule.
However, unlike BAT’s “Glow” series capsule menthol, it is recommended to crush the capsule before heating, rather than crushing the capsule to change the taste along the way. If you try to crush it by heating, the problem of steam heat makes it difficult for the capsule to burst.
Moving on to reviews. I attached a stick to the main body and tried to crush the capsule of the filter part before heating, but be careful because it is quite hard. When I crushed it and actually sucked it, the refreshing refreshing feeling unique to natural menthol that was “strong but not spicy” spread greatly. On top of that, the taste of fresh purple grapes comes along with the umami of tobacco. This should be one of the most delicious “purple menthol” types in the world.
6. Mobius Option Yellow
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●●○, Strength: ●●●●●
It is a flavored menthol type with the same capsule as “Mobius Option Purple” and is a citrus “Mobius Option Yellow”. This is also a type that feels a strong refreshing sensation unique to natural menthol, but does not feel spicy.
Many of the “Citrus Menthol” types tend to feel chemical, but this is not felt at all. In the swirling coolness, the acidity and slight sweetness of citrus fruits with green and yellow peels are beautifully reproduced. This is also by far the most delicious of the many “Citrus Menthol” types. As the menthol feeling subsided in the second half, the tobacco feeling increased, and the taste changed to a more adult taste.
7. Mobius Option Muscat Green
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●●●, Strength: ●●●●●
Since there is already a berry flavor similar to purple grapes called “Option Purple”, “Option Muscat Green” is thought to have pushed the name “Muscat” to the fore as well as the color name. Before crushing the capsule, you can enjoy natural menthol just like the other “Options” series.
When the capsule pops, the flavor of the muscat fruit itself jumps in. Not only bay puri liquid, but also soft drinks and cakes have a muscat flavor that tends to have a chemical taste, but this is a faithful reproduction of the muscat flavor as a fruit. The delicacy that even the taste of the pulp and peel part can be felt three-dimensionally, and the restrained taste that is not more flashy than necessary, is easy to absorb and tasteful. I have never come across a stick that has been able to reproduce such a realistic muscat flavor.
8. Mobius Option Red
Fragrance: ●●●●○, Richness: ●●●●○, Strength: ●●●●●
Before crushing the capsule, as in the other “Options” series, natural menthol. The natural refreshing feeling that makes you feel green again is good.
Crush the capsules and try to taste. The first dress tastes like a fresh grated apple. However, the flavor is not so strong. When I sucked it further, the sweetness of the apple spread softly, mixed with the refreshing sensation, and became very delicious.
In the second half, the deep taste and slight bitterness peculiar to tobacco leaves are felt, and the apple gradually becomes devoted to a supporting role.
I was impressed by the three stages of enjoyment, from menthol to apple flavor, and in the second half of the season, a stronger tobacco feeling. Also, while apples are usually emphasized for their sweet and sour taste, “Option Red” has the impression that it features sweetness rather than sourness. It’s not flashy, but it’s solid. As expected, it is a high-quality “option” series.
Ploom X Cigarette Stick Library [Camel Edition]
9. Camel Rich
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●●●, Strength: ●●●●●
It is a little milder than “Mobius Rich”, but it is a regular type with a strong aroma.
The umami produced by blending the mesophyll part of tobacco leaves “lamina” is light but delicious.
Even after the price increase due to the tobacco tax increase in October 2021, it retains one coin (500 yen including tax), so it can be said that it is the cheapest regular type with a strong sucking response.
10. Camel Smooth
Fragrance: ●●●○○, Richness: ●●●○○, Strength: ●●●○○
If anything, it is a regular type characterized by a gentle taste closer to the conventional model Ploom S.
I could feel the excellent taste and umami, but not flashy. However, there should be many users who are addicted to this lack of habit.
11. Camel Menthol Black Mint
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●○, Menthol strength: ●●●●●
The so-called “black menthol” type.
Other companies’ black menthol types have a less sweet and almost bitter impact, but JT’s has a stronger herbal feeling. This work follows that trend, and in the second half, the exotic feeling increases, so you may choose someone who smokes.
12. Camel Menthol Cold
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●●●, Menthol strength: ●●●●●
A menthol type that gives intense stimulation to the throat.
A cold sensation can be felt, but the tingling sensation of dry menthol prevails. Recommended for those who want to prioritize the menthol feeling over the tobacco feeling.
13. Camel Menthol Purple
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●●●, Menthol strength: ●●●●○
A berry-based flavored menthol type that belongs to the popular purple menthol.
The aroma is a little strong and chemical. The fruitiness is closer to the taste of foreign-made bubble gum and chewing gum than to grapes and other fruits.
14. Camel Menthol Red
Fragrance: ●●●●○, Richness: ●●●○○, Menthol strength: ●●●●○
Apple-flavored menthol type.
In the first half, you can feel a little sweetness like apple pie, but the menthol is also strong, so the sweetness tends to fly. Towards the second half, when the menthol taste disappeared, it changed to a slightly mysterious taste.
15. Camel Menthol Muscat Green
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●○○, Menthol strength: ●●●●○
Different from “Camel Menthol Purple”, another berry-based menthol type.
It has a sour taste and a slightly chemical white grape aroma, so you may like it or not.
16. Camel Menthol Yellow
Fragrance: ●●●●●, Richness: ●●●○○, Menthol strength: ●●●○○
A flavored menthol type characterized by a skittish citrus feeling.
The citrus flavor was intertwined with the invigorating menthol, and it tasted the most delicious among the flavored menthols. However, as the menthol feeling weakens towards the second half, the chemical feeling comes out a little.
【Summary】The perfection of the regular type is wonderful! For flavored menthol, the Mobius Option is much more delicious.
Ploom X has certainly evolved ideally. In particular, I would like to assert that the regular type stick has achieved a taste worthy of a flagship model.
The menthol type was outstandingly delicious, especially since “Mobius Menthol Fresh” and “Mobius Menthol Cold” use natural menthol, which is JT’s home art.
The flavored menthol type was much better in the “Mobius Option” series. Flavored capsule menthol is not uncommon, but it is full of JT’s unique commitment to the natural feeling, so it is recommended for those who dislike chemicals. We are also happy that we have expanded to four flavors and have more choices. It is troublesome to have to crush the capsules one by one, but the marriage of the capsules and natural menthol gives you a natural refreshing feeling and fresh fruitiness.
On the other hand, the flavor-based menthol type of the Camel series is inexpensive, but all tastes have a chemical feel, and the higher the heating temperature, the stronger the habit. Depending on the type, I have the impression of choosing a person who smokes.
If you want to reduce running costs, choose the Camel series. However, if you want a sucking response similar to that of IQOS, you should still choose from the Mobius series.
In the Camel series with reduced cost performance, “Camel Rich”, which has both strong taste and low price, is doing well.
