Commentary: Why I Smoke a Pipe

Today I’m offering something a little different than StogieGuys.com’s normal content on cigars and spirits. This article will be the beginning of a new series, aimed at introducing cigar smokers to pipe smoking.

Pipe smoking is a rich, diverse hobby with tons of exciting things going on, but it can be a little intimidating to get into. So, as they appear over the next few weeks scattered amongst our regular content, these articles will help ease you into pipes by offering advice, answering questions, and discussing the “tools of the trade” of enjoying a tobacco pipe.

For this first post, though, I wanted something a little more informal. You might be wondering why you should even bother smoking a pipe. I mean, after all, cigars are so much easier—you just clip ’em and light ’em. Well, here are five reasons to consider pipes.

To start, you know that smoking a pipe is a hobby you’ll like. It’s not really taking a gamble. By reading this web magazine you’re obviously someone who likes to smoke tobacco. So while you may find you prefer cigars to pipes, there is pretty much zero chance you’ll strongly dislike pipes.

The second reason is that pipes can be much more cost-effective than cigars. There is a bit of an economic barrier of entry (you’ll need the pipe, of course, which can be pretty expensive). However, there are cheap and good pipes on the market, and once you have your stuff established, the actual tobacco is cheap. A 1.75 tin of pipe tobacco averages anywhere from about $5 to $15 in price, and that’s about 10 to 15 bowls worth (depending on how you pack, and the size of your pipe). One $10 cigar is hard to justify over 13 smokes from a $10 tin of the same quality.

Third, pipes can fill roles cigars cannot. I know a few people who frequent the shop I work at who won’t smoke flavored cigars, but they’ll smoke flavored pipe tobaccos. Also, a big advantage to consider here is that pipe smoking can be quick. A friend of mine packs a pipe when he goes to work and lights it for 10-minute intervals on his smoke breaks. If you do that with a cigar, the cold cigar would be bitter. Pipe tobacco, though, stays fresh between relights.

On the same note of filling unique roles, pipes offer different flavors than cigars. I smoke both, frequently, because there are tastes that are unique to each side of the tobacco industry. I have never found pipe tobacco that tasted like a Four Kicks, or an LFD Airbender. I’ve also never found cigars that taste like Sam Gawith’s Full Virginia Flake, or G.L. Pease’s Westminster.

My final reason is a bit more abstract. Pipe smoking is a more personal way to enjoy tobacco, in my opinion. Everything from the shape and size of your pipe, to the way you’ve aged your tobacco, to the types of tobacco you’ve previously smoked in your pipe, to how you decide to pack your bowl can impact the way your tobacco tastes. As an example, my boss, myself, and a friend were all sitting in the lounge the other day, each smoking the same tobacco. We decided to switch pipes with each other for a minute, and were shocked at how unique all three tasted.

Those are all my reasons, and hopefully I’ve convinced some of you to try something new. Next time, as I continue this series, I’ll be discussing different types of pipes, how to pick out your first pipe, and what you will need to effectively take care of, and clean, your pipes.

–Joey J

photo credit: Flickr