Back when I smoked, the only ones I COULDN’T tell were not my beloved Marlboro Lights were Basic Lights. Everything else tasted off. And I believe Basics are made by Marlboro, so that makes sense. I’d bum other brands if I was out - even menthol once in a while (and what smoker hasn’t bought a pack of menthol when she gets a cold? Fine stuff for clearing congestion!) but they were never as satisfying as bumming my own brand.
Eventually I switched to American Spirit in the light blue or teal pack, I forget which (their “light”, I believe), and then quickly to American Spirit loose tobacco when I became a roll-yer-owner. Then it all just got to be too much work and I quit to have a baby.
Cigarette manufacturers flavor their tobacco with different agents, so of course it tastes different. I remember the two most popular flavors are coffee and chocolate, but I forget which one Marlboro has. Winston has the other. They’re subtle, not like “flavored tobacco”, but unmistakably different.
Damn, I miss smoking.