Cigars vs Pipes – What’s the Difference?

Cigars and pipes both offer smokers a way of consuming tobacco, but what is the difference? The way cigars and pipe tobacco are produced, prepared and smoked are all different, and learning about these variations could help you find a new smoking experience to enjoy. Many smokers switch between pipes and cigars periodically to enjoy the different experiences each offer.

We take a look at tobacco pipe smoking vs cigar smoking so you can discover how these two ways of smoking differ.

What is the Difference Between Cigars and Pipes?

Cigars are tightly rolled bundles of tobacco leaves wrapped in a tobacco leaf wrapper. They typically have a cylindrical shape, with a closed end (the “head” or “cap”) that is cut before smoking.

Pipes consist of a bowl, a stem, and a mouthpiece. The bowl is filled with loose pipe tobacco, which is lit, and the smoker draws the smoke through the stem and mouthpiece.

A cigar is made entirely of tobacco, while a pipe needs to be filled with loose tobacco.

How Are Cigar and Pipe Tobacco Prepared?

Cigars are typically made by bunching together long-filler tobacco leaves, which are the interior leaves of the tobacco plant, and then rolling them in a binder and wrapper leaf. They are usually ready to smoke as they are and require no further preparation, although some choose to further age their cigars in a humidor.

Pipe tobacco is generally sold in loose form or as pre-formed plugs or flakes. Pipe smokers need to fill their pipe bowls with the desired amount of tobacco and then tamp it down lightly.

What’s the Difference Between Cigar and Pipe Tobacco?

On the whole, cigar tobacco will be of better quality and more expensive. A great deal of effort goes into cultivating and processing tobacco for cigars, as the outer leaves need to be perfect to be used as a wrapper. Premium cigars will be made using the finest tobacco. On the other hand, unless it is for a limited-edition or premium tobacco range, pipe tobacco tends to be a little cheaper.

Cigars are also often made using a blend of tobacco from different harvests and even different countries. Whether this be a mix of filler tobaccos, or a filler tobacco from one country and a wrapper from another, the mixture of tobacco types in a cigar makes for a complex and flavourful smoke. Pipe tobacco will have two key variations; regular and aromatic. Aromatic tobaccos will have a flavour added to them during the curing process, providing an extra scent, such as vanilla or cherry. Regular pipe tobacco will only feature the natural tobacco taste.

The size of the tobacco also differs, as pipe tobacco is usually cut fairly finely to be packed into the pipe. Cigars will instead often use whole leaves, concertinaed in the filler, as well as the whole exterior wrapper leaf.

Cigar and Pipe Smoking Tools

One slight difference between cigars and pipes is the equipment needed to smoke them. For a cigar, the absolute essentials will be a cigar cutter, lighter and an ashtray.

For pipe smoking, you will obviously need to buy a pipe! You’ll be able to find a decent pipe for around £40; however, a lot of quality pipes will cost a lot more, with prices running into the thousands! To smoke a pipe, you will also need matches or a lighter, a pipe cleaner and possibly a pipe rest.

How Does the Smoking Experience Differ Between Cigars and Pipes?

Cigars are usually smoked by drawing the smoke into the mouth, allowing it to linger, and then exhaling. The smoking experience is characterised by slow, deliberate puffs that allow the flavours and aromas of the tobacco to develop.

Pipe smoking involves a slower and more deliberate process compared to cigars. Pipe smokers often use a technique called “sipping” or “sipping and puffing,” where they draw small amounts of smoke into the mouth and then puff to keep the tobacco lit. This method helps maintain a cooler smoke and enhances the flavour nuances.

What’s the Difference in Flavour and Aroma for Cigars and Pipe Smoking?

Cigars come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and flavours. The tobacco blends used in cigars can range from mild to full-bodied, and they often have distinct flavour profiles influenced by factors like the origin of the tobacco and the ageing process.

Pipe tobacco also comes in a wide range of flavours and blends. Different types of tobacco, such as Virginia, Burley, or Latakia, are combined to create various taste experiences. Pipes are known for providing a fuller range of flavours due to the way the tobacco is burned and the way the smoke is channelled through the pipe.

Cigars are often designed to develop in flavour as they are smoked. The initial notes can be quite different from the finish, and tastes and aromas will change in complexity and depth throughout the smoking experience. Conversely, pipes will typically provide a more uniform smoking experience, as the tobacco used is not rolled and will usually come from the same batch.

What Maintenance Do Cigars and Pipes Need?

If you are looking to take up cigar or pipe smoking, then both hobbies require a little maintenance. For cigars, if you are looking to purchase a box of cigars, collect cigars, or just have a few too many to smoke at once, then you will need to invest in a humidor. A humidor is needed to keep your cigars at the ideal humidity and temperature. Without it, the cigars can become brittle and dry or soggy and wet – both outcomes leaving the cigar unsmokeable.

For pipes, you will need to find the perfect balance between building cake in your pipe and keeping it clean. ‘Cake’ is a layer of carbon that forms in the pipe and helps to protect your pipe, allowing it to last a lot longer. When cleaning out your pipe, you must avoid scraping, as this can remove the ‘cake’. Getting this right can take a little practice.

What is the Difference in Cost for Cigars and Pipes?

Many assume that cigars will be the most expensive of the two smoking hobbies. Ultimately, it is down to your personal preferences and choices when it comes to brands and luxury vs budget.

It is hard to directly compare the costs of pipes vs cigars. Pipe smoking is often more of an investment to start with, with pipes costing upwards of £30-40 (many premium pipes will be in the hundreds); however, pipe tobacco can be found relatively inexpensively and can be portioned out as desired.

For cigars, there are fewer upfront costs, although cigars can be a little pricier per smoke than a pipe if you choose premium brands. However, when you consider that one cigar can contain the same amount of tobacco as a whole pack of cigarettes, around £15 per cigar doesn’t seem too bad! Cigars can, of course, start costing a lot more if you find yourself getting into limited-edition smokes, collecting or having a taste for top premium brands.

So which do you prefer to smoke: pipes or cigars?