Pipes vs Cigars

[specialk]

I think that Cuba was once the best place for producing the finest Cigars but Castro changed a lot of that through out the years. If you think about the Heritage and the talented growers and their family's that once was in Cuba fled to other countries like Nicaragua, Dominica Republic,etc. So not sure once was the best is still the best. Cuban's tobacco is also very strong, and its not everyone's cup of tea.

 

[gray4lines]

I would easily match some NC (non-Cuban) cigars as good, and sometimes better, than Cuban sticks.

I agree.
I believe now it is not a question of quality, but of taste preference for choosing to smoke Nicaraguan or Dominican cigars as opposed to ISOM's.
If you like the taste of Cuban's, then smoke those. But I don't believe any cigar aficionado is missing out if they prefer non-Cuban's. There are quality cigars from all growing regions, and it is all a matter of taste.

 

[rhogg]

I gave up trying to figure out which 1 I like better. Pipes are definitely more economical. I guess I never really came up with an honest a good reason why I should only smoke 1 or the other if I enjoy both why not smoke both?
I will say though that smoking too many cigars can deaden your taste buds to the point where some pipe tobacco me not tasty you like it usually does. The cigars i prefer are usually full bodied and tend to be stronger and therefore coat your palette.
Acid or Drew Estate and CAO make the best aromatic cigars for the premium cigar market. In many brick and mortar stores those are likely to be the only 2 that you'll find. Drew estate also makes the java line and tobak especial. All are premium hand rolled cigars, and their flavoring methods are a tightly guarded secret. More so with Drew Estate.
Padron 1926 maduros are excellent cigars. Like pipe tobaccos cigars are a journey. I encourage you to give it a shot. Also like pipe tobacco it can take a while to nail down the flavor profile you prefer. Just be prepared to open you wallet. Cigars are much more costly. Find a store where the employees are knowledgeable.

 

[allan]

As rhogg said, Padron 26 are excellent cigars, and probably the most expensive cigars I have ever purchased, not counting the occaisional Cuban Montecristo.
I'm an all or nothing guy-I have hundred of cigars in my humidor that I'm not smoking. I let my friends smoke them when they come over. I'm not sure why, but now I just enjoy the quiet smoking of a pipe. I do think that because it is winter, the pipe seems right. Possibly during the spring and summer a cigar may appeal more to me outside with others.
One has to admit that pipe smoking is much more work than cigar smoking. When you are on the run, just a cutter is needed; a match you can get anywhere. Pipe smoking, well...
But I really like the procedures. I enjoy the tamping, filling, re-lighting, the cleaning etc. My friends who have commented on all of the things that they are watching me do, have said 'gee, you are fiddling alot with that thing' to which I reply, "yeah". LOL
Allan

 

[rhogg]

I agree with the folks who said its two different worlds. For the most part the flavor profiles are different. Both are good. Both have their benefits. One huge plus for pipes is I can smoke inside. Cigars are less work. I smoke different things because they are unique. I like variety. Hard to find an Anjeho for the pipe, or fvf in a cigar. If I could get a pipe tobacco that tasted like a Davidoff special R..... I might give up cigars..... If I could find a $1 stick that tasted like Escudo..... you know the rest of the story.....

 

[rhogg]

I could recollect have a dozen stories for either pipes or cigars where I experienced nirvana. Why limit that? Why shut one out. If you like tobacco, I guarantee you will find something on both sides of the fence that you enjoy.
My father smokes cigars and I now get great enjoyment supplying him with a myriad of choices..... not to mentions the moments we share puffing away on great sticks and talking about life.