If you know about cigars, you must also hear the word “Stogie.” Here, we will discuss what exactly stogies are and the basic difference between the two: cigars and stogies. The basic similarity between the two is that they are smoking objects made by wrapping tobacco in the paper.
But when it comes to dissimilarities, there is plenty to talk about. They are the looks, the design, the price, and the quality of tobacco used in each case, which makes stogies different from regular cigars.
Cigars
A note on a cigar will help to figure out its basic difference with a stogie. It is needless to mention that a cigar is a rolled (in paper) bundle of the finest quality tobacco (dried and fermented) that smokes. The main aura is because of the finest quality of tobacco that is essential for it.
Cigars became popular in the world from Cuba. Cuban tobacco is famous worldwide, and when we talk about cigars, the best of them comes from Cuba. Apart from Cuba, cigar tobacco is also cultivated in other parts of the world, such as the Dominican Republic, Haiti, West Indies, Brazil, Eastern United States, Panama, Brazil, Nicaragua, etc.
The origins of cigars are unknown until now. But historians depict that smoking rolled tobacco started first in the islands of the Caribbean back in the 10th century.
The Europeans came to know about it (primarily, the Spanish) in the 15th century and it became spreading worldwide. From that time, cigars began to evolve, gaining popularity all over the world.
Stogies
The perfect way to describe stories will be to explain them as “cheap cigars.” However, there is more to it. They are shorter in shape than the usual cigars. The price of some stories can be exactly equivalent to the price of cigars depending upon the quality of tobacco used to make it.
Stogies, as a word, also goes as slang for any cheroots or cigars. They are roughly made, quick to get a variety of cigars. Now, let us know the history behind stogies. The term “stogies” comes from the type of short cigars enjoyed by the Conestoga wagon drivers dated way back in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Conestoga is a place in the state of Pennsylvania, United States. That was where the very first cigar factories were established in the United States.
The region between Lancaster to Philadelphia is greatly known for exquisite tobacco growing. This is the region from where stogies became so popular all around the country and later, to the other parts of the world.
The cultivation of fine quality tobacco began to rise during this time, which led to various manufacturing brands of these cheap, short-sized cigars, known as stogies. The first companies to manufacture stogies and make them popular in the country were Henry Clay, Bayuk Brothers, Theobold and Oppenheimer, and the Topper.
Another interesting fact regarding stogies is that as we know that the name is derived from short cigars enjoyed by wagon drivers, they used to resemble the spokes of their wagon wheels.
Sometimes, these spokes are also known as stogies. The wrapping of tobacco in a very neat way for stogies became popular in the 1970s. Pennsylvania Broadleaf is the most used for wrapping tobacco.
Stogies vs Cigars: All The Differences You Need to Know
To be honest, there is no such wildly contrasting difference between the two. But still, we will point out the obvious ones.
Price
The price factor of the two can be the most prominent difference. Good quality cigars are very expensive and cost hundreds of dollars. They are so premium as a product that they come in outstanding packaging and boxes. Besides, to avoid forgery, cigar companies and the government of the manufacturing country also provide their respective hallmarks.
On the other hand, stogies are cheap. They are way cheaper than these cigars.
Quality
The quality of tobacco used in the manufacturing of stogies and a cigar is different altogether. The best tobacco available is used for making premium cigars. This tobacco generally comes from Cuba, parts of South America, and the Caribbean islands. Stogies are generally made out of Pennsylvania-grown cheap quality tobacco.
Shape
The shape of the two is also distinguishable. Cigars are longer and more premium in looks. It has got tapes, logos, and everything. But, stogies being the cheap option, are generally roughly made. They are also shorter in size if we compare them with cigars.
Origin
Cigars originate from Cuba, South America, Spain, and the Caribbean islands, where the best quality tobacco is available abundantly. Stogies are fully a thing for the United States. Pennsylvania-grown tobacco makes those outstanding stogies.
Conclusion
The similarity between a stogie and a cigar was that they both are smoking objects but there are certainly many major differences between the two. They are different in shape, quality of tobacco, price, and origin. Additional evidence of a difference two is that the rich mainly enjoy cigars as an object of luxury but stogies were first found and used by the drivers, cowboys, and other poor segments of the United States. We showed the major distinctions between cigars and stogies in our article. Pick the one you want to smoke or else, try them both.