Humidors - Cigars in cellophane or not?
Storage of Cigars - Either in cellophane or out of cellophane has been a question posed by many cigar enthusiasts. There are those who will always remove the cello, claiming that in doing so, allows humidity to aid in the needs of those cigars to maintain a slight firmness and never dry. The claim that cello is not porous.And then there are those who believe that keeping all cigars in the humidor in their factory cello prevents a Nicaraguan from transferring its particular tobacco taste or aroma to a milder Dominican. Or maybe a slightly spicy Honduran transferring to a Nicaraguan.
Does it occur? We can't say. My cigars don't last that long. We believe it is a matter of opinion and perception. A simple solution, have a seperate humidor for each country.
However, it has been noted that the new flavored cigar category, with so many distinct flavors could possibly transfer their unique qualities to traditional cigars. It has been suggested that a separate humidor for flavored cigars also be considered.
We are anxious to hear from you, pro or con. In Cello? Out of Cello? Flavored Storage?
By Al Remp, product specialist and trainer, Thompson Cigar.
Labels: Al Remp, cigar storage, flavored cigars, humidors
posted by Thompson Admin @ 9:38 AM
16 Comments:
At 9:57 AM,
Marketing Gorilla said…
Not that I claim to know anything about cigars, but based on what Al told me last year, my humidor at home is packed with cigars without the cellophane. I have a nice collection to give away to friends from the Cigar Artisans event held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino last fall.
At 10:08 AM,
Anonymous said…
I think I already gave my answer over in our Yahoo! Cigar101 Group a few weeks back when we had this very same debate. I'll repeat it here for those who missed.
I think it was Dr. Stogiefresh who I stole the idea from, but all of my cigars are stored in their cello with the end of the cello clipped flush with the stogie. His rationale that I concurred with was that a) the cello is pourous and while it may slow the transfer of humidity (a pro & con) it doesn't prevent it altogether and b) the cello serves as a protective wrapper for sticks that get handled or tossed into your travel case and eventually returned to the humidor population.
The other advantage of this is that it serves as a nice hedge if you're unable to commit to either school of thought!
Scott
At 10:12 AM,
Anonymous said…
If I purchase a cigar that comes in cellophane, I leave it like it is. I do that to protect it the best I can when I am moving cigars in and out of my humidors. Humidity will go right through that cellophane. It might take a little longer to age a cigar in cellophane compared to one that is out of cellophane, but it will age. I live in Florida where the humidity is naturally high. If you live in a dry climate you might want to take the cellophane off to help the cigar stay fresh in that type of climate. Once again it is personal preference regarding cellophane on cigars or off.
At 3:19 PM,
MyManMisterC said…
If you buy a cigar in a shoppe and the cigar is wrapped in cellophane, then leave it as is. If cellophane was as detremental as one would think, then why would cigar shoppe owners remove them individually and store in their display humidors?
At 3:21 PM,
Anonymous said…
I live in Illinois where the climate is very dry in the winter. I noticed that my sticks dry out when left in cellophane. The best thing to do is keep them open in a good humidorl
At 6:53 PM,
Anonymous said…
I don't know which way is better, but it's nice to open the humidor and see rows of naked cigars, so I remove the cello.
At 8:54 PM,
Anonymous said…
If your cigars are drying out in cellophane, it might be the humidity in your homidor. My rule is: If moisture can get out with cellophane, it can get in. Leave it on....mine do very well and the wrapper won't split if it's too humid in there.
At 9:42 AM,
Anonymous said…
We talked a bit about this on Episode 101 of the Dog Watch Social Club. But you're right Al. Its all a personal choice from aging, looks, organization, country of origin or flavor.
The most important thing is that you have a humidification system in place. Cello on or Cell off, there is no hard or fast rule.
At 11:26 AM,
Anonymous said…
From my experiences, it is much better to wrap that rascal. It is helpful in protection, especially when it is being handled.
But to each his own.
At 10:30 PM,
Anonymous said…
I agree with Lenny, I love to see, feel, and smell them. As long as the humidity is correct why should it matter! I also believe a separate Humidor for flavored smokes is a very good idea.
