Cigars Vs Cigarettes

Cigars and cigarettes are both one of the many ways in which tobacco is consumed, but that is almost where their similarities end. Cigars and cigarettes are often lumped together due to the fact they may look similar and are smoked in what seems a similar way, but the two experiences are entirely different. From the tobacco used, to the way they are produced, to the way they are enjoyed, there are many differences which set cigars above the rest of the tobacco family. 

Tobacco used to produce cigars and cigarettes

The tobacco used to produce cigars is entirely different to that used to create either hand rolling tobacco for roll your own cigarettes, or the shredded or reconstituted tobacco used to create tailor made straight cigarettes.

Tobacco for Cigars

Premium hand-rolled cigars such as Cuban Habanos use tobacco which has been specially cultivated to be of the finest quality, particularly focusing on its flavour qualities. Cuban tobacco farmers use traditional techniques to carefully cultivate each crop and invest months, and even years into every leaf to ensure only the finest make it into cigars. The soil and climate of cigar producing countries and regions are perfect for growing the very finest tobacco with every attention to detail being taken to ensure the quality of the final product. Leaves intended for filler, binder, or wrapper are grown and prepared in different ways to ensure they are perfect for their role. The leaves, which are kept whole, are carefully fermented and aged over several months and years to produce the unique qualities and flavours.

Tobacco Used for Roll Your Own Cigarettes

Hand rolling tobacco, or fine cut shag tobacco, for roll-your-own cigarettes is grown quickly more for profit than for flavour. These plants often have many chemicals, pesticides and artificial fertilisers used to speed up the process and maximise the crop. The tobacco is then shredded and dangerous chemicals and additives are used in the process to ensure the freshness and flavour of the final product. Whilst it is true that less chemicals are added to hand rolling tobacco than is for straight cigarettes, it still far outweighs what is used to produce tobacco for cigars. Tobacco for cigarettes has much lower standards of quality control and growing conditions compared to those used to make premium cigars.

Tobacco Used for Straight Cigarettes 

Tailor made or straight cigarettes are the most common form of tobacco consumed, they are rolled in paper with a filter and use a similar tobacco which is grown in much the same way as that for hand rolling tobacco, but it is processed differently. The tobacco is dried and shredded into small pieces for some cigarettes, or for cheaper cigarettes a reconstituted tobacco is used. This is dried tobacco plants which have been pulped and turned into a type of paper which is then shredded to improve the consistency. Many chemicals are used in the processing of tobacco for cigarettes, these are used to facilitate manufacture, increase shelf life, control burn rates, nicotine delivery, flavour and harshness.

How cigars are made compared to cigarettes

Most premium cigars are handmade using long filler, or as stated on the bottom of each box of Habanos Cuban cigars “Totalmente a mano Tripa Larga”, which means the cigars are rolled entirely by hand using whole, full length leaves. This long and highly skilled process takes years to master and only a handful of rollers are trusted to make some of the most luxurious cigars such as Cohiba Behikes and Limited Edition Habanos. Each cigar is meticulously crafted and subject to rigorous quality and consistency checks to ensure only the very finest cigars make it to our humidors. Cigarettes on the other hand are made by large machines churning out millions each day, whilst the consistency is very high, it is a quantity over quality process.

Why cigars are not smoked like cigarettes

There is a ritual unique to each person when smoking a cigar, even if you think you don’t have one, you probably do. From selecting which brand or size to enjoy, to cutting and lighting and even the way you hold it or smoke it. A cigar is sipped at and enjoyed, never rushed and never forced. One chooses to sample the delicate flavours and nuances the smoke has to offer, not as a habit, but as a hobby or pastime to either relax with or float off in thought. As Sigmund Freud once said, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar”, whilst that is true, sometimes it isn’t! And no, not in the way Freud was talking about, sometimes a cigar is a vessel for much more. The tradition, time and effort as well as the overall ritual provokes either feelings of relaxation and enjoyment or aids thoughts in a meditational way. Cigars, unlike cigarettes, are never inhaled as the act of enjoying a cigar is about taste more than anything else. This can be noted in the aroma which may be stronger than that of a cigarette, but much more pleasant.   So next time you see someone relaxing with a cigar, tip your hat and smile and compliment them on the aroma, cigar smoking is a cross cultural experience to be shared. If you are looking for high-quality cigars, browse our range of Cigars available to purchase online.