At 3:30 PM,
Anonymous said…
The cello wrappers come in handy for another reason as well. Protection from an attack of MOLD. I bought a brand new humidor, the "Rosewood Oval 125 at Thompson's, and seasoned it over several days. Filled the two humidifiers with new distilled water. Put my cigars in. By the way, this was my second humidor. Needed more space since I had added to my collection and planned on buying more beauties. 20 days later there was green mold growing behind the humidifiers on the wall of the humidor. I checked all my cello wrapped cigars and none had any mold on them even though they were in close proximity to the humidifiers. I removed the cigars, took a 50/50 mixture of clorox and distilled water and purified the outer and inner housings of the humidifiers by soaking, threw away the florist sponges inside and replaced them with new sterile "wet" florist foam. I then took the 50/50 mixture and cleaned the mold off of the humidor walls and surrounding areas. I then let the hummy dry out and re-seasoned it. Placed the humidifiers back in the slots in the walls and 10 days later, another attack of the green mold behind the humidifiers. Once again, no mold on the cigars. Whew! Thank you cellophane wrappers! Went through the cleaning process again and then placed the humidifiers on plastic tupperware lids so that they weren't in contact with the wood. 3 months later, no more mold. I think that the slots in the back of the humidifers which come in contact with the wood are the problem. I am going to seal the backs and see if that solves the problem. Because the humidifiers laying flat take up a lot of room. So for now, I vote FOR cellophane wrappers!
RAP
At 5:43 PM,
Anonymous said…
If you buy a cigar in a shoppe and the cigar is wrapped in cellophane, then leave it as is. If cellophane was as detremental as one would think, then why would cigar shoppe owners remove them individually and store in their display humidors?
This is pretty much my opinion, as well. If it comes in cello, it stays in the cello until I smoke it. If it doesn't come in cello, then obviously I'm not going to put it in cello.
Generally, the way that it comes from the shop is the way that I will store it.
At 4:47 AM,
Anonymous said…
i did this- removed my cellos and carefully cut small holes down the sides and carefully put them back in the cello this way i can prevent the mixing of different tastes and aromas while allowing them to breath better than being in a regular cello
At 10:07 PM,
Anonymous said…
Well i like to leave cellos on the cigars i have least of. I've got about 15 cigars of diffrent orgins and brands, but i keep about 25 of the same brand and style. These I take out of the cello to allow them to marry with flavor. The rest keep there cello to remain unique. The real thing here is that there is no right answer. To each his own!
At 3:16 AM,
Joe said…
One important thing everyone forgot to mention is the cigar beetle, curse his name. Ive luckily never had an encounter, but god forbid one, just one happens to "wake up" and your cigars aren't in celo... Lets just say, the bigger the humidor, the more you're going to scream. Celo will prevent this little critter from jumping from cigar to cigar and chewing through a whole box.
B) As long as your hygrometer reads 70% (make sure it's calibrated - never trust one you just bought even if it seems to be reading proper results. Calibrate it) then your cigars will not dry out. Remember, that cigars can become over humidified causing them not to give off a proper amount of smoke and eventually become unsmokable. They can be dried out, but this is a pain too. Cello will slow the rate at which humidity enters the cigarm keeping it fresh but not allowing it to get too damp. Extra humidity will appear attimes as tiny beads of water on the celo, usually right under the humidifier piece if the box hasn't been opened recently.
Making your cigars "look pretty" is important to us all, but I am sure prolonging their lifespan takes precedence over all.
As far as transfering tastes / aromas, etc. I have a mixing box wher I experiment with letting certain "groups" of cigars age together for 6 months or so minimum. Many people find it favorable to let cigars mingle with eachother. If you wish to keep cigars seperate, use the celo again. Get a diferent box for mixing. Remember though, while celo stops this mingling, it also stops the cigar from relaly taking on that cedar fragrance and flavor from the humidor itself - a drawback if you ask me.
I use celo for the reasons above. I hope this helps. Remember, in the end, its what makes you happy with your cigars that works best!
(By the way, that moldy humidor - its garbage man, sorry. Mold is usually deep seede and will keep comming back. You should send it back if you can. Also, NEVER use any foreign cleaning agents on the cedar wood. I dont care if its diluted 1 / 99 - that chemical crap will affect the cigars and anything else you put in that box. This is why the problem is permanent. Its a double edged sword. The only two things that should come near a humi are cigars and distilled water - not spring water or purified water. Well, three things if you count glycol, but thats it. Bleach is a HUGE no no.
At 12:24 PM,
HOFRYNO23 said…
I have a 100 cigar humidor with a top tray that holds about 20 cigars. So what I like to do is remove the cello from the cigars on the top tray and keep everything below in the cello. I am not sure if this does anything but it nice to immediately see the naked cigars when I open the humidor, and these are usually the ones next in the firing line!
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